Winter
Winter on Vancouver Island is defined by a mild, rainy, and green climate, with average coastal temperatures ranging between 0℃ to 12℃. It is the wettest season, featuring lush landscapes, fewer crowds, and occasional, short-lived snow at lower elevations. While coastal areas see little snow, mountainous regions receive heavy snow for winter sports. Activities include storm watching on the west coast, hiking in rain-soaked forests, and skiing/snowboarding.
Breweries
Love Shack Libations
Love Shack Libations is a beloved Nano Brewery crafting award-winning beers in Qualicum Beach, BC. Visit our tasting room and experience our killer Kolsch, crafty cream ale, D.P.A., and precious porter!
Devils’ Bath Brewing Co.
Devils’ Bath Brewing Co. is a Vancouver Island Brewery and Restaurant located harbourside in Port McNeill, offering high-quality craft beers and tasty local creations in a warm, laid-back atmosphere.
Sooke Oceanside Brewery
Sooke Oceanside Brewery offers a variety of craft beers, including Sessions Seltzer, Bonfire Blonde Ale, Renfrew Red Ale, Stiff Jab Pale Ale, and Springboard IPA.
Mount Arrowsmith Brewing
Providing Mid-Vancouver Island with premium, locally handcrafted beers. Visit our cozy tasting room.
Fern + Cedar Brewing
Enjoy craft beers brewed on-site and a modern dining experience at Fern + Cedar in Qualicum Beach. A vibrant community hub with a focus on quality and local ingredients.
Spa & Wellness
Grotto Spa at Tigh-Na-Mara
Grotto Spa at Tigh-Na-Mara in Parksville, British Columbia, is one of the largest spas in the province, offering 21 treatment rooms, a nail care room with whirlpool foot spas, a full-service hair salon, and dining at the Treetop Tapas & Grill.
Kingfisher Pacific Resort & Spa
Located in a coastal forest on Vancouver Island, Kingfisher Pacific Resort & Spa offers stunning ocean and mountain views. Indulge in spa treatments inspired by the sea and enjoy exquisite West Coast cuisine at Ocean7 Restaurant.
The Parkside Hotel Spa
Discover the breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture of Vancouver Island. Plan your trip today!
Villa Eyrie Resort
Rated as having one of the best views in Canada, Villa Eyrie Resort offers a stunning location in British Columbia. Perched atop Malahat Mountain, it provides breathtaking views of Finlayson Arm, Olympic Mountains, and Mount Baker.
Clayoquot Wilderness Resort
Clayoquot Wilderness Resort offers unique stays in Tofino, British Columbia. Enjoy whale watching, bear watching, hiking, and spa & wellness services.
O.U.R. Ecovillage
O.U.R. Ecovillage, located in Shawnigan Lake, BC, offers a unique sustainable living experience. Featuring a spa & wellness center, it is an ideal retreat for eco-conscious travelers.
Shopping
Nanaimo Arts Council
Experience the 23rd Annual Nanaimo Artwalk, a self-guided tour featuring over 50 artists in 30 locations. Enjoy great art for sale and meet the talented artists.
Beyond the Usual
Beyond the Usual in Chemainus offers a distinctive shopping experience with surf and skate lifestyle apparel for all ages. Located in Mural Town Chemainus on Vancouver Island.
I-Hos Gallery
I-Hos Gallery, owned by K’ómoks First Nation, showcases traditional and contemporary Northwest Coast art and crafts. Explore masks, prints, jewelry, carvings, and more.
Island Clayworks
Explore the beautiful pottery work of Anita and Neil Lawrence at Island Clayworks. Their e-commerce site offers a user-friendly experience with shipping calculations and frequent updates.
Terrill Welch Gallery
Terrill Welch Gallery on Mayne Island offers a unique art experience connecting nature and humanity. Explore extraordinary landscapes through the eyes of talented artists.
Surfing
Long Beach Lodge Resort
Discover the Long Beach Lodge Resort on Cox Bay, offering breathtaking ocean views and award-winning cuisine sourced from local, sustainable ingredients. Enjoy a warm and inviting atmosphere in our Great Room and SandBar Bistro, perfect for a relaxing getaway or exciting adventure at the Surf Club Adventure Centre.
Sea Otter Lodge
Sea Otter Lodge is a hand-crafted coastal lodge located on a private 7-acre island in Kyuquot, British Columbia. Offering all-inclusive kayak fishing holidays and customizable wilderness experiences, it's the perfect destination for adventurers seeking genuine hospitality and luxury in the wild.
