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Dog-Friendly Beaches and Off-Leash Access Points on Vancouver Island

For many residents and visitors, dogs are part of the family — and finding beaches where they can roam, swim, and sniff freely is a key part of planning a day by the ocean. Vancouver Island offers a variety of dog-friendly beaches, where well-behaved pups are welcome to explore off-leash or accompany their people on long shoreline walks.

Sombrio Beach

Sombrio Beach

One of Vancouver Island's Ultimate Surf & Nature Escape: Nestled on Vancouver Island’s rugged west coast near Port Renfrew, Sombrio Beach is a hidden gem celebrated for its world-class surfing, dramatic coastal scenery, and pristine natural beauty.
This captivating destination offers a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation, drawing families, surfers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts alike. With its powerful ocean waves, intriguing tide pools, and expansive sandy shoreline, Sombrio Beach stands out as one of British Columbia’s most scenic coastal retreats.

Mystic Beach

Mystic Beach

Mystic Beach is placed between the Pacific Ocean and a forest. It gives you a mixture of land-based and water-based adventures. Marine animals, birds, Mystic Beach Waterfall, sunrise and sunset, are worthy of watching. Feel the beach by standing where the ocean kisses the shoreline and listen to the waves. Hiking on the beach and Juan De Fuca Marine Trail could be at the top of the list.

Your Adventure Starts with Vancouver Island Tours

Ultimate Vancouver Island Wildlife Experience

6-day Black Bear Wildlife Adventure Tour
Group
Nanaimo
Vancouver Island
from 1,950
6 days and 5 nights
Ultimate Vancouver Island Wildlife Experience

Vancouver Island Getaway Tour

5-Day Tour from Victoria to Tofino with Nanaimo
Group
Victoria
Vancouver Island
from 2,100
6 days and 5 nights
Vancouver Island Getaway Tour

custom tour

add tour with render box
Group
Nanaimo
Pacific Rim
3 nights and 4 days
custom tour

Fly Fishing Tour on Vancouver Island

Fly-Fishing Paradise on the Gold River
Group
Campbell River
Gold River BC
from 1,400
1 day
Fly Fishing Tour on Vancouver Island

4-Day Wildlife Watching on Vancouver Island

Pacific Rim & Clayoquot Sound Adventure
Group
Nanaimo
Tofino
from 1,897
4 days and 3 nights
4-Day Wildlife Watching on Vancouver Island

5-Day Vancouver Island Tour Package

Coastal Wonders & Wildlife Adventure
Group
Victoria
from 700
5 days and 4 nights
5-Day Vancouver Island Tour Package

3 Day Wildlife Tracking & Whale Watching Tour

Salish Sea Wildlife Tracking & Whale Watching Adventure
Group
Victoria
from 550
3 days and 2 nights
3 Day Wildlife Tracking & Whale Watching Tour

Port Renfrew Bottom Fishing Tour

Guided Fishing Adventure Tour on Port Renfrew Vancouver Island
Group
Victoria
Port Renfrew
from 1,475
3 days and 2 nights
Port Renfrew Bottom Fishing Tour

Ultimate 7-Day Vancouver Island Escape Tour

Wildlife, Beaches & Coastal Adventure
Group
Victoria
Victoria
from 1,813
7 days and 6 nights
Ultimate 7-Day Vancouver Island Escape Tour

Vancouver Island Fishing Charters Tour

One-Day Chinook Salmon & Halibut Adventure Tour
Group
Victoria
Sooke
from 1,140
2 days and one night
Vancouver Island Fishing Charters Tour

Sea Lions & Eagles Adventure

Experience an Unforgettable Half-Day Adventure in the Heart of Fanny Bay
Group
Nanaimo
from 2,850
1 day
Sea Lions & Eagles Adventure

Black Bear Tracking & Salmon Run Adventure Tour

5-Day Black Bear Tracking Adventure on Vancouver Island
Group
Nanaimo
Nanaimo
from 1,135
5 days and 4 nights
Black Bear Tracking & Salmon Run Adventure Tour

Victoria Kayak Fishing Adventure Tour

Explore Inner Harbour & Catch Inshore Fish
Group
Victoria
Victoria
from 1,000
2 days and one night
Victoria Kayak Fishing Adventure Tour

