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M.V.Lukwa Nanaimo Parksville Port Alberni Port Hardy Port McNeill Port Renfrew Sooke Telegraph Cove Tofino Ucluelet Victoria

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Island Best Again - Article from the Cowichan Valley Citizen newspaper, Wednesday, July 17, 2002

7th Annual Travel & Leisure World's Best Awards

The readers of Travel & Leisure magazine have again voted Vancouver Island as the winner of the World's Best Award - Best Island Continental United States/Canada.

The 7th Annual Travel & Leisure World's Best Awards are featured in the August issue of the magazine. The results represent the best hotels, cities, islands, tour operators, airlines, car rental agencies, cruise lines, and spas, as selected by the magazine's 4.7 million readers.

Tourism Vancouver Island and Tourism BC representatives will be attending the awards ceremony in New York Thursday, July 18.

The criteria for the World's Best Island award were natural attractions, activities/sites, restaruants/food, people and value. For more information about the awards, visit the magazine's website at www.travelandleisure.com

Alder Bay
Alder Bay Resort

Just over a four hour drive from the ferry in Nanaimo. All campsites are within a few minutes from the marina . There are 90 campsites and 44 berths at the marina. There is a two lane boat launch that is accessible for all tides. Within 10 minutes of the fishing areas for all types of salmon and bottom fish. Crab fishing is available as well. The facilities at the resort include a sani-station, washrooms which include separate rooms with a sink, toilet, and pay shower. . There is a laundry room with pay washers and dryers (3 of each). There is also a store and gift shop. There is bait and tackle and freezing facilities. Pets are allowed but must be on a leash and cleaned up after. There is a lot of space to take them for a walk on the roads around the resort. There is a great sandy beach for sunbathing and launching kayaks.

There is fuel available at Alert Bay. This is the closest facility and is a few minutes across the strait from Alder Bay Resort. Alert Bay is situated on Cormorant Island and is known for its rich native culture. There are grocery stores, liquor store, hardware store and restaurants, the world famous U'Mista museum and a hospital. A Whale Watching company is located in Alert Bay as well as Port McNeill. Both will make stops at Alder Ray Resort to pick us up for a whale watching tour.

Alert Bay
Population: approx. 1,200-1,300

Alert Bay is located on Cormorant Island across from Port McNeill which is a 40 minute ferry ride.
It is the gateway to Knight and Kingcome Inlets and the Broughton Archipelago. The world reknown Robson Bight Ecological Reserve is the rubbing beach for the killer whales a short 30 minutes away by boat.

Approximatly 180 miles by water from Vancouver to Alert Bay it reveals a diverse cultural heritage. The 'Namgis First Nation have been using this bay for thousands of years as a winter dwelling place.

Alert Bay lays claim to the worlds tallest totem pole at 173 feet. Carved in the late 1960's by chief carver Jimmy Dick and features 14 figures topped by an intricate sun.

Alert Bay was made famous by Emily Carr and her depictions of the unique First Nations history of the reserve. The Alert Bay Library-Museum will draw you into the past and explain what industries, events and discoveries have shaped the people and places of Alert Bay.

The village has an abundance of First Nation paintings and totem poles. Alert Bay is accessible via BC Ferries from Port McNeill. Totem Poles stand tall in the 'Namgis Burial and over look the ocean. Kwakwaka'wakw artifacts and potlatch collection can be found in the Big House section of the U'mista Cultural Center. From Port McNeill the ferry can take cars and passengers to Cormorant and Malcolm Islands. Ferries arrive and depart every 2 to 3 hours.

Alert Bay Visitor Info Centre
116 Fir Street, Bag Service 2800
Alert Bay, BC, V0N 1A0

Cathedral Grove

This area was given to the province of British Columbia by the H.R. MacMillan Export Company in 1944 as a way to preserve an incredible stand of trees. It is now one of British Columbia’s MacMillan Provincial Parks.
A few hundred years ago a fire destroyed all but a few giant trees in this forest. Protected from the heat by their thick, corky bark, the surviving veterans provided seeds that have grown into the present forest.
Cathedral Grove is home to a wide variety of plant species and wildlife. It stretches over 136,000 hectares of forest land. This land provides a home to a wide variety of trees and other plant life. Some of the trees found in this area are Douglas Fir, Western Red Cedar, Western Hemlock, Broadleaf Maple, and Balsam Fir. The Douglas Fir is the dominating species in this region. Some of these giant trees are estimated to be around 800 years old, with the majority ranging form 300-400 years old.

