A seaside gem on the Saanich Peninsula — where salt air, good books, and fresh seafood meet.
Perched at the northern tip of the Saanich Peninsula, just five minutes from the BC Ferries Swartz Bay terminal, Sidney by the Sea rewards every visitor who chooses to linger. With a population of just over 12,000, it is compact, walkable, and genuinely charming — the kind of town where the waterfront is always worth a second loop and the bookshops seem to multiply on every visit.
1. Stroll the Waterfront & Pier
Sidney’s salt-air heart
The Sidney waterfront is where every good visit begins and ends. The iconic pier stretches out over the Salish Sea and is almost always lively — fishing lines trailing over the railing, crab traps stacked at the edge, and the fish market nearby where the day’s fresh catch is on full display. The boardwalk is lined with cheerful flowerbeds, and small pebbly beaches tuck beneath it at low tide.
The waterfront sculpture walk adds a wonderful cultural thread to any stroll — artworks from artists across North America are installed along the path, and the whole thing rewards a slow, unhurried pace. Beacon Park sits right beside the water with benches perfectly positioned for watching the boat traffic drift by.
Local tip: The marina is less than four minutes from the main pier — a lovely loop on a clear morning.
1. Stroll the Waterfront & Pier
Sidney is home to three independent bookshops, all within easy walking distance along Beacon Avenue. From thoughtfully curated new releases to cozy second-hand shelves, each store offers a distinct browsing experience—and together they make for a relaxed, rewarding afternoon.
Tanner’s Books is the longstanding anchor and a natural place to begin, but it’s worth taking the time to explore the smaller shops as well. Give yourself a couple of hours, or settle in for a full afternoon if you like to browse slowly.
