Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island, British Columbia offers visitors strikingly varied climates and topographies, with sunny beaches in the east along the Strait of Georgia, a rugged coastline in the west along the Pacific Ocean, and snow-capped mountains in the interior. Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, is tucked neatly at the southern tip of Vancouver Island. A mixture of old and new, Victoria blends an atmosphere of Merry Old England with the 21st century. The city's interior is lined with cobblestone streets, gas lanterns, and enough Victorian atmosphere to make Charles Dickens envious. Victoria boasts Canada's warmest climate.The greater Victoria area includes the Saanich Peninsula, with the Saanich Inlet to the west and the Strait of Georgia and Gulf Islands to the east. Outdoor activities include golfing, hiking, cycling, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, sailing, whale watching, and freshwater and saltwater fishing. The Brentwood Bay area is home to the famous Butchart Gardens, featuring more than 5000 varieties of flowers, the Butchart mansion, waterfalls, ponds, and fountains. Visitors to Sidney by the Sea, located at the northern end of the peninsula, will enjoy the Sidney Maritime Museum and the Sidney Aviation Museum.
Follow Malahat Drive north from Victoria to Malahat for spectacular views over the Saanich Peninsula to the Gulf Islands. The mountain drive begins at Goldstream Park, home of the salmon spawning run each fall. The waterfront town of Mill Bay is at the north end of Malahat Drive, and is the gateway to the vineyards and cideries of the Cowichan Valley. Just a few miles west of Mill Valley is Shawnigan Lake, a popular getaway for sunbathing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, picnicking, and bird watching.
Nanaimo, about 70 miles north of Victoria, is a major mainland-to-island ferry terminus to the eastern shore of Vancouver Island. Parksville and Qualicum Beach are popular family-oriented beach resorts along the eastern shore. Cave exploration is located near Qualicum Beach at Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park.
Continue north to the Comox Valley for downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing from December to April. Mount Washington Alpine Resort, the largest on Vancouver Island, boasts the deepest all-natural snow base in Canada. Mt. Cain Alpine Park is a family-oriented resort about two hours north of the town of Campbell River.
Head west from Parksville through beautiful mountain scenery to the Pacific Rim National Park on the Island's west coast. The breathtaking coastline draws more than a million visitors a year. Three units comprise the park. The Long Beach Unit, between Tofino and Ucluelet, is the most visited part of the park. Fishing and sea kayaking are popular activities along the scenic, broad sandy beach. Farther south is the Broken Islands Unit in Barkley Sound. The best way to visit the archipelago is aboard the MV Lady Rose. The West Coast Trail Unit, on the south side of Barkley Sound, is named for its famous 48-mile-long hiking trail.
Vancouver Island offers vacationers a great adventure. The diverse terrain, from snowy mountain peaks to pristine beaches, combines with historical sites, museums, and shopping opportunities to create an excellent vacation experience.
