Glencoe Cove-Kwatsech Park

Victoria British Columbia Canada (Gordon Head Community) 

Vancouver Island Parks and Adventures

Glencoe Cove-Kwatsech Park enjoys two beaches connected by a curving path and bookended by two sets of stairs leading to tranquil shores. This quiet neighbourhood sandy beach in Gordon Head, Victoria BC, was once the summer home of the Lekwungen people who inhabited this cove from 500 AD to 1000 AD. The name "Kwatsch" is the traditional Lekwungen name for Gordon Head point.

Glencoe Cove-Kwatsech Park Shell Midden

A shell midden, now preserved within the park boundary, is one of the best midden remains along the eastern Saanich-Victoria coastline and now the only remains of a once busy prehistoric aboriginal village. Today the park includes waterfront lands and forests and includes a number of rare plant species. It only takes 20 minutes to walk this easy trail between the coves and the only decision you need to make is which cove to choose first--north or south?

Safety First Exploring Victoria BC

On a hot day this is a great place to go for a swim, the waters are clear and very cold, but be careful as the shore is steep and drops away quickly. Also, please take care when walking along the cliffs as they are rocky and can be slippery when it rains. If you want to spend time on the beach, low tide is best.

Sightseeing Adventures in Glencoe Cove-Kwatsech Park

Look and see if you can see the footprints of the river otters, or you may see them playing in the surf. Around the corner from the south beach there is a sea cave accessible for viewing between tides if you happen to be a strong swimmer or have a paddleboard or kayak available and want to launch from one of the coves. To see or even enter the cave you will need to time the Vancouver Island tides right so you arrive low to mid-tide. The cave is full of sea anemones and starfish that become exposed on the cave walls and ceiling with the falling tide. At high tide, the cave disappears, you would never know it was there!

Glencoe Cove-Kwatsech Park on Vancouver Island

Victoria British Columbia Canada