Pages

If you require more information about travel in the Vancouver Island Region, we encourage you to connect with the Community Visitor Centres throughout the region.

Marine Mammal Viewing Best Practices

2025 For the Whales campaign – A collaborative effort between 4TVI (Tourism Vancouver Island), North Island Marine Mammal Stewardship Association (NIMMSA), and Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA), to champion best practices in marine ecotourism. These three ecotourism leadership organizations are emphasizing marine mammal viewing stewardship activities like Sentinel Actions and the Whale Warning Flag to raise awareness about responsible marine mammal viewing and reinforce why the Vancouver Island Region is one of the top places to experience whale watching in the world. 

An incredible destination surrounded by the Pacific Ocean on all sides, Vancouver Island is the ocean. The ocean inspires our everyday. Regardless of why you choose to visit Vancouver Island, you pass through the ocean to get here. On the ferry, you travel across the water. On a plane, you get to witness the awe-inspiring view of the Pacific from above. Here on Vancouver Island, we live and breathe the ocean.

With vibrant emerald rainforests, formidable mountain ranges, and an ocean coastline that ranges from sandy beach to rugged walls of stone, Vancouver Island’s natural riches and resources have been attracting visitors from the time the Europeans first arrived to trade with Indigenous peoples. A more modern cultural environment has brought a new wave of explorers in search of inventive locally-sourced cuisine, rich First Nations culture, and intriguing artwork.

Visitor Information Centres are great resources whether you’re planning your trip or already exploring. Friendly local staff can provide maps, brochures, tips on things to do and see, and help you make the most of your visit.

Vancouver Island is a 460km (285 mile) island paradise located in the Pacific Ocean, about 97km (60 miles) west of Vancouver, and 117km (73 miles) north of Seattle. Explore the thousands of kilometers of roads and highways on the Island, between Port Hardy in the north and Victoria in the south, and Tofino to the west and Campbell River to the east.

Fill your days on Vancouver Island with adventure, relaxation, and new experiences. From outdoor activities to wildlife viewing and cultural exploration to festivals – the Vancouver Island region boasts so much to see and do!

As you start to plan your trip, get the information you need to reduce your impact on the environment, stay safe, and plan your trip responsibly.

Plan your trip to Vancouver Island by using the resources below. Vancouver Island is home to dozens of vibrant communities, each offering unique experiences for every type of traveller.