Having travelled much of the world I can confidently say it's hard to improve upon Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. The people are kind and warm, the environment pristine and the food not short of epic!
At this time of year as the rains subside and the sun is shining, the islands come alive and it's not just the people. The birds are invariably singing, deer are grazing, bunnies are well doing what they do best and everything is in full bloom!
If you love the outdoors the islands provide endless opportunities to be amazed. Here are my Top 5 Favourite Things to do on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
#1 Hornby Island - With so many gems on Hornby Island it requires its own blog post. There is a reason it's termed little Hawaii with the white sand beach of Tribune Bay and it's relaxed old world vibe. However, Hornby's entire shoreline surrounding the island will surprise you with its own unique landscape, sea life and beauty.
Head to Sandpiper Beach for an early morning walk or to catch the sunrise and lose yourself among the lengthy foreshore composed of flat-topped shale layers, boulders, “honeycombed” sandstone and tidal pools. Grassy Point provides the most spectacular sunsets and witness the seals playing on most warm summer evenings. Whaling Station Bay is fantastic for the kiddos with its sandy beach and shallow waters. Fords Cove (behind the Fords Cove store) may feel like your on another planet with its sandstone beach and tidal pools. And yes Tribune Bay does give Hawaii a run for it's money. You will certainly need at least two days on the island and if you have the chance to delight in The Cardboard Bakeries Pizza on live music night it may just turn into one big outdoor celebration.
#2 Ucluelet - Tofino has become a worldwide tourist destination and rightfully so but its awe-inspiring neighbour Ucluelet is not to be missed. An easy walk along the Wild Pacific Trail will provide spectacular coastal views and will be sure to leave you feeling relaxed and grateful for this amazing planet we live on.
#3 Hole in the Wall - If you happen to be on route to Tofino or in the Port Alberni area the Hole in the Wall is worth the quick stop. The trail is fairly easy and can be found at the base of the hump on the left of the hwy if coming into Port Alberni (adjacent to the Coombs Country Candy, more on that in a moment) A 10-minute walk down the trail and you will come to the picture perfect Hole in the Wall. After you have explored the hole and taken your numerous selfies, walk 20 feet further to your right and you will find hundreds of Inukshuks placed in the river by fellow creators. On your way out don't forget to stop at Coombs Country Candy for some of their delicious homemade Candy Apples, Ice Cream, Chocolate, Fudge and more. Good luck trying to decide which to enjoy!
#4 Get out on the Water - Seeing the islands from land is one thing but experiencing it from the water is another. You can take a ferry to the bustling & beautiful artisan island of Saltspring. Enjoy Water Sports on the vast and pristine lakes of Sproat Lake, Cowichan Lake and Horne Lake. Try your luck fishing in Cambell River, Port Renfrew, Sooke, Bamfield and the Alberni Inlet. Whale watching on the West Coast is worth every penny and of course, you can swim & kayak pretty much anywhere!
#5 Family Fun on the Islands - Pick up any tourist brochure and you will find countless family fun activities in our Capital City Victoria. Our favourites are the horse drawn carriage rides, bug zoo, and fireworks on July.1st but each is fantastic in its own right. Further up island enjoy the vast sandy beach of Rathtrevor Provincial Park and see the uber talented sculptors that create the sandcastles each year. The North Island Wildlife Recovery Center is just around the corner from Parksville and is a great way to see and learn more about our local birds and wildlife. From there you can head to Coombs to experience a one of a kind market. Horne Lake Caves are a unique adventure if you are ok with dark and tight spaces. If only a few of you venture to go in, the walk to the caves and surrounding wilderness is beautiful. Don't forget to look for any festivals and concerts that may be in your area this summer such as the Hornby Festival, Island Music Fest, and Rifflandia. An outdoor concert or festival shared with family and friends can make for one glorious day!