Summer brings an influx of tourists to British Columbia, as visitors from across the world seek to enjoy its stunning coastal scenery. Many head to Vancouver Island, the stunning island near mainland B.C.
Vancouver Island is one of Canada’s most popular summer getaways thanks to its incredible scenery, enjoyable summer temperatures, and beautiful communities. Let’s dive deeper into why this large island has become a premier summer destination.
Charming Towns with Thriving Cultures
Vancouver Island, home to more than 864,000, is a premier cultural destination with a fascinating history and many unique attractions to explore. In the summer, many of its communities come to life with exciting festivals and events to draw in visitors.
Victoria: Victoria is the biggest city on Vancouver Island and the provincial capital. It is known for its picturesque architecture, historical buildings, food scene, and many public gardens. Victoria hosts many events in the summer, including a large Canada Day celebration.
Saanich: Saanich, a popular suburb of Victoria, is a busy municipality with plenty of shopping destinations and restaurants. Many summer visitors stop there as they tour the island’s many incredible wineries nearby.
Nanaimo: Nanaimo, dubbed “The Harbour City,” is one of the gateways from the mainland to the rest of Vancouver Island. Nanaimo is renowned for its museums and Old City Quarter, which houses shops, restaurants, and art galleries. While in Nanaimo, don’t forget to try a Nanaimo bar, the famous chocolate treats the city is known for.
Coombs: Coombs, a tiny town near Nanaimo, is another pleasant Vancouver Island community. It has a quaint charm with historical shops and storefronts, and many visitors will catch glimpses of the numerous wild goats that roam the area.
Courtenay: Courtenay is a popular destination for visitors seeking to explore Vancouver Island’s Comox Valley. It is known for its excellent nearby golf courses and thriving arts scene, with local galleries and museums.
Communities Steeped in Natural Beauty
Summer is the ideal time to explore Vancouver Island’s unique natural beauty, comprising rainforests, beaches, mountains, and towering redwood trees. In the summer, warm temperatures open the door to endless outdoor fun. Many communities on Vancouver Island offer the perfect bases for visitors hoping to explore the island’s incredible scenery.
Duncan: Duncan, in the heart of the Cowichan Valley, is a nature-centric environment. It is surrounded by forest and has incredible natural attractions, including the British Columbia Forest Discovery Centre and the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre.
Comox: Comox is a charming city on the eastern coast of the island. Located along the Strait of Georgia, this gorgeous community is known as a maritime capital and a popular summer escape due to the season’s warm, dry climate. It has long been an important center for the First Nations communities that have resided there for thousands of years, and its tranquil waterfront and nearby forests add to its appeal.
Sooke: Sooke is a pleasant little city on the southwestern coast of Vancouver Island. Its unique setting near lush rainforest and the coast makes it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Sooke has excellent hiking trails, picturesque beaches, and large public parks. It is near several major outdoor attractions, including the stunning Sooke Potholes Provincial Park.
