Ready for a beach day? Crescent Beach, in South Surrey, is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. The beach stretches for kilometres and you can always find a spot to set up camp for the day. Paddle in the warm tidepools, or check out the roped-off swimming areas at Sullivan Point. And ice cream is just a short walk away! But if you’re hoping to do more than just sit on the beach, we have 10 things for you to do in Crescent Beach.
Catch a sunset
Crescent Beach sunsets are next level, and you can watch them from almost anywhere on the beach. Sullivan Point Park tends to be the hot spot for sunset watchers as there are lots of logs and boulders on the beach to perch and admire the show. We suggest walking north towards Blackie Spit and the Wickson Pier for quieter yet equally spectacular, viewing spots.
Go birdwatching
Just north of Crescent Beach, Blackie Spit, located along the Pacific Flyway, is considered to be one of the best bird-watching areas in Western Canada. A major north-south flyway for migratory birds, Blackie Spit with its tidal marsh and eelgrass beds is perfect for spotting shorebirds and waterfowl. Keep your eyes peeled for sandpipers, northern flickers, pileated woodpeckers, brown creepers and yellow-rumped warblers, among many more. You may also see a few aquatic mammals such as harbour seals and their pups.
Go paddling
The best way to truly appreciate Crescent Beach is from the water, and there’s no better way to see how the beach got its name than to see its shoreline from a paddleboard or kayak. The waters in the bay are a great spot for newcomers to the activity to get their feet wet and practice balancing on the warm and relatively calm waters. Expert paddlers can enjoy the tide flowing in and out, and if you’re up for a little calm adventure, carry along past Blackie Spit under the rail bridge to the mouth of the Nicomekl River, where you can paddle up this picturesque river to Elgin Heritage Park, which is home to Historic Stewart Farm. Rent paddleboards and kayaks from the Crescent Beach Paddleshack.
Take a whale-watching trip
It’s the quintessential British Columbia experience. Heading out on the ocean to watch these majestic creatures in their natural environment is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Whale watching trips depart daily from Crescent Beach Marina and peak times to view whales are between April and October. In addition to whale watching trips, White Rock Sea Tours & Whale Watch Vancouver offer sunset, sea lion, and crab fishing cruises.
Go for a walk
If it’s a scenic stroll you’re after, then the Crescent Beach Path is perfect. This 2.7 kilometer long, flat, out-and-back trail, is part of the longer Crescent Beach Greenway and is the perfect seaside walk. The trail hugs the beach and walkers enjoy panoramic views of Boundary Bay. Or head to 1001 Steps park, located at the western point of 15A Avenue. A beautiful wooden staircase winds down to the shores of a secluded cobble beach. There aren’t actually a thousand and one steps, but it sure does feel like it!
Picnic on the beach
Located side-by-side, Crescent Beach and Blackie Spit are both excellent choices for a picnic. Enjoy swimming in the ocean, a plethora of grass and sandy sitting areas, as well as gorgeous views of Boundary Bay and the North Shore Mountains in the distance. And your picnic can be as simple or as extravagant as you want it to be. Go classic and pick up authentic fish & chips from Hooked Fish Bar, pick up a pizza from Cotto al Mare, stop at the Sunflower Café or Dudes Coffee House for delicious sandwiches and baked goods, or before you roll into Crescent Beach stop at an Italian speciality market, Delitalia Fine Foods for delicious antipasto, charcuterie, Italian cheeses and an amazing selection of olives.
Savour a scoop
Nothing says summer more than grabbing a gelato or ice cream on a warm summer evening and heading to the beach. Newcomers, Bravo Gelato are winning over customers with their traditional Italian gelato and sorbetti, made on-site using the freshest ingredients available, and Martino’s Cappuccino & Coffee Bar, with their 110 flavours of gelato and sorbetto are sure to have a flavour to satisfy everyone’s tastebuds.
Build a sandcastle
Building sandcastles can bring hours of family fun and all you need is sand, a shovel, a bucket and a great imagination. And low tide at Crescent Beach is optimal for some serious sandcastle construction. Pick a spot closer to the high tide line, so the sand is wet but not too wet, and start building your masterpiece. And then wait for the tide to come in, because for some reason one of the most exciting things about sandcastle building is watching the ocean flow around your castle as it reclaims the sand.
Ride a bike
Bring your bikes and explore. It’s a short, flat ride through the neighbourhood and trails from Crescent Beach to Elgin Heritage Park and the Historic Stewart Farm. Start at Blackie Spit and then follow the path for the Crescent Beach Trail before turning onto Crescent Road for the 3 kilometre ride to Elgin Heritage Park. Visit the farmhouse and grounds to experience the life of Surrey’s pioneers from 1894-1910. Hop back on your bike and follow the shoreline trails through the park and along the Nicomekl Trail for beautiful views of the Nicomekl River and the wide swaths of green fields beyond. Then reverse your trip and head back to Crescent Beach.
Dinner with a view
A sunny patio is always a good way to spend the day, and two of Crescent Beach’s restaurants are truly beachfront, boasting stunning waterfront views from their patios. Hooked Fish Bar has everything to satisfy your seafood cravings and is renowned for its fish & chips, fish tacos, and ‘chowdah. Cotto Al Mare is authentically Italian. They use a wood-fire brick oven and locally-sourced seasonal ingredients to serve up delicious pizzas and pasta. We recommend timing your dinner with sunset!