Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1215222
tourismvictoria.com | 17 Want to hit the beach? You won't have to travel far – one of Victoria's best beaches is just a 13-minute drive from downtown. Nestled below the sleepy summer homes and stately mansions of Gonzales Bay, Gonzales Beach is a sheltered stretch of white sand with clear, clean water, public washrooms, picnic tables and plenty of space for everyone – even at the peak of summer you'll never be towel-to-towel with your neighbours. Granted, the Salish Sea can feel brisk. Fortunately, Victorians are spoiled with a selection of warmer freshwater swimming holes too. Thetis Lake is only a 35-minute car ride northwest from downtown and one of the biggest and best. The H-shaped lake is a great place for families or launching a kayak. If your group is more mobile, take to the 4.9-ki- lometre trail that surrounds the lake and look for a private rock bluff to set up shop for the day. For those happiest under the waves, Rockfish Divers and Esquimalt Eco Tours offer snor- kelling and diving adventures off Victoria's West Shore as well as equipment rentals and boat char- ters. You can expect to see a rain- bow of underwater vegetation, curious fish, crabs and anemones, plus whales and dolphins oen make guest appearances while you're out on the boat. HOW'S THE WATER? Ocean temperatures around Victoria range between 7.5°C in winter and 12°C in summer. APRES WATER PLAY Need to refuel between aquatic adventures? Fisherman's Wharf is a delightful walk west along the waterfront from the main harbour downtown. A charming destination on its own, this little floating community with houseboats and market stalls has even more seafood on offer at Barb's Fish & Chips and The Fish Store. Just across the Johnson Street Bridge (hang around to catch it flip completely vertical to let boats pass underneath) is the harbour restaurant and popular local haunt, Spinnakers Gastro Pub, where elevated and seafood-forward casual favourites combine with a stellar patio view. A welcome new addition to Victoria's on-the-water eateries is Boom + Batten, whose menu is inspired by the coastal Pacific Northwest; dishes like marinated octopus, scallops, albacore tuna and Humboldt squid show off the best of the ocean's bounty. And there are few better places to catch the setting sun (with fresh West Coast fare) than upstairs at the Breakwater Bistro & Tasting Room. IN the Water The Capital Region contains literally dozens of beaches, each with its own attributes and vibe. Ask a local or the helpful staff at the Victoria Visitor Centre for their recommendation for you and your crew (HARBOUR FERRY AND JACKSON BEACH) LEANNA RATHKELLY; (GONZALES BEACH AND FISHERMAN'S WHARF) DOUG CLEMENT; (ORCA) DAVE HUTCHISON; ISLAND OUTFITTERS; BOOM + BATTEN; ISTOCK Enjoy fresh seafood on the water at Fisherman's Wharf (above) or get a box lunch to go at Boom + Batten (bottom)