Top Summer Activities in British Columbia

British Columbia offers a variety of captivating experiences you won’t want to miss. Let’s look at some of the top summer activities in British Columbia. 

For many, summer vacations revolve around basking in the sun on a sandy beach. Vancouver Island, encompassing a vast and scenic coastline with numerous beaches, is the ultimate destination to fulfill those beachside dreams. This massive island holds many of the top beaches in British Columbia, including the calm water of Tribune Bay, the secluded shoreline of San Josef Bay, and Tofino’s renowned beaches. Celebrated for their excellent surfing conditions, Tofino’s beaches attract numerous surfers, who can rent a board from the local surf shops and ride the waves. 

Vancouver is renowned as a vibrant dining hotspot, boasting one of Canada’s most celebrated and diverse food scenes. Thanks to the city’s multicultural population, it has become a culinary melting pot where international flavors from around the globe combine to delight food enthusiasts. Because Vancouver houses countless outdoor patios and hosts many food festivals throughout the season, summer is an ideal time to indulge in the city’s food scene. Some of Vancouver’s food and drink festivals in the summer include the Vancouver Bubble Tea Festival, the Vegan Night Market, and the Japan Market Summer Festival.

As a hub for outdoor enthusiasts, British Columbia has many adventure-based activities that will help create some unforgettable summer memories. Many people enjoy white-water rafting tours offered on rivers such as the Chilliwack and the Kootenay. For true adrenaline junkies, B.C. offers an array of bungee jumping opportunities across the province. For a relatively laid-back yet exciting activity, try hiking across the famed Capilano Suspension Bridge, spanning over the Capilano River in North Vancouver.

Music festivals are ideal opportunities to get outside and enjoy the summer season’s idyllic weather. These fantastic outdoor events bring thousands of people together for massive celebrations of music. British Columbia hosts several vibrant music festivals throughout the summer. The Laketown Shakedown in Cowichan Valley has hosted major headliners, including Shaggy, K’Naan, and Third Eye Blind; Bass Coast in Merritt brings art and electronic music together; and the Vancouver International Jazz Festival attracts thousands to outdoor stages across the city.

British Columbia has an array of stunning outdoor destinations to explore, but few rival the sheer scenic beauty of Yoho National Park in the province’s iconic Rocky Mountains. This one-of-a-kind destination is ideal for an unparalleled hike or camping trip. It showcases over 1,300 square kilometers of some of the best natural scenery in Canada, comprising jagged peaks, deep blue glacial lakes, and rushing waterfalls, including Takakkaw Falls.