July 21, 2025
5 LUXURIOUS LOW TIDE WALKS
Craving Vitamin Sea? Summer’s lower tides, including zero and negative tides, offer exceptional access to unforgettable beach experiences from tidal pools to tombolos, sea caves to Jurassic rockscapes, breathtaking trails, and if you’re very lucky, Ḿaaʔak (Grey whale) sightings offshore.
The west coast is home to world-class beaches—these lands and waters stewarded by Nuu-chah-nulth Peoples since time immemorial. From Tin Wis Beach (aka MacKenzie Beach) to local beaches within walking distance to that sandy crescent along the coast of the co-managed Pacific Rim National Park Reserve with free admission this summer, there are so many blissful beach meanders to choose from.
Enjoy these five blissful beach meanders:
TIN̓UWIS TO ƛAAKAŠIIS
Start right in front of Tin Wis Resort on Tin̓uwis, pronounced Ti-nu-wis (aka MacKenzie Beach), to begin your low tide exploration. Take the high tide trail to Ḥiłwinʔis, pronounced Hilth-win-is (aka Middle Beach), where sea stars are resplendent above the sandspit that forms at low tide, and at the other end of the beach, near the Tonquin trailhead, barnacle colonies thrive. Follow the rainforest trail with interpretive signs to ƛaakašiis, pronounced Tlaa-ka-shiis (aka Tonquin Beach Park).
Discover more about local marine creatures here.
CHESTERMAN BEACH TO C̓IXWATSAC AND ROSIE BAY
South Chesterman Beach offers access to two special summer treats when the tides are lower. From the south beach entrance, you can follow the tombolo to C̓ixwatsac, pronounced Tsix-wat-sats (aka Frank Island), which comes from the name of the eagle, C̓ixwatin, and overlooks open ocean. Or you can head straight to Rosie Bay to investigate tidal pools and basalt sea caves—one, so narrow your hands brush its walls before you climb up to the overlook facing private Pettinger Point; the other, so spacious a chamber with skylights you can spin in circles and hear your voice echoing on the wind.
Learn more about Tla-o-qui-aht place names here.
Č ̓AḤAYIS (COX BAY)
At low tide, the crescent beach of Č̓aḥayis, pronounced Cha-ha-yis (aka Cox Bay), makes for a wonderful oceanside ramble—the indigo-blue Pacific Ocean liminal between the shore beneath your feet and azure sky above. Picturesque Lennard Lighthouse stands sentry across the waves on Lennard Island. This beach is framed by rainforest, and as you approach the verdant hill past the Maltby Road entrance, pause to appreciate the magnificent driftwood tree trunk, worn into a twisted sculpture—a perfect photo op illustrating the power of the ocean and the elements here on the west coast.
Check tide forecasts here.
WICKANINNISH BEACH
At low tide, Wickaninnish Beach offers a wide swath of sand to explore, augmented by incredible sand dunes. Dividing “Wick” and Combers Beaches, Sandhill Creek provides salmon habitat and attracts migrating shorebirds, while at the opposite end, past the Kwisitis Visitor Centre and South Beach trailhead, low tide reveals a rocky wonderland.
Learn more about interpretive beach walks here.
FLORENCIA BAY
A popular local surf spot during higher tides, at low tide, Florencia (or Flo) Bay appears almost like a lunar landscape as its Jurassic-era rock formations are revealed. Low tide also connects two opposite sides of Flo Bay (accessible via park access off Wick Road at the north and Willowbrae Trail at the south) into one long and languorous stretch of beach beneath stunning bluffs. Lost Shoe Creek divides these two sides but is crossable with aquatic-friendly shoes at low tide. The Nuu-chah-nulth Trail, at the north parking lot, provides another boardwalk access to South Beach.
Learn more about beach access Here.