What to do in Vancouver Island

Activities, attractions and tours

Visit Vancouver Island

Types of activities

Where to stay

Vancouver Island travel guide

Tofino showing tranquil scenes and a lake or waterhole

British Columbia Parliament Building featuring heritage architecture, night scenes and a garden

Port Alberni featuring landscape views, tranquil scenes and a sunset

Englishman River Falls Provincial Park featuring forests and a bridge

Sooke featuring a sunset and a pebble beach

Vancouver Island Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Vancouver Island has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Vancouver Island, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Vancouver Island with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Vancouver Island, and make it a breeze to explore Vancouver Island and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Vancouver Island to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Vancouver Island, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Vancouver Island.

Vancouver Island attractions

Vancouver Island has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Vancouver Island to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Vancouver Island.

Looking for things to do in Vancouver Island can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Vancouver Island or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Vancouver Island attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Recommended things to do in Vancouver Island

Number of things to do	415
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia	Vancouver Highlights: Tip-Based City Walk: £4
Top 5 things to do	Capilano Suspension Bridge Park Ticket Hop-On Hop-Off Vancouver: 24 or 48 hour Sightseeing Options Vancouver Scenic Panorama Seaplane Tour: City, Mountains & Islands Vancouver Lookout Admission Ticket Whistler Tour: Sea to Sky Gondola + Shannon Falls Stops
Half-day tours	Capilano Suspension Bridge Park Ticket Granville Island Ferry Hop-On Hop-Off Day Pass Best of Vancouver City Half Day Tour Plaza Premium Lounge at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) Vancouver Science World Ticket
With kids	Capilano Suspension Bridge Park Ticket Hop-On Hop-Off Vancouver: 24 or 48 hour Sightseeing Options Vancouver Scenic Panorama Seaplane Tour: City, Mountains & Islands Vancouver Lookout Admission Ticket Whistler Tour: Sea to Sky Gondola + Shannon Falls Stops

What to do in Vancouver Island

Popular places to visit

Victoria Harbour

Old meets new as historic architecture, traditional fishing boats and contemporary performers crowd together at one of Victoria’s liveliest spots.

Victoria Clipper Ferry Terminal

Explore the waterfront in Victoria with a trip to Victoria Clipper Ferry Terminal. Wander the area's picturesque gardens or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.

Horseshoe Bay, British Columbia, Canada -- April 11, 2021: BC Ferries vessel departing from Horseshoe Bay Terminal on its way to Vancouver Island.

Departure Bay Ferry Terminal

Explore the waterfront in Nanaimo with a trip to Departure Bay Ferry Terminal. While you're in the area, stroll along the lakeside.

Butchart Gardens

Inhale intoxicating fragrances and marvel at the dazzling colors of these gardens, which host engaging events and family-friendly activities.

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

See waterfalls and colorful rocks as you traverse rivers, bogs, rainforests and beaches in the three distinct sections of this enormous reserve.

University of Victoria

Explore the campus of University of Victoria during your visit to Victoria. Stroll along the area's waterfront or simply savour its top-notch restaurants.

Chesterman Beach

Unwind on soft white sands and ride the waves at a picturesque beach where many people learn how to surf.

Parksville Beach

Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Parksville Beach during your travels in Parksville? While you're in the area, stroll along the seaside.

Stairwell to upper promenade deck aboard the BC Ferries MV Coastal Renaissance as it prepares to depart from Tswassen Terminal en route to Swartz Bay, Sydney, British Columbia, Canada.

Duke Point Ferry Terminal

Explore the waterfront in Nanaimo with a trip to Duke Point Ferry Terminal. While you're in the area, stroll along the lakeside.

Explore areas of Vancouver Island

Victoria featuring street scenes, a house and a city

Downtown Victoria

The captivating waterfront views and popular shops are just a few highlights of Downtown Victoria. Make a stop by Victoria Royal Theatre or Bay Centre while you're exploring the area.

Victoria Harbour which includes heritage elements and a bay or harbour

Inner Harbour

The captivating waterfront views and popular shops are just a few highlights of Inner Harbour. Make a stop by Victoria Clipper Ferry Terminal or Victoria Harbour while you're exploring the area.

Victoria featuring a coastal town and a marina

James Bay

The captivating waterfront views and popular shops are just a few highlights of James Bay. Make a stop by Victoria Harbour or Legislative Assembly of British Columbia while you're exploring the area.

Esquimalt

Travellers come to Esquimalt for its colourful gardens, and you can see top attractions like Sooke Salmon Charters and CFB Esquimalt Naval and Militiary Museum while you're in town.

Saanich East

If you're spending some time in Saanich East, Cadboro Bay and Cedar Hill Golf Course are top sights worth seeing.

Fairfield

Unique features of Fairfield include the historical sites and seaside views. Make a stop by Cook Street Village or Abkhazi Garden while you're exploring the area.

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