With so much to discover on Vancouver Island, a day trip here is a great way to explore the area.

Approximately 285 miles long and 62 miles wide, impressive wildlife, delicious food, and a mild climate await travellers.

Whether you're moving to Canada or just visiting the area, here are a few ideas for those planning on taking a day trip to Vancouver Island.

Courtenay

North of Nanaimo on the east coast, there are over 40 parks in the Courtenay area, so it's an excellent place to explore the outdoors.

Visitors will find something to love at Seal Bay Nature Park, and the Courtenay and District Museum and Paleontology Centre is perfect for those who love ancient history. 

Courtenay is also full of wineries, so sit back, relax, and try some local wines.

Spring Bear and Waterfall Tour

Watch the coast wake up from winter! Take the Spring Bear and Waterfall Tour to see waterfalls in all their glory as you travel to mainland inlets in a covered vessel. As passengers cruise along the shorelines, they'll look for wildlife like sea lions, sea birds, and orcas waking up after a long winter.

Take a look at the first humpback whales of the season. Find crabs, mussels, oysters, and more as bears forage along the shore. Travel through the islands around Campbell River and along British Columbia's mainland coast, stopping at various inlets to look for wildlife during this seven- to eight-hour tour.

Victoria Panorama Seaplane Tour

Get a bird's eye view of downtown Victoria on a thrilling 20-minute seaplane ride! Enjoy an aerial view of the harbour, coastline, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Olympic Mountains in the distance right from the water.

Tour options include an expert pilot navigating an intimate, small-group ride for up to five passengers. 

Qualicum Beach

Milner Gardens is a must-see when spending time in Qualicum Beach. There are some beautiful flowers to view after a short walk, and visitors soon discover why it's one of the best public gardens in Canada.

Parksville, a small town at the foot of Mount Arrowsmith along the Strait of Georgia, is approximately 10 minutes from Qualicum Beach. Explore the area to get a feel for the Vancouver Island lifestyle.

North of Parksville, golden sand gives way to beds of wave-battered rock and pebbles. View sea lions, ships, and killer whales while strolling along a pebble beach. A guided multi-cave tour on Vancouver Island reveals the mysteries of marble passages and crystal caverns.

Merridale Cidery & Distillery

Without a doubt, visitors have never experienced apples like this before! Discover British Columbia's first craft distillery and oldest estate cidery, Merridale Cidery & Distillery. If visitors want to learn more about the ingredients in their cider and spirits, this is the place to visit. 

Merridale sustainably crafts exceptional cider and spirits on their Cowichan farm with integrity and curiosity. Discover the process of their award-winning drinks, savour farm-to-table cuisine, shop local artisans in their farmhouse, or stroll through their orchard walk.

The restaurant is open seven days a week. In addition to pizza nights, live music, long table dinners, and Christmas lights, the restaurant hosts seasonal events throughout the year.

Victoria Guided Food & History Tour

Take a walking tour of Victoria to learn about its history and culinary scene. Explore the buildings, market squares, and the Victoria Public Market with a guide.

Visitors will try craft beer, bread, tapas, tea, chocolate, olive oil, cheese, and more along the way.

Wine Tasting Tour From Victoria to Cowichan Valley

Visit part of Vancouver Island's fascinating wine trail and taste the wines from three wineries of the Cowichan Valley on a wine tour from Victoria. Lunch is served at a boutique winery surrounded by vineyards.

This wine tour includes round-trip transportation from downtown Victoria for the perfect introduction to Vancouver Island wine. 

Zodiac Whale Watching Tour

A speedy Zodiac boat will take travellers through the Johnstone Strait, Discovery Passage, and the Salish Sea during this small-group experience.

While searching for bears, humpback whales, and sea lions, passengers stay warm in floater suits, toques, gloves, and goggles. There's a focus on finding killer whales and showcasing the diverse beauty of the coast. 

Butchart Gardens

A botanical garden with over 100 years of history, Butchart Gardens is one of Vancouver Island's most unique attractions.

Over 900 bedding plant species are at Butchart, which covers 55 acres of gardens north of Victoria. Spring through fall are the best times to visit for their colourful, diverse blooms. 

Sooke Potholes Provincial Park

Feel like taking a break in crystal-clear water surrounded by lush vegetation? Located just an hour west of Victoria, Sooke Potholes Provincial Park is a great place to spend the day.

Sooke Potholes Provincial Park features deep pools of crystal-clear water carved by ice-age glaciers in the sandstone. There is no restriction on swimming in the pools, but keep an eye on the water levels. There can be quite a bit of depth in the water after spring rainfall.

The Opportunities Are Endless on Vancouver Island

Whether you're ready for a big bear adventure or want to relax away the week, a day trip on Vancouver Island offers something for everyone. This guide can be a starting point to enjoy the area at any time of the year.