Vancouver Island Wildlife watching Tour

Explore Whales, Bears & Coastal Rainforests
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Victoria
Tofino
from 750
3 nights and 4 days
Vancouver Island Wildlife watching  Tour

A 3 Day Whale Watching Tour On Vancouver Island

Your three Day Victoria Whale Watching Getaway on Vancouver Island
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Victoria
Victoria
from 1,138
3 days and 2 night
 A 3 Day Whale Watching Tour On Vancouver Island

7-Day Vancouver Island Wildlife Watching Adventure Tour

Your 7-Day Wildlife Watching Escape
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Victoria
Vancouver Island
from 2,310
7 days and 6 nights
7-Day Vancouver Island Wildlife Watching Adventure Tour

Things to Do on Vancouver Island

Camping in Baby Bedwell Lake Campground

Camping in Baby Bedwell Lake Campground

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.

Nanaimo Yacht Club Whale Watching

Nanaimo Yacht Club Whale Watching

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.

Florencia Bay Surfing

Florencia Bay Surfing

Start your surfing diary on Florencia Bay Beach, a fairly exposed shoreline that provides exciting and consistent surfing opportunities. Waves that come from different directions and hit the sandy beach and their quality are the prime triggers for you to start your surfing journey on this beach. The usual mellow waves are exceptional and fantastic, and they have made this beach a perfect place for surfing.

Camping in Puntledge RV Campground

Camping in Puntledge RV Campground

Nestled right in the territory of K’omoks First Nation, the Puntledge RV Campground offers you chances to camp next to a river with a mountain view as your backdrop, which makes it an ideal place to watch how the sun greets the mountains. You can enjoy camping with all facilities provided and no worries for the kids to get hurt. Also, a top-notch adventure is awaiting you.

Mount Cain Snowmobiling

Mount Cain Snowmobiling

Mount Cain is one of the pioneer points for snowmobiling in Vancouver Island for modern snowmobile engines. The good news is that snowmobiling in Mount Cain full of endless excitement, and you can enjoy the rare beauty of its nature while surfing the snow.

Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club Whale Watching

Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club Whale Watching

Looking for a reliable place to go whale watching for the first time on Vancouver Island? Why not starting with Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club, one of the famous Yacht Clubs on the island. You will have the opportunity to observe these gigantic creatures and probably other sea creatures in the waters of the Salish Sea.

Hiking carmanah walbran provincial park

Hiking carmanah walbran provincial park

Hiking in Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, is an adventure into a 16,450-hectare wilderness of old-growth forests and giant trees. This provincial park, a top pick for hiking trails Vancouver Island, offers the best hiking and wilderness camping experiences in Canada. Whether you’re driving from Vancouver, BC, on a road trip, exploring day trips from Lake Cowichan, or seeking things to do on Vancouver Island, Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park delivers. With Carmanah Valley’s towering Sitka spruce and Walbran Valley’s rugged park trails, this hiking guide covers trail maps, safety tips, camping details on Vancouver Island and all the details for your next Canada trip.

Port Renfrew Kayaking

Port Renfrew Kayaking

Although Port Renfrew is primarily used for forestry and fishing, it is ideal for kayaking. The mountainous range, oceanic weather, and Mediterranean rainfall patterns make Port Renfrew one of the best locations for family holidays and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for kayaking. One of the merits of kayaking in these waters is the opportunity to see wildlife and birdlife on board.

Cortes Island Kayaking

Cortes Island Kayaking

Cortes Island is a unique paddling destination that offers a mix of sheltered bays, dynamic open water, scenic coastal views, and rich natural history. This guide covers every detail—from geographic location and access routes to specific paddling conditions, safety tips, and local highlights—so you can plan your Cortes Island kayaking adventure with confidence.

Zeballos Kayaking and Canoeing

Zeballos Kayaking and Canoeing

Although the city is known for its gold mining, Zeballos is a fantastic destination for paddling activities. Great hiking trail within the rainforest in which various wildlife is observable. Kayakers and canoeing followers may have the chance to explore a place with several underground caves and spelunking places. Not to mention that other outdoor activities can add to your joy in Zeballos.

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