Cathedral Grove is considered an old-growth forest. An old-growth forest contains live and dead trees of various sizes, species, composition, and age class structure. Old-growth forests contain large trees of the species typical to the area, a wide variation of trees and spacing, an accumulation of large dead standing and fallen trees, multiple canopy layers, canopy laps and understory patchiness, as well as elements of decay such as broken or deformed tops or trunks and root decay. The tops of the trees form a cathedral-like ceiling high above, while the thick tree trunks rise from the floor of delicate fern.

Campbell River
Population: 27,055

Campbell River is 50 km (31 mi.) north of Courtenay on Highway 19, 270 km (167 mi.) north of Victoria and 235 km (146 mi.) south of Port Hardy. It is served by BC Ferries from Campbell River to Quadra Island (3 km/2mi.), regional and national air lines plus local and BC bus transportation.

This "salmon-fishing capital of the world" famous for it's fighting Chinook salmon, is headquarters of the Tyee Club. Membership is awarded to fisherman who land trophy-sized Chinooks (more than 14 kilograms), called tyee. A July salmon festival includes a parade, fishing derby, and native war canoe races.

This is your gateway to Strathcona Park, the Discovery Islands, and remote north and west Vancouver Island. At the mid-point on Vancouver Island's east coast, Campbell River is a natural distribution centre as well as gateway destination for northern coastal regions. With a growing trend to ecotravel tours Campbell River is ideally located to service the Desolation Sound traffic and the popular Queen Charlotte Islands. Campbell River is also on the cruise ship route to Alaska. The Campbell River municipal airport is a mere 20 minutes from the heart of downtown and is a busy hub of activity. Charters come regularly from Vancouver and Seattle bringing international celebrities to its famed fishing. Regular flights carry business people back and forth on a daily basis while flights leaving for destinations north, transport supplies and people to a myriad of northern communities and activities.

Chemainus
Population: 27,000

This former sawmill town's most famous attractions are the 24 huge murals painted on the walls of its downtown buildings. These colorful works of art depict the area's history. Painted on the sidewalks are large yellow footprints that provide a walking tour of the exhibits. Located on Highway 18, the town boasts art galleries, craft shops, restaurants and other tourist facilities. From Chemainus, car ferries may be taken to a native Indian reservation, Kuyper, or to tiny Thetis Island.

Take a Tour of the Famous Murals of Chemainus


Coombs
Population: 1,000

On Highway 4, not far from the turnoff to Englishman River Falls Provincial Park is the town of Coombs. Settled in around 1910, this community offers family attractions in a rural setting. In the summer, goats grazing on the roof of the local market add to the "old west" atmosphere of the area. In Coombs you can shop, or enjoy a music festival or rodeo.

Nearby, both Little Qualicum River Falls Provincial Park and Cameron Lake offer plentiful outdoor recreation opportunities. July is the time for "Old West" activities: a fiddle jamboree, bluegrass festival and rodeo located on the Coombs Rodeo Grounds, just one minute west of the village. Not far away, the Hilliers area is home to several great antique stores. Great photo opportunities at Butterfly World also found in Coombs. Stroll among butterflies from five continents. Fish and turtle ponds, song birds, chinese quail, outdoor water gardens and a walk-through bird aviary.

Duncan
Population: 6,500

Located on Highway 1 (The Trans Canada Highway), Duncan is known as the City of Totems. At least 22 totems line the highway, and downtown the works of local native carvers are displayed. Duncan is the Cowichan Valley's largest community, with approximately 80 totem poles located downtown and along the Trans Canada Highway. The totem pole project was started in 1985 and many of the totems on display were removed from original sites and private collections. Explore this area's aboriginal past and enjoy a look at the world of the Northwest Coast Natives at the Quw'utsun' Cultural and Conference Centre.

The Cowichan Valley Museum is located in the 1912 train station which has, on its roof, a 5-foot long replica of a steam locomotive. The museum details the history of the Duncan area with a collection of items, displays, turn-of-the-century furnishings, and a reconstructed general store and medical room. Take a tour of the Vancouver Island Trout Hatchery and Visitor Centre where hands-on displays address the need to protect fish habitats and stocks.

Gold River
Population: 1,750

Access is by road on Highway #28 southwest from Campbell River. Gold River is reached from the Pacific Ocean by way of Nootka Sound, and Muchalat Inlet. Regular scheduled air service and charter service is available from Campbell River.