Valhalla Pure Outfitters
Valhalla Pure Outfitters in Courtenay offers a wide range of outdoor gear including hiking, kayaking, skiing, and more. They carry top brands like Arc'teryx, Salomon, and more.
Stormwatching
Bostrom’s Bed & Breakfast
Oceanfront B&B offering amazing amenities like hot tub, sauna, fire pit, games room, and gourmet breakfasts. Enjoy stunning ocean views and outdoor activities.
Wickaninnish Inn
The Wickaninnish Inn offers magnificent views of the open ocean against old-growth forest. Services include wildlife viewing, fishing, ocean sports, and cultural experiences.
Wild Pacific Trail Society
Explore the stunning 9km+ trail in Ucluelet, BC, with ocean views and ancient rainforest. Wheelchair accessible at Lighthouse Loop.
Crystal Cove Beach Resort
Nestled in Tofino, Crystal Cove Beach Resort offers genuine log cabins with stunning views, hot tubs, and more. Stay in comfort or camp in style at our RV park. Family and pet-friendly near MacKenzie Beach.
Long Beach Lodge Resort
Discover the Long Beach Lodge Resort on Cox Bay, offering breathtaking ocean views and award-winning cuisine sourced from local, sustainable ingredients. Enjoy a warm and inviting atmosphere in our Great Room and SandBar Bistro, perfect for a relaxing getaway or exciting adventure at the Surf Club Adventure Centre.
Valhalla Pure Outfitters
Valhalla Pure Outfitters in Courtenay offers a wide range of outdoor gear including hiking, kayaking, skiing, and more. They carry top brands like Arc'teryx, Salomon, and more.
Ski & Snowshoe
Mount Washington Alpine Resort
Located in the Comox Valley, this resort offers skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, biking, and unique stays. Escape to higher elevations for a thrilling adventure.
Valhalla Pure Outfitters
Valhalla Pure Outfitters in Courtenay offers a wide range of outdoor gear including hiking, kayaking, skiing, and more. They carry top brands like Arc'teryx, Salomon, and more.
Indigenous Experiences
Kiixin Tours
Kiixin Tours offers a culturally guided 4-hour hike to Kiix̣in National Historic Site, a 5000+ year-old village of Huu-ay-aht First Nations on Vancouver Island's west coast.
Outer Shores Lodge
Outer Shores Lodge offers all-inclusive experiences with Outer Shores Expeditions for escape, relaxation, education, and connection. Enjoy a remarkable stay in Bamfield, BC.
Cluxewe Resort
Cluxewe Resort offers waterfront cottages, RV sites, and tent camping on ancestral Kwakiutl land. Enjoy nature and history in a peaceful setting.
I-Hos Gallery
I-Hos Gallery, owned by K’ómoks First Nation, showcases traditional and contemporary Northwest Coast art and crafts. Explore masks, prints, jewelry, carvings, and more.
Roy Henry Vickers Gallery
Discover the legacy of Roy Henry Vickers, showcasing Limited Edition Prints and Original Paintings in Tofino, BC.
Best Western Tin Wis Resort Lodge
Tin Wis Resort Lodge in Tofino, Vancouver Island, offers exclusive oceanfront access on Mackenzie Beach. Enjoy a hospitality pioneer's care in a serene West Coast setting.
Culture & History
Sooke Region Museum & Visitor Centre
Community museum and visitor centre showcasing the human and natural heritage of the Sooke region. Explore exhibits and programs, including a summer night market.
Roy Henry Vickers Gallery
Discover the legacy of Roy Henry Vickers, showcasing Limited Edition Prints and Original Paintings in Tofino, BC.
Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours
Homalco Tours offers fully guided tours around the Discovery Islands and Bute Inlet, showcasing North America’s wildlife. Enjoy whale watching, bear excursions, and cultural experiences.
Janet Strayer Art
Janet Strayer Art showcases original contemporary paintings and mixed-media artworks in Abstract and Imaginatively Realistic styles. Explore her engaging art suitable for various moods and decors.
Salt Spring Arts Council
Salt Spring Arts Council fosters community vitality through the Arts on Salt Spring Island. Discover a variety of arts and cultural opportunities, including the Summer Outdoor Concert Series, Artcraft - BC's longest-running fine art and craft shop, workshops, kids camps, and artist talks.
