North Central Vancouver
Island offers a unique blend of alpine-to-ocean  experiences.
The terrain
is mountainous, heavily treed, dotted with lakes, riddled with
rivers and cascading waterfalls and is largely uninhabited.
The main Highway 19 and in parts Highway 19A serve the communities,
though hundreds of kilometers of logging roads crisscross the
region.
The gateway to North Central Island is the Comox Valley,
with the towns of Courtenay, Comox, and Cumberland. These
towns offer endless recreation opportunities such as skiing,
snowboarding, snowshoeing, hiking, kayaking, mountain biking,
golfing, fishing, and much more. Here you will find one of
the highest snow bases in western Canada at Mount Washington
Alpine Resort and a climate mild enough that the local golf
courses stay open all year long so that you can ski and golf
all in the same day!
The Island's last remaining icefield, the Comox Glacier,
is located in this area as well as British Columbia's oldest
park, Strathcona Provincial Park, where glorious alpine
lakes and meadows reward hikers with awe-inspiring views.
Strathcona
Park, straddling the mountainous back of central Vancouver
Island, is renowned for hiking and wildlife along with
breathtaking pristine wilderness beauty.
Located in the heart of some of the most beautiful farming
landscape on Vancouver Island, Courtenay is the urban
centre of the Comox Valley and has one of the most charming
downtowns
on Vancouver Island. The many art galleries, theatres,
shops, artisan studios, unique boutiques, and gardens
also makes
this the cultural hub of the Valley. Moreover, Courtenay
is the first stop on Canada’s Great Canadian Fossil
Trail.
Comox, located 6 kms east of Courtenay, has blossomed
into a delightful resort-like area with expanded moorage
facilities,
shops and restaurants along the waterfront. CFB Comox
Air Force Museum at the entrance to Comex Air Force
Base is
well worth a visit as is Seal Bay Nature Park that
offers trails
through lush Douglas fir to a pleasant rocky beach.
Cumberland, a bustling coal-mining town from 1888 to
1966, once boasted a diversified ethnic population,
including one of the largest Chinese populations
north of San Francisco.
Today, Cumberland draws visitors with its colourful
history and wonderful family activities. A small
museum on the
main
street displays much of the heritage.
Just off the coast, about 20 kms south of Courtenay, is
Denman Island,accessible by ferry from Buckley Bay. From
Denman a second ferry can be taken to Hornby Island. Denman
and Hornby Islands boast the highest number of artists per
capita in Canada, as well as some of the loveliest hikes,
beaches, and quiet retreats. The trip to Denman takes 15
minutes across Baynes Sound. The ferry to Hornby Island departs
every hour from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm from south Denman Island
and the journey takes 15 minutes across Lambert Channel.
Hornby Island has an excellent beach at Tribune Bay much
of which is located in Tribune Bay Provincial Park.
North of the Comox Valley along Highways 19 and 19A is the
self proclaimed “Salmon Capital of the World”,
Campbell River. Campbell River is beautifully set between
Strathcona Provincial Park to the west and the Discovery
Islands to the east. On summer evenings, massive cruise ships
pass between Campbell River and Quadra Island. An awe-inspiring
sight, these dazzling, fully-lighted ships seem to appear
out of nowhere. Views from the town year-round overlook tree-covered
Quadra Island and the ice capped mountains on the British
Columbia mainland.
From downtown Campbell River, take a 10-minute BC Ferries
trip to Quadra Island. Orca whales are seen regularly in
Discovery Passage and sea lions are commonly spied in surrounding
waters. Primarily known for sport fishing, Quadra Island
offers even more with great wildlife viewing and a heritage
going back to Captain Vancouver’s visit in 1792.
Cortes Island, accessible by BC Ferries from the east side
of Quadra Island, offers placid lakes, rugged gorges,
and beaches rich in shellfish, and is one of the most
impressive
of the Discovery Islands. Cortes features a new museum,
and provincial parks.
The Discovery Islands and British Columbia’s west
coast are a boater’s paradise with wilderness lodges,
resorts and marinas hidden like jewels in the bays and harbours
of
this magnificent boating and fishing area.
Nestled deep in the West Coast rainforest at the head
of Tahsis Inlet, the community of Tahsis attracts the
adventurous
traveler. Friendly and relaxed, Tahsis is a gateway
to the beautiful waterways and beaches of Nootka Sound.
To get to
Tahsis, follow the scenic, well-maintained gravel road
north of Gold River or arrive by boat at local marinas.
Activities
include sport fishing, kayaking, remote surfing trips,
windsurfing, hiking, caving, mountain biking, and some
of the best diving
in the world.
Communities to explore: Campbell River, Comox, Cortes
Island, Courtenay, Cumberland, Denman Island, Gold
River, Hornby
Island, Mount Washington, Quadra Island, Strathcona
Park, Tahsis.
Links
Need a place to stay or camp while exploring North
Central Vancouver Island?
Explore the Communities of North Central Vancouver
Island Discover Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands Sub
Regions
Tourism Region Contact
Tourism Vancouver Island
Suite 203, 335 Wesley Street
Nanaimo, BC V9R 2T5
Telephone: (250) 754-3500
Fax: (250) 754-3599
E-mail: visitor@islands.bc.ca
|
