Family Sightseeing Adventures on Vancouver Island

Englishman River Regional Park is home to numerous wildlife species, like Roosevelt Elk and a community hatchery with an extensive salmon side channel. Peaceful hiking, nice biking, and water sports like fishing and swimming are among the things you can do. Find your place for picnicking or camping and walk with your dog off-leash. Leave your footprint and take your memories.

Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens is a place for history enthusiasts and gardens and interior design lovers. It is a 19th-century Victorian home and garden full of everything nostalgic to you. As one of Victoria's oldest homes, it is located overlooking the scenic and historic Selkirk Water/Gorge Waterway. It includes vegetables, cut flowers, a small fruit orchard, and a greenhouse.

Are you looking for a freshwater lake near Ucluelet? Then try out Kennedy Lake! As the largest lake on Vancouver Island, it is a reward from the Pacific Rim region. If you need a day hike and enjoy the beautiful wilderness, it's NOT too late! In the heart of Kennedy Lake Provincial Park, Kennedy Lake offers kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and swimming chances.

The Somass River is placed in an area with pristine nature and high ecosystem values. Being near the crystal clear water with white sand beaches, turquoise lagoons, gorgeous rustic-chic villas, and enchanting, dazzling sunsets can make your day. Have a great experience watching black bears from spring to late fall. Enjoy the Alpine meadow, mountain top views, rain forests, and waterfalls.

Wickaninnish Beach is a large stunning beach with sand dunes and access to the rainforest. Kilometres of sands make it possible to walk on the beach for a long time. Sit on the driftwoods or cliffs to rest and enjoy the view. It would be great staying there making a fire and watching the sun touch the ocean. This beach could be your excellent choice for swimming, storm watching, and surfing.

The Somerset Range is a chain of small low mountains. The highest peak is Hobiton Ridge. Have a perfect time hiking through the packed trees covering the hills with ponds and tars dotting the area. Up at the peak, the vista of trees and valley overlooking the water and awe-inspiring view of surrounding mountains lying through the gorgeous forest garnished by colourful birds.

The Bonanza Range is a small mountain range. While approaching the Bonanza Range, you will experience a beautiful wilderness passing through the Tsitika River and Bonanza Lake. The area is a paradise dotted with gorgeous lakes and tarns winding through alpine and subalpine mountain forests having spectacular views of incredible snow-capped mountains.

Going to Horne Lake, you would be fascinated by eye-catching spectacles and unbelievably crystal-clear water. New experiences are calling you! Explore the caves, stay at a clean campground and start adventures on your own or through guided tours. It is among the lakes that you can get water-front camping. The lake is calm and refreshing to ride a kayak.

If you're a land and water adventurer and you struggle with boring vacations, then you need the pleasure of relaxing in hot water and let nature touch your soul. Get better results with Tofino Hot Springs Cove, a natural geothermal hot spring with an ocean view. Enjoy watching wildlife species and an old-growth forest. Do water activities by taking the Tofino Hot Springs Cove path.

Port McNeill is a small town but a large community in North Vancouver Island with the rich natural land and sea resources. It is the gateway to the protected spaces, islands, and waterways of the Broughton Archipelago and Queen Charlotte Strait. Being close to the shoreline gives you chances to watch wildlife like dolphins, whales, seals, grizzly bears, black bears, elks, cougars, and deer.

Mount Douglas Park is the largest and most fascinated park in the Saanich area, with breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views of the majestic mountain, island, and ocean. It is known for its age-friendly hiking trails lush with plenty of trees and wildflowers. Walking through its sandy beach and the tremendous forest lets you experience peace and enjoy the wildlife.

Englishman River Falls is a vivid example of nature's wonders, with the water streaming among the rocks. There are beautiful lower falls with the turquoise, clear water underneath and the water descending in white surges. The exquisite combination of douglas fir, cedar, hemlock, maple trees and stubborn rocks makes this place's beauty go beyond comprehension.

Goldstream Niagara Falls or Niagara Falls can meet your expectations of a natural attraction. The height is 47.5 m (155.8 ft), which drops over the rocks and is surrounded by old trees like Douglas fir and red cedar. The opportunities to take photos are everywhere; there is no need to search. Just drive to the west side of Langford to find it at Goldstream Provincial Park and hike through Goldstream Trestle to observe all the beauties.

Did you get fascinated before by a beautiful place that makes you stand steel? The pleasure of watching colourful butterflies from various spices and other creatures in a beautiful garden, the smell which lifts your mood, and the fresh air all feel like you are in a dreamland. If you love walking through a tropical area and are tired of boring visits, don't skip Victoria Butterfly Gardens.

Emilia Cave, a standout feature of the Emilia Creek system on Vancouver Island, is a hidden treasure for the adventurous and environmentally conscious. Known among local cavers as a challenging and rewarding destination, this cave system embodies the rugged spirit of BC’s wilderness. With multiple caves accessible only by bushwhacking and the occasional rope-assisted descent, Emilia Cave offers an authentic Canadian cave adventure that emphasises eco-friendly travel, sustainable tourism, and respect for natural heritage.

