The only way to reach Vancouver Island is by boat or plane. Either way, arriving at this remote sanctuary off Canada’s Pacific Coast is a memorable experience: cedar trees carpet the rocky shores, hazy mountains stretch as far as the eye can see.
If you’re lucky, you might be greeted with the bark of a seal or the whistle of a bald eagle returning to its nest. The island is teeming with wildlife; this is a place where black bears roam the forests and humpback whales can be spotted along the coast. Here are a few ways to experience the untamed beauty of Vancouver Island.
Catch waves at Tofino
Chesterman Beach is an excellent spot for storm-watching (Image credit: Sébastien Lecocq / Alamy Stock Photo)
In the manicured streets of Victoria on the southern tip of the island “you could be forgiven for thinking you were in Cheltenham”, said Stanley Stewart in Conde Nast Traveler. “But things get rugged remarkably quickly.” Around a three hour drive up the coast lies Tofino – a little beach town known as the surfing capital of Canada. Cox Bay Beach hosts most of the surf competitions, while Mackenzie Beach is ideal for families thanks to its sheltered location and calm waters. The winter months can be spent storm-watching: expect dramatic skies, gigantic waves and fearsome winds (take it all in from Pointe Restaurant overlooking Chesterman Beach).