Gold River flows into the head of Muchalat Inlet on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The logging town of Gold River is approximately 14 km ( 9 mi.) north of the port, which consists of a public wharf, two large floats for fishing boats and docking facilities for float planes. Gold River can be reached from the west side of the island by M.V. Uchuck III, (a converted U.S. minesweeper), that operates a freight and passenger service in Nootka Sound. This instant town, built in 1965, was Canada's first all-electric town and the first to have underground wiring. Today, Gold River is a modern village with all necessary conveniences. Located in the Gold River Valley, there is excellent fishing here. It is also known as a spelunking centre.

Port Hardy
Population: 5,500

This is the terminus of the Prince Rupert ferry and the Discovery Coast Passage ferry to Bella Coola. Flower festooned boulevards and spacious tree-lined Market Street provide a relaxing atmosphere for travelers wishing to browse through the many interest stores and shops. Tourists should be on the lookout for the original David Courtenay landscape mural on the north side of the Museum/Library complex on Market Street.

Across Hardy Bay, you can see a bulk oil plant and the B.C. Ferries terminal. Tugboats also make their rounds, pulling log booms from the dry land sort at the head of the Bay. A walk down to Fisherman's Wharf brings you within sight of fish processing plants, busily taking their silver harvest during the summer months. Follow the seawall to the Rotary and Kinsmen Parks and keep a sharp eye out on the beach for ancient petroglyphs on the flat rocks or continue up Park Drive to the Gwa'Sala'Nakwaxda'xw Tribal Council's big house project.

Local attractions of interest to tourists include the Port Hardy Museum and Archives, Seven Hills Golf Course, logging and forestry tours and salmon hatchery tours. Port Hardy's full-service airport, its central location and its proximity to numerous fjords and island groups make this community an ideal site for a "soft adventure" small vessel cruising port.

Culturally the North island is the centre of a thriving renaissance in the art and culture of the Kwakiutl Indians, world renowned for their magnificent masks and dances. Adjacent to Port Hardy is Fort Rupert, an historic Kwakiutl Village where the opportunity exists to see native carvers working on totem poles or other artifacts. Fort Rupert is the site of a former Hudson's Bay Company fort. Petroglyphs, though difficult to find, do exist on the sandstone formations in the upper tidal area in front of the old Hudson's Bay Fort site.

The North Island is also fast becoming the centre for whale watching on Johnstone Strait where the legendary killer whales, or Orcas, gather in pods to rub themselves on the stony shores of nearby Robson Bight. Marine recreation opportunities for visitors include fresh and salt water fishing, world class caving, underwater diving and ocean kayaking and canoeing. A spectacular kaleidoscope of colourful marine life abounds in the water around northern Vancouver island. The water around areas like Stubbs Island, Christie Pass and Quatsino Narrows attracts divers from all over the world. The North Island also has its share of shipwrecks and sunken cargo ships that reflect the area's marine heritage and provide a home for anemones and other marine life.

Johnstone Strait

Killer Whales reputedly the world's largest concentration that can be seen on a daily basis are found in the protected waters of the Johnstone Strait.

Located between the north eastern end of Vancouver Island and the Vancouver mainland, Johnstone Strait is internationally renowned as the finest place in the world to view Orcas in the wild. The areas vast archipelago, snow capped mountain peaks, and stands of old growth forest provide a magical setting for paddlers to witness the congregation of resident and transient pods of Orca from June to October. The Orcas gather to socialize, interact and feast on the numerous runs of salmon that must pass through the strait on their way to commit the final act of life in their fresh water spawning grounds.

Nutrient rich waters support the surface providing habitat for everything from Pacific White Sided Dolphin to Black Bear. The area also presents visitors with a unique opportunity to learn about the rich culture of the Kwakiutl First Nations people whose history and folklore have been passed on through the mists of time by word of mouth. Queen Charlotte Strait funnels into Western Johnstone Strait, recognized for years as one of the most consistent fishing areas on the B.C. coast.

Long Beach

Famous as the longest stretch of surf swept sand on Vancouver Island's west coast, this attracts surfers & vacationers from all over the world. Surf guards are on duty during July & August, but you must be cautious in the cold, powerful surf. Also, PLEASE respect the fragile beach environment. Leave only foot prints and take only photographs! Two parking areas service day use of the beach. WHEELCHAIR accessible. The next two beaches are actually sections of Long Beach, but carry their own names. It is possible if the tides are low to hike between beaches such as Greenpoint and Combers then catch the Link Shuttle service back to your car. The entire Long Beach is NOT a dayhike.

