This is an earthcache and there is no physical container. See below for logging requirements.
Welcome to the White Rock Pier where you can explore the interaction between human engineering and natural coastal processes while enjoying Canada's longest pier. At the end of the pier, the breakwater plays a significant role in shaping the local environment, particularly influencing sediment dynamics and beach morphology.
Access
🚗 By car: There is paid parking nearby but on warm summer days it can be hard to find a spot.
🚍 By bus: Translink bus routes 361 and 362 have stops at the pier, connecting to White Rock Centre which has busses to/from Surrey Centre and Bridgeport Station on the Skytrain.
🚲 By bike: Bikes are not allowed on the pier or promenade. Bicycle parking is available at multiple spots along Marine Drive.
🚤 By boat: Boats may utilize the dock at the end of White Rock Pier. If you are traveling by boat from the United States, note the sign on the pier that describes how to contact Canadian customs before disembarking.
♿️ This earthcache is wheelchair accessible.
⛔️ The pier is closed during the early morning hours, please note relevant signage. As of June 2025, the pier is closed from 2 to 5 am daily.
Geological Changes Due to the Breakwater
Breakwaters serve as a protective barrier against wave action, leading to several small-scale geological changes in the surrounding area. They are common to protect marinas, ports, and piers.
Breakwaters disrupt the natural flow of sediment along the shoreline. As waves approach and move around the structure, they lose energy causing sand and other sediments to settle and accumulate in the calmer waters behind the breakwater. This results in a wider beach area at low tide compared to other sections of the shoreline.
While sediment accumulates on one side of the breakwater, the opposite side may experience increased erosion. The disruption of wave energy can lead to scouring in areas where the waves are more forceful, altering the beach profile and potentially leading to deeper water.
Over time, the breakwater can lead to long-term changes in the coastal landscape. The accumulation of sand can create new habitats, while ongoing erosion in other areas may necessitate further human intervention to maintain the beach.
Logging Requirements
Please send the answers to the following questions to me via the Geocaching message system (or email or whatever):
Do not include your answers in your log (other than #5).
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Sediment Distribution: How do you think the breakwater impacts sediment distribution along and under the pier? Consider the differences you observe in sand accumulation on either side of the structure.
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The Tide: Please note if the tide was up, down, or somewhere in between on your visit. When you visited, how far from the shore did the dry sand extend? This earthcache can be completed at high tide, but is easier at low tide.
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Wave Size Comparison: Describe how large the waves are behind the breakwater compared to those on other parts of the beach. What differences do you notice in wave behavior?
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Hypothetical Scenario: What do you think would happen to the beach if the breakwater was removed? Consider the potential changes in wave action, sediment transport, and beach morphology.
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Photo (optional): Include in your log a photo of yourself, your GPS, or whatever, on the pier! Please make sure to not include anything that would give away the answers to your log.