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Vanislander / Landmarks / Lakes / spider lake

Spider Lake On Vancouver Island

Spider Lake, located next to Spider Lake Provincial Park, is a well-known day-use destination. It features a small sandy beach for those who favor all kinds of water activities such as fishing, canoeing, and swimming. Although beaches are small, they provide great opportunities for kids to play and build sandcastles. Surrounded by pine forests and great beaches the area of Spider lake is scenic and family-friendly.

Spider Lake's Location

Spider Lake and its shoreline are encompassed by Spider Lake Provincial Park, west of Parksville on central Vancouver Island, which provides tons of recreational activities. You will be able to fish and swim in this lake that is by the way only 20 minutes away from Rathtrevor Beach or Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park. To the southwest of the lake, Horne Lake is located; that is only 20 minutes away. Also, on the eastern side of the lake, you can see Spider Lake Spring Resort, which can provide you with great opportunities for camping, both tent, and RV.

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History of Spider Lake

The reason why it is called "Spider Lake" is that you can see many areas off of it that when you watch it from above, it looks like the legs of a spider. This claim is based on what one local had told. On June 18, 1981, Spider Lake Provincial Park was constructed to preserve the ecological integrity of the lake, also to provide the visitors with various recreational opportunities.

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To Travel from Victoria Harbour Ferry  to Spider Lake

To travel from Victoria Harbour Ferry (Victoria, BC V8W 9M2) to Spider Lake (Nanaimo, BC V9K 2L7), the fastest route takes approximately 2 hours and 6 minutes, covering 175 km via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and BC-19 N. Start by taking Government St from Victoria Harbour Ferry to access Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N, a 4-minute drive spanning 1.2 km.
Then, follow Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and BC-19 N for 169 km, which takes about 2 hours and 4 minutes, leading to Horne Lake Rd in Nanaimo. Finally, take Spider Lake Rd for 7 minutes (5.2 km) to reach Spider Lake Provincial Park. This route is optimal based on current traffic conditions.

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To Travel from Nanaimo Harbour  to Spider Lake

To travel from Nanaimo Harbour (Nanaimo, BC V9R 6M6, Canada) to Spider Lake (Nanaimo, BC V9K 2L7, Canada), follow this 48-minute, 64.3 km route via BC-19 N, the fastest option avoiding the road closure on Bastion St.
Start by heading north on Terminal Ave N and Island Hwy N/BC-19A N for 13.6 km (18 minutes) until you reach Lantzville. Merge onto BC-19 N and continue for 45.5 km (27 minutes). Finally, take Spider Lake Rd for 5.2 km (7 minutes) to arrive at Spider Lake Provincial Park.

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Vancouver Island Activities Near Spider Lake

Hiking on the Nanaimo River Trail

Hiking on the Nanaimo River Trail

About 10 kilometres away from downtown Nanaimo, find yourself on an easy and well-marked hiking trail along the Nanaimo River with a smile on your face! It is a great short walk that impresses you differently at each section. Take your dog with you and get it some exercises too, as it is dog off-leash-friendly. You can find such energy there in the area with the Douglas fir plantation.

Mount Adrian Snowmobiling

Mount Adrian Snowmobiling

As one of the highest points of Vancouver Island, Mount Adrian offers great snowmobiling, among other winter activities. It has two summits that feature Strathcona Provincial Park in every direction—looking for a place to have winter excitement? Nowhere is better than Mount Adrian.

Camping in Lighthouse RV Park and Campground

Camping in Lighthouse RV Park and Campground

The great adventure in Fanny Bay will always hunt its visitors. The Lighthouse RV Park and Campground offer undeniable opportunities for camping of all kinds with a beautiful view of the ocean ornamented by mountains and islands. This campground offers excellent accommodation with every essential amenity. Not to mention that you can lose yourself in its charm, quiet, and unique sites and find it again.

Nanaimo Diving

Nanaimo Diving

Ranked as the best cold-water diving destination in BC, Nanaimo waters are saturated with new diving experiences. BC Ferries, dive shops, accessible shores, and the chance to observe cute beaches have made Nanaimo an ideal destination for visitors. Diving enthusiasts find themselves in the heavens when they come to Nanaimo, for it is home to spotless diving spots.

