About Vacation Rentals in Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island in British Columbia has a rugged coastline along the Pacific Ocean in the West, sunny beaches along the Strait of Georgia in the east, and snow-capped mountains in the interior. Vancouver Island also has a distinct Victorian atmosphere. Vancouver Island is also home to the capital of British Columbia, Victoria.

Drive north from Victoria to Malahat and serve your senses with spectacular views over the Saanich Peninsula to the Gulf Islands. The mountain drive begins at Goldstream Park, home of the salmon spawning run each fall. The waterfront town of Mill Bay is at the north end of Malahat Drive, and is the gateway to the vineyards and cideries of the Cowichan Valley, notably the cherry point vineyards, blue grouse, and vigneti zanatta . Just a few miles west of Mill Valley is Shawnigan Lake, a popular getaway for sunbathing, boating, canoing, kayaking, fishing, picnicking, and bird watching.

Head west from Parksville through majestic mountain scenery to the Pacific Rim National Park, located on Vancouver Island's west coast. The breathtaking coastline attracts more than a million visitors a year. Three units comprise the park. The Long Beach Unit, between Tofino and Ucluelet, is the most visited part of the park. Fishing and sea kayaking are popular activities along the scenic, broad sandy beach. Farther south is the Broken Islands, made up of over one hundred  small islands and islets in Barkley Sound. The best way to visit the archipelago is aboard the MV Lady Rose. The West Coast Trail Unit, on the south side of Barkley Sound, is named for it's famous 48-mile-long hiking trail compete with rocky beaches,rough and muddy terrains, and rainforest.

Nanaimo, about 70 miles north of Victoria, is a major mainland-to-island ferry terminus to the eastern shore of Vancouver Island. Parksville and Qualicum Beach are popular family-oriented beach resorts along the eastern shore. Cave exploration is located near Qualicum Beach at Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park. Vacationers staying in Canada Vacation Rentals can check out Fairmont Hot Springs and the Gulf Islands as well, in British Columbia.