Vancouver Island Canada Coast Mountains BC - Weekend Getaways and Vacation Destinations

 

Vancouver Island and Coast Mountains BC - Travel, Tourism Resorts

In Vancouver Island and the Coast Mountains, explore history, aboriginal culture, art studios, boutiques, designer shops, bookstores, beaches, gardens, the wilderness … Hike. Bike. Swim. Fish. Surf. Snorkel. Scuba Dive. Golf. View wildlife. Sail. Kayak. Canoe. Windsurf. Parasail. Go horseback riding … Opportunities for outdoor adventure abound.

Take a ferry along the coast. Charter a boat. Rent a Kayak, canoe or sailboat. Take a kayaking tour to the Gulf Islands to explore secluded bays and inlets. See whales, sea lions, seals, otters and more marine life.

The beaches are beautiful here. Some areas have sandy beaches where other areas have tree laden, jagged rocks for a shoreline. The views are spectacular anywhere. Drive the scenic Oceanside Route from Campbell River to Parksville. Visit the Sunshine Coast. Watch whales, seals, sea lions frolic in the surf. Take a picnic. Walk on the beach. Kayak the sea.

Take a tour by air to see the coastline and mountains from above. Aerial tours are available at Tofino, Campbell River and Nanaimo.

Taste wines in the Cowichan Valley. Visit Chemaius to see the unique murals in town. Take a ghost tour in Nanaimo. In Courtenay, tee off at a world-class golf course. See the beauty of the sandstone formations at Malaspine Galleries. At Salt Spring Island, visit artisan studios. Fish. Hike. Bike.

Spend the day on the beach at Galiano Island, the Gulf Islands, Sidney, Flores Island near Tofino, Qualicum Beach, Parksville, White Rock’s Crescent Beach, and other beach locations. Explore the seaside villages of White Rock, Powell River and Horseshoe Bay. Take surfing lessons or attend a surf camp at Tofino. Bike. Hike. Camp. Kayak. Sail. Bird watch. Snorkel. At Nanaimo, take a snorkeling excursion.

Kayak around the Gulf Islands. Find calmer waters for kayaking around Nanaimo, Galiano Islandor Johnstone Strait. Sail Desolation Sound on the Sunshine Coast. See whales, porpoises, seals, sea lions, bald eagles and other wildlife.

Hike the West Coast trail. See Canada’s highest waterfalls in Strathcona Provincial Park. Dig fossils near Courtenay. Explore caves.

Go mountain biking along the Sunshine Coast or North Shore Mountains.

Soak in mineral pools at Harrison Hot Springs.

Climb a mountain. If you are an expert at mountain climbing and want a challenge, try climbing Squamish, a sheer rocky escarpment.

See Hell’s Gate where 200 million gallons of water pass through a narrow gorge every minute in the spring. Ride the whitewater rapids on the Squamish River. Hike to waterfalls or mountaintops. Check out Brandywine Falls near Whistler or Bridal Falls near Chiliwack.

Pan for gold in the Fraser River near Hope.

Discover Aboriginal history, galleries, art and totem poles. Tour the magnificent city of Totems at Duncan.

In Victoria, see Butchart Gardens, a 100 year National Historic Site. This is a must see with over 700 varieties of plants. There are many other gardens to explore too.

Visit art galleries and studios throughout the region.

Taste wines at local vineyards.

Enjoy a day at a spa. Relax in a West Coast Steam Cave. There are many spas on the Island offering a variety of luxurious spa treatments that includes hot stone massages and seaweed wraps.

Stroll through beautiful gardens or hike the wilderness, alpine meadows. See glaciers, ocean views and mountain peaks.

Play the slots at a Casino. Try your luck at black jack. Who knows, you might win some cash. But, if you don’t, you’ll have fun.

Go salmon fishing at Campbell River, a popular fishing spot. Charter a boast at Port Alberni to catch salmon and halibut. There are over 100 lakes to fish in this region. Fish the Gold, Koksilah, Cowhichan, Salmon and Campbell Rivers. Go fly-fishing. Catch steelhead, rainbow trout, small mouth bass, and cutthroat. See salmon spawn. Bald Eagles migrate and other wildlife.

Go camp at a full facility campground or out in the wilderness. Outdoors adventures abound on Vancouver Island and the Coast Mountains.

Vancouver Island & Coast Mountains Tourist Attractions at a glance

• Aboriginal villages, art, artifacts
• Art studios
• Beaches
• bird watching
• Boutique shopping
• Butchart Gardens - Victoria
• Camping
• canoe trips
• charter a sailboat or cruiser
• Cruises
• Discovery centers
• Explore Caves
• Fishing
• Fresh seafood
• Fossil digging
• Ghost tours
• Golf
• hiking trails
• kayaking
• Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens in Courtenay
• hot springs
• marinas
• museums
• Ocean side restaurants
• Scuba Diving
• Snorkeling
• Surf
• Tofino Botanical Gardens - west coast of Island
• Totem Poles
• Waterfront shops and galleries
• whale watching
• wilderness lodges
• wildlife watching
• Wines