Close Icon
Gear IconImportant Reminder:The City Guide app will be sunsetting on December 15, 2024, with the web version to follow in early 2025. Please visit our FAQ to learn more or to download our Swarm app.
Learn more
Vancouver Island
Market Square is one of Vancouver Island.

1. Market Square

7.5
566 Johnson St. (at Store St.), Victoria, BC
Plaza · Downtown Victoria · 11 tips and reviews
Interactivity Board Game Cafe is one of Vancouver Island.

2. Interactivity Board Game Cafe

8.8
723 Yates St (btwn Douglas & Blanshard St), Victoria, BC
Gaming Cafe · Downtown Victoria · 10 tips and reviews
Munro's Books is one of Vancouver Island.

3. Munro's Books

8.8
1108 Government St (btwn Bastion Sq. & Fort St.), Victoria, BC
Bookstore · Downtown Victoria · 15 tips and reviews
The Wickaninnish Inn is one of Vancouver Island.

4. The Wickaninnish Inn

8.7
500 Osprey Lane (at Chesterman Beach), Tofino, BC
Hotel · 12 tips and reviews
Old House Village Hotel + Spa is one of Vancouver Island.

5. Old House Village Hotel + Spa

7.8
1730 Riverside Lane, Courtney, BC
Hotel · 1 tip
Tofino Botanical Gardens is one of Vancouver Island.

6. Tofino Botanical Gardens

6.2
1084 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino, BC
Garden · 2 tips and reviews
Elk Falls Suspension Bridge is one of Vancouver Island.

7. Elk Falls Suspension Bridge

Campbell River, BC
Bridge · No tips or reviews
Russell Books is one of Vancouver Island.

8. Russell Books

8.9
100-747 Fort St (btwn Douglas & Blanshard St), Victoria, BC
Bookstore · Downtown Victoria · 11 tips and reviews

Neil B.Neil Bruder: A must see if you’re in Victoria. They have a massive selection over 3 floors plus super helpful and friendly staff.

9. Inner Harbour Causeway

720 Government St. (btwn Wharf & Belleville St), Victoria, BC
Harbor or Marina · Downtown Victoria · 8 tips and reviews

Marcie C.Marcie Callewaert: Great place to go for a stroll and have a chat with a friend, or as a fun mini date. check out the summer vendors-especially the spray can men!

10. Butchart Gardens

9.0
800 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood Bay, BC
Botanical Garden · 90 tips and reviews

Bob V.Bob Vega: Most amazing, beautiful landscaping we have ever seen.

Wild Pacific Trail is one of Vancouver Island.

11. Wild Pacific Trail

8.9
Wild Pacific Trail (at Peninsula Rd), Ucluelet, BC
Hiking Trail · 7 tips and reviews

Jenna A.Jenna Anderson: Do at least part of the trail when in Ukee. Beautiful scenery and breathtaking views are not to be missed.

12. Pacific Rim National Park

8.8
Hwy 4 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino/Ucluelet, BC
National Park · 9 tips and reviews

Roy C.Roy Charles: Cathedral Grove on the way is worth the trip in itself. When you get to the coast the water is so cold and the sand is so hot it steams. See seals frolic and hike in rain forest splendor.

13. Cathedral Grove

8.9
MacMillan Provincial Park, Bowser, BC
Park · 14 tips and reviews

ChristianChristian: Beautiful, accessible trails through old growth, temperate rainforest. Informative plaques. Lots of tourists.

Comox Valley Farmers' Market (April - October) is one of Vancouver Island.

14. Comox Valley Farmers' Market (April - October)

7.4
4860 Headquarters Rd., Courtenay, BC
Flea Market · 4 tips and reviews
Rainforest Trail is one of Vancouver Island.

15. Rainforest Trail

8.0
Pacific Rim Hwy (in Pacific Rim National Park), Tofino, BC
Hiking Trail · 4 tips and reviews
Canyon View Trail is one of Vancouver Island.

16. Canyon View Trail

Campbell River, BC
Hiking Trail · 1 tip

17. British Columbia Parliament Buildings

501 Belleville St (btwn Government St & Menzies St), Victoria, BC
Capitol Building · James Bay · 29 tips and reviews

Bret H.Bret Herrick: Beautiful building, especially at night when it is all lit up :D

Victoria Bug Zoo is one of Vancouver Island.

