About Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is an island in the northeastern Pacific Ocean and part of the Canadian province of British Columbia. The island is 456 km (283 mi) in length, 100 km (62 mi) in width at its widest point, and, according to the United States Geological Survey, Esri, and the United Nations Environment Programme - World Conservation Monitoring Centre, is 31,815.31 km2 (12,283.96 sq mi) in total area. The island is the largest by area and the most populous along the west coasts of the Americas. The southern part of Vancouver Island and some of the nearby Gulf Islands are the only parts of British Columbia or Western Canada to lie south of the 49th parallel. The southeast part of the island has one of the warmest climates in Canada, and since the mid-1990s has been mild enough in a few areas to grow Mediterranean crops such as olives and lemons.
Places to visit in Vancouver Island
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Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
Nature · 81 mi from centreA coastal park with long beaches, rainforest trails and wildlife on the island's west coast. Bring rain gear, as the coastal weather can change quickly.
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Cathedral Grove
Nature · 52 mi from centreA grove of ancient Douglas firs and red cedars along the highway to the west coast. Stay on the trails to protect the fragile forest floor.
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Tofino
Neighborhood · 34 mi from centreA west coast town known for surfing, whale watching and storm watching. Book whale-watching tours in spring, when thousands of gray whales migrate along the coast.
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Craigdarroch Castle
HistoricA Victorian mansion built by a coal baron, with stained glass and woodwork. Allow about an hour, and note that the many stairs are steep.
Things to do in Vancouver Island by type
65 tours, tickets and experiences across 9 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Tickets & Attraction Passes 17 experiences H.R. MacMillan Space Centre: Entry Ticket -
Cruise & Water Tours 13 experiences Bowen Island Sightseeing Tour and Dinner Cruise -
Outdoor activities & Adventure 7 experiences 4 Hour Whale and Wildlife Boat Tour -
Zoo, Aquarium & Nature 7 experiences Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden: Entry Ticket -
Air, Helicopter & Balloon Tours 6 experiences Vancouver: 20-Minute Helicopter Flight -
City tours 6 experiences Guided Bike and Hike with Picnic Lunch -
Art & culture 4 experiences Museum of Vancouver: Entry Ticket -
Gastronomy & nightlife 4 experiences North Vancouver: Guided Food Tour -
Day Trips & Excursions 3 experiences Bowen Island: Guided Jet Ski Tour from Vancouver
- 1-3 hours 9
- Over 6 hours 6
- 3-6 hours 5
- Flexible 4
- Up to 1 hour 1
- Senior 2
- Youth 2
- Couples 2
- Families 2
- Small group 2
Top experiences in Vancouver Island
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 65 available.
Victoria Zodiac Whale Watching - Half-Day Small Group Tour
From $141 per adult
Victoria Scenic Downtown Donut Tour
From $52 per adult
Victoria Scenic Downtown Holiday Donut Tour
From $52 per adult
Vancouver: The Stanley Park Bike Tour
From $72 per adult
Vancouver: Stanley Park Horse-Drawn Guided Tour
From $48 per adult
Vancouver: BC Backcountry 60 or 90 Min Premium Helicopter Flight
From $509 per adult
Vancouver: Classic Seaplane Flight
From $135 per adult
Vancouver: The Grand Bike Tour
From $90 per adult
Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art: Entry Ticket
From $11 per adult
Grouse Mountain: Small Group Guided Tour + Roundtrip Transport
From $112 per adult
Vancouver: 30 or 45-Minute Helicopter Flight with Coast Mountain Landing
From $278 per adult
North Vancouver: Guided Food Tour
From $101 per adult
Where to stay in Vancouver Island
Popular hotels in Vancouver Island, out of 160 properties you can book.
