Scenic & Romantic
Driftwood and Swans at Esquimalt Lagoon
Two completely different waterscapes on one thin strip of sand, swans on one side, Olympics on the other, and it's free.
Coburg Peninsula, Ocean Blvd, below Royal Roads University
More infoScenic & Romantic
Two completely different waterscapes on one thin strip of sand, swans on one side, Olympics on the other, and it's free.
Coburg Peninsula, Ocean Blvd, below Royal Roads University
More infoThe sand spit at Esquimalt Lagoon pulls off something improbable: the open Strait of Juan de Fuca on one side, a glassy swan-filled sanctuary on the other, two completely different moods without changing your shoes. Trumpeter swans float like they own the lagoon while driftwood logs sit arranged into benches facing the Olympics. Park free along Ocean Boulevard, claim a log, bring a thermos. Two atmospheres, zero dollars, one thin strip of sand.
Park free along Ocean Boulevard and walk the slender sand spit slowly, swans on one side, the open strait on the other; budget a relaxed hour. Claim one of the driftwood-log benches on the strait side and bring a thermos, because the Olympics floating across the water deserve a proper sit. Cap it with a Colwood ice cream run nearby.
Birds on one side, beach on the other, and a road in between that demands more attention than either. Watch crossings carefully and resist the urge to let kids feed the swans, however persuasive their begging gets. It's a peaceful one once you're safely on whichever side you meant to be.
Beach and bird sanctuary on either side of road. Look for birds without feeding them; watch road crossings and supervise by water.
Official visitor informationFamily details checked 2026-10-05Been here? Share a useful detail from your visit, or ask what you want to know before going. Reader experiences are self-reported.
