COMBERS BEACH
PACIFIC RIM NATIONAL PARK (Long Beach section)

Combers Beach takes some walking and packing effort to enjoy as it is accessed from the Spruce Fringe Trail. A short down hill trail from the parking lot leads to the sandy Combers Beach and many magnificent marine views.

The Spruce Fringe Hiking Trail is a short 1.5 kilometre loop trail with both gravel and boardwalk trail sections. The trail starts from the parking lot down a wide gravel walkway for about 700 metres before reaching the beach. The sandy Combers Beach is part of the largest sand dune on Vancouver Island semi- connected to Long Beach and Wickaninnish Beach.

The beach is covered in fine white sand and littered in driftwood thrown on shore by the west coast storms of winter. The beach looks out at Sea Lion Rocks. Too far for the naked eye, but easily viewed though a good set of binoculars. A popular Sea Lion and bird sanctuary. So, binoculars is a good idea.

Combers Beach attracts all types of sun worshippers from families enjoying a beach picnic to surfers riding waves to bird watchers following the sandpipers along the beach. There are children building sand castles, people reading books, some visitors closing their eyes and basking in the sun while others are up and walking along the seemingly never-ending sandy beach.

The Spruce Fringe Trail loops back to the parking lot and does have a resting bench for the steep areas on the trail that is available for people who wish to take a breather walking back up from the beach.

All visitors to the park must have a Park Use Permit. Pack out what you pack in.

How to get to Combers Beach: Along the Pacific Rim Hwy look for the road signs indicating the Spruce Fringe Trail and Combers Beach parking lot. Follow the road to the parking lot. From the parking lot you begin the Spruce Fringe Trail to Combers Beach.