Malcolm Island
Population: 800

Stop in at the Sointula Museum (11:00 am to 12 noon and 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm) for a sense of the town's history as a Finnish commune nearly a century ago. Continue past historic houses and marine ways. A dive shop and an art gallery, until you reach the harbour (Rough Bay). There you can overlook the fishing fleet. At low tides, Rough Bay is a wonderful location for watching birds as part of the docks provide a platform over tidal flats.

Check the map on the front of the Sointula Co-operative Store (the oldest continuous co-op in Canada) for a route to Bere Point Campgrounds. Drive over logging roads to Bere Point to enjoy beach walks, a nature trail, picnic sites, and beautiful camping facilities. Bere Point is a rubbing beach sometimes frequented by killer whales. Drive out to explore Mitchell Bay, an idyllic enclave at the end of Malcolm Island. On the way, be sure to check out Big Lake! Hike or dive along the logging roads that wander across Malcolm Island, and stop for a picnic on a deserted beach. More than anything, Malcolm Island is about relaxing.

Port McNeill
Population: 3,114

When you see the turnoff signs for Port McNeill, you'll know you've reached the second largest North Island community, a town of 3,114 sited on Johnstone Strait. Port McNeill is not only a delightful town to explore but is also the terminal for the Tri-Island ferry route. From here you can catch a B.C. ferry to Alert Bay on Cormorant Island and Sointula on Malcolm Island, two very distinct communities equally rich in North Island history.

Port McNeill has long enjoyed the reputation as the ‘hub' of logging activities in the North Island and at the entrance to Weyerhauser's Port McNeill Division can be seen the world's largest burl. It weighs 22 tons and measures 45 feet around. Smaller burls are used to make attractive table tops and clocks.

Geologists and rock collectors will be interested in several nearby natural phenomena: the Vanishing River, which plunges underground into a maze of tunnels and caves; the Devil's Bath, a huge rock bowl continuously filled by an underground spring; and the Eternal Fountain, gushing from a rock crevice. All can be reached by logging roads in the summer. A shuttle service is operated by a ferry between Port McNeill, Sointula and Alert Bay.

M.V.Lukwa
60' heated whale watching boat.
The name Lukwa comes from the Kwakwala language and means "a place in the forest". On board the aluminum 1989 boat are underwater microphones so you can hear the whales vocalizing.

Nanaimo
Population: 66,090

Nanaimo is 26 km (16 mi.) north of Ladysmith or 110 km (68 mi.) north of Victoria on Highway 1. It is served by BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver); a crossing time of 1 hour and 35 minutes and from Tsawwassen it takes two hours. Regional airlines and bus service is available as is Via Rail.

Nanaimo, known as the Harbour City, is Vancouver Island's second largest city. Originally it was the site where five separate Native villages gathered together, a place called "Snenymo" which meant 'great and mighty people'. The area was first explored by the Spanish and later by Captain George Vancouver. Coal was discovered in 1851 and Nanaimo was incorporated in 1874, making it the third oldest city in BC. A chinese community existed from 1906 until 1960, when it was completely destroyed by fire. A red pagoda memorial to Nanaimo's Chinese pioneers is located near Departure Bay Ferry Terminal

Local Attractions include... Arboretum, Historic, Regional and Military Museums, Marsh Bird Sanctuary, Heritage Walk, Marine Biological Station, Wildlife Sanctuary, pulp mill tours, Waterfront Lagoon Esplanade, Fisherman's Wharf, Georgia Park, Swy-A-Lana Lagoon, Newcastle Island. July - Bathtub Race, August - Vancouver Island Exhibition, September - Jazz Festival.

Parksville
Population: 7,320

Parksville is located on the east coast of Vancouver Island, 37 km (23 mi.) north of Nanaimo, on Highway 19 or 144 km (89 mi.) north of Victoria. The area is also serviced by bus and rail.

Here, at the beginning of Beach Country, the focus, naturally, is on the outstanding waterfront. On low tide days, the water recedes for hundreds of metres, leaving the hard sand exposed for beachcombing and sandcastle building; the area sponsors a Sandcastle Competition which draws builders from around the world. The water, warmed over the hots sands as the tide comes in, makes for wonderful swimming.

