Experience the best of Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is a long, mountainous island off British Columbia, home to the capital Victoria, temperate rainforest and whale-watching waters.
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Vancouver Island runs about 460 kilometres along the Pacific coast of British Columbia, with a spine of mountains, deep inlets and old forest. Victoria, the provincial capital at the southern tip, has the Inner Harbour, the Parliament Buildings and the Royal BC Museum. Nearby, Butchart Gardens fills an old limestone quarry with flower beds, and Craigdarroch Castle, a Victorian mansion, stands on a hill in the city.
Farther up the island, Cathedral Grove preserves giant Douglas firs, and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve covers the long surf beaches around Tofino and Ucluelet on the west coast, where storm-watching is a winter pastime. The Cowichan Valley has farms and wineries, and the Gulf Islands lie offshore. Orcas, humpback whales and grey whales are seen from boats, and black bears live in the forests.
Seafood is a main attraction: salmon, spot prawns, Dungeness crab and oysters, alongside local cheese, cider and craft beer. The Nanaimo bar, a no-bake square of chocolate and custard, takes its name from the city of Nanaimo. Winters are gentler than in most of Canada, though wet along the west coast.
- 1 hop-on hop-off route
- Free cancellation on 90% of experiences
- Day trips to Sky Gondola
Top experiences in Vancouver Island
Special offers in Vancouver Island
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
![Victoria 1-Day Tour (Butchart Gardens /Victoria Downtown) English]()
10% offFree cancellation
Hop-on hop-off in Vancouver Island
Day trips from Vancouver Island
21
Likely to sell outFree cancellation
Likely to sell outFree cancellation
Walking and bike tours in Vancouver Island
36
Likely to sell outFree cancellation
Nature and wildlife tours in Vancouver Island
23
Likely to sell outFree cancellation
Signature experiences in Vancouver Island
![Vancouver Island Zodiac Whale Watching Adventure - Telegraph Cove]()
Likely to sell outFree cancellation
Go beyond Vancouver Island
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Squamish · 165 kmPorteau Cove Provincial Park
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Squamish · 165 kmStawamus Chief Provincial Park
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Olympic National Park · 171 kmHoh Rain Forest
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Vancouver · 176 kmStanley Park
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Vancouver · 176 kmGastown
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Whistler · 186 kmShannon Falls
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Whistler · 186 kmWhistler-Blackcomb Mountains
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Victoria · 203 kmButchart Gardens
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Victoria · 203 kmVictoria Inner Harbour
Questions about Vancouver Island
- What is there to do in Vancouver Island?
- We list 248 experiences in Vancouver Island. The largest groups are day trips (36), city tours (35).
- What is the most popular experience in Vancouver Island?
- By number of traveller reviews it is "Victoria Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos", rated 4.9 out of 5 from 2,799 reviews.
- Is there a hop-on hop-off bus in Vancouver Island?
- Yes. We list 1 hop-on hop-off bus tour in Vancouver Island; the most reviewed is "Evening Hop On Hop Off Victoria City Sights Tour" with 1 reviews.
- How long do tours and tickets in Vancouver Island take?
- The typical experience in Vancouver Island lasts about 3 hours; the middle half run between 2 hours and 5 hours.
- Can I cancel a booking in Vancouver Island?
- The operator lists free cancellation on 91% of the 248 experiences we hold for Vancouver Island. The cut-off differs by experience and is shown on each product page before you choose a date.
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Free cancellation on most experiences
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