The Community Spotlight series highlights communities, organizations and individuals using innovative approaches to build resilient communities. CoastSmart is a public education program on Vancouver Island’s west coast. It helps residents and visitors understand shoreline hazards and encourages respect for the ocean.
Know your hazards before heading out on your next road trip
Tofino and Ucluelet are popular tourist destinations that see about 1 million visitors every year. This means public education is key to ensuring residents and visitors stay safe while recreating.
CoastSmart is an incredible preparedness resource for surfers, stand‑up paddleboarders (SUPers), storm watchers and beach walkers. They are active on social media and work directly with surf shops, hotels and visitor centres to share information about hazards like moving logs, rip currents, cold temperatures and tsunamis.
There is also standardized signage along the coast with recognizable hazard symbols, information on who to call in the case of an emergency and a location code to help emergency services to find people quickly.
Learn from the locals
Izzy and Ali from CoastSmart understand that safety messages must reach people without scaring them away. The preparedness message needs to be fun and engaging while maintaining a serious tone. The water may look inviting in summer, but the ocean is unpredictable.
To strengthen their message, they’ve partnered with local ambassadors to empower people to know before they go. You can hear from folks like
Become CoastSmart today!
Did you know about 20 per cent of people who drown either slip, trip or fall into the water? They never intended to get wet. Be sure to check conditions and scan for hazards before any near-water activity.
Test your knowledge with the CoastSmart quiz and earn an “I am CoastSmart” digital badge. Share the badge with friends and challenge them to become CoastSmart too!
Get prepared
No matter where you’re planning to visit this spring and summer, it’s important to be prepared. Take these actions ahead of your next trip:
- Explore PreparedBC’s hazard map to identify potential hazards in the places you plan to visit
- Make sure you have a grab-and-go bag in your car and emergency contact numbers handy
- Stop at a visitor centre or ask your accommodation provider about evacuation routes, muster points or other local emergency information you should be aware of
- Discover local resources like CoastSmart to support your planning and learning
- Follow EmergencyInfoBC.ca or @EmergencyInfoBC on X for real-time updates during emergencies in B.C.
- Have fun and enjoy exploring B.C!