Alert
Bay | Bamfield | Campbell
River | Chemainus
Comox | Courtenay | Cumberland
| Duncan | Gabriola
Island |
Gold River | Gulf Islands
| Ladysmith | Lake Cowichan
Nanaimo | Parksville
| Port Alberni | Port Alice
Port Renfrew | Port Hardy
| Port McNeill | Qualicum
Beach
Sayward | Sidney | Sooke
| Tahsis
Telegraph Cove Tofino
| Ucluelet | Victoria
ALERT BAY
Alert Bay is on the small island of Cormorant,
and can be reached by ferry from Port McNeill, which is just off Hwy19,
and 200km (124mi) north of Campbell River. Fishing and tourism keep this
community lively.
BAMFIELD
This out-of-the-way salmon fishing centre is on the southeast side
of Barclay Sound. During the summer, sports fishermen use it as a base
to fish Barclay Sound and Alberni Inlet. Many others come to hike, scuba
dive and canoe
CAMPBELL RIVER
Campbell River, historically renowned as the "Salmon Capital of
the World", is surrounded by Strathcona Provincial Park to the west
and the Coastal mountain range to the east. Campbell River is 50 km
(31 mi.) north of Courtenay on Highway 19, 270 km (167 mi.) north of
Victoria and 235 km (146 mi.) south of Port Hardy. It is served by BC
Ferries from Campbell River to Quadra Island (3 km/2mi.).
CHEMAINUS
Located on Stuart Channel, just east of Hwy 1, 78km (46.5mi) north
of Victoria is Chemainus. Local artists have make it "Canada's largest
outdoor art gallery". The 32 large murals, painted on downtown walls,
depicting the history of the area, are more than just a local attraction.
It's said that over 250,000 people from far and wide come to see these
murals.
COMOX
Comox is 6 km (4 mi.) east of Courtenay, off Highway 19. It is
served by BC Ferries from Powell River (27 km/17 mi.). Summer or winter,
the Comox Valley has something to offer any outdoor enthusiast: golf
courses, hiking, camping, fishing, skiing, photography, and sightseeing.
COURTENAY
Courtenay is 60 km (37 mi.) north of Qualicum Beach on Highway
19 or 220 km (137 mi.) north of Victoria. Courtenay accommodations include
full-service hotels, motels and bed and breakfast establishments. Many
of these offer ski packages in the winter and salmon fishing packages
in the summer. There are also private and provincial campsites available.
CUMBERLAND
This former coal mining town of Cumberland during its hey day supported
a population of approximately 10,000. The big Victorian styled homes
built at the turn of the century, are being restored. Several building
in the downtown area, that house art galleries and craft shop, have
been refurbished.
DUNCAN
The "City of Totems" is a major business centre for the farming
and forestry industries of the Cowichan Valley. Duncan is 60 km (37
mi.) north of Victoria on Highway 1. The lakes and rivers surrounding
Duncan offer good freshwater fishing, canoeing and boating, while the
surrounding countryside is a haven for hikers, bikers, photographers
and sightseers.
GABRIOLA
ISLAND
Gabriola
is the most northerly of the Southern Gulf Islands and lies in the Strait
of Georgia between Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia. It
is one of the most accessible in the Gulf Islands with ferry service
running daily, 16 times each way, a 5km/3mi, 20-minute ferry ride from
downtown Nanaimo.
GOLD
RIVER
The logging town of Gold River is located in the Gold River Valley
and can be accessed either by water or from Hwy 28 southwest of Campbell
River. The area offers the visitor excellent fishing and caving.
GULF ISLANDS
Idyllic in landscape, rustic in character, the Gulf Islands bask
in a mild climate and pastoral tranquility. Almost 200 islands of all
shapes and sizes lie tucked against the southeastern shore of Vancouver
Island with only the invisible international boundary dividing them
from the San Juan Islands in US waters. The charming island communities
offering a variety of services and accommodations. A must see for every
BC visitor.
LADYSMITH
Ladysmith is 85km (53mi) north of Victoria on Hwy 1. The downtown
features restored heritage buildings, art galleries, gift and antique
shops. Take a walk along the natural deep harbour where you can enjoy
fishing, swimming or just relaxing.
LAKE COWICHAN
North of Duncan, take Hwy 18 to Lake Cowichan. Around Lake Cowichan's
shore is a network of nature walks. The Cowichan Valley Demonstration
Forest , located along the lake, on Hwy 18, provides an outdoor classroom
of forest management. Take your camera and prepare for some picture
postcard scenery.
NANAIMO
Nanaimo, known as the Harbour City, is Vancouver Island's second
largest city. For the outdoor enthusiast, the area in and around Nanaimo
offers hiking trails, a nature centre, bird sanctuary and picnic and
swimming sites plus great fishing opportunities. Nanaimo is 26 km (16
mi.) north of Ladysmith or 110 km (68 mi.) north of Victoria on Highway
1. It is served by BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver); a crossing
time of 1 hour and 35 minutes and from Tsawwassen it takes two hours.
