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VICTORIA | VANCOUVER | TELEGRAPH COVE
FREE MAPS
2019-2020 VANCOUVER
ULTIMATE DAY TOUR TO VICTORIA
$340* CAD PER ADULT
*Plus taxes & fees
Fisgard Lighthouse
Historical Site Victoria, Vancouver Island, BC
4 Hour Whale Watching Adventure from Vancouver to Victoria + Admission to The Butchart Gardens + Return Sunset Cruise to Downtown Vancouver
VICTORIA
WHALE WATCHING & BUTCHART GARDENS
$160* CAD PER ADULT
*Plus taxes & fees
3+ Hour Whale Watching Adventure from Victoria to Butchart Cove + Admission to The Butchart Gardens + Complimentary Return Bus to Downtown Victoria
TELEGRAPH COVE
HALF DAY WHALE WATCHING
$130* CAD PER ADULT
*Plus taxes & fees
3+ Hour Whale Watching Adventure from Telegraph Cove Resort on a Semi-Covered High-Speed Cruiser
A TRULY LIFE-CHANGING ADVENTURE Our tours teach the importance of conservation and preservation of our oceans. Gain a deeper appreciation of the life it holds.
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Contents / Visitor Information
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Welcome to Victoria & Vancouver Island
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The Essential Victoria
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Six Ways to See Victoria
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Golf on Vancouver Island
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Victoria Culture
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Saanich Peninsula & Sidney Map
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Downtown Victoria Map
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Victoria Dining & Nightlife
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Sidney & Saanich Peninsula
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Vancouver Island Map
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Outdoor Adventure
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Cowichan and Comox Valleys
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Up Island: Campbell River and North Island West Coast: Tofino & Ucluelet
Destination British Columbia
HelloBC.com
Victoria British Columbia
TourismVictoria.com VancouverIsland.travel
Sidney Nanaimo
Border Crossing Information U.S. residents need a passport to cross into Canada and return to the U.S. American Custom Regulations After 48 hours stay in Canada, Americans are allowed $800 duty-free merchandise once every 31 days for personal use. Less than 48 hours stay, the allowance is $200 of merchandise. Canada Border Services For detailed information, call (800) 461-9999 (while in Canada) or (204) 983-3500 (from the U.S.). VICTORIA & PENINSULA TRANSPORTATION SERVICES Bus Lines Airport Shuttle
DistinctlySidney.ca TourismNanaimo.com
Campbell River
CampbellRiver.travel
Canada Border Service Agency
CBSA-ASFC.GC.ca
U.S. Consulate (Vancouver)
CA.USEmbassy.gov
YYJAirportShuttle.com
BC Transit Bus Information
BCTransit.com
CVS Sightseeing
CVSTours.com
Wilson’s Transportation – Gray Line
TOURIST INFORMATION
Vancouver Island
Fishing Tidal and fresh water sport fishing licenses are required and must be carried on your person while fishing. Full regulations and licenses can be obtained from most sporting goods stores and fishing outfitters.
SightseeingVictoria.com
Ferry Services BC Ferries Black Ball Ferry Line (MV Coho) V2V Empress Victoria Clipper Ferry Service Washington State Ferries EMERGENCY SERVICES BC Auto Association
BCFerries.com CohoFerry.com V2VVacations.com ClipperVacations.com WSDOT.WA.gov/ferries 911 888.268.2222
FEARN’S 2019-2020 VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND VISITORS’ GUIDE PUBLISHER: Certified Folder Display Service Canada, Inc. VICTORIA OFFICE: 225 Russell Street, Victoria, BC, Canada V9A 3X1 phone: 250.382.4207 fax: 250.382.4264 CertifiedFolder.com Neither Certified Folder Display Service Canada, Inc. or the Victoria & Vancouver Island Visitors’ Guide make any representation expressly or implied as to the performance of the advertisers herein, or the accuracy of the facts herein. Certified Folder Display Service Canada, Inc. and the Victoria & Vancouver Island Visitors’ Guide jointly and severally disclaim any responsibility for acts or omissions of these advertisers. Copyright 2019 by Certified Folder Display Service Canada, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this Visitors’ Guide may be reproduced without permission of the publisher. VVG4/19.
