Get back in touch with nature within an hour of leaving the city

Clayoquot Sound, Vancouver Island, BC | **Russ Heinl / Shutterstock**

If you’re yearning for rugged coastlines, ancient forests and a hiking trail or two, then you can’t go wrong with a ticket or two to Vancouver. But this time, not to explore the city, but to lose yourself on Vancouver Island.

Located just off the southwestern coast of British Columbia and less than an hour from Vancouver by ferry, Vancouver Island is famous for its sleepy towns, unspoiled wilderness and hidden beaches and coves. It’s a great retreat if you fancy an adventure, spot wildlife, or go somewhere that’s free from traffic, noise and too many people!

Whether you’re planning a weekend escape or a two-week epic roadtrip, here’s how to make the most of your wild escape to Vancouver Island.

Start in Victoria

Victoria’s Inner Harbour | **canadastock / Shutterstock**

The provincial capital and largest city on the island is Victoria is the gateway to the island, sitting at the far southern tip. Charming and compact, it’s actually worth spending some time here rather than setting straight out.

Rent a kayak and paddle into the Inner Harbour, where orcas, humpbacks and sea lions pop out of the water. Ocean River Sports offers all the kit and a few tips to get you started, as well as fully guided kayaking excursions.

If you’d rather stay warm-ish and dry, then hop on board a whale-watching cruise with Prince of Whales. These boats venture further out, with the captains knowing the best spots that give the best chances of seeing a breach.

Back on dry land, Butchart Gardens is worth a visit, especially in spring and summer when the flowers are in full bloom. If that sounds a bit tame, then rent a bike and follow the Galloping Goose Trail, a 55km trail that snakes through forests and quiet countryside and crosses cute wooden trestle bridges.

Surf in Tofino

Surfing is ubiquitous in Tofino | **fokke baarssen / Shutterstock**

Tofino takes advantage of the power of the Pacific, with an entire bohemian surf community popping up around the beaches that receive some huge rollers. It’s a scenic 4.5 hour drive from Victoria, but it’s well worth the effort.

If you don’t have your own board, you can get all the gear and any lessons from Pacific Surf Cp. or Surf Sister, a female-owned surf school aimed at empowering and educating.

Off the beach, you can pick up trails or hike wild in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, with sweeping views and easy access to often empty beaches below. The Rainforest Trail is another excellent option, with elevated boardwalks helping to preserve the landscape.

Warm up and unwind at Ancient Cedars Spa or the Wickaninnish Inn.

Hike in Strathcona Provincial Park

Boardwalks make some of Strathcona Provincial Park slightly more accessible | **Keith Levit / Shutterstock**

The island’s oldest provincial park is the perfect spot for outdoor-types who have hiking at the top of their agenda. Trails, boardwalks and paths loop around alpine lakes and dramatic mountain scenery, plus it’s almost completely free from the crowds you’ll get on the coast.

One of the most popular trails is the Elk River Trail, a 22-kilometre loop that has the stunning Landslide Lake at the turnaround point. It’s the perfect whole day hike and offers a mix of undulating hills, slightly steeper inclines and some pretty awesome views.

If you fancy a challenge, then Mount Albert Edward is waiting to be climbed. Panoramic views of the island and beyond abound, but gear up for two solid days of hiking with overnight kit – it’s a pretty advanced hike, even for advanced climbers.

If you don’t want to hike, but the scenic side of Strathcona sounds exciting, then you can find great campsites at Butte Lake and Ralph River, where fishing, canoeing, wildlife spotting and photography are all on the agenda.

Kayak the Broken Group Islands

Kayaking is the best way to explore the Brojen Group | **WhiskersDesign / Shutterstock**

This cluster of over 100 islands and islets in Barkley Sound offers the ideal spot to paddle out and spot sea birds, seals and sea otters, eagles, humpback whales and even black bears trying their luck along the shore. The waters are usually calm enough and can be accessed from the tiny town of Ucluelet, or from Bamfield by water taxi.

Check out Hello Nature Adventure Tours or Majestic Ocean Kayaking, with both offering everything from gear to fully guided kayaking excursions in the Broken Group. Remember to grab a permit for any overnight camping in designated sites and book as far in advance as you can to guarantee a spot.

Spot Bears Up North

Grizzly bears call Vancouver Island home | **Chantal de Bruijne / Shutterstock**

As a rule of thumb, the further north you go, the wilder Vancouver Island gets. This means it’s easier to spot the island's native wildlife, including grizzly bear, in their natural habitat.

Whatever you do, don’t lace up and hike off into the wilderness hoping for the best. Instead, join an ethical bear tour, like those provided by Tide Rip Grizzly Tours, so you don’t get into danger, or endanger the bears.

This type of tour offers fully-guided trips by boat to bear hotspots, including the Knight Inlet. Here, you can watch from a safe distance and maybe even spot orcas, dolphins or humpbacks along the way.

If you’re up that way, swing by charming Telegraph Cove. This boardwalk village has colourful buildings, a small but insightful whale museum and a resort and RV park which makes for a handy place to stay the night if you’re touring the north Vancouver Island.

Learn More About Vancouver Island’s Indigenous Culture

Totem poles are a common site across the island | **Julian Worker / Shutterstock**

It’s all well and good touring the islands towns and village and enjoying its natural beauty, but take some time to explore Vancouver Island’s heritage beyond that last couple of hundred years.

In Alert Bay on Cormorant Island, you’ll find the U’mista Cultural Centre, which invites visitors to learn about and speak to the Kwakwaka’wakw people, who have called both Cormorant Island and Vancouver Island home for thousands of years. The centre hosts traditional masks, artifacts and interpretations and storytelling exhibits.

In Duncan, also known as the ‘city of totems’, you can take a self-guided tour to see over 40 huge totem poles carved by indigenous artists. Stop by the Quw’utsun’ Cultural Centre, also in Duncan, for a deep dive into local native history as well as interactive programs, workshops and an opportunity to support local artists and artisans.

When to Visit Vancouver Island

It really depends on what you want to see and so, and your preference for warm or cold weather, but Vancouver Island can be a year-round destination. June to September seas the best weather overall, with warm and hot days and less rain than October to around March or April. Visiting during May or September are good options if you want to avoid crowds but still benefit from pleasant temperatures and some dry days.

Wrapping Up

Vancover Island remains wild and unspoiled | **SL-Photography / Shutterstock**

Vast yet intimate, wild yet welcoming, Vancouver Island is one of those places where you can surf in the morning, hike a mountain in the afternoon and wrap up the day in a hot tub at your premium hotel or guest house. Nature has been tamed slightly, but everything is still rugged enough to offer an escape from the norm.

With these ideas and a touch of planning, you can enjoy some of the finest nature in Canada while still experiencing a location that has been totally swamped by crowds of tourists scaring all the bears away.