Vancouver Island View Parksville is such a fun place to be in the summer. As much as I treasure the peaceful pace of the winter months, I have to admit there's an energy here right now that's hard not to love. Beachfest is in full swing, and Parksville Beach has become the heart of it all. On any given day you'll find musicians performing in the gazebo (and sometimes on the main stage), food trucks serving up tasty treats, families strolling the shoreline, and the incredible sand sculptures...
16 days ago • 1 min read
Vancouver Island View After months of exploring, writing, editing, and designing, I'm so excited to finally share something I've been pouring my heart into... Vancouver Island's Best Hidden Gems | 20 Extraordinary Places Worth the Journey This isn't just another travel guide. It's a carefully curated collection of 20 extraordinary places that I've personally explored over the years. From ancient forests and turquoise rivers to secluded beaches and lesser-known hiking trails, these are the...
23 days ago • 1 min read
Vancouver Island View Summer has officially arrived, and if you're looking for the best ways to cool off, this week's updates have you covered. One of my most popular summer guides, Cowichan River Tubing, has just been refreshed with new tips, updated information, and everything you need to know before floating down one of Vancouver Island's most iconic rivers. If you've been thinking about making the trip this summer, now's the perfect time to start planning. To go along with it, I've also...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Vancouver Island View Telegraph Cove tends to get most of the attention when people talk about Vancouver Island's historic boardwalk communities. And while it's certainly worthy of its reputation, it's not the only place where you can stroll wooden walkways above the water and experience life in a coastal village. This week, I found myself reflecting on three communities that showcase a unique side of Vancouver Island's coastal heritage: Telegraph Cove, Bamfield, and Winter Harbour. Each has...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Vancouver Island View Summer road trip season is officially here, and few drives showcase the beauty of Vancouver Island quite like the journey from Victoria to Tofino. While most travellers focus on reaching the west coast as quickly as possible, some of the island's most memorable experiences happen along the way. From waterfalls and towering old-growth forests to scenic viewpoints and hidden gems, I've put together a guide featuring nine free stops that can transform an ordinary drive into...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Vancouver Island View One of the things I love most about Vancouver Island is that there's always something new to discover. Sometimes it's a hidden trail, a quiet beach, or a beautiful garden. Other times, it's a completely unique experience that makes you stop and think, "I need to do that!" That's exactly how I felt when I learned about the new Keogh River Bear Tour with Go North Island. This isn't your typical bear-watching excursion. Instead of viewing wildlife from a large boat or...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Vancouver Island View Every year, I spend a good chunk of my time revisiting and refreshing the 260+ articles already published on Vancouver Island View. There’s always something new to add, update, or revisit somewhere on the island. But every once in a while, a place inspires me to create something completely new instead. That happened during a recent trip to Victoria, when I finally checked the last garden off my personal must-visit list: The Gardens at HCP. And it was even more beautiful...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Vancouver Island View The sun is shining, patios are filling up, trails are bursting back to life, and yet…summer crowds still haven’t fully arrived. So it's the perfect opportunity for a little island getaway to a few of my favourite spots. First up is Saysutshun (Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park). Just a short ferry ride from Nanaimo, this island feels worlds away, with coastal walking trails, beaches, forest paths, and fascinating layers of history tucked throughout the island. Or...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Vancouver Island View I spend a lot of time exploring all across Vancouver Island, chasing new places and experiences. But every now and then, I’m reminded that some of the best spots are the ones right here at home. After revisiting a few old favourites in Nanoose Bay, I thought I’d share, so you can perhaps revisit as well. Moorecroft Regional Park (Updated) If you’ve been following along for a while, you already know this is a place I keep coming back to. And for good reason. Moorecroft...
3 months ago • 2 min read