What's up guys! We're here on Vancouver Island and in this video we're going to show you the
best things to do here. I actually lived here for more than 10 years and Ine lived here for
about two of those. So really excited to show you everything we've seen and enjoy this video.
We are Zac and Ine, full-time digital nomads from the United States and Belgium.
We met while studying abroad in 2018 and have been traveling the world together ever since.
We're here to inspire your next adventure, whether it's hiking in the Canadian Rockies,
a road trip through the US, or backpacking across Africa. On our channel you'll find
unfiltered videos of hiking guides and the best things to do in destinations around the world.
Located on Canada's Pacific Coast, Vancouver Island is known for its mild climate compared
to the rest of Canada. The island stretches for 460 kilometers from British Columbia's capital
of Victoria in the south to Cape Scott's wilderness and hidden beaches in the north.
This unique island destination combines large forests, rugged landscapes, rocky mountain peaks,
and mysterious coastlines. After living in this beautiful place for a combined 10 years,
we'll now break down the 10 most incredible places you have to visit on Vancouver Island.
At number 10 we have Cameron Lake and Cathedral Grove. These are located
near each other in central Vancouver Island, sitting between Parksville and Port Alberni.
Cameron lake is a tranquil spot on the island, with many other natural attractions in the area.
Witness the old growth giant trees at Cathedral Grove,
spelunk at the Horne Lake caves, observe the Qualicum falls, or hike to the Hole
in the Wall in Port Alberni. There are many activities to savor in this central region.
Located right outside of Victoria, Goldstream Provincial Park is a great spot for hiking,
camping, and connecting with nature. Explore the beautiful Niagara waterfall, overcome your fear of
heights in the old trestle bridge used by trains in the past, or do a challenging hike to the
neighboring peak of Mount Finlayson. In the fall you can also witness the salmon run in the park.
Sitting on the southern end, Victoria is the most popular and accessible destination on Vancouver
Island. Within a 20-minute driving radius of the city, there are tons of things to do in Victoria.
You can choose to explore the British colonial downtown on foot, take a tour to the magnificent
Butchart Gardens, see the stunning Hatley Castle, or explore the wildlife on a whale watching tour.
We'll include our favorite whale watching tour in a link in the description below.
There are also many beaches viewpoints and parks here. Our favorite places in and around town are
Gowlland Tod Provincial Park, Mount Doug, Beacon Hill Park, Mount Tolmie, and Gonzalez Beach.
The harbor here in Victoria is the hub of activities. You can go on like a whale watching
tour, but you can also see some performances here during the summer, as well as the Parliament's
Building is right across from here. So it's definitely one place you should check out.
The fishing village of Port Renfrew is another place you cannot miss on Vancouver Island.
Also called "Wild Renfrew", this area is known for its ancient rainforest, world-class hiking trails,
and its stunning beaches. Both the West Coast Trail and the Juan de Fuca Trail start from here,
attracting many crowds during the summers. From Canada's gnarliest tree at Avatar Grove
to the incredible Botanical Beach, you'll be impressed by this place.
Cowichan Valley is another unique place to visit on Vancouver Island.
Located in the south, this valley has lush green forests, rugged landscapes,
and a pristine coastline. Located in Canada's only maritime Mediterranean climatic zone,
this area has the warmest year-round temperatures in the entire country. Activities to enjoy here
include hiking or biking at Mount Tzouhalem, sipping wine at one of the idyllic vineyards,
exploring the largest totem pole collection in Duncan, and seeing the sea lions in Cowichan Bay.
Lake Cowichan is another amazing travel destination worth mentioning on its own.
The freshwater lake is about 30 kilometers long and sits to the west of Duncan in the Cowichan
Valley. It's home to several communities, but Lake Cowichan is the most well-known because the
Cowichan River flows directly through the middle of town. It gets busy during the summer as it's a
great river to go tubing. But besides that, the lake is also home to some great hiking trails.
We're doing the Bald Mountain Trail today just over Lake Cowichan. It
should be a really nice trail, about 10 kilometers give or take. So far
no people on the trail, so let's see what the views are like.
Located about 40 kilometers north of Victoria at the southern edge of the Cowichan Valley,
Shawnigan Lake is a popular place to vacation. The lake is seven kilometers long and great for
fishing, swimming, and sunbathing in the summer. But what we like most in the area is the hiking.
The Old Baldy mountain trail is one of our favorite short hikes in the area,
offering gorgeous views of the lake as well as the surrounding mountains.
It's also close to get to Kingzett Lake or "The Quarry", as well as the historic Kinsol Trestle,
which is one of the largest and highest wooden trestle bridges in the entire world.
The west coast of Vancouver Island is the perfect destination for travelers who love remote beaches,
lush rainforests, and rocky cliffs. The area between Sooke and Port Renfrew is a true haven
of peace, and is home to some of the most beautiful beaches on all of Vancouver Island.
Our favorite beaches in terms of atmosphere, sights, and natural beauty are Mystic Beach and
Sombrio Beach. Mystic Beach has a beautiful waterfall that cascades into the ocean,
whereas Sombrio Beach has the best vibe for beach camping. Sombrio is a popular weekend
getaway with friends or family during the summer, and also offers some hidden waterfalls of its own.
Tofino and Ucluelet are both great destinations to get away and relax in nature on Vancouver Island.
Both spots are about four hours away from Victoria by car,
and the towns are only 30 minutes apart from each other. There's amazing hiking and surfing,
and you'll find the sandiest beaches on the island here. Our top pick of beaches include Cox Bay,
Mackenzie Beach, Chesterman Beach, Long Beach and Wickaninnish. Tofino is known
for having the best surf in all of Canada and the culture of the town is reflected in that
with chill vibes and laid back people who really respect the nature surrounding them.
Welcome to our private island!
Located in the heart of the island, Strathcona Provincial Park has the purest nature
richest wildlife and most breathtaking scenery on all of Vancouver Island. With 250,000 hectares
of rugged mountains, snow-capped peaks, shallow rivers, impressive waterfalls,
stunning lakes, and an abundance of wildlife, Strathcona Provincial Park offers the best outdoor
and hiking activities. Our top picks in the park include Landside Lake, Myra Falls, and Cream Lake.
During winter, Mount Washington is also a popular destination for skiing.
We're at the upper Myra Falls here in Strathcona Park and a really special time of the day you can
see the sun coming right through, making this really mystical look of the falls.
So I think we're gonna hang out here for a bit, and then check out the rest, jump in the water.
Of course there are many other beautiful places we didn't mention in this video,
such as Cape Scott and Port Hardy in the north. But we hope you got inspired to tick
off some of these destinations on the island for yourself. Catch you on the next adventure!