Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park

Park Sandy beach park with tidal flats and camping

Wide sandy beach and campground on Vancouver Island near Parksville, known for extensive tidal flats at low tide, family swimming, long beach walks and established camping facilities.

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Main image

Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park is a provincial park on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, near the town of Parksville. It protects a sandy shoreline and adjacent coastal forest used for recreation.

The park’s defining feature is a wide, gently sloping sandy beach that reveals extensive intertidal flats at low tide, popular for walking and shoreline exploration. Visitors also use the forested campground and picnic areas, and follow trails through coastal woods to access the shore.

The site has been managed as a provincial park to conserve the beach and forest and to provide day-use and camping facilities for Saltwater Strait visitors. Management focuses on recreational access while protecting coastal habitats.

The park sits on the east coast of central Vancouver Island on the Strait of Georgia, adjacent to the Parksville-Qualicum area and easily reached from local coastal communities.

  • Low tide beach: The beach exposes broad sandy flats at low tide, making long walks and shoreline exploration easiest when tide tables are checked in advance.
  • Campground and day use: The park includes a seasonal, vehicle-accessible campground with both day-use areas and wooded campsites; facilities are busiest in summer months.

What to See #

  • Main Beach: The main sandy shoreline that becomes an extensive intertidal flat at low tide, popular for long walks, beachcombing and birdwatching.
  • Campground: A seasonal, forested campground and day-use areas that provide access to trails and picnic facilities within the park.
  • Forest trails: A network of short forest trails that link the campground to the beach and provide shade and interpretive signage about coastal ecology.
Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park
Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, near Parksville, British Columbia
49.3240, -124.2701
Day-use areas open daily; campground seasonal
Day-use parking fee varies (Parksville/Qualicum Beach passes may apply)

How to Get to Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park #

Rathtrevor Beach is located just north of the town of Parksville on Vancouver Island, off Highway 19A. It is approximately a 10-15 minute drive from central Parksville and about 30-40 minutes from Nanaimo. There is a signed park entrance and parking areas.

Tips for Visiting Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park #

  • Arrive near low tide to walk the extended sand flats and to see clams being dug.
  • The long beach is exposed - strong afternoon sun and winds are common; bring shelter.
  • The park's main campground fills up in summer; reserve well in advance.

Best Time to Visit Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park #

A long sandy beach park on Vancouver Island noted for its tidal flats, warm shallow water and family camping.

Summer
Jun-Aug · 12-22°C
Warmest weather, long beach walks and family-friendly swimming.
Shoulder season
May & Sep · 8-16°C
Fewer crowds and pleasant walking temperatures; some facilities close after Labour Day.

Weather & Climate near Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park #

Climate

Temperate climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 23°C. Abundant rainfall (1109 mm/year), wettest in November.

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
23°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (177 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature

Weather

177 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

February

February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (114 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature

Weather

114 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°

Weather

107 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°

Weather

65 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm).

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
17°

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm).

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
11° 20°

Weather

45 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

July

July is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. The driest month with just 25 mm.

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
13° 23°

Weather

25 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

August

August is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm).

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
13° 23°

Weather

35 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

September

September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm).

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
10° 20°

Weather

38 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm

October

October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm).

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
14°

Weather

106 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

November

November is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (181 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature

Weather

181 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

December

December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (166 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature

Weather

166 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

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