19 Best Sights in Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Ampersand Distillery

Father-and-son duo Stephen and Jeremy Schacht built this craft distillery from the ground up, including designing and building their own unique stills. The award-winning gin and vodka they produce here are made with certified organic wheat from the BC mainland and botanicals from around the world, such as Albanian coriander, African grains of paradise, and juniper berries from Bulgaria. They now grow their own wild-harvested botanicals on the five-acre site. Don't miss the "Nocino!", a seasonal green walnut liqueur which was awarded best nonfruit liqueur in the 2019 Pacific Northwest Sip Awards.

Burgoyne Bay Provincial Park

Easy hikes and a pretty pebble beach are the draws at this provincial park, at the end of a dirt road toward the southern end of the island.

Campbell Point

Part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, this waterfront area has walking trails and, at Bennett Bay, one of the island's most scenic beaches.

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Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park

Logging roads west of Port Renfrew lead to this vast, rugged wilderness park, home to some of the world's largest spruce trees, some more than 800 years old, and ancient cedars over 1,000 years old. Be prepared with supplies, because this is an extremely remote region with no services whatsoever. Watch for logging trucks en route and bears once you're inside the park.

Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre

The interesting Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre has maritime paraphernalia, including historic vessels and model boats, displayed along a pier, which is also a great place to take in views of the village and boats at harbor. You may also be able to watch boatbuilders at work in the attached studio.

Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives

This small museum, in a 1912 train station, has exhibits and artifacts about the region's First Nations culture and pioneer history.

Damali Lavender and Winery

Stroll the grounds, have a picnic or take a tour and tasting at this working lavender farm and winery. The original barn has been converted into a winery producing popular wines made from Cowichan Valley fruit. Pick up a bottle to enjoy with your own picnic in the licensed picnic area.

East Sooke Regional Park

Hiking trails, tide pools, beaches, and views of the Olympic Mountains draw visitors to this more than 3,500-acre wilderness recreation park 2½ km (1½ miles) east of Sooke on the south side of Sooke Harbour. The park's 10-km (6-mile) coast trail is rated one of the top day hikes in Canada, and the entire area is a birders' paradise, especially during the annual hawk migration from mid-September to late October.

Georgina Point Heritage Park and Lighthouse

This waterfront park overlooking Active Pass is part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. It's also home to the Georgina Point Lighthouse; built in 1885, it still signals ships into the busy waterway. The grassy grounds are great for picnicking.

Japanese Memorial Gardens

Built entirely by volunteers, this 1-acre garden at Dinner Bay Park honors the island's early Japanese settlers. It's about ½ mile south of the Village Bay ferry terminal.

Juan de Fuca Provincial Park

Extending from Jordan River to near Port Renfrew, Juan de Fuca Provincial Park takes in several beaches, including China Beach, with soft, sandy beaches dotted with driftwood; Sombrio Beach, a popular surfing spot; and Botanical Beach, with its amazing tidal pools. The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is a tough 48-km (30-mile) wilderness hiking trail running along the shore from China Beach, west of Jordan River, to Botanical Beach, near Port Renfrew. Several trailheads along the way—at China Beach, Sombrio Beach, Parkinson Creek, and Botanical Beach—allow day hikers to walk small stretches of it.

Kwisitis Visitor Centre

Perched on a point about a mile off the highway on Wickaninnish Beach, the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve's visitor center offers insights into local culture, flora and fauna, First Nations traditions, local history, and conservation efforts; don't miss the stunning life-size carving of a whaling canoe. Park rangers are on hand to answer questions. The outside deck is perfect for spotting whales, surfers, and storms.

Mortimer Spit

South Pender Island

The sandy beach at Mortimer Spit is a sheltered spot for swimming and kayaking; it's near the bridge linking the two islands.

Mount Maxwell Provincial Park

Near the center of Salt Spring Island, Baynes Peak in Mount Maxwell Provincial Park has spectacular views of south Salt Spring, Vancouver Island, and other Gulf Islands. The last portion of the drive is steep, winding, and unpaved.

Mt. Parke

A 45-minute hike up this 263-meter (863-foot) peak leads to the island's highest point and a stunning view of the mainland and other Gulf Islands.

Pender Islands Museum

North Pender Island

In a 1908 farmhouse at Roesland on North Pender, part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, this tiny museum houses local historic artifacts.

Ruckle Provincial Park

This provincial park is the site of an 1872 homestead and extensive fields that are still being farmed. Several small sandy beaches and 8 km (5 miles) of trails winding through forests and along the coast make this one of the islands' most appealing parks. A lovely and very popular campground has walk-in tent sites on a grassy slope overlooking the sea as well as a few drive-in sites in the woods.

Sooke Potholes Provincial Park

Locals and visitors come to cool off at Sooke Potholes Provincial Park, home to a series of natural swimming holes carved out of the bedrock of the Sooke River. The area is a popular destination for swimming and picnicking.

Whiffen Spit

West of Sooke, you'll reach this mile-long natural breakwater that is great for bird-watching and makes for a leisurely scenic walk past sea grass beds and rocks where harbor seals sprawl in the sun.

Vancouver Island

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