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Long Beach near Tofino, Vancouver Island

No. 23 25 Great Islands to Visit 2026

Vancouver Island

British Columbia, Canada

Rainforests, storm-watching beaches and the garden city of Victoria on Canada's Pacific coast.

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Photo: SandraPaquin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Vancouver Island, off the coast of British Columbia, is the largest island on the west coast of the Americas. Victoria, the provincial capital, is at its southern tip.

The west coast around Tofino and Ucluelet has long sandy beaches, rainforest and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, and the island is known for whale watching.

Mystic Beach, Vancouver Island, Canada
Mystic Beach, Vancouver Island, Canada. Photo: Michal Klajban, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Campsite at Mystic Beach, Vancouver Island, Canada
Campsite at Mystic Beach, Vancouver Island, Canada. Photo: Michal Klajban, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
MV SPIRIT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND – IMO
MV SPIRIT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND – IMO. Photo: Gordon Leggett, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Best time to visit

June to September is warmest and driest. Winter brings storm-watching on the west coast.

Highlights

  • 1

    Victoria

    The Inner Harbour, the Royal BC Museum and the Butchart Gardens nearby.

  • 2

    Tofino

    Surf beaches, storm watching in winter and rainforest trails.

  • 3

    Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

    Long Beach and coastal rainforest.

  • 4

    Whale watching

    Orcas and grey and humpback whales from Victoria, Tofino and Telegraph Cove.

  • 5

    Cathedral Grove

    Giant old-growth Douglas firs in MacMillan Provincial Park.

Getting there

BC Ferries cross from Vancouver (Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay) in about 1.5–2 hours. Seaplanes and flights also connect Vancouver and Victoria.

Practical tips

Opening & tickets
Opening times, ticket rules and transport timetables change, so check official information before you go.
Time needed
Four to seven days.

Official information: Tourism Vancouver Island (official website). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

Map

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