DoubleTree by Hilton Victoria
From $257 per night
Hotel Grand Pacific
From $129 per night
Quality Inn Downtown Inner Harbour
From $112 per night
Days Inn by Wyndham Victoria Uptown
From $90 per night
Fairmont Empress
From $264 per night
Best Western Plus Inner Harbour
From $173 per night
Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites
From $185 per night
Royal Scot Hotel & SUI, Trademark Coll by Wyndham
From $104 per night
Best Western Plus Carlton Plaza Hotel
From $105 per night
Beach Club Resort
From $171 per night
Coast Bastion Hotel
From $289 per night
Hotel Rialto
From $125 per night
Best time to visit Vancouver Island
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Vancouver Island is July, when average daytime highs are around 69°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Vancouver Island weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 48° 35° 2%
- Thu 22 Oct 46° 30° 9%
- Fri 23 Oct 48° 30° 6%
- Sat 24 Oct 49° 32° 43%
- Sun 25 Oct 53° 36° 36%
- Mon 26 Oct 56° 38° 18%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Canadian dollar (CAD)1 US dollar ≈ $1.41
- Languages
- English, French
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/VancouverUTC−7
- Capital
- Ottawa
Upcoming public holidays in Canada
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Good Friday
- Victoria Day
- Canada Day
- Labour Day
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Vancouver Island
These are the airports closest to central Vancouver Island. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- YBL Campbell River Airport29 mi (47 km) from the city centre
- YTP Tofino Harbour Water Aerodrome34 mi (55 km) from the city centre
- YHH Campbell River Water Aerodrome35 mi (57 km) from the city centre
Getting around Vancouver Island
The easiest way to travel around Vancouver Island is to drive. There are car ferries to the island from Vancouver, Powell River and Port Angeles (Washington), and rental cars are available in the cities and larger towns.
By public transit
BC Transit operates bus routes in cities around Vancouver Island. BC Transit has intercity bus routes enabling travel between Victoria and Campbell River along the east coast of Vancouver Island, which involves traveling on the following routes:
Vancouver Island travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Vancouver Island?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Vancouver Island is July, when average daytime highs are around 69°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
What is the weather like in Vancouver Island?
July is usually the warmest month in Vancouver Island, with average highs of 69°F (21°C). February is the coolest, with average lows of 17°F (-8°C). The wettest month is typically December, with about 470 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Vancouver Island?
Campbell River Airport (YBL) is the closest airport, about 29 miles (47 km) from the centre of Vancouver Island. Other nearby airports include Tofino Harbour Water Aerodrome (YTP, 34 mi) and Campbell River Water Aerodrome (YHH, 35 mi).
What currency is used in Vancouver Island?
Vancouver Island uses the Canadian dollar (CAD). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ $1.41.
What time zone is Vancouver Island in?
Vancouver Island uses the America/Vancouver time zone (currently UTC−7). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Vancouver Island?
The easiest way to travel around Vancouver Island is to drive. There are car ferries to the island from Vancouver, Powell River and Port Angeles (Washington), and rental cars are available in the cities and larger towns.
What are the best places to visit in Vancouver Island?
Top sights in Vancouver Island include Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Cathedral Grove, Tofino and Craigdarroch Castle. A coastal park with long beaches, rainforest trails and wildlife on the island's west coast. Bring rain gear, as the coastal weather can change quickly.
What are the top things to do in Vancouver Island?
Popular experiences you can book in Vancouver Island include Victoria Zodiac Whale Watching - Half-Day Small Group Tour, Victoria Scenic Downtown Donut Tour and Victoria Scenic Downtown Holiday Donut Tour. Destina Holidays offers 65 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Vancouver Island?
The most popular types of experiences in Vancouver Island are tickets & attraction passes (17), cruise & water tours (13), outdoor activities & adventure (7) and zoo, aquarium & nature (7). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Vancouver Island?
Popular areas for hotels in Vancouver Island include Victoria and Nanaimo. Well-reviewed options include DoubleTree by Hilton Victoria and Hotel Grand Pacific.
How many hotels can I book in Vancouver Island?
Destina Holidays currently lists 160 properties in and around Vancouver Island, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
