Top Places Worth Visiting on Vancouver Island
Uncover a world-class destination off Canada’s Pacific Coast known as Vancouver Island which is a hub of activity for locals and visitors. Find beautiful beaches, old-growth forests and towns with unique charm, and find yourself spoilt for choice year-round with options to surf, hike, kayak, whale watching or explore the great outdoors. Aside from the incomparable picturesque surroundings, foodies will love Vancouver Island too with amazing dining across the Island from food truck eats to elegant dining options you can treat your taste buds!
Tofino
Surf enthusiasts will fall in love with Tofino a small surf town on Vancouver Islands West Coast. Known for its raw, rugged beauty, year-round surf beaches, great food and laid-back vibes it’s one of the most unique spots in British Columbia. Getting here takes about 3 hours driving from Nanaimo and there is only 1 road connecting the town to the rest of the island giving a sense of remoteness and seclusion. Tofino is perfect for surfing in the summer, but some say it's even better in winter, this is because the waves actually get bigger during the winter, you’ll find many learn-to-surf experiences available in addition to the variety of exciting water activities on offer such as kayaking and paddle boarding tours. A trip to Tofino wouldn’t be complete without trying the local cuisine such as the original Tacofino which has become a local hot spot serving fresh Tacos from an unmissable bright food truck residing outside the Live to Surf shop.
Victoria
The largest city on Vancouver Island is Victoria and is also the capital of British Columbia. Getting here is easy by air with flights direct from Vancouver to the city alternatively driving takes only 30 minutes from the ferry at Swartz Bay. Stop by Fisherman’s Wharf for a meal amongst the brightly coloured floating houses, find food stalls selling seafood chowder, fish tacos or even food for the harbour seals which can be seen swimming up to the wharf. The city has a nice blend of modern culture combining experiences such as nature hikes, breweries and whale watching tours with classic architecture through heritage buildings and museums offering something for everyone.
Campbell River
Discover the beauty of Campbell River in its idyllic location between Strathcona Provincial Park and the Discovery Islands. The region is dubbed the “Salmon Capital of the World” boasting prime fishing spots such as the Discovery Pier where anglers can catch all five species of Pacific Salmon from King to Sockeye, and rental rods are available for anyone willing to give it a go themselves. A unique experience here is the Historic Mail Flight offering guests to join a floatplane delivering supplies to remote communities off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island, you get to be the passenger as the service takes you anywhere deliveries are needed that day. Lose yourself to nature in Elk Falls Provincial Park only 2km from Campbell River home to a magnificent suspension bridge, the powerful Elk Falls, forest trails and the nearby Quinsam Salmon Hatchery.
Port Hardy
Port Hardy has the means to create a perfect wilderness adventure, set on the north-eastern side of Vancouver Island surrounded by lush vegetation, tall mountains and enticing waters waiting to be explored. This 4000-person town is the largest community in the North of the Island but is said to be the gateway to all things outdoors offering thrilling camping, hiking, fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities. Whale watching from Port Hardy is popular from May to September, sightings of orcas, humpbacks, minke and grey whales are common and can be seen from a boat or on land. Bear viewing is also made easy with local tours during the warmer months departing from Port Hardy to catch a glimpse of a coastal black bear, 7000 of which are said to call Vancouver Island home.
Pacific Rim National Park
Located along Vancouver Islands West Coast find the remote and beautiful Pacific Rim National Park. The area is characterised by its Long Beach consisting of 34,800 acres of beach-fronted coastal temperate rain forest which is a protected UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. About a million people visit the park each year for the excellent surf conditions but from February to March the beach gets crowded for the storm-watching season providing the best front row viewing as the clouds roll in. Hiking through the trails of the pristine rainforest is as rewarding as it is relaxing taking you under moss-coated cedar trees as you listen to the sounds of nature and identify signs of wildlife like the black bear. Coastal black bears are abundant on Vancouver Island, but Pacific Rim National Park has the densest population of these particular bears and are distinguishable from their mainland counterparts as they are larger and darker. Ucluelet and Tofino are the closest towns to stay overnight marking either end of the national park allowing easy access for day trips.
Inspired to explore this amazing destination, request our brochure here. If this article has inspired you to visit Vancouver, our team of expert advisors would be happy to personalise your perfect holiday, just call us on 0161 888 5632 or click here to explore more holidays with First Class Holidays.
