Vancouver Island Beach named among top 50 in North America

A 2026 list of North America’s 50 best beaches has just been released, and we’ve got some Vancouver Island representation!

San Josef Bay—an ultra-remote, white sand beach located in Cape Scott Park—was once again named one of North America’s top 50 beaches in a list created by World’s 50 Best Beaches.

The beach features famous rock formations called sea stacks and stunning caves carved out by the Pacific Ocean.

There is an abundance of wildlife in the area, and visitors have the potential to spot bald eagles, sea otters, sea lions and other marine life.

San Josef Bay is just about as far north as you can go by car on Vancouver Island, with the closest community being Holberg.

Be sure to stop at the most remote pub on Vancouver Island, the Scarlet Ibis, on the way in!

The beach offers some of the most incredible camping in the region. There are campsites directly on the beach, and some in the forest nearby.

If you do intend to camp, BC Parks reminds everyone to leave no trace when you leave, packing out everything you take in.

The beach is about two-and-a-half kilometres from the San Josef Bay parking lot, which is accessed by a gravel road that has a reputation for puncturing tires. Be sure to bring an extra and know how to change it!

For anybody who’s been to the area, it’s no surprise that the beach is getting recognition. Every visit to Cape Scott Park is astonishing, and reminds us of the truly wild nature of this island that we live on.

The untouched ruggedness of the landscape is breath-taking to see.

The beach was the only one in Canada to be named, and was listed as the 43rd best in North America. This list is released annually, and has highlighted San Josef Bay multiple times over the years.

The beach crowned the winner this year was Shoal Bay East in Anguilla.

The list is created by polling select travel professionals from all over the world, based on several criteria including uniqueness, how far it is off the beaten path, how crowded the beach is and the soundtrack of nature at the location.

For more information and to see the other beaches that made the list, visit the organization’s website here.