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VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND VISITORS’ GUIDE
HOSPITALS Royal Jubilee Hospital
250.370.8000
Victoria General Hospital
250.727.4212
Saanich Peninsula Hospital
250.544.7676
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VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND Welcome to
The historic seaport city of Victoria surrounds its Inner Harbour on the southeastern shores of Vancouver Island. As a provincial capital of more than 360,000 in the region, the city is one of Canada’s most vibrant. Its temperate climate and world-class attractions make Victoria a favorite of visitors all year. Besides major airlines that fly in and out of Victoria International
O O UU VV EE N AN
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Victoria experience. Vancouver Island, at nearly
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an exciting part of the entire
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accessible by seaplane and
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Airport (YYJ), the city is easily
VICTORIA
Victoria’s vast back yard.
and flight services, and easy access to all points of Vancouver Island.
The south island – the areas
Traveling farther afield from
300 miles long and 80 miles wide at its broadest point, is
immediately bordering Victoria – offer plenty of attractions and outdoor recreation. These include: Saanich Peninsula, stretching north from Victoria; and Sooke, a scenic town west of Victoria. About 1.5 hours north of Victoria on the eastern shore, is Nanaimo, the island’s second largest city. Visitors to this former coal mining hub discover history, outdoor recreation, a first-rate culinary scene, ferry
Victoria or Nanaimo, other island regions include the rich agricultural valley of Cowichan and Comox, the West Coast’s rugged Pacific Rim, the island’s central core with small coastal cities and interior mountains, and the north island with rugged coastlines and small fishing villages.
MORE INFO TourismVictoria.com TourismNanaimo.com VancouverIsland.travel
Explore more at VisitorTips.com/can/bc/victoria
Rated Excellent
VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND VISITORS’ GUIDE
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are worth the time to explore as well. Surrounding the Inner Harbour are the historic Empress Hotel (a Fairmont property) and the British Columbia Parliament Building. Whether staying at The Empress or not, many visitors explore the newly refurbished 1908 chateau-style structure with its ivy-clad façade and enjoy Victoria’s most famous traditional afternoon tea. At the British Columbia Parliament Building, visitors can take a free guided tour to learn the history of the late-19th-century building topped with 33 domes as well as the workings of the parliamentary government.
Victoria’s downtown retail core runs north from the Inner Harbour along Government Street, where The Bay Centre and several boutique stores and restaurants keep shoppers entertained. Crossing Government Street, Lower Johnson Street (LoJo) is a popular, walkable hub for contemporary shops, antiques and dining. Beyond the Chinatown Gate on the northern edge of downtown, visitors can explore Canada’s oldest Chinatown. This must-see neighborhood is a mélange of traditional Chinese restaurants and shops, contemporary West Coast dining and enticing tea rooms.
The harbour ferries in the Inner Harbour take passengers to James Bay, home of Victoria’s Fisherman’s Wharf. At this working harbour wharf, visitors find food kiosks, unique shops and can even take an eco-tour adventure. From the Inner Harbour, double-decker buses whisk visitors to one of Canada’s most spectacular attractions, Butchart Gardens, to explore the renowned gardens.
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CRUISE THE COAST IN STYLE
PREMIUM CRUISE SERVICE BETWEEN DOWNTOWN VICTORIA & DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER
Victoria’s largest city park, Beacon Hill Park, is an easy stroll from the Inner Harbour. This historic, 62-acre gem on the shore of the Strait of Juan de Fuca was established in 1882 and has been Victoria’s elegant urban garden ever since. On a jaunt to Oak Bay, visitors find a waterfront district with a small village feel. Art galleries, an array of dining options and plenty if interesting shops to browse make Oak Bay a pleasant discovery away from the downtown core.
