The Martlet

Victoria is blessed with beautiful beaches. With just a few weeks of decent weather left, now is the time to maximize your seaside enjoyment.

After a summer of arduous, backbreaking research with your pleasure in mind, The Martlet found Victoria’s top three beaches.

Gonzales Beach

With its soft, white sand, elegant, shallow bay and vibrant social scene, “Gonzo” is considered Victoria’s nicest beach by those in the know.

On busy days beach-goers cluster into age and social groups.

At the west end, parents watch their kids frolic and splash. Moving east, alarmingly buff men bask with Paris Hilton and Jersey Shore lookalikes. Next to them, hormonal teens flirt away their summer, while young skim-boarders hone their tide-riding tricks.

Mid-beach, the air thickens with the pungent scent of B.C.’s finest, and Birkenstocks and dreadlocks abound while bongos and guitars sound. Farther east, college students and 20-somethings sunbathe, drink beer and discuss travel and relationships.

Towards Gonzo’s eastern end, older folks relax and read novels.

With students back in school, Gonzales is mellower on weekdays. Yet even when the beach is packed, the vibe is friendly, happy and laid back.

Gonzales Beach is wonderful, and loafing there is always a pleasure.

But be warned: plain-clothes police sometimes patrol Gonzales and levy hefty fines for liquor infractions. The Martlet would never, ever condone the enjoyment of a crisp cold one at a gorgeous beach on a hot day. But if you do drink, watch out for the fuzz. And don’t be an idiot.

To get to Gonzo, hop on the #3/Gonzales bus and ask the driver to stop at the beach, or bike to the south end of Richmond Avenue.

Dallas Road: Mile 0 to Clover Point

The series of south-facing beaches between Mile 0 and Clover Point are the most popular in Victoria. The five beaches at Mile 0 are small and cozy, with narrow bays, weatherworn rocky points and lava beds, and high hillsides that create a sense of remoteness.

The busy main beach at Clover Point Park stretches for about a kilometre, and is great for walking or kicking back with a book.

On clear days the view of Washington State across the Juan de Fuca Straight is spectacular. The Olympic Mountains’ jagged, snowy peaks crack into blue sky, while layers of softer foothills roll below.

On windy days, kite-surfers rocket through the waves and catch huge air.

Sunsets are sublime, as shades of yellow, orange, pink, purple and blue melt into each other and clash in the clouds on the western horizon.

When darkness falls, the lights of Port Angeles sparkle, and cruise ships shimmer like giant gold bars.

The area south of Dallas Road between Clover Point to Douglas Street is open to off-leash dogs. If you have a four-legged best friend, this is the spot for you. If you don’t like dogs, not so much.

The smaller beaches at Mile 0 are southeast of the very bottom of Douglas Street, a ten-minute walk from downtown. The large beach at Clover Point Park is south of the very end of Cook Street. Ride the #3/Gonzales to Cook Street Village, then walk south for five minutes.

Maquinna Beach

Maquinna Beach is a gem: gorgeous, intimate, quiet and secluded.

The mouth of the bay is only about 60 metres wide, and the beach about 80 metres long. Maq Beach is a prime place to escape, relax and soak up the sun undisturbed.

On a weekday, you’ll likely have the whole beach to yourself, all day.

While mostly a pebble beach, there is a soft, sandy patch at the southeast end.

The rocks at the southern tip form a tidal pool that is warm enough to soak in, but that gets enough current to stay crisp and clean.

Some previous beach-goers were industrious and kind enough to build a handsome driftwood fort perfect for small picnics and escaping the midday sun.

There are great spots to soak up rays on the cliff face at the beach’s east end. Wear sturdy footwear and use extreme caution if you do climb the cliff.

The picturesque white and red lighthouse on Trial Island stands proudly to the southeast. Like Dallas road, there are stellar views of the Olympic Mountains and the Juan de Fuca Straight, but in a tranquil, intimate setting.

To get to Maq Beach, ride the #3/Gonzales bus to the end of the line at Quimper St. Walk down Quimper for two minutes and turn left on Maquinna St., then turn right onto the footpath down to the beach.

By bike, to Gonzales Beach, then head east on Crescent to Quimper, and onto Maquinna Rd.

The Martlet wants to know: what are your favourite beaches in Victoria and why? Leave a comment at martlet.ca.