North Island
Vancouver Island Culture
Vancouver Island embraces the unique cultures and communities that have come together to call this region home; different histories and societies that have transformed the region into a world-famous, multi-cultural destination.
Visit a castle or two in Victoria. Ride a steam train and learn about the Island’s forest industry in Duncan. Explore maritime history in Port Alberni. Watch the canoe races and enjoy a salmon barbeque in Alert Bay, then visit the world’s largest totem pole. Learn about the Finnish history of Sointula. Enjoy a seafood brunch in Parksville, afternoon tea in downtown Victoria, a smoked salmon treat from Port Hardy, or a bowl of borscht in Nanaimo. Culture adds flavour to every community.
And food is only part of the culture of the Island. You’ll find live theatre, music, and performances in many of the local communities, honouring their history and showcasing local talent.
The hearts and souls of Vancouver Island are waiting to meet you.
Duncan is small, in a Big way. Just a few hundred metres off the Highway (about 60 kilometres north of Victoria) you'll find 300 shops and services in a few beautiful walkable blocks - although Visitors seem to remember the 40 world renowned totem poles. Within minutes of downtown are…
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Sunrise Ridge Waterfront Resort
Sunrise Ridge Waterfront Resort is the perfect place to start your Vancouver Island vacation. Located just 37 km north of Nanaimo, our Resort is situated on 10.2 beautiful acres of property with peaceful surroundings and incredible landscapes. A short walk will take you to the endless beaches that Parksville is…
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The Robert Bateman Centre, showcases over 80 works of Robert Bateman spanning his seven decades as one of Canada’s premier wildlife artists. Located in Victoria's inner harbour within the historic Steamship Terminal, the Centre houses a gallery and gift shop, and hosts a rotation of exhibits and a full schedule of educational…
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IMAX® Victoria features state-of-the-art IMAX 4K Laser projection technology to fill the Biggest Screen in BC coupled with an immersive 12-channel sound system – Bigger is really just the beginning! Through the power of IMAX®: Explore remote locations around the world. Experience the weightlessness of space. Dive into the undersea world…
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Harbour Air Seaplanes
Harbour Air Seaplanes offers fast, frequent flights between BC’s most popular coastal destinations 364 days a year. Fly between downtown Vancouver, South Vancouver (YVR), Pitt Meadows and Victoria, Nanaimo, Maple Bay, Comox, Salt Spring Island, the Sunshine Coast, and Whistler. Scenic tours show off our waterfront cities, majestic mountain ranges…
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Built by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir during the reign of Queen Victoria and now a National Historic Site, Craigdarroch Castle has been meticulously restored, giving visitors a glimpse of privileged life in the 1890s. The Castle weaves a fascinating tale of an intriguing family – their achievements, their relationships and…
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Milner Gardens and Woodland
Vancouver Island University’s Milner Gardens and Woodland is a magical seaside retreat once reserved for royalty. Sheltered by an old-growth forest and the Strait of Georgia, this one-of-a kind woodland estate rejuvenates the soul with its gardens and magnificent coastal views.Enjoy a leisurely pot of tea while taking in the…
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I-Hos Gallery presents a collection of traditional and contemporary Northwest Coast artwork, including masks, prints, gold and silver jewelry, wood carvings and more produced by First Nations artists.Our culture is expressed through our art. We are located between Courtenay and Comox on Vancouver Island, on the site of the original…
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The Beach Club Resort hotel is located on the site of the historic Island Hall Resort and features the most luxurious hotel rooms in Parksville, on Vancouver Island’s east coast. Guest suites offer private balconies, spectacular ocean and mountain views, thoughtful amenities, and feature beautifully appointed West Coast décor. The hotel’s…
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Departing from Telegraph Cove, combine cultural discoveries with world-class wildlife viewing on a zodiac adventure into the heart of First Nations’ territory of the Kwakwaka’wakw: Vancouver Island North. Share our love of the local landscape and learn more about our 13000+ year old history! Our adventure begins in Alert Bay…
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Shelter Point Distillery
Paradise isn"t necessarily a geographical requirement for making great spirits, but we managed to find it — at Shelter Point, on the eastern shores of Vancouver Island. Come savour our hand crafted Whisky and Vodka.
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In the heart of Comox Valley, 40 Knots Vineyard and Estate Winery crafts wines distinctly shaped by wind and sea on a sun soaked glacier till vineyard. Established 2005, Brenda and Layne Craig steward environmentally ethical farming practices and traditional wine making methods under direction of a Master Wine…
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Tour, Taste and Lounge in BC’s only waterfront distillery in charming Sidney-by-the-Sea. Take in all aspects of production during tour and tastings. Visitors are guided through the entire distillation process and around two gleaming copper pot stills for an intimate look into one of BC’s finest artisan distilleries.…
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Comox Valley Arts
The Comox Valley Community Arts Council works to: * facilitate, support and promote arts and culture in our community * actively engage and educate about the value of arts and culture in our daily lives, and for creating the world in which we want to live * promote the Comox Valley…
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Set among the stately trees and gardens of the Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park in Comox, the Filberg Festival is truly a unique event. Wander through the grounds surrounded by beautiful gardens, rustic out-buildings and magnificent views of Comox Harbour and the Beaufort Mountain Range.The Festival has established a world-wide…
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Monk is a West Coast Canadian artist. The subject matter for the art comes primarily from beautiful Vancouver Island coastlines, and spectacular old growth forests of Cathedral Grove. MONK invites the public to join in painting on a new original painting. They add brush strokes, and sign the back as…
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Howard Johnson Harbourside Hotel Nanaimo
Welcome to our eco-friendly Howard Johnson Hotel Nanaimo Harbourside centrally located in downtown Nanaimo and across the street from the inner harbour and Seawall. We provide clean and accommodating guest rooms and easy access to the area’s top attractions and close proximity to ferry terminals. Free parking, Free Wi-Fi…
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Imagine a getaway with miles of beach, boutique shops, art galleries, tasty food and wine, bakeries and coffee shops to linger in, a charming hotel and an inn all within a few kilometres. Lots of cool, relaxed things to do with family and friends within easy walking distance. Beautiful, Oak…
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The Quality Foods Canadian Open Sand Sculpting Competition and Exhibition is a world class event for Master Sand Sculptors and is an official qualifying event for the World Championship of Sand Sculpting! Master Sand Sculptors travel from all corners of the globe to participate in our remarkable competition and exhibition…
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Explore the unique bookshops of Sidney Booktown, all within easy walking distance, and discover literary treasures new and old. Enjoy a great selection of new and second-hand titles while visiting our beautiful seaside town. Sidney also offers a wide variety of boutique shops, restaurants, and beautiful scenery, making…
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See all of British Columbia at the Royal BC Museum, a world-class museum of natural and human history. Explore our permanent galleries and immerse yourself in tales of where we've been and where we are going. Discover things and people you never knew before at what TripAdvisor users have twice…
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Discover fresh interpretive exhibits reflecting the lifestyles of Nanaimo, the Harbour City. We offer family programs & various tours, seasonal feature exhibits and a unique gift shop. The museum also manages the Bastion, an original HBC post built in 1853. Cannon firings daily at noon each summer!
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Spirits of the West Coast Native Art Gallery
Explore the largest variety of authentic Native Art and Jewelry in this area. Enjoy beautiful Totem Poles, Silver and Gold Jewelry, Masks, Prints, Paddles, Argillite and other Carvings. Find beautiful and affordable gifts or one-of-a-kind Masterpieces. Open Monday to Saturday 10 am - 5 pm.
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