British Columbia is nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains, which means you can find any environment here, from coastal towns to big cities with stunning mountain scenery. Outdoor enthusiasts love British Columbia real estate because it allows them to explore Canada’s beautiful atmosphere up close and personal. With over 40,000 islands, the homes for sale in British Columbia have some of Canada’s most spectacular waterfront views for those who love seaside adventure.
From the Vancouver Islands all the way up the British Columbia coast to Prince Rupert, here are some of the best waterfront cities in British Columbia:
Vancouver
Vancouver is the cream of the crop for a big city experience along Canada’s coastal waters. When it comes to waterfront cities in British Columbia, there is nowhere like Vancouver that offers quick access to dining and entertainment, lush green parks, and an abundance of waterfront activities.
Vancouver boasts soft sand beaches of all varieties, from vibrant urban beaches like English Bay to smaller and less crowded ones like Spanish Banks. If you’re looking for a unique local hotspot along British Columbia’s waterfront, Wreck Beach offers 4.5 miles of nearly hidden sandy beaches open to naturalists. Kitsilano Beach, warmly referred to as Kits Beach, provides a 360° view of Vancouver, a heated saltwater pool, and plenty of room to settle down for a picnic or get in your daily workout. If Vancouver’s direct beaches aren’t enough, take the Vancouver ferry to Vancouver Island and experience miles and miles of other coastal activities right outside your front door.
Due to its large size and urban nature, Vancouver has more available housing than other towns on this list like Tofino and Cowichan Bay. However, you’ll still want to move fast when buying real estate in Vancouver. While you can find every kind of property in Vancouver, most of what you’ll find closer to the coast are single-family homes listing at an average of $2.6M. If you opt for a condo or townhome closer to the city centre, those will cost you between $900K and $2M depending on size and amenities.
Tofino
Tucked away on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Tofino is one of the best waterfront cities in British Columbia because of its long stretches of flat, sandy beaches. Tofino primarily draws in surfers, as it’s commonly referred to as Canada’s Surf Capital, but it also attracts young creatives in droves. Like many seaside cities, Tofino has defined on and off seasons, as most people flock there in the summer and flee in the wintertime. However, if you stay year-round, you’ll experience a close-knit, local community and find new little things to fall in love with each day.
Aside from the hiking, fishing, surfing, boating, and wildlife-watching opportunities, Tofino is lined with quirky food trucks, unique art displays, and trendy local businesses for residents to explore. After you’ve spent the day surfing the coast and taking in the views of Pacific Rim National Park, you can head back to town to enjoy some of the freshest seafood the province offers. Feeling spunky? Try some locally-made seaweed beer; it’s Tofino’s specialty! Tofino is also the prime jumping-off point for a number of excursions that you can only experience on British Columbia’s west coast, including Clayoquot Sound, where you can see black bears and whales in their natural habitat.
Just over half of the properties in Tofino are single-detached homes, while the rest is split between apartment buildings and townhomes. Homes for sale in Tofino range in price from $750K to $6M, but it may be hard to snag one. Many of the homes in Tofino have been turned into AirBNBs or rental properties, which creates a supply/demand struggle. However, if you get your hands on a Tofino home for sale with hopes of turning it into a rental home, you’ll likely have no problem finding tenants. The best way to stay up to date on the availability of Tofino real estate is by connecting with a real estate agent who is familiar with the local market.
Surrey
As opposed to the soft-sand beaches of Vancouver, Surrey’s beaches are complete with rocky shorelines that create excellent beaches for hiking, jogging, or fishing. One of the best suburbs of Vancouver, Surrey’s seaside region is home to some of British Columbia’s most loved beaches. Surrey can be divided into two zones: North Surrey and South Surrey. North Surrey is more urban and features homes and amenities along the Fraser River, while South Surrey is located along the U.S. Washington border. Known as the “city of parks”, both lush green parks and waterfront parks, Surrey is ideal for families that love to stay close to adventure without sacrificing the convenience of day-to-day amenities.
