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Vancouver Island

Travel Guide North America Canada British Columbia Vancouver Island

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Introduction

Juan De Fuca Straight

Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, sits on the west coast of Canada. It is home to around 650,000 residents.

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Geography

Vancouver Island covers 32,134 square kilometers and is the largest island off the North American west coast.

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Cities and Towns

Victoria, the capital of British Columbia
Ladysmith
Nanaimo
Port Hardy
Tofino is a popular resort village.

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Sights and Activities

Butchart Gardens

The Butchart Gardens provide stunning floral displays year round. Admission prices for an adult range from CA$16.35 to $29 depending on the time of the year. Free for children under 5. Open daily 9:00am-sundown. Address: 800 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood Bay
Strathcona Provincial Park is the largest park on the island, covering more than 2,000 sq kilometers.

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Events and Festivals

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Weather

Vancouver Island has a mild maritime climate with generally wet conditions year round. There are huge variations though, ranging from just around 650 mm near Victoria to 10 times (!) as much at some locations along the west coast. Snow is possible in winter at higher elevations, but usually uncommon at sea level. Temperatures in winter (December to March) are mostly above zero at sea level, though frost is possible higher and more inland. In summer, temperatures up to 30 °C or even a bit more are possible, but only during a few weeks in total.

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Getting There

By Plane

Victoria International Airport (YYJ) offers flights to/from Seattle, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton, San Francisco and even seasonal flights south to Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Honolulu, Las Vegas and Phoenix.

By Train

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

There are several ferries operating between Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia and between Vancouver Island and Washington State in the USA:

Coho Ferry: Port Angeles, Washington - Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria Express: Port Angeles - Victoria and San Juan Islands - Victoria
Victoria Clipper: Seattle - Victoria
BC Ferries operates between Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia.

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Getting Around

By Plane

There are flights between Victoria and places like Nanaimo, Comox and a few others towns on the island.

By Train

The Malahat is operated by ViaRail and travels between Victoria and Courtenay, stopping en route in half a dozen places like Nanaimo.

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

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Eat

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Drink

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Sleep

Property	Address	Type	Popularity
Malahat Bungalows & Rooms	300 Trans Canada Highway Victoria	Guesthouse	67
Shantz Haus Hostel	520 5th Street Courtenay	Hostel	85
Sun Lotus Art House	5070 Culverton Rd. Duncan	Guesthouse	-
Mt H'Kusam View Lodge	1165 Salmon River Main	Hostel	82
Castaway Motel Nanaimo	205 Terminal Ave. N. Nanaimo	Hotel	-
Riding Fool Hostel	2705 Dunsmuir Ave, Cumberland BC Comox Valley	HOSTEL	82