Eco-Adventures

Vancouver Island’s Specials Places offer unique eco-adventures for the leisure traveler and corporate retreats or events. Our "Special Places" partner "WildPlay Element Parks", with locations in Nanaimo and Victoria, offer exciting treetop challenge courses; bungy jumping and canyon zip lining. Whale watching is found at many Vancouver Island destinations including many of our "Special Places" member resorts. Guided kayaking, salmon and halibut fishing adventures, and hiking trails are also commonly found at or near our "Special Places" and elsewhere.

Food & Wine

Much of Vancouver Island is dotted with picturesque family run wineries and organic farms. You can easily spend a day or two ambling through the countryside, sampling everything from blackberry port to pinot noir. Artisan cheese makers, bakeries, brewpubs, cideries are all here – and they are in good company with many of our "Special Places" resorts and hotels, who serve the freshest west coast cuisine, often featuring local ingredients.

Art & Culture

From First Nations art and cultural activities to the world-renowned Royal BC Museum in Victoria, Vancouver Island has a very rich art, live music and cultural scene. There are many types of festivals up and down Vancouver Island that take place throughout the year – folk festivals, jazz festivals, art exhibitions and signature events such as the annual outdoor Symphony Splash in Victoria, bathtub boat races in Nanaimo or international Swiftsure sailing race.

Sports

With such a mild climate, Vancouver Island is a haven for sport and fitness enthusiasts. Running is very big on the Island and the annual Royal Victoria Marathon is a major event. Bicycle trails are plentiful on Vancouver Island, and spectacular championship golf courses are literally found all over the Island, and are open 365 days per year. Being an Island, water sports and boating are world class. Some of our "Special Places" member resorts feature their own private marinas where visiting yachts and sailboats are welcomed. There are many chains of smaller Islands surrounding the east coast of Vancouver Island, where waters are protected and where it is not unusual to find secluded coves for swimming and peaceful enjoyment of nature.

Relaxation & Spa

Vancouver Island is one of the leading spa destinations in North America and many of our "Specials Places" members are the reason why – as they offer world class spa facilities in absolutely spectacular surroundings. Yoga programs are very popular and easy to find on Vancouver Island and of course, our natural world offers many opportunities for simply taking in nature, beaches, bird watching and photography. Vancouver Island is a place that is naturally unhurried and peaceful.