The three most popular beaches in Surrey are Crescent Beach, Mud Bay Park, and White Rock Beach, which all overlook Boundary Bay. Another favourite local spot is 1001 steps, a large, winding staircase that makes for a simple hike down to Surrey’s shoreline. Surrey is set apart from other waterfront cities in British Columbia because it offers affordable housing in an area with every amenity you could need, excellent pre- and post-secondary education, and speedy accessibility to Vancouver’s city centre.
Surrey homes for sale are of diverse types and price ranges but still average out to be more affordable than real estate in Vancouver proper. With 26 neighbourhoods to choose from, Surrey offers real estate from $596K to $2.5M, although single-family homes for sale list at an average of $1.9M. If you would rather opt for a condo in Surrey, they list at an average of $576K and townhomes list for $938K on average.
Prince Rupert
Before you hit Alaska’s southern border, you’ll come across the small marine town of Prince Rupert. Located on Kaien Island, this walkable port city of 14,000 people offers a quiet life in the wilderness. Prince Rupert is connected to the mainland by a single bridge, but the locals’ primary form of transportation is by boat, so don’t expect much traffic going in and out. No matter the season, Prince Rupert will provide you with a quaint home along British Columbia’s coastline.
As a popular destination for Alaskan Cruises, Prince Rupert has plenty to do, but it is the most loved for its breathtaking harbour sunsets and wildlife spotting. Deer graze freely along Prince Rupert’s narrow roads, and humpback whales jump proudly out of the sea while black bears gather along the coast to hunt for salmon in the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Sanctuary. Prince Rupert’s version of a “downtown” is Cow Bay, which encompasses three blocks of decorated cow sculptures, fresh seafood cuisine, and local boutiques. With limited career options outside of the fishing and port industries, it’s best to have a job lined up or to work remotely when moving to Prince Rupert.
The good news is that Prince Rupert real estate is more affordable than homes in Vancouver and other urban cities, with a median price of $418K. A majority of the homes for sale in Prince Rupert are single-family detached, while a limited assortment of condos and townhouses are sprinkled in between. In addition, grocery and utility costs in Prince Rupert are on par with the rest of the province, while transportation tends to be less expensive due to its walkability.
Victoria
As British Columbia’s provincial capital, Victoria is known as one of Canada’s most beautiful cities and sits along Vancouver Island’s southernmost tip. Not only is Victoria one of the best waterfront cities in British Columbia, but it offers so much more as you travel further inland. Here you’ll find a variety of authentic cuisines, one of the world’s most beautiful gardens, and grassy parks for the whole family to enjoy.
Victoria’s coastline boasts sprawling networks of beaches, bays, coves, and harbours. You can visit one Victoria beach and have a stunning view of the Olympic Mountains and another with a view of the Strait of Juan de Fuca; there’s a beach for every mood! Willows Beach is one of the best beaches in Victoria, featuring shallow waters perfect for children, a walking trail along the water, a shady, grassy area, and a long stretch of soft sand. Victoria is also a great jumping-off point for whale watching excursions and other water-based tours and activities.
With a vast array of prices adorning the Victoria real estate market, you’ll be able to find a home in almost any price range. One of Victoria’s best waterfront neighbourhoods is Fairfield, situated directly along the coastline and featuring Beacon Hill Park, one of Victoria’s best greenspaces. The median price for homes in Victoria is $975K, which is under Vancouver’s median and just over the provincial median. If you want a single-family home, condo, or townhouse located in an active but peaceful city with exceptional waterside views, Victoria is sure to provide one.
The Best Waterfront Cities in British Columbia
We hope this article helped you in your search for a new home and gave you some insight into the best waterfront cities in British Columbia. Whether you’re searching for multi-story beach houses or small townhomes near the shore, you’ll find some of North America’s best views along the western coast of British Columbia. If you’d love to live on the coast in a high-rise condo, check out the best condos in North Vancouver for some of our favourites!