Stories Beach Surfing

Stories Beach Surfing

As a reward for your hard work, travel to Vancouver Island to fulfil your cravings for adventure and fun. Adjacent to Campbell River, Stories Beach is a vibrant spot attracting many visitors worldwide. The great waves heating the beach allow you to experience surfing for real. While you are in the area, keep in mind to fish; so, do not forget to bring your fishing rods.

Camping in Ford's Cove Marina

Camping in Ford's Cove Marina

Looking for a place on Hornby Island to stay the night while enjoying yourselves? You would better stop by camping in Ford's Cove Marina and camp with your RV or tent. This campground has cute oceanic views and glorious sunsets with gorgeous mountains. The Ford's Cove Marina Campground sites are charming, well-maintained, and spacious, with a pleasant grassy and treed atmosphere and beautiful scenery.

Rivtow Lion Diving

Rivtow Lion Diving

If you are making a checklist of diving places on Vancouver Island, make sure it includes the Rivtow Lion Diving zone. Rivtow Lion was a ship that was sunk on purpose, and through the years, it has changed into an artificial cliff and a favourable destination for diving. Photography enthusiasts can find the inner sceneries of the ship charming to be a subject for their cameras.

Nanaimo Whale Watching

Nanaimo Whale Watching

On Vancouver Island, you can spend every single day arriving in a new city comprising magnificent adventures. While you stay in the second-largest city on the island, you may enjoy several incredible activities, including whale watching. Whale watching in Nanaimo gives you the chance to explore the Salish Sea ecosystem and observe marine life from April-October.

Camping in Buttle Lake Campground

Camping in Buttle Lake Campground

Home to many campsites with all kinds of facilities and services right on the shoreline, Buttle Lake campground offers you the best opportunities to explore the shore. There you can do a lot of activities and enjoy seeing marine creatures.
Annually, the campground welcomes RV and vehicle campers. Also, you can have a good time camping in your tents.

Oak Leaf Diving

Oak Leaf Diving

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.

Additional Information for Spider Lake Visitors

Types of trips: adventure/sports
Age-friendly: yes
Budget-friendly: yes
Wheelchair-friendly: yes
Pets allowed: yes/ on leash

Activities in Spider Lake Area

Love adventure? Do you want some fun? Head to the southern lakefront of the lake, Spider Lake Provincial Park, and enjoy tons of recreational opportunities. You can do all the water activities on the lake and other activities in the park. Water activities such as canoeing, fishing, swimming. Other activities such as caving, cycling, scuba diving, and windsurfing.

Canoeing

 The warm water of the lake is the best for canoeing and kayaking. Paddlers can enjoy a breath-taking evening on the lake, enjoying the magnificent sunset.

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Caving

 Love dark humid places? Head to the Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park 10 km from Spider Lake and enjoy the journey there.

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Hiking

 Two of the day-use areas of this park are connected by a short trail, that happens to be an excellent path to hike. To be safe and preserve the park follow the signs installed on the margins of the road.

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Cycling

You should keep your bikes onto the roadways, and bike helmets are a must in British Columbia. Note that e-bikes are prohibited.

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Fishing

Fishing at the Spider Lake is a best opportunity to catch Rainbow Trout and Smallmouth Bass.

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What you Can Expect to See Near Spider Lake

spider lake

spider lake

Spider Lake, located next to Spider Lake Provincial Park, is a well-known day-use destination. It features a small sandy beach for those who favor all kinds of water activities such as fishing, canoeing, and swimming. Although beaches are small, they provide great opportunities for kids to play and build sandcastles. Surrounded by pine forests and great beaches the area of Spider lake is scenic and family-friendly.

Chrome Island Lighthouse

Chrome Island Lighthouse

Nestled in the serene waters of Baynes Sound, Chrome Island Lighthouse is a captivating historical and scenic attraction off the southeastern coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Established in 1891, this iconic lighthouse near Denman Island and Hornby Island offers tourists a unique blend of maritime history, stunning coastal views, and cultural significance. For visitors exploring the Mount Washington area, a trip to Chrome Island Lighthouse provides a perfect coastal complement to the alpine adventures of Vancouver Island.