MORE INFO TourismVictoria.com ButchartGardens.com OakBayTourism.com
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Essential VICTORIA
Victoria is a crown with many jewels. While the Inner Harbour is the city’s heart and soul, Victoria’s other distinctive districts
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VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND VISITORS’ GUIDE
No bus transfers to ferry terminals needed Two stylish seating classes A selection of local cuisine and alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages available Free on-board Wi-Fi Access to roof top sun deck Reserved seating
v2vvacations.com TOLL FREE 1 (855) 554 4679
E hello@v2vvacations.com
HOP-ON HOP-OFF
Six Ways to See
VICTORIA
Whether on foot, by double-decker bus, bicycle or kayak, Victoria is a sightseer’s (and photographer’s) paradise. Guided tours showcase the best, tastiest, most adventurous and even quirkiest parts of Victoria. A popular way to take in Victoria’s city sights is on a double-decker bus with an open second tier for best viewing. Narrators know the city well and, by the time the tour is over, guests will too. There are several operators. Two of the most popular are: Gray Line Sightseeing and CVS Tours. Hop on at the Fairmont Empress. For those who prefer to see the city on foot, Discover the Past Walking Tours takes guests on narrated tours of Chinatown, on an exploration of the city’s historical sites, and on a journey to Victoria’s most haunted places. Hike Victoria Tours picks guests up at their hotel and takes them on an expert-guided hike. Guests can choose from moderate to easy hikes and can opt for a lunch stop at a local cidery. Visitors who prefer a twowheeled tour take a guided bicycle tour around Victoria (in partnership with Cycle BC). Cyclists choose from among
four different tours, each revealing a different aspect of the city. Victoria is surrounded by water. What better way to see the city than by kayak? Ocean River Tours offers guided kayaking in and around Victoria, complete with instructions for novice kayakers. Paddlers can explore downtown and the Inner Harbour or head out to Oak Bay.
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Look for our red umbrella in front of the Empress Hotel • sightseeingvictoria.com
Victoria is perhaps best explored through its diverse and delicious food scene. Visitors can sample their way through the Inner Harbour, Old Town and Chinatown on up to eight tasting stops with A Taste of Victoria Food Tours.
MORE INFO SightseeingVictoria.com
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DiscoverThePast.com HikeVictoria.com Victoria.CycleBC.ca OceanRiver.com ATasteofVictoriaFoodTours.com
Explore more at VisitorTips.com/can/bc/victoria
Free Parking. Free WiFi. Free Fresh Air
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BC TRANSIT
DayPASS Destinations
GOLF on VANCOUVER ISLAND
Explore Greater Victoria for ONLY $5* with your BC Transit DayPASS!
Stunning scenery plus a year-round temperate climate are the raw ingredients that make Vancouver Island a world-class golf destination. Forty courses define the island’s exceptional golf scene that entices visitors to carve out time for a few rounds in their travel itineraries.
Arranging a Vancouver Island golf getaway is easy – courses along the Vancouver Island Golf Trail are clustered into five distinct regions. From south to north, they are Greater Victoria, Cowichan, Parksville, Courtenay and Campbell River. Known for its panoramic vistas, the Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort and Spa, minutes from Victoria, offers luxury lodging and modern amenities for the golfer on two spectacular, Nicklaus-designed courses: the challenging Mountain Course and the less-challenging Valley Course. Another notable course is award-winning Arbutus Ridge, located in the Cowichan Valley town of Cobble Hill only 40 minutes from Victoria. This
course is known for three of the most demanding finishing golf holes on Vancouver Island. Other Victoria courses popular with visiting golfers are Olympic View Golf Club and Cedar Hill. Golf packages make Vancouver Island travel for the golfer especially attractive, offering value along with other perks.
For those with less time on their hands, other packages allow for shorter golf getaways, while still taking in some of Vancouver Island’s most stunning destinations.
MORE INFO GolfVancouverIsland.ca
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Available on board only!
The ultimate indulgence for the golfer who can’t get enough and who has two weeks to dedicate to nothing but the game is the “Two-Week Golf Trail” package that includes 12 different courses in 14 days. Golfers stay in Victoria, Parksville and Crowne Isle, a great way to take in some of Vancouver Island’s best destinations. Book this package through Golf Vancouver Island.
VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND VISITORS’ GUIDE
*Subject to change
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With everything from municipal to resort to semi-private courses catering to the visiting golfer, a handful of courses should be on every golfer’s itinerary. The Vancouver Island Golf Trail is a string of 13 courses that covers the 250km eastern shore from Victoria north to Campbell River.
bctransit.com 250∙382∙6161 *Subject to change
Victoria Regional Transit Commission
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VICTORIA CULTURE Victoria is a cosmopolitan city with a thriving cultural scene, from visual and performing arts to museums and heritage sites. Including a performance or cultural attraction in a Victoria itinerary is a must for many visitors. No cultural exploration of Victoria is complete without a visit to the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, which serves as the city’s premier art museum and includes a permanent collection and temporary exhibitions. The works of Victoria’s best-known artist, Emily Carr, are represented at AGGV; Carr fans should also visit the Emily Carr House, the artist’s family residence, now an important heritage site. Many private, commercial galleries pepper the city as well, and are worth seeking out. One could easily do nothing else in Victoria but visit the city’s numerous museums, parks and heritage sites. The Royal British Columbia Museum is a must-see on the Inner Harbour, with its world-class First Nations artifact collection, compelling exhibits about British Columbia’s natural and cultural history and an IMAX theatre. The Maritime Museum of British Columbia celebrates the city’s and the province’s deep maritime roots, a fascinating experience for anyone interested in early marine exploration
of the region and events that followed. A tour of Craigdarroch Castle is a captivating glimpse into the opulent trappings of Victoria’s social elite in the 1890s. And finally, The Hatley Park National Historic Site boasts 565 acres of lush gardens, old-growth forests and an impressive 1908 Edwardian castle. An evening of music, dance or theater caps off any Victoria visit in style. The city is a locus of professional-level performing arts. Visitors enjoy some of the city’s best live theater at the intimate Belfry Theatre and the 772-seat McPherson Playhouse. Visitors can catch a performance of the Victoria Symphony or Pacific Opera Victoria at the Royal Theatre.
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MORE INFO TourismVictoria.com AGGV.ca EmilyCarr.com RoyalBCMuseum.BC.ca MMBC.BC.ca HatleyPark.ca TheCastle.ca Belfry.BC.ca
Open every day of the year
RMTS.BC.ca
Explore more at VisitorTips.com/can/bc/victoria
butchartgardens.com VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND VISITORS’ GUIDE
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Victoria and the & SIDNEY M A P VICTORIA SAANICH PENINSULA SAANICH PENINSULA & The Saanich Peninsula
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VICTORIA
DINING and NIGHTLIFE Victoria is a place for both serious foodies and those who simply eat for fuel. Great choices from a list of the world’s cuisine is what dining in Victoria is all about, and diners don’t have to splurge to enjoy a satisfying meal. The list of Victoria restaurants is constantly growing, and each new addition is often a crowd pleaser. An acclaimed addition to Victoria’s culinary offerings is 10 Acres Commons, where sustainably harvested seafood and organic produce from the restaurant’s farm are the main attractions. For unsurpassed views, hungry visitors ride the elevator to the rooftop of the Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites to nab a table at Vista 18 Westcoast Grill & Wine Bar. For an elegant evening, no venue tops Q at the Empress, which serves up artfully crafted fare in a sophisticated setting. OLO Restaurant is celebrated for contemporary, locally sourced West Coast cuisine in a casual atmosphere. For fish & chips, it’s Barb’s Fish & Chips at Fisherman’s Wharf. When it comes to after-dark entertainment, Victoria has no shortage of nightlife venues. A mainstay is Clive’s Classic Lounge, where craft cocktails are elevated to an artform. For local color and crowd-pleasing live performances, visitors head
out for the evening at one of Victoria’s local pubs, like Bard & Banker Public House, Darcy’s Pub or Irish Times. For craft brews and whiskey try the Victoria Caledonian Distillery and Twa Dogs Brewery in Saanich. Tour, taste and savor the flavors where Scotland meets the West Coast of Canada. Comedy clubs, dance clubs and cabarets round out Victoria’s nightlife scene. Upstairs from Darcy’s Pub in downtown’s Bastion Square, Upstairs Cabaret is a hot spot for live music, DJs and dancing. Distrikt at the Strathcona Hotel is a popular, state-of-the-art nightclub.