The Sutton Range is a group of mountains and a subrange of the Vancouver Island Ranges that form the greater Insular Mountains. The amazing rock formation and alpine scale make the mountains within the range perfect for climbing. While you're atop Sutton Peak, Victoria Peak, Warden Peak, and mainland coast mountains are within your sight.

French Beach Provincial Park is the perfect combination of a pebble beach, a lush forest, and the blue ocean. Step into the French Beach Trail and choose your camp between tent and RV sites. Watch marine wildlife on the beach or birds flying over your head. With Juan de Fuca's Strait view, you may have chances to see migrating gray whales in spring and fall.

Nestled within the heart of Vancouver Island, Chicken 2 Cave is a remarkable geological formation that attracts adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike. This limestone cave, part of the island’s intricate karst system, offers a glimpse into the island's ancient geological history while providing an accessible yet thrilling spelunking experience.

You may have limitations for yourself, but if you are not a beginner at cave exploring, overcome your own limits. Find a hidden gem in Langford, somewhere that few people know. Florence Lake Cave is a mystery waiting to be discovered for professional cavers. Some believe that it is the largest cave in Greater Victoria. Don't waste your time hesitating and pack your bag for a challenge.

Kanaka Bay is a gem on top of Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park. It has the best of what summer has to offer, a beautiful place to spend hours with your family. The beach is accessible by a short walk from the dock. The extensive picnic area and playground of Kanaka Bay are the sweet spots for children. Don't forget about water sports, and watching wildlife like raccoons.

At the head of Vancouver Island's longest inlet, you are given a lifetime opportunity to have the pleasure of China Creek kiteboarding. You would better hop on a board to feel the water upon your feet and let excitement flow within your blood. Besides, a magnificent fishing opportunity awaits you in the Salmon Capital of the world. Also, ample amenities are provided for you, which can add up to the comfort of your stay.

Write a page in your diary describing the great storm-watching experience you had on French Beach. The beach is sometimes foggy, which adds a sense of mystery, and when it clears up, the gorgeous beach will manifest itself. When the water lever dwindles in the distance, you can be a witness to great storms. The sound of waves hitting the pebbles is too comforting.

Located in the Strathcona Provincial Park near Bedwell Lake, camping is possible in a nice backcountry campground on Baby Bedwell Lake, set in the lush forest surrounded by majestic mountains. Beautiful alpine forest, perfect swimming, breathtaking view of the trail, small ponds and lakes surrounded by glacial mountain peaks are some of the area's attractions. They are enough to fascinate visitors and campers.

Adventure lovers who know nothing about diving but look forward to experience it may find the Octopus Point Diving site the best place to go. In these shallow waters, several marine life is observable, and the safety of your diving is guaranteed to a considerable measure.

Sombrio Beach is the place you can both find comfort and excitement. This V is a hot spot for storm watching for its harsh waves. Another attraction of Sombrio Beach is that you can enjoy storm watching on a rocky beach where the majestic waves break into, and the sound of it will comfort your mind. Due to the powerful winds and robust waves, Sombrio Beach is a paradise for surfers and storm watchers.

Try to lead a life full of endless adventures, and to do so, you can consider Oak Leaf Diving as a means to that end. For those enthusiastic divers who want to explore a new and cozy location, the Oak Leaf Diving zone might be a suitable option to visit, with a magnificent environment and easy access.

Stretch your minds and imaginations to a different experience of kayaking by going to Quatsino Sound. As a mysterious place, it is known as underground caverns, and it offers undeniably chances for those in love with paddling. While you are on the water and paddling the smooth waves, you may be lucky and observe some marine creatures that can add to your joy.

On the edge of Port McNeill, a quiet facilitated campground is provided for you to spend splendid time with family and friends. The Broughton Strait Campground is a beautiful spot to spend moments and observe the magnificent wildlife while appreciating the beautiful nature there in the forest. Also, anglers would be surprised by the various fish species living there.

It is time to put your heart into hiking and step into a moderate multi-use trail with some great views along the way and on top. Mount Manuel Quimper has a beautiful summit worth the climb, which gives you excellent vistas of Sooke Harbour and a chance to visit one of the last fire lookouts left on the island.

Westwood Lake Trail is not super challenging, but it is a lovely well maintained and well-marked hiking trail around Westwood Lake with beautiful viewpoints and greenery. The forest and lake are full-on herons, eagles and deer with lots of opportunities to have a great time, so bringing your family with you is a decision you will not regret!

Views of Olympic and Cascade Mountain ranges, besides appealing sea excursions, make Sidney a paradise for tourists and suitable for kayaking. Sidney's moderate Mediterranean climate with relatively low rainfall is the reason behind its popularity among paddling enthusiasts. Also, recreational sites around Sidney have made it an ideal place to make beautiful memories while exploring the incredible opportunities provided for you.

Make your Whale watching experience memorable enough to remember it even with closed eyes. in Ucluelet, you will have ample opportunities to encounter these gigantic marine creatures, and you may be lucky to observe other wildlife too. Those whale watching enthusiasts have the chance to attend the annual Pacific Rim Whale Festival happening at the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Ucluelet and Tofino on Vancouver Island's west coast.

