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Kilometres of soft sandy beach to walk, Sidney Spit offers the best sand beach experience on South Island and an easy adventure to get there.
Located about a 5km boat ride from Sidney, the Sidney Spit is a sandy piece of land that jets out from the north tip of Sidney Island and the spit is just one of the highlights of your visit to Sidney Island.
On the north end of Sidney Island, you’ll find hiking trails, camping, a tidal lagoon, and the spit within the national park. For the boaters, there are dock and mooring locations. It’s also a popular place for boaters to head for a day or an overnight stay.
A walk-on ferry service runs from the end of May until September for day visitors and campers.
The marine park has boat-only access. The Sidney Spit passenger ferry runs from May to September, Leaving from Port Sidney Marina. If you have your own boat, there are first-come, first-served mooring buoys and dock spaces available.
Spend the night on Sidney island at one of the 29 tent sites and one group campsite/picnic area.
Open annually from May 15 to September 30. It’s recommended to book ahead of time
Wheelbarrows are supplied at the main dock to transport camping gear for the short walk to your site. You will find pit toilets, but there is no water available for the day-use area or the campground. Visitors must bring enough water for their party for the duration of their trip.
Fires or burning are not permitted at Sidney Spit at any time, including below the high tide mark (Campfire regulations can be found here)
Sidney Spit has the only overnight dock available in the park reserve and has 21 mooring buoys that operate on a first-come, first-server basis.
Fees apply for all mooring buoys after 3 pm and can be paid at the self-registration vaults on shore. Dinghy dock space is free for day use.
Gulf Island National Park Reserve Boating Info
Most visitors head straight to the tip of the spit, walking along the sandy beach. There are two marked trails if you want to explore more of the park.
SKTAMEN (sk-thay-men) Trail: Easy 2.1 km loop from the main dock to the campground and then returning along the eastern coast.
Lagoon Trail: Easy 1.8 km spur off SKTAMEN Trail to the lagoon (3.6 km total).
Helpful links:
Tide Information
Google Maps
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Pack Out:
We love Vancouver Island and want to keep the natural beauty. Please respect the places you visit and pack out what you pack in and leave the area better than when you arrived. We all know how much trash can spoil an experience and the environment, so please help us keep it clean!
Wildlife:
Vancouver Island is a land of natural beauty and abundant wildlife. Please be aware of your surroundings and take the usual precautions for personal and wildlife safety.
Black bears, cougars and even wolves are common on Vancouver Island for more on Wildlife Safety Click Here
Tide and Seasonal Safety:
Changing seasons and tides can have a drastic effect on most locations on Vancouver Island. Please be cautious as the information in this post may vary depending on the time of year and weather. Make sure to check for current weather and tide information before you make your journey!
When visiting the beach, it’s essential to pay attention and stay safe! Please be cautious walking on the shore during high tide. At this time, some areas may not be accessible. Click here for the tides in your area. Be aware of ocean currents before swimming, paddle boarding or kayaking.
Land Acknowledgement:
We would like to acknowledge the land we appreciate daily within the 50 First Nations that make up the traditional territories of the Coast Salish, Nuu chah nulth, and Kwakiutl–the first peoples of Vancouver Island .
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