Top Things to do in Vancouver Island
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The 10 Best Free Things to do in Vancouver Island, Canada
Discover the best top things to do in Vancouver Island, Canada including Wild Pacific Trail, Chesterman Beach, East Sooke Regional Park, Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Cathedral Grove, Beacon Hill Park, Inner Harbour, Botanical Beach Provincial Park, Strathcona Provincial Park, Sooke Potholes Provincial Park.
Restaurants in Vancouver Island
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. 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!
3. East Sooke Regional Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 269 reviews
Reviewed By loreng518 - Victoria, Canada
Lots of trails here and they are now pretty well marked but also be certain you know the way - how to get in and out! Easy 45 minute walks to 5+ hours of moderate to strenuous hiking over rocky terrain and along the ocean with lots of ups and downs and hills to scramble! Exquisite ocean views and charming spots to picnic or take a break; it's so worth the hike. Lots of friendly people and their dogs along the way; also be prepared to step aside for trail runners! Also breathtaking views along East Sooke Road if you just want to drive.
4. Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,095 reviews
Welcome to the Parliament Buildings. Home to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, visitors are welcome for free guided tours year-round. Please note, the buildings are currently closed to the public due to the ongoing health crisis.
Reviewed By l0lee123 - Vancouver, Canada
Adrienne was a wonderful tour guide on our free one-hour tour. We went during the COVID-19 pandemic so the tour only covered the outside of the building. We were also lucky in that only the two of us signed up for that time so we basically had a private tour! Adrienne was bubbly, knowledgeable - and really loves the history of not just the Legislative Building, but also other areas of Victoria too. Her passion and enthusiasm rubs off and she's a wonderful storyteller. Highly recommend this free tour of the Legislative Building - it'll add some interesting facts, stories, and context to your visit.
5. Cathedral Grove
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 975 reviews
Reviewed By brockgs - Winnipeg, Canada
Cathedral Grove is a wonderful place to stop and experience the quintessential Vancouver Island forest experience, marked by a unique and beautiful arrangement of stunning trees.
6. Beacon Hill Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,017 reviews
This park holds a tree planted by Winston Churchill in 1929.
Reviewed By BoardingPass518854
Lovely park - beautiful gardens, paths, playgrounds, ponds, the beach, history, world’s tallest totem pole
7. Inner Harbour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,293 reviews
This scenic patch of waterfront is the location of Victoria's many tourist attractions, recreational activities, restaurants and shopping. For a special treat, have afternoon tea at the grand Empress Hotel or board a ferry for a harbor tour.
Reviewed By Redkitewatcher64 - Andover, United Kingdom
The Inner Harbour is the highlight of any visit to Victoria. Its a perfect place to walk around as there is a pathway around the whole harbour. From here there is a wide selection of shops, restaurants and bars and is the perfect place to watch the float planes and cruise ships visiting the harbour. Here you can watch the water taxi's travelling around the harbour and people out rowing in the harbour. From here you can walk to Chinatown and the main shopping areas, visit the museums and view historic sites like the hotels and Government buildings, Its a perfect place to watch the sunset , and a walk around at night reveals stunning views of the parliament buildings lit up at night
8. Botanical Beach Provincial Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 304 reviews
Reviewed By JacqBeNimble - Vancouver, Canada
5 min drive from Port Renfrew and you're at the parking lot for this park. Take the 2.7 km loop to the right to Botany Bay first and then follow along the trail SE to Botanical Beach. Both places will not disappoint. At Botanical Beach you'll find lovely tidal pools full of lovely sea creatures (sea anemones, chiton, etc.). It will make you love the natural world even more than you already do. Please go and tell the world!
9. Strathcona Provincial Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 97 reviews
Strathcona Provincial Park, designated in 1911, is the oldest provincial park in British Columbia. Located almost in the centre of Vancouver Island, Strathcona park is a rugged mountain wilderness comprising more than 250,000 hectares. Mountain peaks – some perpetually mantled with snow – dominate the park. Lakes and alpine tarns dot a landscape laced with rivers, creeks and streams. To see and enjoy much of the scenic splendour means lacing up your hiking boots to backpack through the dense forests, stunning sub-alpine and alpine regions. While the high mountain peaks and deep shaded valleys of Strathcona Park are dramatic, it is easy to forget that beneath your feet lays a history stretching back 380 million years. Two areas – Buttle Lake and vicinity and Forbidden Plateau – offer a variety of visitor-oriented developments. The rest of the park is largely undeveloped and appeals primarily to people seeking wilderness surroundings.
Reviewed By ozcan1 - Bunbury, Australia
Four of us trekked a ten-kilometre loop, pausing mid-way for lunch at Helen MacKenzie Lake. Naturally, the uphill trek (around fifty minutes) took a little longer than the downhill walk, although we took many more photos on the second leg. Trekking poles assisted us uphill, although they can be a sticking point on boardwalks, at times. It's worthwhile including a water bottle, pocket knife or multi-tool, an apple and trail mix / muesli bars. While the trail is often shaded, a hat is worth clipping onto your light pack. Flyfisherfolk may be interested to learn that the lakes can be productive, with two different fishermen having caught-and-released rainbows on the afternoon we were up there. * At HMcL, we met two Strathcona Park Rangers, Harry and Chris, who were happy to provide interesting information on marine species in Lake MacKenzie, Buttle Lake and Battleship Lake.
10. Sooke Potholes Provincial Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 525 reviews
These rock formations have become a popular local swimming area.
Reviewed By JamieB954 - Edmonton, Canada
This is a place we visit every time we come to the island in the summer. The water is crystal clear and awesome for swimming. The current is so gentle, it’s safe even for the little ones. Our teenage boys love cliff jumping and this is a great and safe place to do it.
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