Unmissable Vancouver Island Experiences
Western Canada- Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island
A place of rugged beauty and boundless inspiration
This ocean-carved land of extremes is a place to hike amidst majestic wilderness, marvel at the abundance of furred, feathered and finned wildlife, gaze at distant snowcapped mountains, and recharge in cosmopolitan centres, small towns and snug harbours.
Beaming with ambience, Victoria is British Columbia’ s vibrant capital. With a nod to its English heritage, the city is filled with gardens and seafront parks, stately hotels and museums, bohemian eateries and craft breweries. It’ s also the gateway to legendary Butchart Gardens.
In central Vancouver Island is the historic harbour city of Nanaimo whose downtown streets are lined with heritage storefronts, bars, art galleries, shops and restaurants. Recharge your batteries in Parksville, home to amazing sandy beaches, picture-postcard views and worldclass biking and hiking trails. Campbell River, unofficially tagged“ Outdoors HQ” is famed for its kayaking, hiking, caving, wildlife viewing and sports fishing.
The quickest getaway to the west coast wilderness from Victoria begins in Sooke. Here you can fly through the trees on ziplines, explore the geological wonders at Sooke Potholes Regional Park or head out to sea in search of whales. Nearby Cowichan Bay invites with a relaxed vibe and waterfront charm. Attractions include the Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre and Main Street for retail, gallery and foodie therapy.
Further along the west coast is the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. It’ s popular for kayaking expeditions among sheltered islets where inner waters abound with marine life and rocky shores are lined with caves, trees and beaches. Stay in charming Tofino, rated as one of the world’ s top surf towns with inviting restaurants, galleries, shops and easy access to the beaches and trails. Ucluelet is your go to place for whale and bear watching, fishing, surfing, hiking, biking, zip lining and ocean kayaking.
• Port Hardy
• San Josef Bay
VANCOUVER ISLAND
• Campbell River
Courtenay • Vancouver
Port Alberini •
• Parksville •
• Nanaimo Pacific Ocean
Tofino • Duncan
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Pacific Rim
• Ucluelet
• ••
National Park
Cowichan Bay Sooke
Malahat • Victoria
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Getting there: Vancouver Island is a 1½ hour scenic ferry ride from Vancouver or 35 minutes by floatplane or regular plane.
Best time to go: In general, it’ s mild along the south coast and more extreme as you move inland and north. Spring is prime wildlife viewing time, while summer is great for hiking and exploring. Autumn brings storms to the west coast and winter sees snow in the mountains, but it remains temperate in Victoria.
Campbell River
Unmissable Vancouver Island Experiences
Get more out of your stay. Prices are per person. Tours and attractions may not operate year-round.
Sunset Whale & Wildlife Watching from £ 99
Depart from Victoria on an open vessel for a 3 hour tour to see whales in the soft light of the setting sun. A naturalist / biologist are on board and a hydrophone to hear the whales!
Victoria Whale Watching by Catamaran from £ 105
This 3-4 hour trip aboard a semi-covered catamaran tours the Salish Sea off Victoria in search of orcas, other whales and marine wildlife.
The Gardens Experience from £ 55 NEW
Explore the wonders of beautiful Butchart Gardens on this 3½ hour tour from Victoria. You’ re free to explore the gardens under your own steam and can choose from a selection of departure and return times.
Eat Like a Canadian Walking Tour from £ 65
On this 2½ hour tour from Victoria sip and savour a variety of Canadian dishes and hear the stories behind them. Includes 7 culinary stops and roughly an hour of light walking.
Tofino Whales & Sea Otters from £ 99 NEW
Depart Tofino by zodiac or covered boat for a 2½ hour tour. Travel through both protected and open-coast marine waters in search of grey whales, sea otters, humpback whales, sea lions and more.
Tofino Whale Watching from £ 99
During this 2½ hour tour from Tofino, explore Clayoquot Sound, hailed as the best whale watching location in the world. Keep watch for Pacific Gray whales, humpback whales, transient orcas and more.
28 Western Canada
Bear Watching by Boat from £ 105 NEW
Embark on a 2½ hour adventure from Tofino in the hope of spying magnificent black bears. Travel along the lush coastline and witness animals emerging from the forests to wander the shore in search of food. Tour is by covered vessel.
Whale & Wildlife Tour from £ 129 NEW
Set out from Campbell River on a 4 hour tour by covered boat or zodiac and explore the waters of the Salish Sea, Discovery Passage and Johnstone Strait. There’ s an abundance of wildlife in the area, including humpback whales, killer whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, bears, sea lions and more.
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