Visit British Columbia
Island
and beach fun doubles as you tour the beautiful province of British Columbia,
Canada
Fancy a sandy cove, rolling surf or a serene Pacific isle? With just under 28,000 islands and 25,725 kilometres of coastline, chances are British Columbia, Canada, has a beach for you. Where to start? Try Vancouver Island. This 455-kilometre stretch of beaches, woodlands and friendly small towns offers everything from urban galleries to old-growth forests, luxurious seaside inns to whale- and bear-watching adventures. Victoria, the provincial capital, is a charming seaside town of Edwardian architecture, lavish gardens and cosy brew-pubs set at the Island’s southern tip. An hour or so north, the Cowichan Valley lies at the heart of the Island’s wine country; farm-gate wineries and artisans’ studios dot the winding country roads. From there, it’s on to the beaches. The oceanside region, anchored by the towns of Parksville and Qualicum Beach, boasts stretches of sand, blessed with calm, shallow waters. Top choices include the miles of sand at Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park.
Over on the Island’s west coast, the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve faces the open Pacific. The park and the nearby villages of Tofino and Ucluelet are top spots for hiking, beach-combing, surfing, whalewatching and, in winter, the favoured British Columbian activity of storm watching — settling into a seaside inn to enjoy the dramatic weather. The Wickaninnish Inn, set on a promontory over the ocean, is a top choice for dining, lodging and storm-watching.
Between Vancouver Island and the mainland are the Gulf Islands, a cluster of rural islands, home to woodlands, meadows and white shell beaches. The best known, Salt Spring, is an artists’ haven, with dozens of studios and galleries tucked among the trees.
Getting there? Ferries and floatplanes offer regular service from Vancouver to Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
For more details, log onto: www.in.britishcolumbia.travel
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