Vancouver Island
A True "Piece of Paradise"
A True "Piece of Paradise"
Vancouver Island is a large, sparsely populated area with one of the world's most diverse ecosystems: rainforests, marshes, meadows, beaches, mountains, oceans, rivers and lakes. It is home to multitudes of wildlife species and is one of the world's premier locations for whale watching, birding, as well as salmon and trout fishing. Popular destinations are Victoria, Nanaimo, Tofino/Long Beach, Parksville/Qualicum, Comox Valley and Campbell River.
Vancouver Island is the largest island situated on the western side of the America's and covers an area of 32,134 square kilometers. Vancouver Island is separated from the British Columbia mainland from south to north by the Strait of Georgia, Discovery Passage, Johnstone Strait, and the Queen Charlotte Strait. Emerald forests are dense with towering trees. White-capped waves crash thunderously onto glittering beaches and jagged shorelines. Pristine bays and inlets, lakes and rushing rivers, snow-capped peaks and glistening glaciers - its nature in all its splendour.
 |
| Mt. Arrowsmith Biosphere Reserve - Near Qualicum Beach and Port Alberni |
The city of Victoria which is situated at the south eastern end of the island is the Provincial capital of British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver Island itself encompasses many smaller communities with varying cultures and traditions, it also possesses a diverse and rugged beauty in the form of mountains, lakes, rivers, and coastline. From the bustling city of Victoria to the rugged wilderness communities of the north, Vancouver Island is a paradise for anyone seeking a variety of experiences from soft or extreme adventure, wildlife, or just solitude and inspiration.
 |
| Our Wonderful Capital City |
Victoria: The capital region of British Columbia, Greater Victoria encompasses a broad range of communities, from lively downtown streets and bustling harbours to serene parks and coastal farmland. With the mildest climate in Canada, Victoria is perfect for visiting at any time of the year. A favourite spot is the Inner Harbour area and the Old Town district behind it. On summer evenings this area is alive with strollers and buskers, and a pleasure to wander as the sun drops over the water. Foremost amongst the daytime diversions are the Royal British Columbia Museum and the Empress Hotel . You might drop by the modest Maritime Museum and think about a trip to the celebrated Butchart Gardens, some way out of town, but easily accessed by public transport or regular all-inclusive tours from the bus terminal. If you're around for a couple of days you should also find time to walk around Beacon Hill Park, a few minutes' walk from downtown to the south.
 |
| Nanaimo - Where my office is located, a short commute from Qualicum Beach |
Nanaimo: The city of Nanaimo is a classic West Coast community, offering natural beauty at every turn, and vast recreation potential. Nanaimo has one of the longest shorelines in Canada, and a forested mountain backdrop just outside downtown. Here, you can go from the wilderness to the city centre in just a few minutes, and spend more time in the places you want to be. As the second largest city on Vancouver Island, Nanaimo promises a lively and unique urban experience. It also happens to be where the old goat works for a living!
 |
| Jennifer and Shep enjoying the beaches near Tofino |
Tofino / Long Beach: Most travelers target base is the Pacific Rim National Park that includes Long Beach which truly is one of the natural wonders of the world. The village of Tofino is keeping development to a minimum, clearly realizing they have a vested interest in preserving the salty, waterfront charm that brings people here in the first place. Crowning a narrow spit, the village is bounded on three sides by tree-covered islands and water, gracing it with magnificent views. Offering a wide variety of boat and sea-plane tours, most of which have a whale-watching or fishing angle or provide a means to get out to islands and hot springs close by . During the summer hippies, surfer types and easy-going family groups are the most visible visitors.
 |
| Beautiful Qualicum Beach Cranky Goat's Home Town |
Qualicum Beach: Qualicum Beach "is to the artist of today what Stratford-on-Avon was to the era of Shakespeare" - a bohemian enclave of West Coast artists and writers that has also been dubbed the "Carmel of the North" after the town in California. Qualicum Beach gently spreads in front of one of the most pleasant small towns on the east coast of Vancouver Island. It boasts one of the finest climates in Canada and the region is favoured as one of the most popular summer family vacations destinations of Vancouver Island and BC. Pause here at any of the numerous beachside pullouts and smell the salt air intermingled with the perfume from the many private and public floral displays. It is an ideal gateway to access all other parts of Vancouver Island and is the connection through to Tofino and the western side of Vancouver Island. Qualicum Beach itself is well endowed with recreation facilities for a community of its size. Greenspace and parks provide many opportunities for residents and visitors of all ages to enjoy a park setting and participate in a variety of recreation activities - including several golf courses. The original Coast Salish settlers of this area knew it as "where the dog salmon run" - a wonderful place to fish, pick berries and dig for clams. The name Qualicum Beach is derived from Quallchum, an early variation of this term. Steeped in quaint British heritage and famous for its local arts, crafts and beautiful English gardens, modern day Qualicum Beach offers visitors the same gentle countryside and golden, seemingly endless, sandy beaches. Six provincial parks are located within thirty minutes drive from Qualicum Beach. Plus, as an added bonus, it is the proud home of Cranky Goat and the Laughing Dog Café!
