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Vancouver Island

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Discover the mysteries of Vancouver Island. From the vibrant, meandering streets and shops of Victoria’s Old Town to the inspirational, ancient rainforests of the island’s north coast you’ll get a taste of everything the West Coast has to offer just a ferry ride from Vancouver. Home to some of the world’s most beautiful and diverse eco systems, much of the island is protected as parkland. Whether you choose to learn about the island’s natural and First Nation’s history in the acclaimed Royal BC Museum, or experience it first hand, Vancouver Island is indisputably one of the world's truly unique and awe-inspiring destinations.

Highlights

  • Voted “Best Island in the America’s” by Conde Naste Traveler Magazine.
  • Voted “Best Island in the Continental US and Canada" by Travel & Leisure Magazine.
  • Long Beach in Pacific Rim National Park, one of the largest sandy beaches in Canada, was voted one of the best beaches in the world by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine.
  • Protected parkland throughout the Island includes large swathes of old growth rainforests consisting of Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar trees as well as protected naturally occurring Garry Oaks.
  • Diverse eco-systems throughout the Island create habitats for multitudes of wildlife species and include: rainforests, meadows, marshes, beaches, mountains, ocean, rivers and lakes.

Location

Vancouver Island is located southwest of the British Columbia mainland, and is separated from it by the Strait of Georgia. One of 6,000 islands in BC, Vancouver Island is easily accessible by boat or ferry from the majority of the Gulf Islands of BC and Washington State. Victoria, British Columbia’s provincial capital, is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island and is accessible by ferry or air from the Lower Mainland. Visitors can also fly directly in to Victoria’s international airport. 

Size & Population

At 460 kilometres in length, Vancouver Island is almost as long as Ireland. The Island is 65 kilometres at its narrowest and 97 kilometres at its widest points with a total area of 31,284 square kilometers. The Island also boasts 3,440 kilometres of pristine coastline.

The total population of Vancouver Island is 734,860. For the most part, the island is sparsely populated with more than 45% of inhabitants living in the Victoria area.

Geography & Climate

A large mountain spine runs almost the entire length of the Island and breaks up into long mountain fjords along its West Coast. Vancouver Island’s highest point is the summit of Mt. Golden Hinde (2,200 meters) in Strathcona Provincial Park, located in the centre of the Island.

Vancouver Island boasts the warmest climate in Canada with winter temperatures rarely falling below zero and summer temperatures averaging 25° Celsius.  During the winter months, the northern part of the island can experience as much as 500 cm’s of rainfall whereas the southern portion is much less at approximately 64 cm’s. The overall summer climate on Vancouver Island is often compared to the summers in the Mediterranean region, making it a very popular tourist destination.

Attractions & Things To Do

Explore Other Destinations -  Gulf Islands & Sunshine Coast,  Vancouver,  Whistler,  Okanagan,  BC Rockies,             Northern BC Coast,  Northern BC,  Banff & Jasper,  Calgary