New York, Paris, Sydney—these are a few of my favourite cities. They’re glamorous, vibrant and, well, I don’t need to describe them to you because chances are you’ve been and have fallen in love with them too. And while I jump at the chance to visit any one of those cities, there’s one place on earth that has completely stolen my heart: Deep Bay, British Columbia. 

I’d be genuinely surprised if anyone (besides my friends and family) reading this is thinking, “OMG I love that place!” Chances are, you’ve never even heard of it. Most people I knew growing up never had a clue it existed—and they lived 2.5 hours away. It’s my hidden gem.

Deep Bay is a stunning, secluded spot on Vancouver Island, a couple of hours drive from Victoria.

In the mid 1960s, my grandparents bought the best (in my humble opinion) lot on the spit and built a cabin. We’re the last house on the left, with nothing but sand and sea grass stretching out to the beautiful blue ocean. It’s truly a slice of paradise.

Growing up, I spent every single summer there. I was one-month old the first time I took a dip in the bay and I never stopped swimming after that. I’ve heard stories (and seen videos) about me sitting on the beach in my leopard one-piece, picking up little crabs and eating them as they tried to crawl by. Yes, eating them. I’ve always loved a snack. And leopard print.

Quite often on the last day of school, my parents would pick up my sister and I with the car fully packed and we’d head up to the cabin for two glorious months of sun, sand and saltwater. Of course, they had to go back to work but we’d stay with our grandparents and soak up as much of the summer as we could.

Some of the best memories of my life are from Deep Bay. When I go there, I feel like I’m home. It’s one place where I feel like I can truly be myself—no makeup, no fancy clothes, no fashion shows, no events and no Internet. (Admittedly, we will have to get on that one day, but for now it’s so peaceful to just put my phone aside and live.)

After 28 years of swimming, sailing, biking, crafting, playing cards, shucking oysters, fishing, reading, laughing, crying, kayaking and spending time with the people I love, it’s become the most important place in the world to me.

Recently, I spent some time there with my family and it felt so good to be back. I wanted to share some photos (via disposable camera) that I took on my trip.

This is Deep Bay.

—ᴍᴍᴍ