Words & Photos Shelley Tice
Spring on Vancouver Island has a way of calling you outside.
We answered that call with a day trip to Sandcut Beach, just west of Sooke, about an hour-and-20-minute drive from the Peninsula. It remains one of my favourite beaches to explore on Vancouver Island.
We made our customary stop at Shirley Delicious for a takeaway lunch, a warm drink and something freshly baked to fuel the adventure.
From the small car park at the trailhead, the walk to the beach is short, about 15 to 20 minutes through coastal forest in every shade of green. In spring, it can be muddy, so sturdy shoes are essential. The path is gentle but uneven in places and would be challenging for anyone with mobility issues. The final approach is a long set of wooden stairs that lead down to the shore, where the sound of crashing waves grows louder before the ocean comes into view.
Sandcut is rugged rather than sandy, a stretch of rocky shoreline scattered with driftwood and smooth stones. The soundtrack is constant and soothing, waves rolling in and breaking as they pull the rocks away from the beach.
Head left as you step onto the shore and make your way toward the waterfall that makes this beach so distinct. In spring, it is at its best, fuelled by seasonal rain and runoff. Water tumbles straight from the river above onto the beach, creating mist, shallow streams and endless fascination for children and adults alike. I managed to be the first one to get wet, misjudging a leap across the running water.
We spent lots of time exploring and made it back up the stairs just as the tide began to creep in. The beach is easier to navigate at low tide, when more shoreline is revealed, and walking is less of a scramble.
Sandcut Beach is proof that a family adventure does not have to be long or complicated. A forest walk, a dramatic waterfall and a stretch of wild coastline are sometimes all you need to truly get out and enjoy.
Things to Note
- Free parking and an outhouse at the trailhead
- Dog-friendly, but dogs must be on leash
- Pack in and pack out to help keep this beach beautiful
- Consider stopping at Shirley Delicious for lunch or a treat to take with you www.shirleydelicious.ca
- Plan for a couple of hours to walk in and out and explore the beach and waterfall
