Mackenzie Beach
The calm waters of this beach near Tofino make it an ideal spot for families to take a break from city life and go for a swim.
Visitors flock to Mackenzie Beach to enjoy its calm waters and family ambiance. The Vancouver Island strip of sand is particularly popular because it is close to the town of Tofino and is protected from high winds by rock formations. Its calm waves create a family atmosphere, since more adventurous swimmers and surfers make their way to tougher waters farther south.
Claim a spot on the sandy beach for you and your family to sit with a picnic and enjoy with a scenic view of the ocean. The beach is a hotspot for sunbathers in the summer. Dip your feet in the ocean or go for a swim to cool down after an afternoon in the sun. Bring plenty of sunscreen and water for your time on the coast. Stay for the sunset to see the sky change colors.
The beach is popular in the winter among storm watchers. The tempests, which put on a marvelous light show over the ocean, have also shaped the trees behind the beach. Note that many are bent out of shape as a result of the storms. Meander through piles of driftwood stacked on the sand. Watch kids making forts out of the sand and wood.
Take the kids beachcombing along miles of sand to find interesting items, such as seashells, fossils and driftwood. Play beach volleyball and frisbee with family and friends.
Spend the night at a resort or in the nearby campground. Scenes from the 2005 remake of The Fog were filmed on sections of Mackenzie Beach.
Drive 1.8 miles (3 kilometers) south from the city of Tofino to reach Mackenzie Beach. It faces the Templar Channel on the west coast of Vancouver Island, just north of Chesterman Beach, Long Beach and Schooner Cove. The journey will take about 5 minutes by car, first along main roads, and then via dirt paths. Parking can be quite difficult to find at peak times.