Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Vancouver Island is a breathtaking Canadian vacation
destination with many options for those interested in outdoor
adventures and encounters with wildlife. From the West
Coast to
the North
to the nearby Southern Gulf Islands,
Vancouver Island offers unique opportunities for sea kayaking,
hiking, First Nations culture and wildlife experiences.
The highlight of this region is the Pacific Rim National Park which represents the rich heritage of Canada's Pacific Coast. The park is composed of the West Coast Trail, the Broken Group Islands, and Long Beach.
To the south lies the West Coast Trail, an internationally acclaimed British Columbia hiking and trekking trail stretching from Port Renfrew to Bamfield. Throughout its 77km (48 mile) length hikers pass through old growth rain forests encountering beautiful waterfalls and natural sandstone sculptures.
The Broken Group Islands at the entrance of Barkley Sound are an archipelago of over 100 islands, islets and rocky outcrops. This area is an increasingly popular spot for wilderness camping where the sheltered bays provide protection and feature naturally formed arches, blowholes, sandbars, and lagoons.
Long Beach stretches between Ucluelet and Tofino over an area of 13,715 hectares. Famous for long sandy beaches, temperate coastal rain forest, and storm watching , Long Beach offers a variety of themed trails as well as opportunities for beachcombing, surfing, and encounters with animals such as deer, eagles, black bears, wolves, cougars, whales, seals, and sea lions.
Northern Vancouver Island
Northern Vancouver Island speaks of sparkling waterways, abundant wildlife, scenic vistas, and First Nations culture.
 Johnstone Strait in the northeast corner of Vancouver Island is known as one of the best places in the world for whale watching - particularly killer whales. The Robson Bight Ecological Reserve was formed to protect killer whale habitat and the abundant food supply of the area also attracts other marine mammals including humpback whales, Pacific white sided dolphins, Dall's porpoises, Stellar's Sea Lions, and much more.
The Broughton Archipelago, a British Columbia Marine Provincial Park contains dozens of undeveloped islands and islets at the mouth of Knight Inlet. It is perfect for kayaking, camping, whale and wildlife watching, boating, and fishing.
The town of Port McNeill, gateway to the Broughton Archipelago, offers a wide range of visitor services and accommodations. Deer can often be seen grazing on the sides of the road and black bears walk the beach .
The area is also rich in First Nations culture and history. Discover petroglyphs etched onto rock walls while kayaking amongst the islands and islets of the Broughton.
Southern Gulf Islands
The Southern Gulf Islands of British Columbia are found between
Vancouver Island and the mainland. The Gulf Islands cover 35.4
square kilometres and consist of 15 islands, numerous small islets,
and reefs. The ecological integrity of the region is protected
by a National Park Reserve.
Sea kayaking is one of the most popular activities here because
of the calm bays and waterways which give paddlers access to
the beautiful, protected shorelines and a rich variety of marine
life.
Resident wildlife includes seals, sea lions, sea otters, bald eagles, falcons, blue herons, deer, raccoons, and pileated woodpeckers. The land itself is a blend of rolling countryside, sandy beaches, and rainforests and includes the Garry Oak Ecosystem, which supports a mosaic of plant, animal, and insect species. The history of human habitation in the Gulf Islands is marked by First Nations petroglyphs and shell middens and historic buildings and artifacts of the early European settlers.
Today the Gulf Islands are also popular for their boutique wineries,
organic farms, and high concentration of artists who have studios
or can be seen at the Saturday Markets alongside local farmers
.
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