Vancouver Island

Situated in western British Columbia, 450km long and populated by over 500,000 people, Vancouver Island is the largest island off the west coast of the Americas. A mountain range runs down the centre of the island, snow capped peaks contrast with woods, lakes, streams and the rocky or sandy coast. In the south, across from the Juan de Fuca Strait, the Olympic Mountains of Washington can be seen with Mt Baker standing prominent and proud. The Georgia Strait runs along the eastern shore, with the mainlands Coast Mountains forming the backdrop. The sparsely populated west coast, fully exposed to the Pacific can be rugged with rainforests and deep inlets, marine life, like the salmon is commonly seen and eaten. The east coast of the island is where the farming, forestry, mining and fishing industries are located. It has the mildest climate in Canada and is a popular tourist destination, trekkers should have no problem finding a quiet place though, the north of the island is still quite undeveloped. It truly is a Pacific island paradise

Hostels and Accomodation

There are only 4 HI Hostels on Vancouver Island, these are situated, one each at, Victoria, Tofino, Saltspring Island and Pender Island, in addition to these there are numerous camping sites and many very reasonably priced Motels. Use this link for a full listing and description of the HI hostels available in British Columbia

Places to see

Victoria
The provincial capital lies at the southern end of the island. It is equal distance from Vancouver and Seattle by ferry. Very British, with over 2 million visitors every year, this city is home to a naval base,and an important university. The focal point to this haven is the Inner Harbour, overlooked by the imposing Empress Hotel, with its ivy covered walls and its afternoon ritual of tea and scones, and the Parliament Buildings across the way.

Nearby is The Royal British Museum and the Royal London Wax Museum well worth a visit. Art lovers can visit the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, the Maltwood Art Museum on the campus of the University of Victoria and the Emily Carr Gallery home of one of Canada's most original painters.

On the edge of the harbour is the Tourist Center, where all the information you need is at hand. While in the harbour area, take the opportunity to go on a whale watching tour with one of the many tour companies available.

Butchart Gardens
Maybe the most publicised of Victoria's sights, they are beautiful, extensive, but costly. Sections in the gardens include a Rose Garden and a Japanese Garden. In June through to September the gardens are illuminated in the evenings and concerts are held around dusk. July and August Saturday's, a spectacular fireworks display set to music can be seen.

accomodation and activities in Downtown Victoria accomodation and activities in Greater Victoria accomodation and activities in Outer Victoria

Duncan
North of Victoria, the 'City of the Totems is the start of the Cowichan Valley, the land of the Cowichan people, who are British Columbia's largest Native Indian group. Visit the Native Heritage Center, with exhibits of crafts and carvings which you can see being made. A gift shop is there and you can buy tickets for a tour and a movie about the center. Budget accomodation and activities in Duncan

Chemainus
Moving up island from Duncan, this small town was once home to a sawmill. When this closed down in 1983 the slow death of the town was inevitable. An artist was brought in to paint a mural on a large wall to depict the town's history, this caught on and more murals were painted, today there are over 30 murals, 10,000 visitors each summer, the saw-mill has re-opened and it is once again a thriving town-"the little town that did". accomodation and activities in Chemainus

Nanaimo
The second largest city on the island, Nanaimo is the terminal for BC Ferries and a major deep-sea fishing port. The first place in North America to have Bungy Jumping, once a year they let you jump free of charge-the catch is, you have to jump naked. A diverse city, there is scuba diving, bird watching, canoeing and cycling, as well as an annual Bathtub Race to Vancouver, held in July, as part of the Nanaimo Festival.
Budget accomodation and activities in Nanaimo

Parksville & Qualicum Beach
Long stretches of sandy beaches, among the safest in Canada, with a view of snow covered mountains in the background, here you can fish, swim, ski, canoe, golf and walk in winter on any 1 day, it is all to hand. Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park provides camping and there are lots of trails along the beach front to walk, a forest where deer roam and on sunny days barbecues can be had by the beach.There are lots of things to do and see around here, Englishman River Falls Provincial Park, & Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park provide hiking, fishing, camping, swimming and waterfalls, Mt Arrowsmith has skiing in winter, hiking trails in summer. McMillan Provincial Park, regarded as sacred by the Native Indians, is a grove of virgin forest with huge Douglas firs and red cedars, some over 800 years old. Budget accomodation and activities in Parksville

Try this great site for lots more information on the Parkville & Qualicum Beach area,

Port Alberni
Forestry and Fishing are the two main industries in Port Alberni. A visit to Stamp Falls Provincial Park at the right time, will provide the visitor with a view of the salmon jumping up river. Nearby Sproat Lake is home to The Mars Bombers, here they fill up, before flying off to fight forest fires in and around B.C. The Lady Rose and The Frances Barkley, sail out of Harbour Quay with mail, cargo and passengers to travel to Bamfield(the end of the West Coast Trail), Ucluelet and the Broken Islands. If you plan to kayak or canoe around the Broken Islands, you can hire a ferry company and take your boats on board, another option is to go on a whale watching, kayaking or nature tour in the morning, and meet the Lady Rose in Bamfield, to take you back. There are some excellent companies that do this, Six Gill Adventures being one of them.