Restaurants
Villa Eyrie Resort
Rated as having one of the best views in Canada, Villa Eyrie Resort offers a stunning location in British Columbia. Perched atop Malahat Mountain, it provides breathtaking views of Finlayson Arm, Olympic Mountains, and Mount Baker.
Telegraph Cove Resort
Discover one of the best kept secrets on Northern Vancouver Island. The small, historic village of Telegraph Cove Resort is the center for world-class eco-tourism activities and marine adventures, including kayaking, whale watching, grizzly bear and wildlife viewing, and sport fishing.
Long Beach Lodge Resort
Discover the Long Beach Lodge Resort on Cox Bay, offering breathtaking ocean views and award-winning cuisine sourced from local, sustainable ingredients. Enjoy a warm and inviting atmosphere in our Great Room and SandBar Bistro, perfect for a relaxing getaway or exciting adventure at the Surf Club Adventure Centre.
Off The Eaten Track
Off The Eaten Track is the original Victoria food tour company, offering unique guided tours showcasing the best local flavors. Enjoy walking tours with stories, history, and exclusive discounts.
Galiano Oceanfront Inn Spa
Galiano Oceanfront Inn & Spa is an intimate boutique hotel with spa, restaurant, and wood-fired pizza patio.
Brown’s Bay Resort & Marina
Discover the beauty of Brown’s Bay Resort & Marina, located just North of the Seymour Narrows in Campbell River, BC. Immerse yourself in nature, enjoy breathtaking ocean views, and witness marine wildlife in their natural habitat.
Spirits & Distilleries
Ampersand Distilling Co.
Explore the family-founded craft distillery in the Cowichan Valley, offering a range of spirits and merchandise.
Arbutus Distillery
Craft distillery in Nanaimo, B.C., producing unique, flavour-forward spirits and cocktails. Visit the Tasting Lounge for tastings, bottle sales, and weekend cocktail service.
Victoria Distillers
Victoria Distillers in Sidney, BC, crafts top-quality handmade spirits, including award-winning gins. Retail space open for tastings.
Stillhead Distillery
Stillhead Distillery handcrafts small batch whiskies, gins, vodkas, and brandies, respecting tradition while experimenting with unique cask finishes.
Wineries
Zanatta Estate Winery
Discover Zanatta Estate Winery, nestled in the scenic Cowichan Valley, offering artisanal wines and a rich family legacy. Closed for the season, reopening in 2026.
Vivezza Vineyard
A family-owned boutique winery on Salt Spring Island, crafting exceptional wines from unique grape varieties for over 20 years.
Sage Hayward Vineyards
A family-owned estate on Saturna Island offering wines to sip on a terrace while surrounded by the sea air. The Feral Goat Bistro serves seasonal, local fare with coastal charm.
Divino Estate Winery
Discover Divino Estate Winery, a 100% estate winery with a rich history and a dedication to quality. Taste a variety of varietals grown in the scenic Busnardo Vineyard.
Alderlea Vineyards
Experience the finest wines from one of Vancouver Island’s oldest and most respected vineyards, offering a range of dry white and red wines.
Culinary Experiences
Off The Eaten Track
Off The Eaten Track is the original Victoria food tour company, offering unique guided tours showcasing the best local flavors. Enjoy walking tours with stories, history, and exclusive discounts.
Long Beach Lodge Resort
Discover the Long Beach Lodge Resort on Cox Bay, offering breathtaking ocean views and award-winning cuisine sourced from local, sustainable ingredients. Enjoy a warm and inviting atmosphere in our Great Room and SandBar Bistro, perfect for a relaxing getaway or exciting adventure at the Surf Club Adventure Centre.
Make Cheese with Paula
Join Paula on Gabriola Island to learn the art of cheesemaking. Discover the history, techniques, and flavors of crafting cheese in a unique experience tailored for budding cheesemakers.
Merridale Cidery & Distillery
BC’s oldest estate cidery and first craft distillery. Sustainably crafting exceptional cider and spirits on our Cowichan Farm. Orchard-to-glass ciders, award-winning spirits, farm-to-table cuisine, seasonal events, and more.
Outer Shores Lodge
Outer Shores Lodge offers all-inclusive experiences with Outer Shores Expeditions for escape, relaxation, education, and connection. Enjoy a remarkable stay in Bamfield, BC.
The Pedaler Cycling Tours
The Pedaler is Victoria's oldest bike touring and rental company offering biking, craft brewery, and culinary experiences. Tours, food, and craft beer tours, and e-bike tours are available.