Nestled in old-growth forests, Quatse River Campground offers peaceful camping next to the bank of Quatse River. This campground provides you with privacy and peace away from the busy urban life comprising a green and treed atmosphere. Also, admirers of nature can enjoy a diversity of flora and fauna while drowning in other adventures.

Within the territory of T'sou-ke first nation, French Beach Provincial Park Campground is a beautiful heavenly campground that allows you to record unforgettable memories. Call your dreams of camping a plane while camping in this campground; while it has ample facilities and incredible scenery, you cannot get enough of it.

Wear your hiking boots! It is going to be a challenging hike that may take about 4 to 5 hours. The lovely amount of elevation with fantastic views is what you can get hiking on the Mount Benson Loop near Nanaimo. As it is located in a reach environment, take lots of breaks to enjoy the area and get enough energy. If you are not ready for wet terrains, try it on a dry and cool day. You would be satisfied as an experienced hiker.

A relatively short and easy trail in the Comox Valley area is the hike to Trent Falls. Stay on track because its wild nature has much to offer. Hiking along the Trent River with its perfect swimming and fishing opportunities and watching the waterfall with a deep pool under and the wildlife around it brings you joy, especially if you are with the family.

Protection Island Ferry provides its participants with high chances of watching whales and other marine creatures, along with the scenic view of three spectacular islands. You may also rent a boat to surf the water, and if you are in luck, encounter these gigantic marine beasts.

Once you got bitten by the travel bug, remember to stop by Kwai Lake. Its campground offers an excellent time camping with impressive views all around you. Paved road access, well-maintained trails make the campground a suitable place for campers. A backcountry campground nestled right in an area that is home to diverse flora and fauna. Campers can have an ideal walk-in, wilderness camping adventure.

As the second busiest winter recreational destination in BC, Mt. Washington Ski Resort in Comox Valley offers a wide range of snowboarding facilities. Mountain climbing enthusiasts who choose Mount Washington for snowboarding have the chance to look across the Strait of Georgia and other spectacular views, such as the Strathcona Provincial Park region.

If you are wandering around Hornby Island and thinking about a way to multiply the adventure of your day, do not hesitate and head to Flora Islet. On the other hand, no boats? Don't worry! This excellent diving zone is accessible by ferry. Enthusiasts who come to the site on summer days have the chance to see six-gill sharks.

Lead an adventurous life and get on the road to experience new adventures. Wickaninnish Beach welcomes surfers from all around the world, and this beautiful sandy beach is a great place to forget about all the bills and responsibilities. If you are looking for more reasons that justify Wickaninnish Beach's superiority for surfers, you may consider the lack of rocks with barnacles.

Beechey Head and its loop are two of the hot spots for whale watching in Sooke. In addition to fantastic opportunities for whale watching, Beechey Head is a hiking and nature trip location that offers you excellent activities, such as birdwatching.

Views of Olympic and Cascade Mountain ranges, besides appealing sea excursions, make Sidney a paradise for tourists and suitable for kayaking. Sidney's moderate Mediterranean climate with relatively low rainfall is the reason behind its popularity among paddling enthusiasts. Also, recreational sites around Sidney have made it an ideal place to make beautiful memories while exploring the incredible opportunities provided for you.

Located in the Strathcona Provincial Park near Bedwell Lake, camping is possible in a nice backcountry campground on Baby Bedwell Lake, set in the lush forest surrounded by majestic mountains. Beautiful alpine forest, perfect swimming, breathtaking view of the trail, small ponds and lakes surrounded by glacial mountain peaks are some of the area's attractions. They are enough to fascinate visitors and campers.

Welcoming kayakers from everywhere, Clayoquot Sound is a wild network of offshore islands, including alpine valleys, forests, rivers, lakes, and laidback beach towns. Rocky oceanfront coastlines with endangered and rare species living there have made this place a popular destination for paddlers who are not only satisfied by paddling and seek to experience other adventures.

Looking for a daring diving experience? Hop on and drive to Alcala Point in Porlier Pass diving site. There is a fantastic diving place where you may need a diving guide during winter due to enormous waves. Also, plenty of marine life is living there, so employing safety is mandatory.

Hiking on the Mount Menzies Access Road through a logging road and having a forest walk is a challenge you can take near the Campbell River. The trail and the view from the lookout are incredible in colours. Get away from the humans by going on a beautiful trail which is nice and quiet!

For those marine life lovers, Nanaimo Yacht Club Whale Watching is a great opportunity. Participants can ride boats and surf the surrounding waters with the chance to explore the area and observe whales living near Nanaimo due to the high population of orcas and whales around there.

Cattle Point is a part of Uplands Park in Victoria, runs along the coastline of Oak Bay. During falls and winters, especially November through March, the Cattle Point Storm Watching is an exhilarating experience. Watch storms smashing from spectacular vantage points as dark clouds blanket the sky, rains whipping, gusts of winds making barreling high waves.

Looking for a way to add a challenge to your adventure? Visit the Keel Cove Diving site. It is a shore diving destination with high chances of observing marine mammals. But, there, you would find a steep trail leading to the beach, which has made visiting there a little challenging.