Sidney Spit is an easy day trip from Victoria and is known for its fine sandy beaches. It occupies about a third of Sidney Island and is part of the Gulf Islands National Park.
Sidney Spit History
Sidney Island was originally called Sallas Island. However, when the Hudson Bay Company started offering land for sale on it in the mid-1800s, they renamed it Sidney Island to make it sound more attractive to buyers.
In 1902, a businessman from Victoria bought Sidney Island for only $25,000. After discovering fine clay deposits on the island, he started the Sidney Brick and Tile Company. At its peak, the company employed 70 people. Until this day, you can still find remnants of the red brick around the island and by the shore.
In 1910, the island was purchased as a hunting preserve. It was also used for vegetable farming and raising sheep for a number of decades.
In 1981, the northern part of the island became what is now the Sidney Spit Marine Park. The remainder of the island was purchased and acreages were sold to real estate investors and families. There are now a total of 111 strata lots for those looking to buy very private, off the grid, oceanfront property.
How to get to Sidney Spit
Sidney Spit is located about 5km from Sidney and just a 20 minute ferry ride away.
Sidney Spit Ferry
The Sidney Spit Ferry is seasonal, running from May to September. It is a foot-passenger-only catamaran with room for 41 passengers. There are typically four to five sailings each way per day, but the schedule varies depending on the date/month, so be sure to check the online schedule in advance.
You can reserve and purchase tickets online. As of July 2023, tickets are $25/adult (age 16-64) and $21 for children (age 3-15) and seniors (age 65+). Children two and under are free, but you must still reserve a ticket online and pay the $2.25 fuel surcharge.
Dogs are allowed on leash on the boat.
The ferry departs from Port Sidney Marina at 9835 Seaport Place.
Sidney Spit Parking
The closest parking available is under The Pier Hotel. However there are a number of other free and paid lots around Sidney, as well as street parking. You can find a detailed parking map here.
Private Boat/Canoe/Kayak
You are able to sail, canoe or kayak to Sidney Spit year-round. There are 21 mooring buoys and there is dock space available at the government dock.
If you’d like to make a day of it and rent a kayak, you can do so from Pacifica Paddlesports located near Swartz Bay.
Airstrip
Yes, Sidney Island even has its own private airstrip! However it’s only for use by owners and is owned by the strata.
What to do at Sidney Spit
Beachcomb
The long white sand beaches with super soft sand are great for walks or just laying out and relaxing. It’s definitely the nicest sand you will encounter on any beach in the Victoria area. When the tide is low, you can walk quite far out on the spit.
Swim
The sheltered waters of Sidney Spit are popular with families for swimming. Just beware that the water is pretty cold 😉
Hike the Sidney Spit Trails
There are a few easy hikes you can do through the beach and forested trails at Sidney Spit. One is a picturesque 2.3km loop trail that crosses through the campground and fields.
During low tide, you can walk all the way out to the end of the spit to the lighthouse. It will take about 30 minutes to reach the tip. Don’t forget to watch the tide levels otherwise you might have to wade through some water on your way back.
A less frequented trail is the Lagoon Trail that takes you to the opposite end of the park by the lagoon.
Have a picnic
There are a number of picnic tables available close to the dock, or you can sit and enjoy your picnic on the soft sand while admiring the views. Just remember that everything must be packed in and packed out. There is no food or water on Sidney Island.
Tip: We like to stop at Sidney Bakery before getting on the boat to Sidney Spit to pick up some delicious and affordable baked goods for our picnic! Just make sure to factor in the time as there are often long lines at the bakery and you don’t want to miss the boat.
Birdwatch
Sidney Spit is a popular spot for bird watchers as it provides some of the most important shorebird habitat near southern Vancouver Island! Blue herons can often be spotted feeding by the beach. You can also see bald eagles, cormorants and Brant geese.
Search for the old bomb shelter
Yes, you read that right! There is an old bomb shelter at Sidney Spit that not many people know about. It is located off of the main trail in the grassy area near the campsites. See if you can find it 😉
Learn about the local plants
When we visited, there were signs posted along the trails with information about various plants found on the island.
Camping at Sidney Spit
Camping at Sidney Spit is an excellent way to soak in more of what Sidney Island has to offer. There are 29 campsites available at the Sidney Spit Campground. Reservations can be made online (select Gulf Islands Park, then Sidney Spit). The Sidney Spit Campground fee is $18.75 per night.
Once you arrive on Sidney Island, there are a number of wheel barrows by the dock available for you to use to transport your gear to your campsite.
Each campsite has a picnic table, but no campfires are allowed at any time. It’s important to remember that there is also no water available at all, so you must bring enough with you to last your trip.
FAQ
Can I bring a bike to Sidney Spit?
No, unfortunately Parks Canada does not allow bikes on Sidney Spit. If you’ve arrived on your bike, there is a bike rack near the Sidney Spit ferry dock where you can lock it up.
Can I bring a kayak/paddleboard on the Sidney Spit ferry?
No, the ferry is not able to transport kayaks nor paddleboards to Sidney Spit.
Can I bring my dog to Sidney Spit?
Yes! Dogs are allowed on the ferry and on Sidney Spit as long as they are leashed at all times.
Where to stay in Sidney
If you prefer not to rough it in a tent, there are a number of wonderful hotels back in Sidney to complete your visit.
Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa
This gorgeous oceanfront hotel is only steps away from the ferry dock to Sidney Spit. It is walking distance to all that Sidney has to offer. If you have kids, take them to the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre right next to the hotel!
Best Western Plus Emerald Isle Hotel
If you are looking for something a little more affordable, the Best Western is a good choice. Although not oceanfront, it is still right on Beacon Avenue and within an easy walk of all that Sidney has to offer!
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