Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is a truly special place–over 280 miles long, with a rugged, wild west coast, facing out to the open Pacific, and a gentle east coast facing the mainland of B.C.
Access to the Island from the mainland is by B.C. Ferries from Tsawwassen (south of Vancouver) to Swartz Bay (Victoria) and Nanaimo; from Horseshoe Bay (north of Vancouver) to Nanaimo and from Powell River to Comox.
One of the many things that makes Vancouver Island so special is its mild climate--which means that spring comes early–daffodils bloom in February–and fall lasts well into what in most parts of Canada is winter. Its mild climate makes it a particularly wonderful place to visit all year round. Check here for local weather.
Victoria:
(pop. 326,000). Victoria, at the southern tip of the Island, is B.C.’s capital. There is no more beautiful city in Canada with its gardens, restored heritage buildings, its English quaintness and its concentrated urban core made for strolling.Sooke:
(pop. 11,500). Vancouver Island offers many different experiences. The wild west coast is for those who love pounding surf, clean air, wildlife and the exciting feel of the open ocean. The west coast is reached at the southern end by road from Victoria to the town of Sooke--an old fishing and logging community that is turning into a small tourist centre, and then on to Port Renfrew--the end of the road. Must sees include the Sooke Region Museum, Moss Cottage and Sooke Harbour House (a country inn and fabulous restaurant) in Sooke, Point-No-Point Teahouse past Sooke, Botanical Beach near Port Renfrew (famous for its fascinating tidal pools at low tide) and the many parks and beaches located in the area (Sooke Potholes Provincial Park for great river swimming, East Sooke Park, China Beach Provincial Park and French Beach Provincial Park). Hiking is one of the most popular vacation pastimes of the area--from a woodland trail or a stroll along a sandy beach, to an adventurous hike through the rainforest--there is a walk suited to almost everyone. Of particular interest is the new 49 km. hiking trail from Botanical Beach to China Beach. The trail is designated for all levels of hiking experience.Special Days: July – All Sooke Day with its famous loggers' sports; August – Fine Arts Festival.
Port Renfrew:
(pop. 400). Port Renfrew is a scenic village on the south west coast of Vancouver Island. It is the beginning, and end, of the famous West Coast Trail (permits now required) and the terminus of the new Juan de Fuca Marine Trail. The area abounds in natural beauty and recreational opportunities – fishing, hiking, beachcombing, paddling and hunting. Port Renfrew has some of the Island’s best fresh and saltwater fishing; eagle and osprey are among the many birds of prey indigenous to the region; just 4kms. from Port Renfrew, Botanical Beach tidal pools offer a unique glimpse into coastal marine life at low tide and Pacific grey whales can sometimes be seen in this area.Port Alberni:
(pop. 20,000). Another access to the wild west coast is reached via Highway 4 through Port Alberni. Port Alberni is one of the premier fishing areas of B.C.– famous for its salmon, trout and steelhead. Port Alberni's waterfront market place and park is also worth a visit.Special Days: June – Golden Oldies Car Show; July – Folkfest; September – Salmon Festival; October – Octoberfest.
Highway 4 ends at Pacific Rim National Park. The most well known part of the Park is Long Beach, miles of sandy beaches, pounding surf and coastal rainforest between the interesting fishing, and now tourist, towns of Ucluelet and Tofino. Long Beach is truly one of the world's special places. Whether walking the beaches with the summer sun glinting off the surf or with a winter storm raging, there are few places that leave one feeling as exhilarated and refreshed as this part of the coast of Vancouver Island.
Ucluelet:
(pop. 1,800). Ucluelet, whose name comes from the language of the Nootka Indians meaning "People of the Sheltered Bay", is a village situated in a picturesque harbour in the northwest arm of Barkley Sound. Charter boats are available in Ucluelet for fishing and whale watching. There is a wide variety of locally crafted handiwork in specialty shops in the village. For a real adventure take the M.V. Lady Rose from Port Alberni to Ucluelet.Special Days: March/April – Pacific Rim Whale Festival; July – Pacific Rim Summer Music Festival, Ukee Days.
Tofino:
(pop. 1,100). A village at the north end of Pacific Rim National Park, Tofino is a wonderful place for relaxing--with miles of beaches, cozy casual restaurants, art galleries and seafood "off the boat". You can charter fish boats or rent a boat to cruise around the lovely islands off the coast of Tofino, including nearby Meares Island with its rainforest. In the village, visit the West Coast Maritime Museum and Whale Centre and the Eagle Aerie Gallery, the gallery of world famous artist Roy Vickers. Also visit Clayoquot Sound and Hot Springs Cove (site of Vancouver Island's only known hot springs--a magical warm stream flowing over a waterfall and through streams to the ocean). A great area for whale watching.Special Days: March – Pacific Rim Whale Festival; July – Pacific Rim Summer Festival.
