14 Reasons To Visit Vancouver Island, British Columbia

This beautiful island is located southwest of mainland British Columbia, amid the Pacific Ocean. With a mix of picturesque cities, remote beaches, lush rainforests, and snow-capped mountains, there is something for everyone here. 

The diverse natural beauty of the island makes it a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, with plenty of hiking, camping, and water sports. Plus, it’s a really family-friendly destination.

And don’t worry if you’re more of an urban traveler with a rich history and culture, and as the home of BC’s capital city, there is plenty for you to do here. 

Pacific Rim National Park 

This is Canada’s oldest National Park Reserve and is protected by UNESCO. 

Spanning nearly 200 square miles on Vancouver Island’s west coast, Pacific Rim National Park is one of the best places in the world to explore kilometers of unspoiled sandy beaches, temperate rainforest, and dramatic coastal landscapes.

Easy access from Mainland Canada and the USA

Although many islands can be difficult to reach, Vancouver Island is close to mainland Canada and the USA, making it easy to get to.

The best way to travel to Vancouver Island is by ferry to Nanaimo or Victoria, from Vancouver or Seattle.

The ferry ride can be as short as 1.5 hours (depending on your route). This is a great option as you can bring your car, making it easy to explore as much of the island as possible.

It’s also possible to fly to Vancouver Island from mainland Canada, or Seattle. The island’s biggest airport is Victoria International Airport (YYJ). There are also several smaller airports located in communities around the island, which are served by major airlines.

Because Vancouver Island is so easy to get to from the mainland, it’s a great place to visit for a weekend getaway or even just for the day!

Whale Watching

Whale watching is one of the best things to do at Vancouver Island, with some tour operators even guaranteeing sightings! 

You will most likely see orcas (also known as killer whales), humpback whales, and Pacific grey whales making their way through the island’s waters.

There are also over 500 resident whales in the area, so they can be sighted at any time of year.

If you haven’t been whale watching before, this should be added to your list of things to try, as it’s a truly special experience.

🐳Click to Book a Whale Watching Experience!

The Beautiful Coastline 

If Vancouver Island is known for one thing, it has to be its stunning coastline. As Canada’s premier beach destination, not only will you find beautiful sandy beaches here, but also rugged shores, interesting marine life, and unique landscapes to explore.

As the Pacific Ocean surrounds the island, the water is cold! But this doesn’t deter beachgoers every summer from swimming, surfing, and exploring the beach. 

Fishing and beachcombing are also popular activities on Vancouver Island. There is an abundance of marine life, shells, and crustaceans that line the shores, and anemones and starfish can be spotted in the many tidal pools.

Tofino

Located at the northern tip of Pacific Rim National Park, Tofino is a must-visit destination on Vancouver Island.

This small town has something for everyone – from family-friendly campsites to luxury resorts, and everything in between. 

Tofino is famous for being the surf capital of Canada, with miles of sandy beaches and world-class waves year-round.

But this isn’t the only thing to do here. Tofino is also known for whale-watching, hot springs, camping, hiking, storm-watching, and excellent local food. 

Plus, the area is a great place to base yourself for day trips into Pacific Rim National Park.

Amazing Hiking

When you think of hiking in Canada, summiting peaks in Banff or Jasper probably comes to mind. However, some of the PNW’s best hiking can actually be found on Vancouver Island.

What makes hiking here so spectacular is the dramatic landscapes and varied terrain. From technical coastal hikes to mountain summits, there is something here for every type of hiker.  

In particular, the island is home to one of the world’s most famous multi-day hikes – the iconic West Coast Trail.

Nestled in the beautiful Pacific Rim National Park, this 47-mile hike is unlike any other on the planet. With a mix of beach and forest walking, boulder fields, mud, ladders, and cable cars, the diversity of the terrain and unspoiled views make this a once-in-a-lifetime hike. 

Beach Camping

Vancouver Island is one of the most popular camping destinations in Canada. And what makes it so popular is the abundance of beach camping opportunities! 

There are two ways to try beach camping on Vancouver Island: either by completing one of the island’s several multi-day coastal hikes; or by booking a site at one of the many beachside campgrounds. 