PARKSVILLE
Parksville is located on the east coast of Vancouver Island, 37
km (23 mi.) north of Nanaimo, on Highway 19 or 144 km (89 mi.) north
of Victoria. Whether it is for camping, hiking, fishing, playing on
the beach or exploring the natural wonders of the area, Parksville has
something to offer everyone
PORT ALBERNI
Port Alberni is 50 km (31 mi.) west of Parksville or 121 km (121
mi.) northwest of Victoria on Highway 4. With the increased popularity
of Pacific Rim National Park, Barkley and Clayoquot Sounds, and the
incredible sports fishing available, more and more visitors are using
their vacations in Port Alberni take day trips to a variety of West
Coast locations.
PORT ALICE
In 1965, Port Alice made history by becoming the first instant town
incorporated in B.C, although pulp and paper mills have operated here
since 1918. This is a good place for boat launching to fish and explore
the inlets along Quatsino Sound (west side of Vancouver Island).
PORT HARDY
Port Hardy is often used as a "jumping off point " for those wanting
to explore the wonders of the northern part of Vancouver Island; spectacular
scenery, great fishing, whale watching and sightseeing. Port Hardy,
at the northern terminus of the Island Highway is 50 km (31 mi.) north
of Port McNeill, on Highway 19
PORT MCNEILL
Port McNeill is the gateway to the northern part of the Island.
As well as being so close to the amenities and activities of the north
island, there are many recreation opportunities for the visitor right
in the Port McNeill area. Port McNeill is 200 km (124 mi.) north of
Campbell River, off Highway 19 or 50 km (31 mi.) south of Port Hardy.
BC Ferries has a sailing to Alert Bay (8 km) and Sointula.
PORT RENFREW
To get to the west side of Vancouver Island, from Victoria, take
Hwy 14 to Sooke and then northwest to the end of the road, which is
at Port Renfrew. This small quaint settlement is located at the mouth
of the San Juan River and Port San Juan. Port Renfrew is the southeast
end of the Pacific Rim National Park's West Coast Trail.
QUALICUM BEACH
Facing the Strait of Georgia, its on Hwy 19 (the Island Highway)
and is only 10km (6mi) north of Parksville. This pleasant village is
close to the beach, and along the way there are quaint shops, galleries
and restaurants. Fishing and golfing are popular activities in the area.
SAYWARD
70km (43mi) north of Campbell River on Hwy 19, turn east on a paved
road and travel for 10km (5.6mi) to the village of Sayward and the Kelsey
Bay Wharf. This serves as a centre for the Salmon River valley area.
SIDNEY
Sidney is located 25 km (16 mi.) north of Victoria, on Highway
17. It is the terminus of the Washington State Anacortes and San Juan
Islands Ferry. Sidney offers the charm and character of a seaside town
complete with a wonderful variety of shops, museums and interesting
outdoor activities.
SOOKE
Located 34 km (21 mi.) west of Victoria, on Highway 14, Sooke is
a pleasant village on the southwest corner of Vancouver Island, where
visitors can explore its history, fish, and enjoy the outdoors. In Sooke
you can camp by the sea in one of the private or provincial campsites,
stay in a hotel/motel or enjoy a leisurely bed and breakfast.
TAHSIS
This forestry community at the head of Tahsis Inlet is 70km (43mi)
northwest of Gold River on a gravel road. Canoeing, kayaking, caving,
fishing, and hiking are all very popular in this region.
TELEGRAPH COVE
Established in 1911-12 during the building of the telegraph line
from Campbell River north to the tip of the Island. Later it became
a sawmill community and now is major destination for the coastal wilderness,
including whale-watching tours.
TOFINO
Tofino, on the northern boundary of Pacific Rim National Park is
a relaxed, casual place; a place to get back to nature. You can walk
for hours along the beach and explore pathways that lead through the
rainforest to secret coves and beach caves. Tofino is 42 km (26 mi.)
north of Ucluelet on Highway 4, 130 km (81 mi.) west of Port Alberni
and 337 km (209 mi.) northwest of Victoria.
UCLUELET
Leaving Port Alberni, Highway 4 travels west to climb around Sproat
Lake through the stunning mountain scenery of the Mackenzie Range and
along Kennedy Lake to reach the west coast of Vancouver Island and the
communities of Ucluelet and Tofino.
VICTORIA
Perched on the southernmost tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria is
the capital city of British Columbia. Made up of the city of Victoria
and the municipalities of Oak Bay, Saanich, View Royal and Esquimalt,
Greater Victoria boasts a population of almost 290,000, making it the
island's largest metropolitan area. Whether you are a history buff,
enjoy sightseeing, shopping or engaging in recreational activities,
Victoria has much to offer.
