Many beaches to enjoy, camp and dig for clams. Cycling is a good way to explore the islands as most roads are paved and rentals are available on Hornby at the Off Road Bicycle Shop next to the Co-op, the Island's one general store. A map of Mount Geoffrey Regional Park trails can be picked up here as well. Hornby is called the jewel of the Gulf Islands, with the finest of sand beaches, diverse forests, abundant sealife, and its own unique culture. Buckley Bay is about one hour's drive up-island from Nanaimo.
Tribune Bay is one of the best sand beaches in the Gulf Islands.
There are also fine sand beaches at Little Tribune Bay and Whaling Station Bay. The rock and gravel beaches are perhaps more interesting because of the abundant intertidal sea life, and are still swimmable. The two best accessible gravel beaches are in Halliwell Provincial Park and at Grassy Point. For an adventure, walk the beach from Fords Cove to Shingle Spit, but watch the tide. The lowest tides in summer occur during the middle of the day - in winter they are in the middle of the night.