The vast majority of british columbias most popular tourist destinations are found in or around the city of vancouver, which is located on a peninsula in the provinces southwestern corner, surrounded by the pacific ocean. The downtown core of the city is on a peninsula bordered by english bay and burrard inlet. Browse fresh produce, seafood, meats and baked goods at the granville island public market. Questions about the collection or use of this information can be directed to chief financial officer, 12th floor, 510 burrard street, vancouver, bc, v6c 3a8, canada. Super, natural bc british columbia travel information. Whale watching in ultimate camping comfort in the wilderness off vancouver island orca dreams offers canadas first whale watching camp, with.
British columbia is the mostvisited part of canada, and tourism is the provinces secondbiggest industry. Learn about logging and its history on vancouver island at the bc forest discovery centre in duncan. Vancouver island is in the northeastern pacific ocean, part of the canadian province of british columbia. The local landscape is defined by mount benson, which rises. Cruise the inside passage of coastal british columbia and experience the magic of travel aboard the mv aurora explorer,a working freight ship, based out of campbell river, vancouver island, canada.
Working together across the province, the bc regional tourism secretariat is leading the bc tourism resiliency network. Vancouver was founded as gastown by an englishman with a penchant for beer and storytelling. Tourism vancouver island official tourism organization of. Bc tourism resiliency network gratefully acknowledges that we live, work and play on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the 204 first nations in british columbia. Hidden in an ancient landscape on the west coast of british columbia is the village of tofino. James island s r a i t o f n g e o r g i a t r a n sc a n a d a h w y. Vancouver is my favorite place to go for alternative rock concerts. The island is 460 kilometres 290 mi in length, 100 kilometres 62 mi in width at its widest point, and 32,4 km 2 12,407 sq mi in area. Wherever you head, the great outdoors will always call. Tourism vancouver island and all associated trademarks and logos are trademarks and official marks of the region.
Vancouver hotels, restaurants, things to do, events tourism vancouver is the official source of tourist information for vancouver bc canada. North tourism, in partnership with the local region, the. Choose the vacation type that interests you, or if you arent sure, browse them all to discover which bc vacation is in your future. Galiano island chamber of commerce the gem of the gulf islands. Bachelor of tourism management program vancouver island. Take the ferry across false creek to visit granville island.
Maps of british columbia british columbia travel and. Tourism vancouver island official tourism organization. The contract with tourism bc provides fees for service and funds to deliver the tourism partner program, trade overseas and media. Subscribe now and be among the first to know about our promotions, contests and travel packages. Changes to the bc stats methodology for measuring the size of the tourism sector pdf measuring the size of british columbias tourism sector pdf statistics canada publications. Plan your holiday celebrations with our extensive content of vancouver. All you have to do is select the type of places youd like to include restaurants, museums, etc. Vancouver island university is the heart of a tourism and recreation hub, which means your backyard could be both your classroom and your playground. Vancouver island is actually closer to the united states than mainland canada and occupies an area roughly the size of holland. Tourism vancouver official source of tourist information. Vancouver island, one of six tourism regions in the province, represents 23% of provincial overnight visitation and 19% of related spending. The region encompasses vancouver island itself, a huge island measuring 32,261 square kilometres 19,356 square miles and the location of victoria, british columbias capital city. The bachelor of tourism management program is a continuation of the knowledge developed through the hospitality, tourism, and outdoor recreation diploma programs. A strategic framework for tourism in british columbia 20192021 further, tourism tax dollars help support schools, hospitals, recreational facilities, and preservation and enhancement of our culture and heritage.
During a vacation on vancouver island, british columbia, be sure to book a whale watching tour to see whales, eagles, dolphins and other marine mammals. The 15 best things to do in vancouver island 2020 with. Working with destination bc and tourism vancouver island. Find the perfect vacation package for vancouver island on tripadvisor by comparing vancouver island hotel and flight prices. Washington is only minutes away from the comox valley and offers world class skiing, snowboarding and nordic sports. Today gastown is a historic section of the canadian metropolis, and the lively pubs still reflect the areas former status as a sort of community drinking center. The city projects out into the strait like a headland, affording waterfront on three sides and spectacular ocean views at every turn. The bc tourism resiliency network is a longterm resiliency program providing bc tourism businesses with meaningful, oneonone support to navigate the impact of the covid19 pandemic, adapt and work towards eventual recovery. Accessible by air or by ferry service at its north and south ends, the sunshine coast is part of the bc mainland, but has all the laidback charm of island living. An introduction to the vancouver island coastal tourism resiliency program. Vancouver island news, events, travel, accommodation.
Yes, victoria is the main city on the island, but there are many distinct flavours to its logging and fishing settlements. Vancouver islands harbour city nanaimo, british columbia. Home to british columbias historic capital, ancient rainforests, and carefree surf towns, this sprawling island is dotted with eclectic communities begging to be explored. In victoria, you can meet the chefs, meet the farmers and visit the farms. The city of vancouver is a coastal city in southwestern british columbia, on the traditional territory of the squamish, musqueam, and tsleilwaututh nations. Maps of vancouver island vancouver island news, events. Metro vancouver encompasses 21 municipalities in the surrounding region. Generally we fly from california to seattle, then drive to vancouver. View the exhibitions of canadian and west coast art housed at the vancouver art gallery, including notable works by modernist painter emily carr. Super, natural british columbia, hello bc, visitor centre and all associated logostrademarks are trademarks or official marks of destination bc corp.
