Things to do in Vancouver Island

Activities, attractions and tours

Visit Vancouver Island

Types of activities

Where to stay

Vancouver Island Travel Guide

British Columbia Parliament Building which includes a park, night scenes and heritage architecture

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 featuring heritage architecture and a bay or harbor

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 showing landscape views, mountains 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 featuring flowers and a garden

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 which includes landscape views, general coastal views and a sandy beach

5. Royal BC Museum

At the Royal BC Museum you can see totem poles and dinosaur footprints, learn about British Columbia’s human and natural history, and visit two of the oldest buildings in the province. Founded in 1886, the museum joined forces with the BC Archives in 2003 to create one of Canada’s most revered cultural museums.

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Royal BC Museum showing interior views as well as an individual femail

What to do in Vancouver Island

Popular places to visit

Victoria Harbour

Old meets new as historic architecture, traditional fishing boats and contemporary performers crowd together at one of Victoria’s liveliest spots.

Mount Washington Alpine Resort

Ski through forests coated by magical Canadian snowfall, trek through gorgeous valleys and try traditional pastries at this four-season destination.

Butchart Gardens

Inhale intoxicating fragrances and marvel at the dazzling colors of these gardens, which host engaging events and family-friendly activities.

Chesterman Beach

Unwind on soft white sands and ride the waves at a picturesque beach where many people learn how to surf.

Royal BC Museum

Learn about the region’s human and natural history, visit some of the oldest buildings in the province and see a special collection of totem poles.

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

See waterfalls and colorful rocks as you traverse rivers, bogs, rainforests and beaches in the three distinct sections of this enormous reserve.

Parksville Beach

Why not spend a carefree afternoon at Parksville Beach during your travels in Parksville? While you're in the area, stroll along the seaside.

Government Street

This central street attracts the crowds with its museums and galleries, historical architecture, shopping districts and Canada’s oldest Chinatown.

Wickaninnish Beach

If a restful vacation is part of your travel plans, Wickaninnish Beach might be the perfect place to seek out during your trip to Long Beach. Take in the museums while you're in the area.

Areas of Vancouver Island

Victoria featuring street scenes, a city and a house

Downtown Victoria

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.

Victoria Harbour which includes heritage elements and a bay or harbor

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.

Victoria showing a marina and a coastal town

James Bay

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.

Bear Mountain Resort

While Bear Mountain Resort isn't home to many top sights, Bear Mountain Golf Club and Goldstream Provincial Park are some notable places to visit nearby.

Esquimalt

Esquimalt is popular for its colorful gardens, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Sooke Salmon Charters or CFB Esquimalt Naval and Militiary Museum.