MORE INFO TourismVictoria.com BardAndBanker.com
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IrishTimesPub.ca UpstairsCabaret.ca StrathconaHotel.com VictoriaCaledonian.com
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DarcysPub.ca/downtown
VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND VISITORS’ GUIDE
OPEN DAILY FOR SELF-GUIDED TOURS THECASTLE.CA 1050 Joan Crescent, Victoria
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TOURS • TASTINGS • TAPROOM
SIDNEY and SAANICH PENINSULA Sidney-by-the-Sea is a charming town near the north end of Saanich Peninsula, about 26 miles from Victoria. The ferry to and from Anacortes, Washington, arrives in Sidney, making it the first destination many Americans see when visiting Vancouver Island. Sidney Booktown is a locally famous district in downtown Sidney with a concentration of bookstores. For literary visitors and book collectors, this is a main attraction. One of the region’s top attractions and a family favorite, the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea is Canada’s public aquarium and learning centre for the Salish Sea Bioregion. There, visitors come face to face with 160 species of marine life that live in the local waters. Visitors learn about the region’s wildlife, waters, land, culture and people. The renowned Butchart Gardens is a popular destination for a day trip from Victoria. The gardens occupy a former family estate and abandoned limestone quarry. They include a lavishly landscaped sunken garden, rose garden, concert lawn, Japanese garden, Mediterranean garden and Italian garden. Butchart Gardens has fine dining in the former family residence; visiting the gardens and staying for Afternoon Tea (in spring or summer) or
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HAND CRAFTING EXCEPTIONAL SINGLE MALT WHISKIES, CRAFT BEER AND GREAT VISITOR EXPERIENCES IN VICTORIA 761 Enterprise Crescent • Victoria
778.401.0410 • VictoriaCaledonian.com
High Tea (in fall and winter) is a lovely way to experience Butchart Gardens. At Victoria Butterfly Gardens (near Butchart Gardens), visitors walk among more than 3,000 butterflies and several species of tropical birds in an environment of tropical vegetation. Gray Line Sightseeing and CVS Tours both operate tours to Butchart Gardens and Victoria Butterfly Gardens. Another reason to visit Saanich Peninsula is to experience its winery-cidery-spirits trail on your own or with a guide. Tasting rooms worth a stop are: Church & State Wines, de Vine Vineyards, Victoria Spirits and Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse.
Sidney Fish Market
MORE INFO SidneyBooktown.ca SalishSeaCentre.org DistinctlySidney.ca ButchartGardens.com ButterflyGardens.com SightseeingVictoria.com CVSTours.com ChurchAndStateWines.com DevineVineyards.ca SeaCider.ca
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W E L C O M E T O VANCOUVER ISLAND pert, BC Ru es ce ri in er Pr C F B
Vancouver Island, off the coast of British Columbia,
PORT HARDY 19
PORT McNEILL
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Nimpkish Lake
Prince of Whales
TELEGRAPH COVE
is the largest Pacific island east of New Zealand. Rich with rainforests, rugged shorelines and beaches, mountains, fertile agricultural valleys, working fishing villages, dozens of provincial parks and B.C.’s capital city of Victoria, the island ranks among North America’s most geographically diverse and scenic destinations to visit. SAYWARD
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TAHSIS
Esperanza Inlet Nuchatlitz Inlet
VANCOUVER ISLAND
Campbell Lake
GOLD RIVER
Buttle Lake
Nootka Sound
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Straight of Georgia
Comox Lake Great Central Lake
Clayoquot Sound
TOFINO
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Sproat Lake
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PORT ALBERNI
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UCLUELET
D RIVING DISTANCES V I CTO RIA TO: NANAIMO
111 km
PARKSVILLE
150 km
UCLUELET
292 km
TOFINO
316 km
QUALICUM BEACH
158 km
COURTENAY
220 km
CAMPBELL RIVER
265 km
PORT HARDY
497 km
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VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND VISITORS’ GUIDE
Nanoose Harbour
Barkley Sound
Bay, BC shoe Horse Ferries BC
NANAIMO
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Tsaw
BAMFIELD
wass BC F en, BC errie s
LADYSMITH
Nitinat Lake
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CHEMAINUS
LAKE COWICHAN
Port San Juan
PORT RENFREW
DUNCAN SHAWNIGAN LAKE
JORDAN RIVER
Saanich Inlet
SOOKE
Sooke Bay
MILL BAY
SWARTZ BAY
Haro
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VICTORIA Port Angeles, WA
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1 km = .6 mi
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OUTDOOR ADVENTURE With a year-round temperate climate and stunning scenery, Victoria is a hub for outdoor adventurers. Many visitors appreciate the city and its surroundings by adding an outdoor activity to their itinerary. This can range from guided fishing to whale-watching to a rails-to-trails cycling trip to adrenaline-charged thrills on a zip line. Spending a day trying their luck at the legendary fishing on the south end of Vancouver Island is a must for Victoria visitors seeking adventure on the water. Foghorn Fishing Charters, located in Victoria’s Inner Harbour, specializes in guided salmon and halibut fishing excursions. They operate all year and run half- or full-day charters. Orcas and humpbacks rule the seas around Victoria, making whale-watching a must. The expert guides at Prince of Whales know where the wales are, and offer three distinct viewing areas on two elevations. Back on land, visitors wanting some exercise rent a bicycle and head to the Galloping Goose Regional Trail, a former railway bed converted to a multi-use trail. It runs through 60km of scenic landscape, lush forests and over breathtaking
trestles. This popular trail makes perfect for a day trip. A number of bicycle guides and rental shops are in Victoria, but an electric bike takes the strain out of cycling; Ride the Glide (RTG) E-Bike Rentals will deliver your e-bike rental to your hotel. For adrenaline-filled forest adventures, exploring the canopy on a zipline is the way to go. Adrena LINE Zipline Adventures in Sooke offers eight ziplines and guided ziplining tours high above a temperate rain forest with great ocean and mountain views. Noctural guests can even don a headlamp and ride the ziplines at night under a full moon.
