02 The story
A beach village on Boundary Bay
Long before the cottages, Crescent Beach was a seasonal camp for First Nations including the Semiahmoo. The Great Northern Railway, which arrived in 1909, made it easy for city dwellers to reach the beach, and summer cottages, a hotel and dykes followed in the 1910s. For many years the area also supported an oyster industry. Many of the old cottages have since been replaced by year-round homes, but the village keeps its beach-town character.
Beecher Street is the main street, a short strip of cafés, ice cream shops and casual restaurants leading to the water. The railway still runs right through the community, so expect to wait for trains at the crossings.
Beach, spit and marina
The beach runs south from the village along Boundary Bay, with sand, driftwood and wide tidal flats at low tide. Sunsets over the bay are a big draw, and there is a small pier for watching the water.
At the north end, Blackie Spit Park sits at the mouth of the Nicomekl River where it meets Mud Bay. It is one of the best bird watching spots in the region, on the Pacific Flyway, and the only place in Boundary Bay where purple martins nest. The park also has a designated off-leash area for dogs and open meadows for picnics.
Crescent Beach Marina sits near the mouth of the Nicomekl River, and the sheltered water nearby is popular with paddlers on calm days.
Crescent Beach suits families, walkers and anyone who likes a slower day by the sea. Visit on a weekday or early on weekends in summer, and bring layers, as the wind off the bay can be cool.