18. Victoria Bug Zoo

7.7
631 Courtney St, British Columbia
Exhibit · Downtown Victoria · 11 tips and reviews

19. Telegraph Cove Marina

Telegraph Cove, BC
Harbor or Marina · 2 tips and reviews

Tammy M.Tammy M: Fantastic whale watching!! Worth the drive, and every penny!

20. Port McNeill Harbor

Port McNeill, BC
Harbor or Marina · 1 tip

Nico P.Nico Pitney: Said to be among the best two spots for whale watching on the island

Tanners Books is one of Vancouver Island.

21. Tanners Books

2436 Beacon Ave (at Fourth St), Sidney, BC
Bookstore · 3 tips and reviews

22. Sooke Potholes Regional Park

7.2
Sooke River Rd, Sooke, BC
State or Provincial Park · 3 tips and reviews

Nico P.Nico Pitney: 'Fav summer hangout for locals. Rock pools & potholes carved into the river from last ice age, it's ideal for swimming and tube floating. Camping avail.'

Coombs Country Market is one of Vancouver Island.

23. Coombs Country Market

8.4
2326 Alberni Highway, Coombs, BC
Farmers Market · 27 tips and reviews
Juan De Fuca Provincial Park is one of Vancouver Island.

24. Juan De Fuca Provincial Park

British Columbia
State or Provincial Park · 1 tip

25. Harbour Quay

5440 Argyle St, Port Alberni, BC
Harbor or Marina · 8 tips and reviews

Nico P.Nico Pitney: 'Port Alberni's downtown is on the waterfront, a few walkable blocks, and Mt. Arrowsmith hovers over it. Nice town for a brief stop.'

26. North Chesterman Beach

8.7
Lynn Rd, Tofino, BC
Beach · 8 tips and reviews

Nico P.Nico Pitney: 'Classic beach. Wickannish Inn on one end, scenic bluffs on the other. In the middle, tidepools and a sandspit emerges at low tide, letting you walk 10m to quaint Frank Island.'

27. Crystal Cove Beach Resort Tofino

8.1
1165 Cedarwood Place, Tofino, BC
Resort · 2 tips and reviews

Nico P.Nico Pitney: "For a truly special experience, small fires are allowed on Mackenzie Beach away from the cabins and below the high tide line"

Coombs Country Candy is one of Vancouver Island.

28. Coombs Country Candy

7.1
2101 Old Nanaimo Hwy, Port Alberni, BC
Candy Store · 2 tips and reviews

29. Coombs Country Market

8.4
2326 Alberni Highway, Coombs, BC
Farmers Market · 27 tips and reviews

Wendy W.Wendy Wind: Yep, goats really are on the roof! Even though it is real foggy, the stores are lots of people. Folks are even strolling down the trails eating ice cream cones......we opted for fish and chips

30. Ucluelet Aquarium

7.6
180 Main St (at Cedar Rd), Ucluelet, BC
Aquarium · 5 tips and reviews

Alana A.Alana Arentsen: The Ucluelet Aquarium is SO MUCH FUN! It's the only catch and release aquarium in North America. Very minimal fees to get inside. New building opening in Spring. Closed for winter. Go! It's great!

Wildside Grill is one of Vancouver Island.

31. Wildside Grill

8.2
1180 Pacific Rim Hwy (at Live to Surf), Tofino, BC
Restaurant · 14 tips and reviews

JodiJodi: The fish tacos were the best I've ever had. I had fish grilled not tempura battered. 3 tacos for a very good price. You must try this place!

32. Common Loaf Bakery

7.8
180 1 St (at Neill St), Tofino, BC
Bakery · 20 tips and reviews

ElizabethElizabeth: Everything. Especially the vibe and the history!

Tacofino is one of Vancouver Island.

33. Tacofino

8.7
1184 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino, BC
Taco Restaurant · 35 tips and reviews

Holger L.Holger Lüdorf: This place is the bomb for tacos and burritos with an Asian twist. The first tacos are out of control. Get one of the fresh juices to go with it.

Lighthouse Loop is one of Vancouver Island.

34. Lighthouse Loop

8.7
Wild Pacific Trail (at Coast Guard Rd), Ucluelet, BC
Scenic Lookout · 5 tips and reviews

Jenna A.Jenna Anderson: Spend 45 mins to an hour walking the loop and catch some breathtaking scenery along the way.

Lighthouse Loop is one of Vancouver Island.

