This wonderful waterfront park is a great stop for those who enjoy watching ships and float-planes in Patricia Bay and Saanich Inlet. The park overlooks the seaplane docks and the Institute of Ocean Sciences and Coast Guard wharf. An information sign shares habitat and animal descriptions for this unique marine shoreline. A circular and nicely sloped asphalt trail along the shore of Pat Bay provides an area to stretch your legs and makes using wheeled chairs easy. The park has toilets and picnic tables. A small parking lot completes the park.
The shore area of the beach has a lot of large rocks with some sandy areas. Most of the seashore is a lovely mudflat, for those who enjoy them, with eel grass and marine algae. At lower tides a multitude of small marine animals are visible. TenTen Creek flows into the bay on the southern end of the park. The estuary of this urban creek provides habitat for a variety of fish and other organisms including coastal cutthroat trout. It is easy to extend a walk along the beach using Scoter Trail or around the airport using the Flight Path. Or if you feel tempted go for a swim in the very refreshing shallow waters of Patricia Bay.
Geographic coordinates N48° 39′ 12″ W123° 26′ 44″
This park can be reached from Pat Bay Highway. Turn left onto Beacon Avenue and follow the road as it turns to eventually become McDonald Park Road. At the intersection turn left onto Mills Road. Continue on Mills Road to reach West Saanich Road. Turn left onto West Saanich Road and for the signage for Patricia Bay Beach Park and the small paved parking area near the toilets. There is limited roadside parking along West Saanich Road.
Walks In Your Back Yard (formerly Healthy Naturalist) 