What to do in Vancouver Island

Activities, attractions and tours

Vancouver Island
British Columbia Parliament Building featuring heritage architecture, night scenes and a garden
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island
Sooke featuring a sunset and a pebble beach

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Top places to visit

1. Victoria Harbour

Come to Victoria Harbour to experience the spirit of the city at its most dynamic. Get a sense of the area’s modern atmosphere and culture as well as its history. Watch street performers flaunt their skills, visit some of Victoria’s most significant buildings and browse the markets for the perfect souvenir. All this against the backdrop of the sparkling waves, topped with vessels of all kinds.
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Victoria Harbour showing a bay or harbour and heritage architecture

2. Mount Washington Alpine Resort

Experience exhilarating snow sports and adventure on an island in the Canadian Pacific, at Mount Washington Alpine Resort. This resort offers skiing, trekking and hiking activities throughout the year in a locale bounded by the Strait of Georgia on one side and the expansive wilderness of Strathcona Park on the other.
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Mount Washington Alpine Resort featuring a luxury hotel or resort and snow

3. Butchart Gardens

The bright colors and glorious fountains of Butchart Gardens make it look like the set of an inventive fantasy film. Watch fireworks explode into colors as vivid as the flowers growing beneath them and enjoy concerts on the sloping, grassy lawn. Boat tours, carousels and magical nighttime illuminations add to the appeal of this popular Victoria attraction.
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Butchart Gardens showing a river or creek

4. Chesterman Beach

Grab a board and tackle the gentle breakers at Chesterman Beach or sit back and look on as rookies and experts surf the waves together. The 1.7-mile (2.7-kilometer) white sandy expanse is a popular place for learning how to surf. It's also where you can walk to an island, see migrating whales and explore tidal pools for marine life.
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Chesterman Beach showing general coastal views and rugged coastline

5. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

The Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is a natural and cultural wonder with rainforests, beaches and history. It is the main attraction on Vancouver Island, offering something for every type of traveler, from campers and sunbathers to history buffs. Camp and hike in the park, which stretches across more than 123,000 acres (50,000 hectares) of picturesque landscape and ocean.
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Pacific Rim National Park Reserve showing forests and hiking or walking as well as an individual female

What to do in Vancouver Island


Popular places to visit

Explore areas of Vancouver Island

Victoria featuring street scenes, a house and a city

Downtown Victoria

4.5/5(36 area reviews)

The captivating waterfront views and popular shops are just a few highlights of Downtown Victoria. Make a stop by Victoria Royal Theatre or Bay Centre while you're exploring the area.

Downtown Victoria
Victoria Harbour which includes heritage elements and a bay or harbour

Inner Harbour

The captivating waterfront views and popular shops are just a few highlights of Inner Harbour. Make a stop by Victoria Clipper Ferry Terminal or Victoria Harbour while you're exploring the area.

Inner Harbour
Victoria featuring a coastal town and a marina

James Bay

5/5(28 area reviews)

The captivating waterfront views and popular shops are just a few highlights of James Bay. Make a stop by Legislative Assembly of British Columbia or Victoria Harbour while you're exploring the area.

James Bay
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Saanich East

If you're spending some time in Saanich East, Cadboro Bay and Cedar Hill Golf Course are top sights worth seeing.

Saanich East
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Esquimalt

Travellers come to Esquimalt for its colourful gardens, and you can see top attractions like CFB Esquimalt Naval and Militiary Museum and Sooke Salmon Charters while you're in town.

Esquimalt
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Saanich West

Saanich West might not have many top sights, but Princess Louisa Inlet and Uptown Center are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Saanich West

Day trip destinations from Vancouver Island