Nanoose Bay: Coastal Parks, Trails and Recreation

In Nanoose Bay, coastal parks, trails, a shellfish reserve and recreational activities ranging from golf to diving offer different ways to experience the destination. If you’re looking for a hotel for your stay, you can start by considering whether you’d rather focus on coastal scenery, hiking trails or activities such as horseback riding and golf.

Coastal Parks and Tidal Pools

Moorecroft Regional Park covers 35 hectares along the ocean and is managed under a conservation covenant. The site was formerly home to Camp Moorecroft, a youth camp. Today, the park offers hiking trails. Its oceanfront location, protected landscape and former use as a camp give the park several different facets.

Beachcomber Regional Park is also on the ocean, but at one hectare, it is much smaller. It is located at the end of Nanoose’s Beachcomber Peninsula. Short trails wind through a forest of arbutus trees, Douglas firs and Garry oaks. At low tide, you can explore the tidal pools. The parks also differ in their main features: Moorecroft offers hiking trails in a larger coastal park, while Beachcomber combines short forest trails with the experience of exploring pools at low tide.

The Shellfish Reserve on the South Shore

The Nanoose Bay Recreational Shellfish Reserve lies on the south shore of Nanoose Bay and covers about 23 hectares. Access is via Arlington Road and Nanoose Beach Road. There is public parking at the end of Nanoose Beach Road; from there, an approximately 1.5-kilometre walking trail follows the south shore to the reserve. When planning your visit, consider not only the destination but also the walk to get there.

Important shellfish species in the reserve include Manila clams, littleneck clams, cockles and oysters. If you’re considering harvesting shellfish, check public access, any closures and applicable regulations in advance. The list of species also makes the area interesting for visitors who want to learn about the coastal landscape and its shellfish populations.

Art, Golf and Horseback Riding

The Marketplace at Nanoose Bay Cafe showcases Vancouver Island artists year-round. This adds an arts offering to the area’s nature and recreational activities.

Fairwinds Golf Club is a year-round 18-hole golf course on a scenic peninsula along the east coast of Vancouver Island. Its offerings include lessons, camps and clinics for players of all skill levels. Paradise Acres Ranch offers bookable trail rides and riding lessons. Check the availability of trail rides and the lesson schedule in advance, as both can change.

Diving and Trails Around the Lake and Hills

Madrona Point is a coastal shore-diving site with several dive plans. As ocean conditions vary, factor them into your dive planning. There are also different options for hiking: a short hike from Powder Point Road leads up Notch Hill. Enos Lake, by contrast, is surrounded by more than five kilometres of natural, mossy trails. In this way, a short hike contrasts with a more extensive trail network.

These differences can help you narrow down your interests for your stay: the coast and tides, art, golf, horseback riding, diving or trails by the lake and hill. The places and activities give Nanoose Bay a broad appeal, so you don’t have to limit yourself to just one kind of outing.

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