One of BC's top beaches is this secluded stretch of white sand tucked away on a tiny island

Crystal clear waters and soft sand awaits.

Horby Island in B.C. Right: Tribune Bay Beach BC.

Horby Island in B.C. Right: Tribune Bay Beach BC.

Editor

The crystal clear sea and velvety sand of this beach set it apart, landing it on a list of the best in the province. Set on Hornby Island, you can get to Tribune Bay by taking BC Ferries, and the journey there is well worth the destination.

Destination B.C. put Tribune Bay at the top of its "Top 12 Beaches in BC" list, highlighting its clear blue waters, "soft sand and shallow, temperate waters perfect for swimming."

Exploring the island and its breathtaking beach is only one part of the adventure here though. Getting there is part of the fun.

To reach Hornby Island from Vancouver you'll need to take three ferries. You first drive onto a ferry from the city to Nanaimo, then drive about an hour to Buckley Bay. Then you take another ferry from Buckley Bay to Denman Island, and then another to Hornby.

Thanks to the long journey you might want to stay a while – which is an easy task with so much to do on the island.

You can explore the hiking trails, go snorkelling, head to The Hornby Island Farmer's Market in the summer or explore the many local businesses. The island has three provincial parks with many hiking and biking trails, so you won't be bored if you love to explore.

You'll likely want a whole day at Tribune Bay Provincial Park, where you can dive into the warm waters and lay out on the white sand.

The picturesque setting of the beach is what helped this slice of paradise earn its nickname, "Little Hawaii'. It has nearly a kilometre of sand, and according to the BC Parks website the water here meets "near tropical temperatures during the summer and the bay is considered to be one of the warmest salt water swimming areas in B.C."

If you're already making your summer 2025 plans, this beach deserves a spot on the list.

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

  • Editor

    Morgan Leet (she/her) is an Editor for Narcity Media Group. After graduating from Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication, she jumped into fulfilling her dream as a journalist, merging her passion for travelling with writing. After working in the print media world on Canada’s East Coast, she joined Narcity with a move to B.C., drawn to the beauty of Western Canada. Since then, she's documented her experience moving to Vancouver, covering everything from local events to bucket-list travel destinations across Canada's West Coast.

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