Qualicum Beach BC: A beautiful waterfront community best viewed on foot exploring down a paved walking path fronting the coastline of the region's sandy beaches. During low tides, when the tides recede almost a 1/4 mile, people flock to Qualicum Beach or to, nearby, Columbia Beach located north of Parksville, BC. beach destinations where tidal pools form, sandcastles are built, frisbees are thrown and children play all under the watchful eyes of the seabirds and eagles patrolling high above.

The Qualicum Beach walking path leads to outdoor patios, ice cream stands, Totem Poles, picnic tables, grassy areas, birdwatching platforms, accommodations, restaurants and many viewing benches.

Qualicum Beach waterfront is popular destination for seabirds, in particular, birds like ravens, Bald Eagles, seagulls and Blue Herons. With a good set of binoculars visitors can view, in the distance, off the coastline Lasqueti and Texada Islands with the snow-capped Coastal Mountains looming in the background.

The Qualicum Beach village centre is very pedestrian-friendly with sidewalks leading people in and out of the many cute gift shops, art galleries, cafe houses, boutiques, community parks and restaurants. The quaint storefronts, many painted in pastel colors are alive with floral scents from the hanging flower baskets and gardens. In the Qualicum Beach region are some wildlife wildlife recovery centres to visit and some wonderful floral gardens and tea rooms to explore. Qualicum Beach is an enjoyable step back in time and has been rewarded for their hard work internationally winning the "Communities in Bloom" award.

The region along this central coastal portion of Vancouver Island is referred to as the Oceanside Communities and includes the following villages of Qualicum Beach, Qualicum Bay, French Creek, Bowser, Deep Bay, Parksville, Coombs and Errington.

The Oceanside region is a popular destination for activities like relaxing, golfing, caving, spas, waterfall parks, sandy beaches and hiking. People flock every year to nearby Rathtrevor Beach, for example, for a chance to play at low tide . Englishman River Falls and Little Qualicum Falls are some waterfall parks with groomed paths leading over wooden bridges looking down canyon walls at rushing rivers surrounded by forests (best season is late winter and early spring when water levels are the highest). Or... you can never go wrong by taking some time to visit the Horne Lake Caves for a day of spelunking and exploring middle earth.