Why Vancouver Island?

At 32,000 square kilometres, Vancouver Island is the 11th largest Island in Canada (second largest outside the Arctic) and the 43rd largest island in the world. And with more than 850,000 inhabitants, it is the second most populous island in Canada (after the Island of Montreal) and the 64th most populous island in the world.

 

Residents and visitors to Vancouver Island enjoy beautiful scenery, from beaches and rainforests to lakes, rivers and mountains, with a bounty of activities. For those who love the outdoors, there is fishing, camping and rewarding hiking trips for all abilities, and the Island also offers resorts, fine dining, and sports and recreation for both participants and observers.

 

Prior to the arrival of European explorers in the 1700s, Vancouver Island was home for thousands of years to many First Nations peoples in three distinct tribal regions: the Coast Salish, the Nuu-chah-nulth, and the Kwakwaka’wakw, each made up of many unique tribes and nations. Their cultures continue to form an integral part of the fabric of Vancouver Island.

 

Nearly half of the population of the Island lives in Greater Victoria, centered around BC’s provincial capital, the City of Victoria. Noted for its high quality of life, Victoria was founded in 1843 as a Hudson’s Bay Company fort, and retains much of its British Empire charm even as it has evolved into a modern city. Attractions include North America’s second-oldest Chinatown (after San Francisco), and the Inner Harbour, home of the BC Parliament Buildings, Empress Hotel, and Royal BC Museum. The city is the home of the University of Victoria, Royal Roads University and Camosun College.

 

Langford, another city within Greater Victoria, is home to Rugby Canada’s training centre, as well as facilities used by Golf Canada, Tennis Canada and Cycling Canada.

 

Victoria is a short distance from Vancouver by ferry, airplane or seaplane, and from Seattle by airplane or seaplane. Ferries also connect Victoria to Port Angeles on Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula.

 

Sooke, on the western edge of Greater Victoria, is the gateway to Port Renfrew, Botanical Beach and the West Coast Trail, paradise for hikers and fishermen on the Island’s Pacific Coast.

 

North of Greater Victoria is the Cowichan Valley, which ranges from the Malahat Summit to Ladysmith, including Shawnigan Lake and the nearby communities of Cobble Hill and Mill Bay. The Cowichan Valley is centered around the communities of Duncan and North Cowichan, where Quamichan Lake is the main training centre for Rowing Canada.

 

The unique topography and climate of the Cowichan Valley lends itself to the cultivation of grapes and other fruit, leading to a multitude of wineries and cideries in the region, including several within a short drive of Shawnigan Lake. That goes hand-in-hand with fine dining, and there are many excellent restaurants in the area, some located at the wineries and cideries themselves.

 

West of Duncan is the Cowichan Lake area, a summer hotspot for fishing and floating down the Cowichan River, and home to Laketown Ranch, which hosts major recording artists each year for Sunfest and the Laketown Shakedown.

 

North of Duncan is the city of Nanaimo, population 100,000. A former mining centre, Nanaimo now boasts all the amenities of a mid-sized city, with ferry links to the Mainland and an airport with connections to the rest of Canada. It is also home to the main campus of Vancouver Island University, which also has satellite campuses in Duncan, Parksville and Powell River.

 

Beyond Nanaimo are the communities of Parksville and Qualicum Beach (collectively known as Oceanside), the Comox Valley (home of Mount Washington, the Island’s largest ski hill, and a mecca for mountain biking), and Campbell River (a haven for salmon fishing). At the north end of the Island are the towns of Port Hardy, Port McNeill and Port Alice, which boast even more fishing, as well as ferries to Prince Rupert on BC’s north coast, where passengers can connect on to Alaska.

 

West of Nanaimo, via the city of Port Alberni, are the west coast communities of Tofino and Ucluelet, and Pacific Rim National Park, where one can experience the grandeur of fog-shrouded old growth rain forests and endless beaches, and enjoy surfing, hiking and storm-watching in the winter.

 

The Salish Sea off the east coast of Vancouver Island is home to the Gulf Islands, an archipelago of small islands connected to each other and to Vancouver Island by ferries. Salt Spring Island is the most populated, with more than 11,000 residents and thriving small agricultural and artisanal communities.

 

Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands are home to nearly 50 golf courses, ranging from Victoria all the way to Campbell River, and out to Tofino. For hockey fans (and aspiring players), the Island has one Western Hockey League team (the Victoria Royals), four BC Hockey League teams, and the 11-team Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League. Victoria is also home to Pacific FC of the Canadian Premier League soccer circuit.

 

In addition to the Royal BC Museum in Victoria, the capital city is also home to the Maritime Museum of BC, Craigdarroch Castle, and many other museums showcasing the history and art of the region. Most smaller communities also have their own museums. The culture of Vancouver Island also comes to life at a wide range of music and other performing arts festivals throughout the year.