Pacific Rim National Park
Rough, rugged, unspoilt and beautiful, a highlight of your visit to the West coast could be whale watching, February to June you can see grey whales migrating up the coast from Mexico to the Arctic Ocean, and in fall they head back south.

Long Beach
Around 20km of wide, sandy beach, windswept and strewn with logs, there are some excellent trails in around Long Beach. The Wickaninnish Center has programmes and guided walks. Some good trails to walk are The Rain Forest Trail, The Bog Trail and behind the Wickaninnish, the trail takes you to Florencia Bay, quieter than Long Beach, 5km of beach and excellent for picnics. accomodation and activities in Port Alberni

Ucluelet
A logging, fishing and tourist village a third of the way up Ucluelet Inlet from Barkley Sound, it is a base for both commercial and sportfishermen and operators of nature and whale-watching cruises. The name comes from the Nuu-chah-nulth word, Ucluth, "wind blowing into the bay". Take a walk to the lighthouse at Amphitrite Point, here the Canadian Coast Guard provides marine communications services, and advisories and notices to ships are broadcast regularly. There is a great view over the open Pacific and Barkley Sound, and beautiful sunsets. Budget accomodation and activities in Ucluelet

Tofino
This picturesque fishing village is situated at the north end of Long Beach. Whale watching trips can be taken from here, also wildlife trips. A trip to Meares Island is a must, trees large enough to accomodate a tunnel that cars could pass through. Some of the money paid, goes towards fighting logging plans for the island. While in Tofino, visit The Eagle Aerie Gallery, it houses the paintings of Roy Henry Vickers, a Native Indian artist who makes his home in Tofino.

West Coast Trail
A 77km stretch between Port Renfrew and Bamfield, either end can be reached by road, but you have to walk to reach one from the other. The numbers are restricted to protect the environment. It is best to book in advance for a permit, otherwise you may have to wait a few days to go. There are cliffs, beaches, rainforests and the area is clogged with trees, it takes between five and eight days to travel, and you have to take in all your food. It is a chance to test your fitness and is not for the weak. It is open from May until October, with July and August the best months(driest). Budget accomodation and activities in Tofino

Courtenay & Comox
The supply centers for Mt Washington and Forbidden Plateau. Courtenay is the larger of the two and hosts the Travel Infocenter. Miracle Beach Provincial Park has hiking trails a campground and a long sandy beach.

Strathcona Provincial Park
The largest park on the Island, Campbell River is the main access point. Basically a wilderness area, there are hiking trails, trout fishing, skiing in winter, hiking, horse riding and mountain biking in summer. The highest waterfall in North America, Della Falls is in the park, but is a tough 2-3 day walk, but great for scenery. Black bears can be seen here, but no grizzly bears, there are none on the island.

Mt Washington Ski Resort
Situated just outside Strathcona, it boasts 5 ski lifts, lots of runs and approx. 50km of cross-country ski trails. In summer you can hike horse-ride and cycle. There has been new development there recently and a $75 million hotel-condo-village complex has just been constructed. accomodation and activities in Courtenay & Comox

Campbell River
A major center for salmon fishing, scuba diving is also a must and there are sites such as Row & be Damned, Whiskey Point & Copper Cliffs off the coast in Discovery Passage.On Quadra Island you can see marine & wildlife or petroglyphs of the kwakiutl people. accomodation and activities in Campbell River

Telegraph Cove
One of the best examples of boardwalk villages, it was built before the First World War as a terminus of a telegraph line strung from tree to tree along the island's coastline. It is now a major destination for Whale watchers. Johnstone Strait leads to Robson Bight Provincial Park, where the Orcas(killer whales) rub themselves on gravel beaches at the mouth of the Tsitika River. There are strict regulations for whale watchers and people are asked not to enter the reserve. accomodation and activities in Telegraph Cove

Port McNeill
Whale watching tours can be taken from here, it is also the departure point for Cormorant and Malcolm islands. accomodation and activities in Port McNeill

Port Hardy
A small town at the northern end of the island, Port Hardy is most famous for its departure point for the Queen of The North ferry, through the Inside Passage to Prince Rupert. accomodation and activities in Port Hardy