Boundary Bay, Coastal bay between British Columbia, Canada and Washington, United States
Boundary Bay is a shallow coastal bay along the Pacific coast, sitting at the border between Canada and the United States within the Strait of Georgia. Its shores alternate between sandy beaches, mudflats, and marshlands that open up widely at low tide.
The Semiahmoo First Nation lived along the bay's shores for generations, relying on its waters for food and resources long before European settlers arrived. In the 19th century, the area became a reference point when the border between Canada and the United States was drawn through this coastal region.
The name of the bay points directly to the international border that runs through the water, dividing the area between two countries. Along the flat shores, people come regularly to watch birds, especially during the seasons when large numbers of shorebirds stop to rest.
The bay can be reached from both sides of the border, with parking areas and marked paths along the shoreline in Canada and the United States. Low tide reveals the mudflats most fully, so timing your visit around tidal cycles gives the best experience along the shore.
Although the bay is divided between two countries, migratory birds follow no border and use the entire shallow area as one continuous resting ground. Some of the species that stop here travel tens of thousands of miles between the Arctic and South America during their annual journey.
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