Vacation Rentals & Apartments in Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island can be reached by boat or plane. If you’ll be coming from downtown Vancouver, just take the ferry from Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, which is open to cars as well as walk-on passengers. The island is served by Victoria International Airport, which offers regular domestic and international flights.

Car hire companies are available in Victoria, as well as in Vancouver city. If you plan to spend your entire trip in Victoria, having a car is not necessary since the city is completely walkable. However, if you’d like to explore more of the natural areas around the island, hiring a car will be necessary for getting around.

One of the best ways to experience Vancouver Island is from the water! You can rent stand-up-paddleboards or kayaks to explore the many bays and coastal nooks around the island. Several companies offer guided tours led by a professional who will take you on an adventure to hidden gems around the island. Hello Nature Adventure Sports is one of the best companies to book a tour with. Otherwise, you can rent water sports equipment in Victoria or other small towns to do it yourself!

Vancouver is a wonderful family-friendly vacation destination, with plenty of attractions for children and adults of all ages to enjoy together! Take in the beauty of British Columbia with a walk along the massive wooden Kinsol Trestle bridge, which is an old railway line. You can enjoy a pleasant hike along the well-marked path which stretches through forested areas and above a river.

The island is home to the capital city of British Columbia– Victoria. The city boasts an impressive array of attractions and sightseeing opportunities. Stroll around the stunning Inner Harbour to see the Neo-Baroque style buildings along the water. Visit the lush green Beacon Hill Park. Learn about the region’s history and the Indigenous peoples of British Columbia at Royal BC Museum.

The shoreline of the island boasts several postcard-worthy beaches. Spend the day with your toes in the golden sands of the stunning Chesterman Beach– the top-rated beach on the island. Or, stroll along the picturesque sandy shores of Long Beach, which is popular among surfers. China Beach is a quaint pebble beach lined with pine forests and stunning views of the coastline.

Tofino is a small seaside town on the western shore of the island. It is surrounded by old-growth forest and boasts pristine golden-sand beaches as far as the eye can see. It’s popular among surfers, and is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing sunny day.

The old-growth forests are one of Vancouver Island’s greatest treasures and best kept secrets. There are numerous small pockets around the island where the forests are found, some of which are home to massive trees over 1,000 years old! Head over to Eden Grove to see one of the oldest old-growth forests on the island. It’s full of Douglas fir and western red cedars, some of which are over 12 feet wide!

Pacific Rim National Park is a must-visit for any nature lovers in Vancouver Island. The massive park boasts an array of natural features including sandy beaches, tiny islands, temperate rainforests, and even archaeological sites. You can easily spend a whole day exploring the various well-marked trails and discovering the different gems around the park.