The island stretches for 460 kilometres, from the ornate colonial capital of victoria in the south to cape scotts windswept beaches and rocky headlands at its northern tip. Download our entire family of free british columbia vacation guides in. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Refer to vancouver island as victoria island and risk a chorus of eyerolls from the otherwisefriendly locals. Nanaimo, bc is located on the east coast of vancouver island, 1 km north of victoria, and 55 km across the strait of georgia from vancouver. Sunshine coast tourism, british columbia, canada official. The sunshine coast is located in southwest british columbia, canada and stretches 180. Marine link tours working ship passenger cruise vacation. Tourism vancouver island is one of six regional destination management organizations in british columbia. S w e n 6 miles british columbia washington state vancouver island paci. Vancouver and vancouver island stand apart from the rest of british columbia, the bigcity outlook and bustling, cosmopolitan streets of vancouver, canadas thirdlargest metropolis, and victoria, the provincial capital, dramatically at odds with the interiors small towns, remote villages and vast tracts of wilderness.
The two colonies were merged in 1866 into the united colonies of vancouver island and british columbia by the act for the union of the colonies, passed by the imperial parliament. The largest island off the west coast of north america, vancouver island is located next to the mainland coast of british columbia and the north shore of washington states olympic peninsula. Plan your trip vancouver island news, events, travel. Vancouver island north tourism vint destination marketing for vancouver island. Science has proven that time in nature can make us happier, more creative, and less stressed. Check out for fishing, whale watching, kayaking, hiking, m. Tourism victoria explore everything victoria, bc has to. Official site sunshine coast tourism, british columbia, canada. The impetus for the vancouver island land use plan was the creation of the commission on resources and the environment core in 1992 followed by the b. Situated on the traditional territory of the tlaoquiaht first nation, were surrounded by the vast, breathtaking expanse of the unesco clayoquot sound biosphere regiona region cherished for its profound biodiversity and environmental culture. Visitor centre plaza level 200 burrard street vancouver, british columbia, v6c 3l6 canada email. The 10 best things to do in vancouver island 2020 with.
Bc road trip and places of interest maps super, natural bc. Tourism vancouver metro vancouver convention and visitors bureau suite 210 200 burrard street vancouver, british columbia, v6c 3l6 canada tel. From a rich heritage of native culture preserved for eternity in museums, to the contemporary bustle of festivals and local events, vancouver island british columbia offers a yearround pageant of history, arts and lively entertainment in victoria, tofino, parksville and other cities on the island. Vancouver and lower mainland tourism to vancouver island596.
Every season has its charms from the spring where the blossoms and baby lambs abound to summer with our great beaches and open air famous saturday market and tuesday farmers market, where everything is. Extensive ferry route maps will guide you to the islands, and the golf course maps will help you prioritize your holiday. The 15 best things to do in vancouver 2020 with photos. From boating to hiking, kayaking to mopeding, festivals to whale watching, art shows to golf and fishing to fiestas. From there, the cities of victoria and whistler are relatively easy to visit and leave within the same day. Home to the countrys most ample concentration of stereotypical canadian natural beauty as well as the thoroughly modern oceanside city of vancouver, british columbia has long been one of the pacific northwests leading vacation destinations. Discover vancouver island bc, breathtaking tourism video. Extensive ferry route maps will guide you to the islands, and the golf course map will help you prioritize your holiday. Experience all the magic of british columbia s wild west coast on the gulf island closest to vancouver. Destination british columbia destination bc works closely with our industry partners to promote the growth and development of the tourism industry. Tourists are unlikely to visit vancouver island in december.
The domed neobaroque and romanesque revival architecture of the british columbia parliament buildings is a distinctive feature of victorias waterfront. As an agent of tourism british columbia the organization is contracted to deliver marketing services specific to promoting the vancouver island region. It is the largest island on the west coast of the americas. The best time to visit vancouver island, bc, canada for. Canada maps perrycastaneda map collection ut library online. From the magnificent west coast and the great bear rainforest, to the fertile valleys and wilderness regions of the bc interior. Tucked into the southwest corner of mainland british columbia, the sunshine coast is a 180 km stretch of paradise. When youre done, you can download your vancouver travel guide to your phone or tablet, or print it as a pdf. Vancouver island vacations tourism information bc canada. Contact british columbia travel and adventure vacations. Here the mossy rainforest drops from a sculpted shoreline into the. Explore suggested itineraries and browse accommodation and transportation options. Tourism gross domestic product gdp search all tourism related tables.
Browse through our selection of vancouver island maps to assist you in planning your vacation and outdoor adventures around vancouver island, the bc sunshine coast, and the gulf and discovery islands of british columbia. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in vancouver island, canada on tripadvisor. The island has unique boutique shopping and great services. This visitor profile was created for vancouver island.
G rizzly bear watching is always a tourist attraction at knight inlet about 80 kilometers north of campbell river. Explore victoria, the quaint capital of bc, visit the pacific rim on the west coast of vancouver island tofino, long beach and ucluelet, and hop over to the gulf islands saltspring island and the. Intro to the vancouver island coastal tourism resiliency. Vancouver island land use plan province of british columbia.
A manual to guide development introduction british columbias agricultural landscape is undergoing many significant changes due to globalization, advancements in technology and a shift in consumer demands. Vancouver and vancouver island travel guide what to do in. Culture, tourism and the centre for education statistics. For travel information, visit tourism vancouver island. Vancouver island is the largest island on the west coast of north america, enjoying the warmest climate in british columbia and canada. The busiest month for tourism in vancouver island, bc, canada is june, followed by july and may. Download our virtual guide, a digital version of the printed publication. The region encompasses vancouver island itself, a huge island measuring 32,261 square kilometres 19,356 square miles and the location of victoria, british columbia s capital city. From miles of beaches to its mountain fed lakes and oldgrowth forests, vancouver island. From ziplining through treetops to crescent moon kayaking, diving, hiking or cycling, visitors. Beautiful salt spring island, british columbia is a great place to visit year round.