Swimming Off Our Beach
"The rocky beach is amazingly secluded, and beautiful to swim in." Elizabeth N, Eagle View (#3), Jul '21
Swimming off our beach is wonderful! You'll usually have the beach to yourself, because we are roughly halfway between the 2 nearest public beach access points. Due to the Lambert Channel being sheltered on all sides by island coastlines, much of the time the "ocean" is as placid as a lake, and because of the shallow rock shelf that goes out a long way, the water warms up nicely in Summer, and it's safe! No stinging jellyfish, water snakes or great white sharks, but you might see otters, seals, orcas, dolphins, porpoises, grey whales, humpbacks, eagles, herons, and lots of fish!
The ocean off our beach is great for swimming...
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and floating...
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...and fooling around!
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Snorkeling
Snorkeling reveals a surprising and amazing undersea world around these island shores! Forget Costa Rica! Jacque Cousteau, the famous French underwater explorer, described the crystal clear waters surrrounding Denman and Hornby as the second best diving in the world. (I suppose we'll have to settle for second best... :)
A good place to start from is the Bill Mee Park boat launch. If you swim South along the shore it gets progressively rockier and the undersea life becomes more abundant and interesting as you go.
Public Beach Access Points | 2 Swimming Lakes
↕ Whilst the above map is perfect for the swimming locations, the Denman Conservancy Association Protected Lands map is much more detailed and up-to-date.
Public Beaches
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The three most popular swimming beaches on the east side of the island are Fillongley Park, McFarlane Beach and Bill Mee Park. Fillongley has a long sandy beach adjacent to a salmon creek and forest with remnants of old growth trees; it's a favourite place to walk for locals and visitors. Parking is at the bottom of Beadnell Road, next to a small campground and the cleanest portaloos to be found in BC!
McFarlane Beach is right at the junction of McFarlane and East, with some parking by the side of the road. A long pebble beach with conglomerate rock formations worn into weird shapes by the sea. Great for snorkeling!
Bill Mee Park has a public boat launch ramp next to the beach. More interesting rock formations to explore and also excellent snorkeling.
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Fillongley Park Beach ↕
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McFarlane Beach (All photos ↕)
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White-winged Scoters taking off
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Graham Lake
↕ (Photos. by Sheryll F. Aug '22)
Only a short walk or bike ride from Manna House (or 2 minutes in the car) is Graham Lake. Turn right out of the drive onto East Road, first right on "Owl" and take the right fork up "Mallard", to the entrance to the Lindsey Dickson Nature Reserve. The path to the lake takes you through some fascinating forest with old growth remnants (truly massive trees) until you reach a fairly steep path down to the pontoon from which you can dive or climb down into the refreshing water.
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The lake is always warmer than the ocean and waves are rare, a chance to get your laps in, or just float and watch the clouds float by, if there are any. Surrounded by forest, it can be a profoundly peaceful and relaxing place to spend an hour or two. Unless a tribe of kids shows up, but that can be fun too! And look out for the beavers whose dams created the lake, I've seen them swimming off in the distance.
Chickadee Lake
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↕ (Photos. by Beth McCracken, Aug '22)
Being within Denman Island Provincial Park, this ecologically sensitive and complex area is well worth exploring, but we are here for the swimming, and it's just as nice and warm as Graham Lake. However, rather than sharing a pontoon with other visitors like you have to there, here you can find a secluded stretch of shoreline to claim as your own, and swim from your private picnic spot.
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I recommend taking the 'back roads' for the most direct and interesting drive, via Pickles and Central to Lake Road. There's an information board and parking for a few vehicles, indicating access to the lake, which is barely 5 minutes walk.
Photo. by Sheryll F. Aug '22 ↕
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Tribune Bay, Hornby Island
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No summary of the swimming beaches would be complete without a mention of Big Tribune Bay ("Big Trib"), the main reason that Hornby has the nickname "Canada's Hawaii". Often deserted out-of-season, it's packed with visitors in the Summer. A large, sheltered bay with extensive white sands, framed by rocky outcrops on each side, sparkling blue waters with colourful yachts at anchor, it's easy to see the attraction.
FYI, Little Tribune Bay ("Little Trib"), on the West side of one of those rocky outcrops, is a nudist beach. |
Tribune Bay Provincial Park, Google Satellite Image ↕
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