Vancouver Island: love at first sight

The island's towns

If, duringyour trip across Canada, you'd like to try something different, then put Vancouver Island on your list! Its numerous towns are all worth the while, be it for a couple of hours or the whole day.

The capital, Victoria, will win you over with its calming beauty and quaint seaside architecture - a far cry from the urban hub that is Vancouver. Take a walk along the seafront or have a bask in the summer sun.

A few hours away you'll find the legendary Torfino, globally known for its outdoor sports. Set in idyllic surroundings the choice is yours: surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing or brushing up your tan. In other words, watersports fans will be in heaven!

If you're after some peace and quiet, then head along the Torfino lighthouse trail towards Ucluelet. You'll love this quiet, little corner, which is just as appealing to solo travellers as it is for families on a day out.

A lush, diverse environment

Nature lovers will fall in love with Vancouver Island during a trip across Canada, where a spectacular coastline borders numerous reserves and plenty of surprises.

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Sang Trinh

A word of advice, so you don't fall into the same trap as I did - not all beaches and forest reserves are free, so you'll need to keep your ticket as proof of entry. If you're planning to just drive through, you can always ask visitors leaving the reserves to give you their ticket, so you don't risk being fined.

Vancouver Island is home to numerous provincial and national parks. I highly recommend MacMillan Provincal Park, with its 800 year-old trees, a walk along the Cape Scott coast near to Port Hardy, a boat/kayak trip around the islands of Broughton Archipelago and a soak in the Maquinna Marine Provincial Park's hot springs, which are only accessible from the sea!

You'll be completely won over by Vancouver Island's untouched, breathtaking and diverse landscapes!