Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island is a large island off the coast of British Columbia, Canada, covering about 31,000 square kilometres. It is home to the provincial capital Victoria as well as a mix of coastal towns, temperate rainforest and rugged Pacific coastline.

The island offers a wide range of activities from urban attractions in Victoria to surfing, whale watching and rainforest walks on the west coast around Tofino and the Pacific Rim. The east coast has ferry links to the mainland and cities such as Nanaimo provide transport and services for visitors.

First Nations have occupied the island for thousands of years and European exploration and settlement increased from the late 18th century onward, shaping present-day towns and infrastructure. Protected areas and parks preserve significant coastal and forest ecosystems.

Vancouver Island lies off Canada’s west coast, separated from the British Columbia mainland by the Strait of Georgia and the Juan de Fuca Strait, and is accessible by ferry or air from Vancouver and other coastal centres.

• Victoria: Victoria, the island's largest city, is also the capital of British Columbia and a common arrival point for visitors.
• West coast: The island's west coast, including Tofino and the Pacific Rim, is renowned for surf breaks, storms and temperate rainforest landscapes.

What to See #

• Victoria: The provincial capital of British Columbia located at the island's southern tip, noted for its harbour, parliament buildings and Butchart Gardens.
• Pacific Rim National Park / Tofino: A rugged stretch of coastline and rainforest on the island's west coast, popular for surfing, wildlife watching and rain-forest walks.
• Nanaimo: A harbour city on the island's east coast that serves as a ferry and transportation hub to the mainland.
• Butchart Gardens: A large historic garden complex near Victoria that is one of the island's most visited horticultural attractions.