Top Things to do in Vancouver Island
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10 Outdoor Activities in Vancouver Island That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Vancouver Island, Canada including Wild Pacific Trail, West Coast Trail, Vancouver Island Soaring Centre, Pacific Rim National Park, Chesterman Beach, Cox Bay Beach, Juan de Fuca Provincial Park, Florencia Bay, Galloping Goose Regional Trail, Scenic Marine Route.
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1. Wild Pacific Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,689 reviews
The Wild Pacific Trail is located in Ucluelet and is a seven phase trail system skirting the rugged cliffs and shoreline of the west coast of Vancouver Island. Overlooking Barkley Sound and the Broken Group Islands to the east and the open Pacific Ocean to the south and west, it offers spectacular shoreline panoramas and seaward vistas through ancient cedar and spruce-framed viewing platforms constructed on the best headlands along the route.
Reviewed By 369PeterR - Toronto, Canada
We did the Wild Pacific Trail in two parts. On two mornings, by 7 AM my spouse and I did the 2.5 km light house loop portion of the trail. It took us about 50 minutes, including a few stops to take photos. It is an easy walk with a little bit of up and down. One day in the afternoon we also walked the segment of the trail from Brown’s Beach as far as it would go. This was about 8 km round-trip. It was a beautiful walk, sometimes through rainforest and sometimes along cliffs overlooking the ocean. The trail is very well-maintained and almost entirely a gravel path. We love it. Despite walking the trail on a holiday long weekend, it was not busy at all.
2. West Coast Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 118 reviews
West Coast Trail has the reputation of being on of the most excutiating treks in North America, rewarding you with stunning backdrops in a cultural and historical landscape. West Coast Trail is a hiking trail that follows along the southwestern shoreline of Vancouver Island. It has infamous weather, where thousands of people come to storm watch. In fact, the weather and tides have been the demise of many catastrophic shipwrecks up until the late 1800's, making the area known as the "Graveyard of the Pacific". Beached survivors often met their makers once they made it to the jagged shoreline, provoking the government to rough-in a trail that is to this day isolated, physically challenging and potentially hazardous. West Coast Trail is not for the faint of heart, but welcomes those ready to take on the 75km challenge, explore the environment and learn a great deal about themselves, both mentally and physically. Can you conquer it?!
Reviewed By cassini2010 - Sydney, Australia
I trekked with a group of 4 (including myself and the guide) guided by Sea to Sky. Being in a guided tour took away some of the stress of prepping for the trek. Trek was absolutely exciting. Sometines it is coastal, sometimes it is the forest. What I loved most was the technical nature of the forest treks. Constant obstacles until we meet the campsite. Then a few campsites had waterfalls next to it. Nothing like a refreshing shower after a trek from a cold waterfall. Lucky for us, we did not experience rain. The wildlife was amazing. We saw a bear, thousands of whales including one Orca, sea lions, seals, colorful sealife etc etc.. It was constant excitement while enjoying the feeling of disconnection from chaos in the other world.
3. Vancouver Island Soaring Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 109 reviews
We fly gliders for fun and also teach how to become a glider pilot. We will be happy to take you for the introduction flight so you can experience the beauty of a free flight. Sorry we are closed for the winter season. See you in the early spring. Open from mid April until the end of September.
4. Pacific Rim National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,337 reviews
Unique park composed of three sections - Long Beach, the West Coast Trail and the Broken Group of Islands - that feature sandy beaches, island archipelagos, temperate rainforests and important archaeological sites.
Reviewed By EkMusafir - Pune, India
The Pacific Rim National Park Reserve consists of 3 units stretching from Tofino, the northern end, to Port Renfrew at the southern end, on Vancouver Island. These 3 units are: 1) The Long Beach Unit located between the beach towns of Tofino and Ucluelet, 2) The Broken Group Islands located in Barkley Sound and accessible only by boat, and 3) The West Coast Trail stretching for 75 km from Pachena Bay to Port Renfrew. Only experienced trekkers should attempt this trail. We got to explore the Broken Group of Islands when we joined one of the Whale Watching tour operators in Ucluelet. We were taken across the small islands in Barkley Sound, towards the south-east of Ucluelet, and saw the spectacular views of these islands covered by a small forest of trees, and rocks with a lot of kelp floating around. Finally the captain of the motorised boat spotted a humpback whale which we followed for quite a while as it kept spouting and breaking the surface of the water every few minutes. We even saw a group of grunting and squabbling sea lions on a rocky island, a sea otter floating on it’s back in the water, and some sea eagles perched up on tall trees of some of the islands. Likewise, a walk along the Long Beach near Tofino and along the West Coast Trail must be as mesmerizing for the incredible coastline scenery with the temperate rain-forests of the islands meeting the ever turbulent waters of the Pacific Ocean. Keep your eyes open to spot some of the wonderful aquatic and terrestrial fauna like whales, orcas, dolphins, wolves, bears, cougars, and myriads of smaller creatures along the shore.
5. Chesterman Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,522 reviews
Reviewed By Departure683118 - Wardner, Canada
We visited this beach more than any of the others during our stay on the coast. Not only was it smaller than some of the others, but it seemed more sheltered. The rocky outcrops, and a number of close, small islands, however, really made the crashing waves that much more spectacular. The sand was hard...easy walking...and there seemed to be more “treasures” to be found. We loved exploring here, and watching the many surfers who practiced their craft here. And as an added bonus, the sunsets were beautiful. This will definitely be our go-to beach when we return!
6. Cox Bay Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 271 reviews
Reviewed By must_travel_soon_10 - Mississauga, Canada
With so many resorts lining the beach strip, public access is limited. Seems to be a popular water sports area. Great wide beach.
7. Juan de Fuca Provincial Park
8. Florencia Bay
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By gwt75 - Vancouver, Canada
In height of tourist season (summer 2020), we showed up at this beach and only one other group there. Massive beach with some fun tidal pools at low tide.
9. Galloping Goose Regional Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 196 reviews
A 55-kilometre rail trail between Victoria and Leechtown, which is great for hiking and biking.
Reviewed By Denver_Sammy - Denver, United States
We were staying in Victoria, but rented bicycles out of Sooke at West Coast Outdoor Adventure so we could do a day trip up to the potholes. Great day bike trip! WCOA shuttled us to the trail around kilometer marker 43 and we rode up to the terminus a bit past marker 55 and then rode down to km marker 30 to ride along Sooke Basin and Matheson Lake. Started at 9:30A and finished at 4P with a late lunch at the Stickleback.
10. Scenic Marine Route
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 723 reviews
Scenic running and hiking trail along the Pacific.
Reviewed By ravenB1885MR - Kingston, Canada
We always rent a car to do the scenic drive... right from the empress , thru James bay , past beacon hill... past willow, past oak bay... all the way to the university... so pretty... Grab lunch at oak bay marina restaurant or oak bay ave ( their main strip) or cadboro beach ( Sinclair road).
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