Glass Beach, Sidney

About Glass Beach, Sidney

A little cove below the Waterfront Walkway in downtown Sidney, reached by a flight of stairs. The town names it Glass Beach on its parks list. Collectors link the glass to old rubbish dumping in the channel and to a waterfront glass factory said to have burnt down in the 1950s.

Sea glass at Glass Beach, Sidney

Mostly whites and ambers in varying degrees of frosting, with soft blues and the odd cobalt; one blogger reported a red piece. Search the wet waterline at low tide, though regular visitors pick the rarer colours over quickly.

Visiting Glass Beach, Sidney

Getting there

On Beacon Avenue West at the waterfront, between Beacon Park and the Bevan Fishing Pier; about twelve steps down from the Waterfront Walkway.

Parking

A few spaces at the roundabout at the foot of Beacon Avenue, which tend to fill up later in the day (Beachcombing Magazine).

Safety

Check the tide times before you go and head out on a falling tide, so you're never cut off. Keep away from the bottom of cliffs, wear sturdy shoes on rocks, and only take sea glass and other man-made rubbish: pebbles, sand and shells should stay on the beach.