Local Attractions include... Heritage Museum, Englishman River Falls, Little Qualicum Falls, MacMillan Provincial Park, Rhododendron Lake, St. Anne's Historic Anglican Church, Rathtrevor Provincial Park. April - Brant Festival, Spring Golf Fest, June - Golf Tournement, July - Sandcastle Competition.

Port Albernie
Population: 18,696

Port Alberni is 50 km (31 mi.) west of Parksville or 121 km (121 mi.) northwest of Victoria on Highway 4. The area is also served by local airlines and bus lines.

Port Alberni and the pastoral Alberni Valley, have become gateways to the West Coast. With the increased popularity of Pacific Rim National Park, Barkley and Clayoquot Sounds, and the incredible sports fishing available, more and more visitors are using their vacations in Port Alberni taking day trips to a variety of West Coast locations.

Local Attractions include... Alberni Harbour Quay, Alberni Valley Historic Museum, Cathedral Grove Historic Forest, Bird Sanctuary, Boat Trips, water bombers, McLean's Mill Historic Site, mill or forest tours, Fish hatchery, Art Centre, Sproat Lake Petrogluphs, Stamp Falls Fish Ladders. June - Golden Oldies Car Show, July - golf tournament, Salmon derby for disabled, September - Salmon Festival, October - Oktoberfest.

Port Renfrew
Population: 400

Port Renfrew is at the end of Highway 14 about a 2-hour drive from downtown Victoria. There is a series of hiking trails great for nature enthusiasts. Located 14.1 km east of Port Renfrew along a gravel road that follows the San Juan River can be found Canada's tallest Douglas Fir tree at 241 feet named "The Red Creek Fir".

Port Renfrew is at the south end of the famous "West Coast Trail", a grueling 77 km (48 miles) (Advanced) hiking trail through coastal rain forest. It is the third section of the southern end of Pacific Rim National Park. Traversing the coastline past Walbran and Carmanah Valleys the trail ends up at Bamfield, entrance to Barclay Sound and also the entrance to the Port Albernie inlet. The trail normally takes about five to six days and people come from all over the world to experience this hike.

This area offers recreational opportunities for everyone. Saltwater fishing, fresh water fishing, hiking are some of the main attractions. Botanical Beach is a "must see" for marine enthusiasts. Viewing tidal pools full of marine life makes this place a highlight on anyones list. Worth every moment getting there. Ten minutes drive from Port Renfrew then a 15 minute hike down to the beach. Don'f forget to check the tide book!

Port Renfrew has one of the most exclusive fishing grounds in British Columbia. The fishing here compares with none anywhere. The fish caught here are the largest caught anywhere on the island. Coho well over 20 lbs are caught on a regular basis here. Chinook average in the 20's and 30 pound range with many exceding 40 and 50 lbs. Steelhead fishing is at its peak during the colder months, and fishing statistics for the last five years of the area can be found online at Port Renfrew Marina to back up the bragging.

Port Renfrew has a 2 km long sandy beach that provides campers and RV's with access to this wilderness area. Boat launches can be found in a number of locations and during the summer months there is a floating marina at the old government docks now belonging to and being run by the Port Renfrew Community Dock Society. Boats can now load and unload passengers and cargo accessible by vehical from Snuggery Cove.
The San Juan Marine Trail part of the Juan de Fuca Marine Park traverses the coastline from Botanical Beach Park south to Sooke.

Sooke
Population: 11,600

A 40-minute drive from downtown Victoria. Drive west on Highway 1 and stay in the right lane and take the Colwood/Sooke exit to Highway 14 and follow the curved road to Sooke. Sooke’s main attraction is the great outdoors. Sun, sea and scenery for every person. For hundreds of years this was a thriving settlement of the Coast Salish Indians who were dependent on plentiful supplies of berries, birds, clams and fish. In 1849, European settlers arrived and in 1864 the Leech River gold rush caused a population boom in Sooke. It's a pleasant community and visitors are welcome to fish, enjoy the outdoors and learn about the town's history.

There is a fascinating museum that depicts pioneer lifestyles of the 19th century. Since the dawn of time, the T'Sou-ke Nation has lived here. They have proudly created a valuable and lasting legacy that continues to enrich the community to this day. The T'Sou-ke people reef-netted salmon around Becher Bay, and collected shellfish, berries and roots for winter months spent at Pedder Bay. Spanish explorer Manuel Quimper first entered Sooke Inlet in 179O, but within five years all lands north of the Strait of Juan de Fuca became British. Three years later, Vancouver Island was granted to the Hudson Bay Company under the direction of its chief factor, James Douglas.