35. Lighthouse Loop

8.7
Wild Pacific Trail (at Coast Guard Rd), Ucluelet, BC
Scenic Lookout · 5 tips and reviews

JoelJoel: Outstanding walk! Be sure to get off the path by the lighthouse and see the waves. Plus the bog is super cool with some learning.

36. South Chesterman Beach

8.5
Chesterman Beach Rd, Tofino, BC
Surf Spot · 5 tips and reviews

Nico P.Nico Pitney: 'Go at low tide and wander amongst the rocks to see a magnificent view of under the sea. Both North Chesterman and South Chesterman have different things to explore.'

Royal British Columbia Museum is one of Vancouver Island.

37. Royal British Columbia Museum

8.8
675 Belleville St (at Government St), Victoria, BC
History Museum · James Bay · 47 tips and reviews

38. Ogden Point Breakwater

9.1
Dallas Rd. (at Dock St), Victoria, BC
Lighthouse · James Bay · 18 tips and reviews

RTWgirl A.RTWgirl Arnette: This place is definitely worth a visit and walk down to the lighthouse. You can see the Olympic peninsula of Washington from here

39. Long Beach

8.8
Pacific Rim Hwy (Pacific Rim National Park), Tofino, BC
Beach · 10 tips and reviews

RhydenRhyden: A little rough if you have kids with you but wicked for some fun surfing & relaxing on the beach. I recommend walking all the way east to the end of the beach where you can walk to the islands!

40. Parksville Beach

9.0
Corfield St N, Parksville, BC
Beach · 8 tips and reviews

Nico P.Nico Pitney: "A great sandy big beach, a big kids playground and water park plus lots of grassy areas, tennis courts, food trucks, beach volleyball and in July and August there are Sand Sculptures to view."

41. Little Qualicum Cheeseworks

7.7
403 Lowrys Rd, Parksville, BC
Farm · 5 tips and reviews

Nico P.Nico Pitney: "Self-guided tour (don’t miss the yellow laminated map). Fascinating to learn about milking process, see everything in real time. The property is beautiful and the cheeses are ah-mazing. Sample them!"

Beacon Hill Park is one of Vancouver Island.

42. Beacon Hill Park

9.2
Douglas St. (at Circle Dr.), Victoria, BC
Park · Fairfield · 20 tips and reviews

RTWgirl A.RTWgirl Arnette: Get a bike rental of you're an out of towner and cycle through here. It's awesome @victoriavisitor #yyj

43. Macmillan Provincial Park

8.4
Dunsmuir, BC
State or Provincial Park · 3 tips and reviews

ChristianChristian: 1. Stop here - 2. Do both walks

Victoria Butterfly Gardens is one of Vancouver Island.

44. Victoria Butterfly Gardens

7.5
1461 Benvenuto Avenue, Brentwood Bay, BC
Garden · 9 tips and reviews

AliaAlia: Amazing place you have to visit 👍👍👍 need 45 min maximum take a great pic with the butterfly 🦋

45. Little Qualicum Falls

8.1
Park · 4 tips and reviews

Nico P.Nico Pitney: "Nice easy short walk to the falls! Only about 5 minutes to get down. The falls are beautiful and so is the surrounding wilderness, if you are near here it's worth it."

Miniature World is one of Vancouver Island.

46. Miniature World

7.7
649 Humboldt St., Victoria, BC
Museum · Downtown Victoria · 6 tips and reviews
Tacofino is one of Vancouver Island.

47. Tacofino

787 Fort Street (Blanshard Street), Victoria, BC
Taco Restaurant · Downtown Victoria · 22 tips and reviews

48. Kin Beach Park

Park · 3 tips and reviews

Nico P.Nico Pitney: "It's cute, quiet, scenic views, very clean, you can hear some sea lions in the bay, watch eagles. Nice playground for children, lots of space for bbq with picnic tables."

49. Filberg Heritage Lodge & Park

7.9
61 Filberg Rd, Comox, BC
Park · 3 tips and reviews

Nico P.Nico Pitney: "A gem of Vancouver Island Heritage; Filberg Park is nine acres of breathtakingly landscaped waterfront green space, gardens and heritage buildings"

50. Highway 19A

Highway 19A
Road · No tips or reviews

Nico P.Nico Pitney: "If waterfalls and whale watching take your fancy, don’t miss driving further up Highway 19 to Campbell River. The beautiful coastal views on the slower Highway 19A is well worth the trip alone."