The inner, eastern coast of Vancouver Island is the more populated part of the Island with villages and towns, such as Chemainus (which almost died when its sawmill closed and which is now famous for its murals painted on many of the town buildings), Duncan with its totems and the B.C. Forest Museum, Nanaimo with its picturesque harbour, Parksville with its beautiful beaches, Qualicum Beach with its lovely village centre and swimming beach, Courtenay and Comox, close to the mountain wilderness of Strathcona Park and Campbell River with its great salmon fishing.
Mill Bay:
(pop. 950). A small community on the beautiful Saanich Inlet. It is a short ferry ride from Mill Bay across the inlet to the Saanich Peninsula with its English-style countryside and the world-famous Butchart Gardens. Mill Bay also provides easy access to Victoria by road.Nanaimo:
(pop. 71,000). The Harbour City is Vancouver Island's second largest city. It has a lovely harbour which has been improved by a waterfront walkway which takes you past fishing boats and parks. You can take a short ferry ride to Newcastle Island and enjoy its tree-lined paths and its beaches. Visit the old Hudson Bay Company Bastion built in 1852 as protection from Indian raids, with its daily performance by a troop of the "Bastion Guards" in their traditional costumes. Also visit Petroglyph Park, Morrell Wildlife Sanctuary, Swy-A-Lana lagoon with its paddle boats, Fisherman's Wharf (for fresh seafood) and the many golf courses in the area. The area around Nanaimo offers outdoor recreation at the Nanaimo Lakes, Green Mountain, the Nanaimo River and, of course, the ocean.Special Days: July – Marine Festival with its famous bathtub race; August – Vancouver Island Exhibition; September – Jazz Festival.
Lantzville:
(pop. 400). Just north of Nanaimo is the lovely beach area of Lantzville–a place to sit and relax–or to serve as a centre for exploring Nanaimo to the south and the beach country of Parksville and Qualicum Beach to the north.Parksville:
(pop. 8,900). Parksville is a bustling tourist town in the middle of superb Vancouver Island beach country. The best part of Parksville is the beach--miles of sandy beach--perfect for warm swimming, strolling, exploring and the annual International Sandcastle Contest. Because the tide goes out hundreds of metres, the beaches are great for beachcombing, and the warmed sands mean pleasant swimming that is particularly good for children. Visit Rathtrevor Provincial Park, a beach park to the south of Parksville, Rhododendron Lake, a reserve of wild rhododendrons from the last ice age, and Englishman River Falls Provincial Park.Special Days: April – Brant Festival; July – International Sand Castle Competition.
Qualicum Beach:
(pop. 5,000), is part lovely sandy beach, and part a gentle, cared-for English style village with lovely gardens and homes and a friendly, relaxing village atmosphere. Visit Big Qualicum Fish Hatchery, Horne Lake Caves, Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park and The Old School House Gallery.Special Days: April – Spring Golf Fest; May – Fire & Ice; September – Artist's Studio Tour.
Miracle Beach:
Miracle Beach, north of Courtenay, is a well-kept secret worth discovering. Cottages are situated right on the ocean, adjacent to Miracle Beach Provincial Park with its 700 metres of sandy beach. The intertidal zone provides a close look at marine life. The Provincial Park has interpretive walks and talks for the whole family. There is also a visitors' centre with intriguing displays. The area is wonderful for bicycling, walking, golfing......and is a children's paradise. You may not want to leave Miracle Beach during your visit, but if you do you are centrally located between Courtenay in the lovely Comox Valley to the south and Campbell River to the north.Comox Valley:
(pop. 62,326). The Comox Valley is the recreational capital of the world. For every season there is a plethora of sports and every kind of recreational activity available. Comox Valley is home to the Ski to Surf Challenge, Island Musicfest, Filberg Festival and the Sid Williams Theatre. Skiing, Hiking, and Mountain Biking are all great ways to enjoy the outdoors while exploring the Comox Valley. For those of you who like the water, try kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. Afterwards be pampered at one of the many luxurious spa resorts or dine at one of the distinguished restaurants. The Comox Valley has it all, including an International Airport.Campbell River:
(pop. 29,000). When you think of Campbell River, think ocean and fishing. The home of the legendary tyee salmon, Campbell River is often call the "Salmon Capital of the World". It is also close to steelhead and trout fishing. The clear waters around Campbell River are also justly famous for scuba diving. Visit its saltwater fishing pier, rugged Strathcona Provincial Park, Quinsam River Hatchery, Campbell River Museum and take forestry and mining tours.Special Days: August – Summer Festival and Logger Sports.
The Island past Campbell River is for those who want to get well away from the crowds. Even though Campbell River is about halfway up the Island, only 3 percent of the Island's population live to the north. As soon as you get beyond Campbell River, the wilderness takes over as the road heads inland and passes by forests, newly logged areas covered with fireweed and small lakes and marshes. The towns in this area grew because of the work provided by the natural resources - the forests, minerals and fish. On the way north, you will pass the village of Sayward; Woss in the Nimpkish Valley (where a fascinating forestry tour includes a ride on a historic steam locomotive); Port McNeill (pop. 3,000) and then on to Port Hardy at the end of the Island Highway.