Mixed ethnic, Eurasian sisters roast marshmallows on sticks. Bamfield, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.

© PamelaJoeMcFarlane/Getty Images

Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island is studded with colorful, quirky communities, many founded on logging or fishing and featuring the word 'Port' in their names.

Best Things to Do

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Totem poles, Totem park, Royal BC Museum, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

    Royal BC Museum

    Victoria

    Arguably the finest museum in British Columbia and carrier of a ‘royal’ prefix since 1987, Victoria’s flagship sight mixes the cream of BC’s provincial…

  • "Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria, British Columbia.Other images of the Victoria, British Columbia:"

    Craigdarroch Castle

    Victoria

    More ostentatious country mansion than fortified castle, Craigdarroch, with its turrets, stained-glass windows and palatial interior, looks like it might…

  • Butchart Gardens

    Butchart Gardens

    Vancouver Island

    Far more than just another pretty flower arrangement, Butchart is a national historic site and a triumph of early-20th-century gardening aesthetics. With…

  • Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

    Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

    Vancouver Island

    One in a magnificent seven of BC national parks, Pacific Rim is replete with wave-whipped beaches and brooding forests, most of them far from civilization…

  • U'mista Cultural Centre

    U'mista Cultural Centre

    Vancouver Island

    This must-see longhouse-like facility proudly displays dozens of culturally priceless Kwakwaka'wakw artifacts confiscated when potlatch ceremonies were…

  • Cowichan Valley Museum

    Cowichan Valley Museum

    Vancouver Island

    There’s plenty of history lovingly stuffed into this museum in the town’s former train station. Closely packed exhibits cover the favorite BC topics:…

  • BDKR8B Parliment buildings, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

    Parliament Buildings

    Victoria

    This dramatically handsome confection of turrets, domes and stained glass is British Columbia's working legislature and is also open to visitors. You can…

  • Niagara falls creek, in Goldstream Provincial Park, near Victoria, off the Trans Canada Highway 1, on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada.

    Goldstream Provincial Park

    Victoria

    This swath of temperate rainforest a 20-minute drive from the city is bisected by the Trans-Canada but squeezes a lot of nature into its 4.5 sq km. A…

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Man and women paddle stand up paddleboards through the Inner Harbour towards the Parliament Buildings. © Aaron Black / Getty Images RFC

Activities

A first-timer’s guide to Vancouver Island

May 8, 2024 • 11 min read

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