Victoria to Parksville – 1 August 2025
We always love returning to Surfside RV Resort in Parksville, where our RV journey first began in the winter of 2021. Parksville is a favourite destination on Vancouver Island, famous for its long sandy beach and warm shallow waters when the tide rolls out.
After setting up the RV with a view of the beach, Derek, Liam, and I strolled over to check out the incredible creations at the annual Sandcastle Competition. Artists from around the world compete here, and this year’s theme, Circus by the Sea, did not disappoint. My favourite piece, The Juggler, took first place, but every sculpture was remarkable. The beach buzzed with food trucks, volleyball games, live music, and families soaking in the summer fun. We grabbed tacos for supper and enjoyed the festivities at a picnic table overlooking it all.
Relaxed Resort Days
The days blended into weeks of easy summer living:
- Long walks on the beach with Jax
- Pickleball matches at the resort’s own courts
- Table tennis in the clubhouse
- Swimming in the pool and soaking in the hot tub
- Evenings at the gazebo on Parksville’s boardwalk, where live music filled the air all August
It was a rhythm of sunshine, activity, and relaxation.
Wildfires & Waterfalls
For the first few weeks, smoke drifted in from nearby wildfires at Cameron Lake and Mount Underwood. Mornings carried the heavy smell of smoke, but the winds cleared the air by afternoon, and sunsets glowed deep red. Thankfully, local crews brought the fires under control.
We found fresh air and roaring water at Englishman River Falls Provincial Park. Walking beneath towering trees and listening to the falls thunder was pure West Coast magic.
A Return to Tofino
One sunny Sunday we made the two-hour trip both way, to the wild Pacific coast, a place we hadn’t visited in nearly 20 years. Along the way we paused at Cathedral Grove, wandering among giant old-growth Douglas firs and breathing in the hush of the forest.
In Ucluelet we stopped for coffee and stumbled across Surfer Girl, a three-metre stainless steel sculpture by artist Mike Camp. The energy of the piece, catching a wave mid-ride, perfectly embodied the West Coast spirit.
By afternoon we reached Tofino, where we explored the town, enjoyed a delicious Indian dinner, and capped off the day at Long Beach. Jax splashed joyfully in the surf while we watched surfers cut through the misty waves. The drive home, through Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, reminded us that this coastline is also a crucial stop on the Pacific Flyway, a major bird migration route. Along the roadside we spotted Steller’s jays—blue feathers flashing as they foraged for grit and scraps.
Beach Days & Starry Nights
Back in Parksville, I rose at 3 a.m. one night hoping to catch a meteor shower, but clouds spoiled the view. Earlier that week, though, I caught a brilliant orange sunset reflecting across the bay—one of many breathtaking moments by the shore. We also enjoyed fireworks launched from a barge over Parksville Bay, a dazzling finale to the summer festivities.
Nearby adventures included a walk along the Lighthouse Regional Trail in Qualicum Beach, a former railway line now a scenic walking path, and a peaceful afternoon at Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, where trails through Douglas firs open onto vast tidal flats.
Ocean Treasures
There’s something endlessly calming about Parksville’s wide sandbars and mountain-framed horizons. One morning I came across a sand dollar washed up on the beach. These delicate skeletons of sea urchins, with their star-shaped pattern, are often seen as symbols of peace, transformation, and good luck. A small piece of ocean magic to carry home.
An Unexpected Ending
Just as we were savoring our last few days, a call came from Victoria—our business storage unit had been flooded after a city water pipe burst. Reluctantly, we cut our Parksville stay short and headed back to Fort Victoria RV Park to face what turned into quite a wet mess.
