Vancouver Island

Not really home, but close.

If you’ve never been to Botanical Beach, put it on your list—seriously. It’s one of those rare places where it feels like the earth is showing off. Low tide reveals these incredible sandstone tide pools that look like something out of a fantasy film, teeming with sea stars, anemones, and crabs just going about their day. The sheer variety of life in such a small area is mind-blowing—this beach actually has one of the most diverse tidal ecosystems in all of British Columbia.

Here’s a fun bit of trivia: the area was once home to the University of Minnesota’s marine station back in 1900. Scientists from around the world came here to study because the intertidal life is just that rich. These pools are basically open-air aquariums—except, you know, with better scenery.

What I love most about Botanical Beach is how dramatic it feels. Crashing waves on one side, deep emerald forest on the other, and these surreal, pockmarked rock shelves that look like they belong on another planet. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel small in the best way possible. Every photo I took just reminded me that nature doesn’t need filters—it’s already doing its thing.

-Eugene.