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HALF DAY WHALE WATCHING $130* CAD PER ADULT
3+ Hour Whale Watching Adventure from Telegraph Cove Resort on a semi-covered high-speed cruiser *Plus taxes & fees
1-888-383-4884 | princeofwhales.com
Cowichan Bay Floating Houses
Nanaimo Waterfront
MORE INFO FoghornCharters.com PrinceOfWhales.com RideTheGlide.ca AdrenaLINEZip.com
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COWICHAN and COMOX VALLEYS Two agricultural valleys grace Vancouver Island with small tourist-friendly towns, farm-fresh foods and quaint lodging and plenty of outdoor recreation. They are Cowichan Valley, between Victoria and Nanaimo, and Comox Valley, located north of Nanaimo. The towns of Cowichan and Duncan are the main towns in Cowichan Valley. This region is characterized by a climate that has been described as Mediterranean. A tour through this valley takes visitors face to face with artisan cheesemakers, bakers, farmers and winemakers who welcome people curious about where wholesome food comes from. In the village of Cowichan, a waterfront community on Cowichan Bay, visitors flock to artisan culinary shops. In Duncan, visitors take a self-guided tour of the remarkable collection of 40 authentic First Nations totem poles erected throughout the town. A main attraction are the many wineries, breweries, distilleries and cideries that are sprinkled throughout the valley, most with on-site tasting rooms. Between Nanaimo and Comox Valley, the town of Coombs is home to the Coombs Country Market, a collection of farm stands, restaurants and artisan shops. A fun market attraction is the spectacle of goats grazing on a grassy roof. Continuing north, Comox Valley is home to the towns of Cumberland, Courtenay
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and Comox. Cumberland has built a reputation as a mountain-biking destination. Quaint shops, a craft brewery and excellent farm-to table cafes pepper the few downtown blocks. Courtenay serves at the commercial and shopping hub of the valley, while Comox is a waterfront town that connects travellers to the Sunshine Coast on the mainland by B.C. Ferry. As in Cowichan Valley, small wineries, craft breweries and visitor-friendly farms blanket Comox Valley. Visitors are generally surprised to learn that Vancouver Island has more than 1,600 caves. Comox Valley is home to some of the most accessible at Horne Lake Caves. Guided cave tours are available for all levels of ability. A great way to explore the Comox Valley is by bicycle, and Island Joy Rides guides several themed, two-wheeled tours throughout the valley. Pedalers can opt for singleor multi-day tours.
Nanaimo is about 1.5 hours north of Victoria, the city is the gateway to Vancouver Island’s communities along the eastern shore. And, as Vancouver Island’s second largest city, there are plenty of reasons to make Nanaimo a main destination.
Come to Nanaimo for year-round entertainment. Access a complete calendar of events at
TourismNanaimo.com MORE INFO TourismCowichan.com DiscoverComoxValley.com
VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND VISITORS’ GUIDE
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Elk Falls Provincial Park
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CAMPBELL RIVER
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Driving north of Campbell River, visitors come to the tiny hamlet of Telegraph Cove, a historic fishing and cannery settlement on Vancouver Island. It’s since become a hub for ecotourism. Fishing, kayaking and wildlife watching are the main draws here. Try Prince of Whales for a 3+ hour tour. Departures at 9:00, 12:15 and 3:30 to choose from.
