Rathtrevor Beach Provincial ParkAbout Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park
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.
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.
Weather & Climate near Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 1° - 6° | 0° | 177 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 2° - 8° | 2° | 114 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 3° - 10° | 4° | 107 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 5° - 13° | 7° | 65 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 8° - 17° | 12° | 50 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 11° - 20° | 15° | 45 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 13° - 23° | 18° | 25 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 13° - 23° | 18° | 35 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 10° - 20° | 15° | 38 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 6° - 14° | 10° | 106 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 3° - 9° | 3° | 181 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 2° - 6° | 1° | 166 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
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.