vancouver island tourism

Places to Go

The exposed top of a submerged mountain range, the Island stretches for 460km from charmingly sophisticated Victoria in the southwest to Cape Scott’s windswept beaches and rugged headlands at its northern tip.

Explore Regions

South Island

Southern Gulf Islands

Nanaimo to Campbell River

North Island

Pacific Rim

Sunshine Coast

The South Island invites easy spontaneity and unplanned agendas. Although the most populous area on Vancouver Island, it’s still quiet enough to attract residents who treasure peace, serenity and all kinds of holistic opportunities to stay fit and healthy. It’s possible thanks to numerous parks, easy-access beaches, recreation facilities, yoga studios and two of Canada’s best family hiking and biking routes – the Galloping Goose and Lochside trails.

Home to the provincial capital city, Victoria.
From ghost tours to indigenous heritage, discover the Island’s rich history.
An eclectic selection of shops and places to eat.
Home to the Island’s urban centres.
Great for families.

Every Cowichan community has a vibrant arts scene in a region that boasts nearly two dozen arts groups and a number of internationally renowned artists. Take in musical and theatre performances. And drop into home artist studios and galleries to check out the work of local sculptors, woodworkers, potters, painters and glass blowers.

Duncan Totem Poles
Lake Cowichan
Cowichan Bay
Chemainus Theatre
Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park
Pacific Marine Circle Route

Holidaying on a Gulf Island guarantees rest and relaxation – and the choice is yours as to whether the R&R is healthy, creative, pampered or pleasantly indulgent. These options mix and mingle at island spas and wellness facilities specializing in holistic therapies – hydrotherapy, sea-salt scrubs, Reiki, aromatherapy, reflexology, mineral baths and more. Book one-time sessions or dedicate an entire vacation to optimizing mind, body and soul. Sign up for yoga classes or a meditation retreat. Daily exposure to nature on the water or in the vast green spaces that have been smartly preserved for future generations speeds the relaxation process.

Island-hop to experience the best of multiple islands in one trip.
Reconnect and renew in a quiet cottage or at a wellness retreat.
The Gulf Islands are ripe with artistic talents, with works available in galleries and private studios.

Gaze up in wonder at Cathedral Grove’s old-growth giants in MacMillan Provincial Park. Descend deep underground while spelunking at Horne Lake Caves. Play multiple rounds of mini-golf on Parksville’s delightful storybook courses. Or check out the ancient amphibian bones at the Qualicum Beach Museum. From the harbour city of Nanaimo to the fishing mecca of Campbell River, there are endless land and sea activities to savour the most of this east-coast region.

Popular for weekend trips or long-stay adventures.
The central island has great amenities for families, including mini-golf and cave tours.
Hundreds of singletrack mountain biking trails between Nanaimo and Cumberland.

Beginning just past Campbell River, the North Island region extends north to the windswept tip at Cape Scott, west to the jagged Pacific coast and east across whale-rich waters to include the Great Bear Rainforest and sections of the BC mainland. Whale and bear sightings top everyone’s wish list. Group outings in comfortable cabin cruisers depart in search of orcas, humpback whales, porpoises, Steller sea lions, Minke whales and harbour seals. The May to October season is also primetime for nautical trips from Northern Vancouver Island to the mainland’s grizzly bear habitats

Outstanding wildlife, kayaking, and nature tours.
Quiet, relaxed, peaceful.
A popular destination for fishing charters.
Home to Cape Scott Provincial Park and San Josef Bay, part of the North Coast Trail
500 kilometres north of Victoria, BC

International travellers and urban escapees from Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle can have it all here: the trails, lakes and mountain bike routes of the interior; waterways renowned for their motherlode of salmon; the ancient secrets and mysteries of the coastal rainforest; and the salty tang and seasonally changing magnificence of the open Pacific. The trip from the Central Island’s eastern coastline leads first to Port Alberni, a deepwater inland port with a growing eco-tourism industry rooted in its long history as a salmon fishing capital.

Vancouver Island’s iconic beachside communities of Tofino and Ucluelet.
Over 35 kilometres of beaches to be explored
Catch a wave with a ‘learn to surf’ camp
Watch waves crashing into the rocks during Storm Watching season.

Visit Sunshine Coast Tourism for more information.

Welcome to the place where to mountains meet the sea. Located just a short ferry ride from North Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast is home to a small cluster of oceanside communities boasting warm hospitality and a relaxed pace of life.

Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island is studded with colorful, quirky communities, many founded on logging or fishing and featuring the word 'Port' in their names.

Best Things to Do

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Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Butchart Gardens

Far more than just another pretty flower arrangement, Butchart is a national historic site and a triumph of early-20th-century gardening aesthetics. With…

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

One in a magnificent seven of BC national parks, Pacific Rim is replete with wave-whipped beaches and brooding forests, most of them far from civilization…

Royal BC Museum

Arguably the finest museum in British Columbia and carrier of a ‘royal’ prefix since 1987, Victoria’s flagship sight mixes the cream of BC’s provincial…

Craigdarroch Castle

More ostentatious country mansion than fortified castle, Craigdarroch, with its turrets, stained-glass windows and palatial interior, looks like it might…

U'mista Cultural Centre

This must-see longhouse-like facility proudly displays dozens of culturally priceless Kwakwaka'wakw artifacts confiscated when potlatch ceremonies were…

BDKR8B Parliment buildings, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Parliament Buildings

This dramatically handsome confection of turrets, domes and stained glass is British Columbia's working legislature and is also open to visitors. You can…

Victoria Bug Zoo

It’s not big, nor are its resident critters (although some of them are alarmingly colossal by insect standards); however, this diminutive indoor ‘zoo’ is…

Miniature World

Tucked along the side of the Fairmont Empress Hotel, this huge collection of skillfully crafted models depicting important battles, historic towns and…

Top picks from our travel experts

Vancouver island's 14 best things to do will make you want to book a trip right now.

Dodge City Cycles

Mega-friendly and informative bike shop with rentals and insider tips on the local terrain. It sells comprehensive color-coded bike-trail maps for $6.95…

Merridale Estate Cidery

One of BC's earliest exponents of craft cider-making, Merridale has since gone from strength to strength. The rustic-chic cidery site is lined with trees…

Mt Washington Alpine Resort

The island’s only major ski area is something of a local secret cherished by the type of crowd-avoiding skier who doesn’t care for the busy conveyor belt…