All Sooke Day, an event famous for its logging sports and salmon barbecue, is held on the third Saturday in July every year. In August, longboat races and other activities such as the Vancouver Island Fine Arts Show take place. This event is held for ten days offering a huge display of exceptional art and a variety of musical recitals presented in a unique setting.

Telegraph Cove
Population: 6

Located on the northeast coast 30 minutes south of Port McNeill and 10 kilometers off the Island Highway. The tiny community of Telegraph Cove began as a one-room telegraph station in 1912. There remains a tiny hamlet where most of its buildings are raised above the water on pilings. The buildings overhang the bay and are inter-connected by a long boardwalk.

First established because of the telegraph line then later as a sawmill community, Telegraph Cove is located 187 km (116 miles) north of Campbell River and 15 km (9 miles) southeast of Highway 19. This picturesque village stands on stilts in the water and now serves as a base for whale-watching tours in the Johnstone Straits and Robson Bight. It has been a B.C. Ecological reserve for the protection of orca habitat since 1982.

Telegraph Cove is a special place. It was voted one of the ten best "towns" to visit in Canada by travel writers (as published in Harrowsmith Magazine).

Friendly, historical Telegraph Cove offers a wide range of activities. Stroll the boardwalk, take a boat out fishing, go whale watching - the possibilities are endless. A good jumping-off place to Alert Bay, Robson Bight and the Broughton Archipelago with a regularly scheduled Foot Ferry during the summer months to Alert Bay and Village Island.

Tofino
Population: 1,103

Tofino is 42 km (26 mi.) north of Ucluelet on Highway 4, 130 km (81 mi.) west of Port Alberni and 337 km (209 mi.) northwest of Victoria. Regional air and bus lines service the area.

Tofino, is the northern boundary of Pacific Rim National Park. Itis a layed back, relaxed, casual place; a place to get back to nature. You can walk for hours along the beach and experience the constant rhythm of rolling surf, the power of winter storms or the quiet of a secluded bay. You can explore the many cedar plank pathways that lead from the beach through the rainforest.

Whale watching is most rewarding during March and April when the whales are migrating from Mexico to the Arctic Ocean. This coincides with the Pacific Rim Whale Festival which also offers a wide range of other activities from crab races to golf tournaments, concerts and plays.

Local Attractions include... Clayoquot Sound, Hot Springs Cove, Long Beach, Meares Island, Pacific Rim National Park, Wickannish Nature Centre. March - Pacific Rim Whale Festival, July - Pacific Rim Summer Festival.

Ucluelet
Population: 2,450

Ucluelet is 100 km (62 mi.) west of Port Alberni, on Highway 4 or 295 km (183 mi.) northwest of Victoria. There is also ferry service across Barkley Sound from Port Albernie plus a bus service from other communities.

Leaving Port Alberni, Highway 4 travels west to climb around Sproat Lake through the stunning mountain scenery of the Mackenzie Range and along Kennedy Lake to reach the west coast of Vancouver Island and the communities of Ucluelet and Tofino. The Nuu-cha-nulth native Indians used the name Ucluelet, which means "Safe Harbour" when they settled a fishing village in the area centuries ago. Industry was established when a fur trading post was built, followed by a sawmill and logging operation in the 1880's and the growing fishing industry in the 1920's.

Highlights of the area are; Amphritrite Point, Barkley Sound, Boardwalk Trails, Broken Group Islands, Long Beach, Pacific Rim National Park, Wockannish nature Centre, Hi-tin-kis Park, Kennedy Lake. March/April - Pacific Rim Whale Festival, July - Pacific Rim Summer Festival.

Victoria
Population: 326,010

Located at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia and it is the Island's largest metropolitan area. Enjoying one of Canada's mildest climates, Victoria is also known as Canada's "Best Bloomin' City". In Spring the streets are lined with blossoming trees, and in summer baskets brimming with flowers are hung on the 19th-century street lamps. Spring comes early here because of the warm climate.

Victoria's Inner Harbour bustles with marine traffic bearing cargos to far-off places and visitors to Vancouver Island. Harbor cruises, fishing charters and whale-watching abound. Three resident pods of killer whales frequent the waters here. Car and passenger ferry service to Seattle is provided by Victoria Clipper downtown Victoria.

The famous Empress Hotel is located in the downtown waterfront which makes for a spectacular photo of contrast with the car traffic slowly moving by, along with the many horse driven carriages that line the water front streets.

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