Things to do in Vancouver Island

Activities, attractions and tours

Vancouver Island
British Columbia Parliament Building which includes a garden, night scenes and heritage architecture
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island
Sooke showing a pebble beach and a sunset

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Top places to visit

1. Victoria Harbour

Come to Victoria Harbour to experience the spirit of the city at its most dynamic. Get a sense of the area’s modern atmosphere and culture as well as its history. Watch street performers flaunt their skills, visit some of Victoria’s most significant buildings and browse the markets for the perfect souvenir. All this against the backdrop of the sparkling waves, topped with vessels of all kinds.
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Victoria Harbour showing a bay or harbour and heritage architecture

2. Mount Washington Alpine Resort

Experience exhilarating snow sports and adventure on an island in the Canadian Pacific, at Mount Washington Alpine Resort. This resort offers skiing, trekking and hiking activities throughout the year in a locale bounded by the Strait of Georgia on one side and the expansive wilderness of Strathcona Park on the other.
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Mount Washington Alpine Resort showing landscape views, mountains and snow

3. Butchart Gardens

The bright colors and glorious fountains of Butchart Gardens make it look like the set of an inventive fantasy film. Watch fireworks explode into colors as vivid as the flowers growing beneath them and enjoy concerts on the sloping, grassy lawn. Boat tours, carousels and magical nighttime illuminations add to the appeal of this popular Victoria attraction.
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Butchart Gardens featuring flowers and a garden

4. Chesterman Beach

Grab a board and tackle the gentle breakers at Chesterman Beach or sit back and look on as rookies and experts surf the waves together. The 1.7-mile (2.7-kilometer) white sandy expanse is a popular place for learning how to surf. It's also where you can walk to an island, see migrating whales and explore tidal pools for marine life.
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Chesterman Beach which includes landscape views, general coastal views and a sandy beach

5. Royal BC Museum

At the Royal BC Museum you can see totem poles and dinosaur footprints, learn about British Columbia’s human and natural history, and visit two of the oldest buildings in the province. Founded in 1886, the museum joined forces with the BC Archives in 2003 to create one of Canada’s most revered cultural museums.
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Royal BC Museum which includes interior views as well as an individual female

What to do in Vancouver Island


Popular places to visit

Areas of Vancouver Island

Victoria featuring a house, street scenes and a city

Downtown Victoria

4.5/5(36 area reviews)

The captivating waterfront views and popular shops are just a few highlights of Downtown Victoria. Make a stop by Victoria Royal Theatre or Bay Centre while you're exploring the area.

Downtown Victoria
Victoria Harbour showing heritage elements and a bay or harbour

Inner Harbour

The captivating waterfront views and popular shops are just a few highlights of Inner Harbour. Make a stop by Victoria Clipper Ferry Terminal or Victoria Harbour while you're exploring the area.

Inner Harbour
Victoria showing a marina and a coastal town

James Bay

5/5(28 area reviews)

The captivating waterfront views and popular shops are just a few highlights of James Bay. Make a stop by Legislative Assembly of British Columbia or Victoria Harbour while you're exploring the area.

James Bay
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Bear Mountain Resort

Though Bear Mountain Resort may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Bear Mountain Golf Club and Goldstream Provincial Park.

Bear Mountain Resort
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Esquimalt

Travellers come to Esquimalt for its colourful gardens, and you can see top attractions like Sooke Salmon Charters and CFB Esquimalt Naval and Militiary Museum while you're in town.

Esquimalt
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Saanich East

If you're spending some time in Saanich East, Cadboro Bay and Cedar Hill Golf Course are top sights worth seeing.

Saanich East