Sidney (Sidney-by-the-Sea)

A visit to Sidney typically starts at the waterfront, where you’ll find many of the town’s top attractions. See a giant Pacific octopus at the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea, comb the surface of Glass Beach for shiny treasures, and follow the Sidney Seaside Sculpture Walk, a waterfront walkway featuring public artworks and offering views of Mount Baker and the Salish Sea.

If you have some time to further explore, there are several distilleries and vineyards nearby. Alternatively, make the 15-minute drive to Victoria’s Butchart Gardens or take the short boat ride out to whale feeding grounds around the Gulf Islands and the Haro Strait.

• Sidney is a must for wildlife enthusiasts, with the waterways of the Salish Sea playing host to many animals, such as sea lions, bald eagles, and killer whales.
• Sidney is also known for its high concentration of independent bookstores, most of which are located in and around Beacon Avenue.
• If you want to fish off Sidney pier, purchase an appropriate license online or at the Home Hardware Store on Beacon Avenue.

Sidney is set on the north end of the Saanich Peninsula, just a 5-minute drive from Victoria International Airport. BC Ferries run year-round services between Vancouver and Swartz Bay, just north of Sidney. International ferries also connect Sidney with Fidalgo Island and San Juan Island in Washington state.

With mild year-round temperatures and very little snow, Sidney can be visited year-round, though the weather is most pleasant between May and October. May through October is also peak whale-watching season in the region.

Sidney is a perfect launching pad for travelers exploring the nearby Gulf Islands, known for their scenic shorelines, wildlife-filled waters, and slower pace of life. Many whale-watching cruises travel near the islands, where southern resident orcas are frequently seen. Boats also connect Sidney to white sand-bordered Sidney Spit—part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve—where you can spend a day lazing on the beach and swimming in the sea.

Yes, Sidney is worth visiting if you’re traveling to Vancouver Island and want a relaxing place to recharge via eating, kayaking, sailing, and whale watching. Sidney is the main access point for visiting the Sidney Spit, a long narrow stretch of beach, and Sidney Island for hiking trails and campsites.

Yes, you will find beaches along the coast north of Sidney’s town center, as well as Glass Beach by the town’s pier. You’ll also find stretches of sandy beach around the Sidney Spit. This area—accessible by ferry from town—is on the northern end of Sidney Island and has swimming areas.

To get to Sidney Island take the Sidney Spit Ferry from Port Sidney Marina. The ferry, running from late May to early September, takes you to the Sidney Spit at the northern end of Sidney Island. Several ferries leave and arrive throughout the day, with more frequent weekend departures.

Yes, some parking lots in Sidney that are relatively close to Beacon Wharf and the Sidney Pier offer free parking. However, many of the free parking places have a two- or three-hour time limit. These parking lots usually have disabled parking stalls and may have EV charging stations.

The best time of year to visit Sidney is between May and October, as it gives you the most options for outdoor activities. It's when you’ll likely receive the best weather, and it also lines up with Vancouver Island’s whale-watching season and the ferry schedules to the Sidney Spit.

Yes, you can visit the Sidney Spit without taking the ferry. You can travel by kayak, canoe, or private boat. There are mooring buoys nearby and dinghy dock space at the spit. Kayaking from Sidney to the spit takes roughly two hours each way—so don’t undertake the trip lightly.