- Destinations
- North America
- Canada
- British Columbia
- Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island
Dubbed Canada's 'Paradise on the Pacific', Vancouver Island is
an exquisite combination of dense rainforest, pristine coastline,
rugged mountains, glittering glaciers and crystalline lakes and
rivers, all within an easy distance from the Mainland of British
Columbia.
The Island is 285 miles (460km) long and 50 miles (80km) wide,
and the Vancouver Island Ranges, running down most of the island's
length, divide it into a drier, undulant east coast and a wetter,
rockier west coast. The rugged west coast (known as the Pacific
Rim) is littered with bays, inlets and fjords and boasts beautiful
landscapes and a diversity of wildlife, making it a popular spot
for tourists, who come to indulge in hiking, fishing, kayaking with
Orcas, whale watching and more. This area does, however, receive
some of the heaviest precipitation in the world and visitors should
plan activities around the possibility of heavy storms in winter
and plenty of rain.
Inland, one finds dozens of lakes (the largest of which is
Kennedy Lake), and dominating the central part of the Island is the
popular Strathcona Provincial Park, home to the Island's glaciers,
including the largest, the Comox Glacier, as well an abundance of
birds and wildlife that includes Roosevelt Elk, bears, cougars and
wolves.
There are two ski resorts on Vancouver Island: Mount Washington
in the central part of the island, and the smaller Mount Cain to
the north. Mount Washington offers a range of downhill,
cross-country, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and winter camping
opportunities, while Mount Cain community-owned and offers a less
commercial experience away from the crowds.
Victoria, on the southern tip of the Island, is the capital of
British Columbia, and home to just less than 50 percent of the
island's population. The city is a major tourist destination and
visitors flock to enjoy its many sights and sounds, including the
Legislative Buildings, The Empress Hotel, Craigdarroch Castle, and
the famous Butchart Gardens. Vancouver Island is well worth a visit
and with so much to see and do, one could never claim to be
bored.
Information & Facts
Climate
Vancouver Island has a temperate climate, and is in fact the
mildest place in the country, with temperatures modified by the
currents and winds of the Pacific Ocean. Summers are warm and
sunny, and winters are temperate, though the Pacific Rim (the west
coast of the island) receives the most precipitation in North
America and can be battered by strong winds. The average
temperature on Vancouver Island in summer is about 70°F to 80°F
(21°C to 27°C), with temperatures cooling in the evenings, while
the average temperature in winter is just below 32°F (0°C).
Snowfall occurs in winter, though more so in the higher altitudes
and the west coast seldom sees significant snowfall. November,
December and January are the wettest months, which is worth taking
into consideration when travelling to Vancouver Island.
Getting Around
Vancouver Island is easy to negotiate and there are several
transportation options. Ferry services operate from both Vancouver
(run by BC Ferries) and neighbouring Washington State in the USA,
as well as between points on the Island and neighbouring Gulf
Islands. Scheduled flights by major airlines, as well as helicopter
and floatplane services are also available. There is a rail service
between several island communities along the east coast, from
Victoria to Courtenay, and the island's highway connects all major
points and has loops to scenic marine-side highways.
Language
The official languages are English and French
(predominantly in Quebec).
Money
The currency used is the Canadian Dollar (CAD), which is divided
into 100 cents. One-dollar coins are also known as loonies (due to
the picture of a loon, a type of bird, on the coin), and two-dollar
coins as toonies. Banks and bureaux de change will change money and
travellers cheques, as will some hotels, but the rate will not be
as good. Major credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are
plentiful. US Dollars are largely accepted, though due to fraud,
larger notes might not be and change is usually given in Canadian
dollars.
Time
Canada covers six time zones, from GMT 8 in the west to GMT
-3.5 in the east.