Top Things to do in Vancouver Island
Things to do in Vancouver Island, Canada: The Best Nature & Wildlife Areas
Discover the best top things to do in Vancouver Island, Canada including Race Rocks, Helliwell Provincial Park, Aylard Farm, East Sooke Regional Park, Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary, Juan de Fuca Provincial Park, Witty's Lagoon Regional Park, Botanical Beach Provincial Park, Victoria Butterfly Gardens, Maquinna Provincial Marine Park.
Restaurants in Vancouver Island
1. Race Rocks
2. Helliwell Provincial Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 137 reviews
Reviewed By skychaserCalgary - Calgary, Canada
Walking through a forest of douglas fir and cedar one comes to the trail that takes you along the shoreline...very beautiful views
3. Aylard Farm
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By pandbmcmillan5 - Vernon, Canada
Beautiful sandy beach ~ great for taking a dip! KIDS LOVED IT! Short walk through field/orchard area!
4. East Sooke Regional Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 269 reviews
Reviewed By loreng518 - Victoria, Canada
Lots of trails here and they are now pretty well marked but also be certain you know the way - how to get in and out! Easy 45 minute walks to 5+ hours of moderate to strenuous hiking over rocky terrain and along the ocean with lots of ups and downs and hills to scramble! Exquisite ocean views and charming spots to picnic or take a break; it's so worth the hike. Lots of friendly people and their dogs along the way; also be prepared to step aside for trail runners! Also breathtaking views along East Sooke Road if you just want to drive.
5. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By gulfcoastbreezes - St. Petersburg, United States
Visited here in February 2020. Walk was beautiful and there were a lot of birds. Nature center was interesting and volunteers were helpful and informative. Amazing to be surrounded by the city but feel like you were out in the country.
6. Juan de Fuca Provincial Park
7. Witty's Lagoon Regional Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 95 reviews
Nature reserve with a long stretch of rocky shoreline, perfect for birdwatching and strolling.
Reviewed By Raroboy - Canada, null
First stop was the Parking lot for the Tower Viewpoint: Over some green space with lots of flowers and then it went up towards the viewpoint: with amazing views as well as some huge Garry oaks – this is such a beautiful part of the Shoreline: then we hear some funny noise – and see there on the island in front of us are a lot of seals!! From here we walked along the outside on a teeny tiny path over branches and along the bluffs all the way down to the sand: at the moment it is low tide so there is a lot of sand – you could walk endlessly – it is kind of super cool. We admired and walked along the shoreline until we came to some “natural” stone steps and went back up and back to the motorhome.
8. Botanical Beach Provincial Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 304 reviews
Reviewed By JacqBeNimble - Vancouver, Canada
5 min drive from Port Renfrew and you're at the parking lot for this park. Take the 2.7 km loop to the right to Botany Bay first and then follow along the trail SE to Botanical Beach. Both places will not disappoint. At Botanical Beach you'll find lovely tidal pools full of lovely sea creatures (sea anemones, chiton, etc.). It will make you love the natural world even more than you already do. Please go and tell the world!
9. Victoria Butterfly Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,075 reviews
A Vibrant Jungle Experience. A unique opportunity to experience the beauty and curiosity of a tropical jungle up close. Meet our family with surprises at every turn. You’ll encounter tortoises, large iguanas, poison dart frogs, free flying tropical birds and more. Enjoy tropical fish, ducks, flamingos and koi fish in our serene pond and stream circulated by a stunning waterfall. Thousands of tropical butterflies (up to 70 species) fly through our large facilities the size of almost 3 basketball courts. Stroll through and marvel at our lush gardens including tropical flowers, carnivorous plants and fruits of the world. Wander in our newest Exhibit, the Insectarium, full of impressive insects & invertebrates from around the world. Your jungle adventure awaits.
Reviewed By caligirl0105 - California, United States
As you walk into the gift shop, you are welcome by the most amazing ant colony, at first it’s hard to identify what you are looking at, since it is such a captivating spectacle... then all of a sudden, it hits you and you are in awww to see the difference in body size that they are capable of carrying in such an organized manner. Nature has a way of surprising you... but that’s just the beginning... as you walked through the double doors, you will actually feel as if you are in the middle of a forest. The melodies of running creeks, birds, warmer and humid climate, butterflies from all sort of colors and sizes flying freely, turtles eating flowers and humans actually smiling.... it is such a beautiful and educational place. My sever year old loved every moment we were there, she was able to explore, ask questions, feed the turtles and take lots of pictures. She didn’t want to leave... but now it is something we are looking forward to going back to.
10. Maquinna Provincial Marine Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
This area where underground hot springs meet the ocean is very popular with boaters around Victoria Island.
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