Settlers from Europe began arriving at Qualicum Bay Beach located on the east coast of Vancouver Island in the late 1800s, they came to homestead or were employed in the logging and fishing industries. In the late 1890s, a road was constructed to connect the bay with the small villages of Qualicum and Parksville to the south and Courtenay and Comox to the north, this brought in more settlers. With land grants handed out by the E&N railway to create settlement areas, the people came, and eventually, these settlements became the small communities that dot the east coast of the island. Qualicum Bay is one of these areas.
Today, Qualicum Bay Beach is sought out by those seeking a peaceful place to settle down, as well as those who enjoy fishing. Qualicum Bay is an area rich in seafood. Alongside the road are numerous places to pull over and walk along the beach, you can see all types of wildlife here including sea lions, seals, whales, dolphins, deer, bears and many types of birds.
There is a small shop there that has many kinds of ice cream, so many kinds that it’s hard to choose. I first had an ice cream cone in Qualicum Bay back in 1961, and they still sell it there, seems like they know what they’re doing. So the next time you are driving by, stop and check out the shop and then take a cone across the street to the beach and just relax for a few moments.
There is some mighty fine fishing in the waters offshore, and you can go crabbing here at low tide, in the rivers and lakes in the area are also some great fishing opportunities as well as some incredible hiking trails.