Staying at a beachside campground is a great option for your next family vacation. There is nothing quite like sleeping by the ocean, having bonfires on the beach, and watching the sunset over the waves. Plus, you will get to maximize your time enjoying and exploring the beach each day.

Some of the best places for beach camping on Vancouver Island include Pachena Bay (located inside Pacific Rim National Park), Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, and Cox Bay Beach near Tofino.

Wildlife Viewing

Vancouver Island has some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in all of Canada.

The island is home to an array of land animals and birds, including grizzly and black bears, cougars, grey wolves, black-tailed deer, and bald eagles, as well as tons of marine life such as whales, sea lions, otters, dolphins, fish, and small marine animals. 

When exploring the natural surroundings on Vancouver Island, if you exercise patience and caution, it’s possible to spot some of these animals in the wild, or at least see traces of them. 

You can hire a guide or go on a wildlife viewing tour to increase your chances of seeing wildlife. In the summer, you can even take a grizzly bear tour to see them catching salmon and feeding along the shore!

It’s a Family Friendly Destination

As you’ve probably gathered by now, Vancouver Island is a very family-friendly destination.

Between camping, beachcombing, exploring tidal pools, wildlife spotting, swimming, and much more, this is not a place where kids will get bored! And that is exactly what keeps families coming back year after year.

Port Hardy

Most visitors to Vancouver Island will spend their time in the middle and southern parts of the island. However, if you’re looking for a more remote and adventurous vacation, then Port Hardy is for you.

Located near the northern tip of Vancouver Island, Port Hardy is a small community, surrounded by secluded beaches, a rugged coastline, and some of the island’s best wildlife viewing opportunities. 

Port Hardy is an adventure seeker’s dream.  Here you can partake in world-class fishing, scuba diving, boating, and hiking, all within a pristine and untouched environment.

BC’s Capital City – Victoria

If outdoor activities aren’t your thing, Vancouver Island is still worth a visit. In particular, for the beautiful and historic city of Victoria.

Victoria is the capital of British Columbia and the largest city on the island. It’s easy to get here by air or ferry, and is a great destination for a weekend break, or even a day trip!

With a rich British history, Victoria is filled with British culture and some of Canada’s most beautiful architecture.

It’s also a center for art, food, and culture. In the city, you will find horse-drawn carriages, double-decker buses, tearooms, colorful gardens, and a stunning harbor. 

In addition to site seeing, you can visit the Royal BC Museum, see colorful houseboats and eat fresh seafood at the fisherman’s wharf, and even take a seaplane tour!

Cowichan Valley Wine Country

When we say that Vancouver Island has it all, it really does!

On top of the stunning coastline, old-growth forests, and many mountains, Vancouver Island also has a beautiful wine region, complete with Canada’s only maritime Mediterranean climate.

There are several winemaking areas on the island, but Cowichan Valley, in particular, is worth a visit.

It is home to some of Canada’s best wineries, as well as an abundance of distilleries, cideries, and local farms producing artisanal food. 

The area also hosts several of the country’s best multi-day festivals, where you can enjoy live performances from international acts, sample local produce, camp, dance, and attend workshops.

It’s a year-round destination

Although you might only think of Vancouver Island for summer vacations, it’s actually a year-round destination with some amazing winter activities. There are two ski resorts on the island.

And, as the island has Canada’s mildest winter weather, a lot of outdoor activities, such as hiking and surfing, can continue in the colder months. 

One of Vancouver Island’s most popular winter activities is storm-watching. From November to February, a lot of hotels even offer winter storm-watching packages.

If you prefer to stay inside in the warmth, there are also plenty of indoor activities on the island. There is no shortage of museums, boutique shops, top restaurants, and spas (to name a few).

Unique Experiences for Everyone

Vancouver Island is a true adventure seeker’s playground. However, you don’t have to be a seasoned explorer to try an array of unique and fun experiences available on the island. 

Not only are there plenty of activities suitable for all ages and skill levels; but there are also tons of bucket-list-worthy things to do on the island.

From whale-watching or seeing grizzly bears in the wild to landing on water in a seaplane, something is exciting for everyone to try here!