Victoria, Vancouver Island

Visit Vancouver Island, Canada

Visit Vancouver Island, Canada

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Covered from head to toe in emerald rainforest, Vancouver Island lies just off Canada’s west coast. Far from the cityscape of Vancouver, just over the water, the island has retained a landscape wild enough to sustain black bears, an endemic subspecies of grey wolf, and bald eagles. Our Canada specialists will use their first-hand experience to help you plan where to go on your trip to Vancouver Island. You could take a Zodiac from Tofino in search of foraging bears, explore First Nations culture in northern Vancouver Island, or hike through old-growth forest trickling with waterfalls along the island’s mountainous spine.

A pod of orca off Vancouver IslandWhale watching trips give you an opportunity to see pods of orcas, which are permanent residents off the coast of Victoria, British Columbia’s capital. During the summer, you can also spot migratory humpback and Pacific grey whales in Clayoquot Sound, where you might be joined by dolphins, sea lions and otters. In the north, Campbell River is one of the best places for salmon fishing, while Port Hardy is a gateway to remote bear lodges.

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Places to visit in Vancouver Island

Featuring heavily on our experiences of visiting Vancouver Island, these selected places are destinations that also prove consistently popular with our travelers. Our specialists can help you choose how to include them in your wider trip, based on your preferences.

This sample itinerary will give you an idea of what is possible when you travel in Vancouver Island, and showcases routes we know work particularly well. Treat this as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.

Map of Vancouver Island

Places & hotels on the map

    Places in and around Vancouver Island

    Photos of Vancouver Island

    • Long Beach, Tofino
      Long Beach, Tofino
    • Campbell River Harbour, Campbell River
      Campbell River Harbour, Campbell River
    • Local resident in Victoria
      Local resident in Victoria
    • View from Campbell River Harbour, Campbell River
      View from Campbell River Harbour, Campbell River
    • Black bear, Tofino
      Black bear, Tofino
    • Pacific Rim National Park, Vancouver Island
      Pacific Rim National Park, Vancouver Island
    • Black bear family, Tofino
      Black bear family, Tofino
    • Tofino, British Columbia
      Tofino, British Columbia

    Our expert guides to exploring Vancouver Island

    Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Vancouver Island, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Vancouver Island at its best.

    • A pod of orca off Vancouver Island

      Highlights of Vancouver Island

      Canada specialist Jamie shares the best things to see and do on Vancouver Island. You could observe black and grizzly bears in temperate rainforests. Look for orcas on boat trips from Victoria. Or hike to secluded beaches in the remote north.

    Accommodation choices for Vancouver Island

    We’ve selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Vancouver Island. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.

    • Black Rock Oceanfront Resort, Ucluelet

      Black Rock Oceanfront Resort

      Medium

      The Black Rock Oceanfront Resort sits atop a cliff overlooking the rugged Pacific Ocean. The clever use of rock, wood, glass and steel in its construction means it blends in beautifully with its rugged surroundings.

    • April Point Resort and Spa, Quadra Island

      April Point Resort and Spa

      Medium

      The April Point Resort and Spa offers its guests the chance to escape and enjoy the pine forests, quiet waters and wildlife of this peaceful part of the world. Easily accessible from Campbell River on Vancouver Island, the April Point Resort is a fantastic alternative for guests looking for a remote retreat.

    • Comfort Inn & Suites, Campbell River

      Comfort Inn & Suites

      Medium

      Bright, modern and spacious, the business-like rooms at the Comfort Inn & Suites offer a comfortable base for exploring the beaches, forests and wineries of northern Vancouver Island. The indoor pool, gym and hot tub are an added bonus.

    • Kwa'lilas Hotel, Port Hardy

      Kwa'lilas Hotel

      Simple

      Kwa’lilas Hotel offers both a conveniently central location and a sleek, modern design that complimented with bold First Nation accents, making this a great option for your stay at Port Hardy.

    • Great Bear Lodge

      Great Bear Lodge

      Simple

      Great Bear Lodge overlooks a quiet inlet in the heart of the untouched Great Bear Rainforest, offering a real wilderness experience for those wanting to get up close to nature and Canada’s wildlife.

    • Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort

      Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort

      Deluxe

      Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort is located in the middle of British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest. Guests here will find themselves exploring the beautiful pristine wilderness either on land, on water, or by helicopter.

    • Hidden Cove Lodge, Telegraph Cove

      Hidden Cove Lodge

      Simple

      Hidden Cove Lodge is set in a stunning wilderness environment where great cedars overlook the idyllic tidal inlet. Wildlife is prolific and you are likely to have encounters on a daily basis with black bears, otters, deer and eagles.

    • Knight Inlet Lodge

      Knight Inlet Lodge

      Medium

      Knight Inlet Lodge is a floating village of buildings, providing comfortable rooms and an amazing wilderness experience.

    • Abigails Hotel, Victoria

      Abigail's Hotel

      Medium

      Abigail’s Hotel is a boutique property located just three blocks from Victoria's picturesque Inner Harbour. The heritage Tudor-style architecture of the building and colorful English gardens will enchant you, evoking the spirit and old-world charm of this beautiful city.

    • Balcony at the Oswego Hotel

      The Oswego Hotel

      Medium

      The Oswego Hotel is a modern boutique hotel with a sophisticated charm. Located minutes from Victoria’s downtown and the Inner Harbour, it makes a great base from which to explore the city's historic downtown area.

    • The Inn at Laurel Point

      The Inn at Laurel Point

      First Class

      In a beautiful locations surrounded by ocean and Japanese-style gardens, this hotel is a good base for a stay in Victoria. The onsite restaurant offers some of the best cuisine in the city and the outdoor patio gets the morning sunshine.

    • Guest reception, the Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino

      Wickaninnish Inn

      Deluxe

      The Wickaninnish, a member of the luxury Relais and Chateaux association, offers utter comfort and sophistication within a beautifully rugged oceanfront setting.

    • Red Crow Guest House, Tofino

      The Red Crow Guesthouse & Cottage

      Medium

      Set in a beautiful location overlooking the Tofino inlet, this is a great choice for those looking for a quiet hideaway but remaining close to the facilities and amenities of the town.

    • Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, Tofino

      Clayoquot Wilderness Resort

      Deluxe

      Located on the remote fringes of Vancouver Island, this glamping resort offers a wilderness escape. You’ll stay in safari-style luxury tents among old-growth temperate rainforest, and have access to a range of outdoor activities, including horse riding, fishing and outdoor yoga.

    • Middle Beach Lodge at the Headlands, Tofino

      Middle Beach Lodge on the Headland

      Simple

      Perched on a rocky headland in full view of the Pacific, Middle Beach Lodge offers you a cozy home from home in the laid-back village of Tofino.