North Island Kayak guides short, family-friendly kayaking tours, half- and full-day tours, and multi-day excursions for the more adventuresome traveler. Farther north, Port McNeil is the gateway to the Broughton Archipelago and the Great Bear Rain Forest, and Port Hardy sits on the edge of Queen Charlotte Strait with access to the dramatic headlands on Vancouver Island’s northern end. Both are sport fishing and ecotourism centers with guides available to take visitors on the perfect north Vancouver Island adventure. The north island coastal region is rich in First Nations history and culture and is also known for resorts that offer fishing charters and guided adventure excursions. Cove Adventure Tours offers guided day-hike excursions from Port Hardy to San Josef Bay on Vancouver Island’s northwestern tip, a remote region of old-growth forests, sea caves, sea stacks and isolated beaches.
Explore more at VisitorTips.com/can/bc/victoria
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In and around Campbell River, Marine life is abundant and the wildlife viewing is spectacular. Aboriginal Journeys leads wildlife watching tours out of Campbell River, with grizzly bear and whale sightings common. Several salmon fishing guides operate out of Campbell River; Coastal Wilderness Adventures and Coastal Island Fishing Adventures are two that are highly rated. For a unique adventure, the Ocean Rapid Tour that Campbell River Whale Watching offers takes passengers where the tides channel through narrow passages, creating the equivalent of white-water rapids.
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About 35 minutes north of Courtenay lies Campbell River. This small city is a sport fishing and adventure hub and gateway to the remote and sparsely populated northern half of Vancouver Island as well as numerous islands between there and the mainland, including the Discovery Islands.
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CAMPBELL RIVER and NORTH ISLAND
Nunns Creek Park
Dogwood St.
Up Island:
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MORE INFO CampbellRiver.travel CampbellRiverWhaleWatching.com AboriginalJourneys.com CoastWild.com CoastalIslandFishing.com TelegraphCove.ca PrinceOfWhales.com AdventureWhaleWatching.com KayakBC.ca PortHardy.travel CoveAdventureTours.com VancouverIslandNorth.ca
WEST COAST: Tofino & Ucluelet Ancient forests, rugged Pacific coastal terrain, a vibrant aboriginal culture and the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve are some of the wonders visitors discover on the 40-km. stretch between Ucluelet and Tofino. An array of lodging, food, guides and outfitters help both adventurers and casual vacationers get the most out of this wild coast. The 4-hour drive from Victoria takes visitors first to Ucluelet. Here, day hikers can embark on one or all three sections of the Wild Pacific Trail, affording views of rocky coastline, pristine beaches and deep forest. Those who prefer the view from
the water – where sightings of bears, whales and other wildlife are not uncommon – can launch kayaks on Ucluelet Harbour or experience a longer paddling trip into the protected waters of the nearby Broken Group Islands. In Ucluelet, Majestic Ocean Kayaking guides sea kayaking excursions. About 40 minutes north, the popular community of Tofino is in the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Nature, numerous festivals, exceptional local food, wildlife watching, surfing and winter storm watching are the main draws in Tofino. Tofino Sea Kayaking guides paddlers out onto Clayoquot Sound. Jamie’s Whaling Station guides whale-watching tours with guaranteed sightings. Visitors can take surfing lessons, paddle a longboat with a First Nations guide, dine at some of Canada’s most acclaimed restaurants, indulge in a spa treatment and relax in an amazing natural setting.
MORE INFO Ucluelet.ca OceanKayaking.com TourismTofino.com TofinoSeaKayaking.com Jamies.com
VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND VISITORS’ GUIDE
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RATED “GEM ATTRACTION” BY THE AAA®! OPEN DAILY
Inner Harbour
Circus World
Battle of Britain
Land of Castles
London Town
Douglas St
Over 85 exciting miniature dioramas and displays
Located in the famous Fairmont EMPRESS HOTEL
Miniature World
Government St
The Greatest Little Show on Earth! ™
t St
Belleville St
Gulliver’s Travels
British Columbia Sawmill
Classic Car Show
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