 |
| Jennifer and Shep - Hiking near Qualicum Beach |
Comox Valley: As you drive the Island Highway (Highway 19), it's always a treat to look across the Strait of Georgia at landmarks on the mainland and the spires of the Coast Mountains that rise on the eastern horizon. As you head up island towards the Comox Valley and Campbell River, the peaks and glaciers of Vancouver Island's ranges that rise in the west now vie for your attention, principally the imposing Comox Glacier, Forbidden Plateau, and Mount Washington. The name Comox is derived from the Kwakwala Indian word Komuckway, meaning Place of Plenty, a reference to the abundant game and berries in the Comox Valley. European settlers adapted the name to Komoux, then finally to Comox. Rich in natural beauty, with a superb climate, Comox Valley now offers a unique blend of recreational experiences, from warm sandy beaches through rich, rolling farmlands to the alpine playground of Mt. Washington and the Forbidden Plateau. With year-round recreational activities like skiing, swimming and golfing, and all amenities close by, Comox Valley certainly lives up to its name, billing itself as the Recreational Capital of Canada! Although, in reality, this moniker truly applies to all of Vancouver Island. Where else could you dive in the morning, play a round of golf before lunch and ski in the afternoon - all amid such breathtaking surroundings?
 |
| Strathcona Park near Mt. Washington Ski Resort |
Campbell River: Of the hundred or so Canadian towns that claim to be "Salmon Capital of the World", Campbell River, on Northeast Vancouver Island, is probably the one that comes closest to justifying the boast. The town grew to accommodate fishermen from the outset, centered on a hotel built in 1904 after word spread of the colossal fish that local Cape Mudge natives were able to pluck from the sea. Today about sixty percent of all visitors come to dangle a line in the water. Others come for the scuba diving, while for the casual visitor the place serves as the main road access to the wilds of Strathcona Provincial Park or an overnight stop en route for the morning departures of the MV Uchuck III from Gold River.
 |
| Me and Ben hiking in the Mountains of Vancouver Island |
 |
| Shep and Molly enjoying a swim in Strathcona Park - near Gold River |
Port McNeill: Situated between the tall timber and the rolling ocean, Port McNeill enjoys a standard of living second to none. The residents of this beautiful coastal community thrive on a resource rich economy and a wealth of genuine family atmosphere. Port McNeill is centrally located to the entire North Island and serves as an excellent home base for marine and land based adventures. A coastal setting and abundant rain forest supports many species of fish and wildlife. Port McNeill is the front door to all marine activities from Salmon fishing to Killer Whale watching. Kayakers and boaters will not be disappointed with the full service Harbour facility. Campers and outdoor enthusiasts will find everything they require in this full facility community. The mild climate allows for “year round” outdoor recreational activity and can be enjoyed by air, sea and land!
Port Hardy: You've reached the end of Island Highway 19 - Port Hardy is as far north as you can drive. Port Hardy was named after Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, former captain of H.M.S. Victory. With a population exceeding 5000, this turn-of-the-century town site is now the largest community in the region and the bustling terminal for B.C. Ferries' service to Prince Rupert and Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) via the Inside and Discovery Coast Passage sailing routes.
As 97 percent of the population of Vancouver Island lives on the southern half of the island, outdoor recreationists in search of solitude come north. Much of Vancouver Island once looked as the north still does today. Thanks to recent government protection, some of the remaining wilderness has been preserved. Other places, such as the most northerly tip of the island, are sheltered from the preying eye of industry by the elements.
Cape Scott Provincial Park is one of the wildest, windiest, most woebegone locales in the province for human habitation. Journeying to either Brooks Peninsula or Cape Scott is only for those whose mettle has been tested by repeated exposure to the bellows and blast-furnace of nature in the raw.
Gentler conditions prevail in the sheltered waters of Queen Charlotte Strait and Johnstone Strait, where the Kwakwaka'wakw First Nations are the traditional gatekeepers. To experience a tranquillity that passes all description, paddle these waters where whales rub and salmon run in summer months. Port Hardy is the largest community of the North Island, with many facilities. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities, as well as shopping and exploring the local arts and culture scene. The top half of 280-mile-long Vancouver Island is served by a maze of logging roads and Highway 19, which links Campbell River with Port McNeill and Port Hardy.
 |
| Jennifer and Shep - My Favourite Hiking Buddies |
