5 Places to Cool Off in Parksville

The summer months on Vancouver Island can be quite hot, but not to worry – there are plenty of places to cool off in Parksville. Here are five of our favourite places to enjoy a sunny day. The hardest decision you have to make is decide which one to explore first!

This 5-kilometer sandy beach is located just a short walk from Sunrise Ridge Waterfront Resort. At Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park you can safely experience an active intertidal zone. After a low tide, the ocean rolls back in over sun-baked and which results in an unbeatable warm ocean swim.

Cameron Lake features crystal-clear freshwater, towering trees, and stunning mountain views. The pebbled beach allows individuals to swim or launch a kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard. Some believe that there is an underwater tunnel that connects Cameron Lake and Horne Lake.

Parksville Community Beach is a popular destination for families and once low tide hits, there is plenty of space to explore. Kids and adults alike thoroughly enjoy hunting for seashells as well as exploring the beachfront playground and water park. There are a number of places to sit on the beach, enjoy a picnic or grab a lunchtime snack or ice cream from the number of local vendors.

A big, sandy beach area near the parking lot is a central spot to hang out, swim or paddle. Best of all, Spider Lake is off-limits to all motorized boats. That means the peace is only likely to be broken by the sound of happy laughter and the cheers of anglers catching small-mouth bass that frequent these waters.

Top Bridge Regional Park in the Englishman River Regional Park is a local favorite swimming hole. Here you can drift around in its natural lazy river, or jump off ‘the nose’ and soak up the sun. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can explore the petroglyph that, according to a local historian, is located down by the Englishman River.

If you’re hoping to stay closer to the Resort, Sunrise Ridge Waterfront Resort offers an outdoor heated pool, open daily, that is located just steps away from our wide range of accommodation offerings.