Kings Peak

Kings Peak

Kings Peak is a mountain peak that stands guard high in the Strathcona Provincial Park on central Vancouver Island. It is a double-peaked glacial mountain at 2065m (6775 ft.). The eastern peak is the higher one called Kings Peak, and the western one is Queen's Ridge. A demanding trail makes it to the summit of Kings Peak, offering scenic views. The trail starts at 304.8 m (1000 ft.), climbing 1737 m (5700 ft.) over scree fields, tree roots, undulating hills, gullies, and meadows. The first and lower portions of the trail are well-maintained gives the chance to warm up. It passes a couple of waterfalls and gorgeous streams where you can take a breather.

Maple Lake

Maple Lake

Maple Lake, also known as the jewel of Comox Valley, is a nice scenic local lake with great fun opportunities. Surrounded by second-growth forests and excellent shorelines, Maple Lake provides its visitors with fabulous hiking trails in which you take a nice long walk while enjoying the magnificent scenery of the lake. As an important natural asset of Comox valley, Maple Lake is a peaceful destination to explore the nature.

Nanaimo Harbour

Nanaimo Harbour

Nanaimo Harbour, a vibrant waterfront gem in the heart of Nanaimo, British Columbia, on Vancouver Island’s east coast. Known as the “Harbour City,” Nanaimo Harbour blends stunning natural beauty, rich maritime history, and a lively cultural scene, making it a must-visit for tourists exploring Vancouver Island beaches, tide pools, and coastal adventures. Whether you’re strolling the scenic Harbourfront Walkway, savoring a Nanaimo Bar, or embarking on a boat tour to Saysutshun (Newcastle Island), this bustling port is your launchpad to unforgettable experiences.

Mount Albert Edward

Mount Albert Edward

Mount Albert Edward is the sixth-highest mountain on Vancouver Island. It is located in the center of Vancouver Island in Strathcona Provincial Park and is one of the most easily accessible mountains. Mt Albert Edward is a popular destination among mountaineers at 2093 m (6866 ft.) elevation. It was named for Albert Edward and was first ascended in 1890 by William Ralph. The mountain is a renowned place among mountaineers for skiing and snowshoeing in winters.

Miracle Beach Provincial Park

Miracle Beach Provincial Park

Miracle Beach Provincial Park is a year-round oceanside destination that is among the popular and beautiful parks in Vancouver-Island. This park features a nice safe sandy beach which includes private campsites, group camping facilities, a playground for the kids, hot showers and a large picnic area that has nice views of the ocean.

Wild play Element Parks

Wild play Element Parks

If you intend to spend a lovely weekend out of the crowded city and all of its pollutions, Wild-play Elements park is an excellent choice for you. This park is situated near the Nanaimo River and inside the green area of Vancouver Island forest. The park is a great spot for meetings, events and weddings. Wild-play Element Park has eye-catching scenery and wildlife that changes every season and makes a perfect view.

Saratoga Beach

Saratoga Beach

Saratoga Beach is a serene coastal retreat on Vancouver Island that offers an escape from city life. Renowned for its pristine sands, vibrant tide pools, and breathtaking ocean views, this beach is an ideal destination for families, photographers, and nature lovers. Whether you’re planning a day trip or a weekend getaway, Saratoga Beach provides a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. In this article, we cover why this beach is a must-visit, detailed driving directions from key cities, and essential tips—including permit and parking information—to help you plan your visit.

Buttle Lake

Buttle Lake

Are you struggling with spending a ton of time searching for the best family-friendly vacation? Then you need to visit Buttle Lake and get better results camping around it. Learn how Buttle Lake gives you an unfair advantage with camping, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing in Strathcona Provincial Park, the oldest provincial park on Vancouver Island.

Comox

Comox

Comox is a town with fishing opportunities, local wildlife, year-round golf and proximity to the Mount Washington ski area, the Forbidden Plateau, and Strathcona Provincial Park. Based on archaeological evidence, there was a Coast Salish fishing settlement at Comox for at least 4,000 years. The area's signature landmark is the Comox Glacier.

