Canal Beach
Lyndon Cassell Photography
Canal Waterfront Park, commonly referred to as Canal Beach, is home to the annual Port Alberni Polar bear Swim. The park has ample parking, a large firepit, public washrooms, a volleyball net, and a structure to sit under when it's really raining.
The park offers a spectacular view of the Beaufort Range. If you enjoy sunsets, Canal Beach is a great place to watch the sun set over the Valley.
If you're at the beach for sunset maybe you'd like to stay a little longer and do some star gazing. While you wait, you could always put a log on the community fire pit and enjoy a campfire. Please supply your own logs. Remember, campfires are only allowed when it's permitted. Campfire bans are normally in effect during the summer months.
There are a few logs and the odd piece of driftwood along the shore line which are fun to use in photography.
Boat watching. There canal is busy with boats coming and going for any number of reasons. From the smallest fishing boat to the largest ship, the canal is a deep water port capable of handling most any size
Cruise Ships
The Canal Waterfront Park is a great location to watch boats and ships entering or leaving the harbour. I was there in 2019 when Port Alberni welcomed the cruise ship MS Maasdam three times (May, June and July)
I often go to Canal Beach for some creative photography. You can get close to the waves and get a few images that look pretty cool. You can view more wave action images here.
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There's room for everyone here. Enjoy a game of volleyball with your friends, take you dog for a walk, sit and admire the scenery, absorb the atmosphere of the salt water and the air. Bring a lunch and have a picnic.
Many events are held here including weddings. It's a great space for an outdoor ceremony.
I choose this location from time to time for portrait photography. Some of my requests for photography require water in the background or a nice sunset.
Creativity and inspiration for creativity can be found anywhere. I choose Canal Beach as one of my creative spaces. It gives me a place where the images I capture look great as prints, such as black and white.
When the weather gets interesting you will find the Canal Waterfront Park an enjoyable place to visit, take a few photos or just sit and observe.
The Annual Polar Bear swim occurs on January 1st. It's how we start the new year in the Valley. The beach is always packed with worthy participants, a few like me who take photos, the fire pit is raging, theirs hot chocolate, live music, and a general ambience of celebration in the air.
Take a look at my collection of images taken at Canal Beach
