Vancouver Island

Elsewhere on Vancouver Island, youll find smaller cities, beach towns, and logging
communities. And between Vancouver Island and the mainland, the waters are dotted
with islands: the Gulf Island chain. In these island spots, tourism is a big business, but
so is telecommuting. Many artists and entrepreneurs have settled on B.C.s islands,
adding a vibrant cultural dimension to life here. And when the surfs up or the sun
shines, island residents can get outdoors fast.
This is a land of extremes, both natural and cultural, where modern creature comforts
exist alongside the living traditions of the First Nations peoples who have resided here
for millennia. Enjoy leisurely roadtrips with the whole family. Or set your compass for
off-the-grid adventure. Many visitors mix it up in spontaneous, unscripted style by
combining crunchy outdoor experiences with the smoothest of urban and resort-town
pleasures. Rugged oceanfront hiking trails, wilderness camping, big-wave surfing,
mountain biking meccas, wildlife watching expeditions, caving and kayaking trips
through postcard seascapes makes the roughing it part of the equation a rare and
special delight.
As for the pampering, Vancouver Island delivers big time. Shop til you drop in unique
retail outlets selling local fashion, food, wine, crafts and art. Book restorative stays in
resort lodgings, welcoming B&Bs and funky hostels. Graze on the slowest of slow-foods
(i.e., fresh, organic and ultra-local) in unpretentious, quietly world-class restaurants.
Sip celebrated cold-climate wine on vineyard tours. Step back in history at provincial,
community and First Nations museums. Enjoy live music, theatre and the fine arts. Or
simply chill out in the warm company of friends and family at getaway island
retreats. Warm Pacific Ocean currents give Vancouver Island one of the mildest
climates in Canada. Here you can ski or snowboard in the morning, have a late lunch
at a beachside bistro and play nine holes of golf in the afternoon. Spring, summer and
fall offer lovely moderate weather conditions with shirt-sleeve days and pleasantly cool
evenings. July and August are tops for beach and outdoor adventures packed with
long, active days in the sun and plenty of lively community festivals. Winters are
traditionally wet, yet the Islands off-season is also free from snow (apart from the
higher elevations) and wildly exciting especially when watching the storms roll in
with majestic fury from the open Pacific.