Courtenay

Courtenay

Courtenay is the biggest community in the area with daily flights from Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton. It has scenic beaches, rivers, lakes, and popular activities such as Mt. Washington Ski, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, snowboarding, and world-class golfing. Comox Valley is famous for year-round sports and recreational activities among them are bird watching and photography.

Parksville

Parksville

Parksville is known for its scenic, superb sandy beaches. This city is also famous for hiking trails, waterfalls, wildlife, parks, entertainment centres, and many fantastic restaurants and pubs. The city's most popular annual festival is Sandcastle Competition. Englishman River Falls, Little Qualicum Falls, and Englishman River Falls Provincial Park are among the most visited places.

Best Time to Visit to Visit Spider Lake On Vancouver Island

Planning your perfect getaway on Vancouver Island's  requires careful consideration of seasonal conditions to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Below is a detailed overview of the optimal times to visit, along with key factors to consider:

Month

Weather Conditions

Lake Accessibility

Considerations

January

Cold temperatures; occasional snowfall and rain.

Open; access road may be wet or icy.

Dress warmly; limited activities.

February

Cool and damp; mix of rain and some sun.

Open; limited usage due to cold weather.

Great for solitude and birdwatching.

March

Mild temperatures; increasing sunshine.

Open; increased visitor activity begins.

Good time for nature walks and early paddling.

April

Warming temperatures; blooming vegetation.

Fully accessible; facilities in good condition.

Excellent for spring picnics and photography.

May

Pleasant temperatures; low rainfall.

Fully accessible; high visitor interest.

Ideal for kayaking and early swimming.

June

Warm and sunny; ideal lake conditions.

Fully accessible; popular for swimming and paddling.

Perfect for family outings and beach days.

July

Hot and dry; peak summer weather.

Fully accessible; peak usage and family visits.

Peak season; arrive early to get parking.

August

Warm temperatures; occasional heatwaves.

Fully accessible; ideal for water activities.

Excellent water clarity; busiest month.

September

Cooling off; variable weather patterns.

Accessible; quieter as temperatures drop.

Fewer crowds; great for peaceful visits.

October

Cooler temperatures; more frequent rain.

Accessible; fewer visitors.

Watch for slippery trails; bring layers.

November

Cold and wet; occasional wind.

Accessible; not ideal for water activities.

Not recommended for swimming; quiet visits only.

December

Chilly and damp; potential frost.

Accessible; minimal recreational use.

Wrap up warm; wildlife activity slows down.

Popular Vancouver Island Attraction Sites near Spider Lake

Spider Lake Provincial Park

 Spider Lake Provincial Park is the main attraction, offering calm, clear waters ideal for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding. With no motorboats allowed, it’s a peaceful retreat perfect for families and nature lovers. The surrounding forest provides shaded picnic spots and scenic walking trails for a tranquil outdoor experience.

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Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park

 Horne Lake Caves, caving near Spider Lake Just a short drive from Spider Lake, Horne Lake Caves is one of Vancouver Island’s most unique adventure destinations. Explore underground limestone caves with guided tours ranging from family-friendly to advanced spelunking. This park is a top choice for thrill-seekers and geology enthusiasts.

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Qualicum Beach

 beachcombing near Spider Lake Located about 20 minutes away, Qualicum Beach offers stunning ocean views, charming local shops, and long sandy shores ideal for beachcombing and sunset walks. It’s a must-visit seaside town perfect for relaxing after a day at the lake or caves.

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Cathedral Grove (MacMillan Provincial Park)

Only a 30-minute drive west, Cathedral Grove is one of Vancouver Island’s most iconic natural landmarks. Walk among towering Douglas firs and red cedars—some over 800 years old. It's a breathtaking destination that pairs perfectly with a trip to Spider Lake for a full day of nature immersion.

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Most Frequent Questions about Spider lake

Yes, Spider Lake is one of the best swimming lakes on Vancouver Island. Its calm, warm waters and shallow entry points make it ideal for families, children, and recreational swimmers. With no motorized boats allowed, the lake remains peaceful and safe for swimmers all season long.
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Alireza Moghimehfar

2025 February 19

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