Bed and Breakfast British Columbia, The Islands area Bed and Breakfast

The scenic Islands steeped in history are one of the world's premier fishing, sailing and cruising destinations and the centre for "island hopping" to the many smaller islands scattered along the coast. Enjoy their abundant wildlife and beauty at nature's pace, explore the wild beaches, forests and pretty meadows, mix with the eclectic communities of artists in the beautiful cites, or take a ferry for spectacular views of the Straits of Georgia, sail through the wonderful Gulf Islands, an archipelago known for its Mediterranean like climate.

Whether you are visiting the southern tip of the island, the West Coast, or the northern shores, sea lions, seals, otter, mink and whale-watching opportunities abound and if you're looking for a scenic, peaceful getaway, then the plentiful and friendly bed and breakfast in The Islands region is just waiting for you!

Vancouver Island is world-renowned for its charming ambience, outdoor recreation and marine adventure. The picturesque British Columbia capital of Victoria known as the “City of Gardens” is a place of endless attractions and exceeding beauty and the world's most popular salmon fishing destination. It boasts a beautiful Inner Harbour bustling with seaplanes, ferries, yachts and kayaks as well as the departure point for nautical exploration of BC's rugged fjords. It has a quaint almost English feel about it reflecting its colorful history in heritage buildings and impressive colonial architecture. A wealth of treasures and bargains can be found in the antique and other shopping centres and a visit to the famous floral beauty of Butchart Gardens is essential. Marvel at the fifteen lush green golf courses, stroll its ocean-side walkways, learn its fascinating history and enjoy cosmopolitan dining, venture into the eclectic boutiques of Market Square and experience a dazzling array of performing arts and sporting events. Victoria also boasts more than five museums, including the internationally acclaimed Royal British Columbia Museum, and many other historic sites including the elegant Parliament buildings, Fort Rodd Hill in Esquimalt, the site of Canada's oldest West Coast lighthouse.

The waters around Victoria are home to resident pods of Orcas whales and the sight and sound of these magnificent glossy, black and white marine mammals, also called killer whales in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience, zip out on a high-speed whale-watching tour and watch them frolic in the water. You can also spot seals, otter and sea lions along the West Bay Marina walk from which you’ll enjoy breathtaking vistas of the city and admire the magnificent coastal scenery. Just north of Victoria are mountains and walking opportunities as well as spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains.

Soak up the fresh sea air and enjoy spectacular views as you explore one of mother nature’s most pristine islands, Salt Spring Island often referred to as an "artists paradise", the largest of the Gulf Islands and it is well known throughout Canada as being home not only to many reputable artists, but is also world famous for its talented population of musicians, sculptors, writers and healers, thus providing an excellent variety of art galleries and craft studios. Boating is very popular and the island provides many harbours and moorings, explore the offshore marine parks and indulge in other water activities including swimming, wind surfing, fishing, sailing, kayaking and canoeing around the shoreline. Go inland and you’ll find many roads and trails to lure the hiker or biker. Hike to the top of Mount Maxwell the highest point called Baynes Peak where you’ll have a unique opportunity to see the topside of soaring raptors, or to peer through the mist and marvel at the panoramic vistas below, enjoy the superb views of Vancouver Island, the surrounding Gulf Islands and the mainland of British Columbia.

See breathtaking scenery and go whale watching on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, or if giant halibut and Coho salmon fishing interest you, then stop by the nearby coastal village of Sooke, a popular fishing port known for its year-round fishery and art colony. Among the many outdoor activities are freshwater fly-fishing, kayaking at one of the many ocean shores, diving, surfing and the beautiful ocean beaches for excellent swimming and sun bathing from Sooke Harbour. With miles of coastline road offering a range of spectacular views hikers will also enjoy the rugged Juan de Fuca and West Coast Trails and walking and cycling can also be appreciated along the Galloping Goose Trail and indeed other trails throughout the area. Sooke also offers an array of restaurants for all occasions and the wonderful bed and breakfasts in The Islands are renowned for their warm Canadian hospitality.

Visit Sidney the pretty seaside community with excellent dining, arts and culture. Within walking distance you’ll find the British Columbia Aviation Museum that is a major attraction on Vancouver Island with many interesting aircrafts, engines, pictures, models and other avionic artefacts. Nearby picturesque towns and villages offering good bases from which to explore are: Cobble Hill, Shawnigan Lake, Malahat and Cowichan Bay. Another pretty locality is Duncan, known as the City of Totems with its collection of 80 totems seen downtown and along the highway. Duncan is the ancestral home of the Cowichan tribes, this peaceful little village and its attractions are one of the most popular in the area and feature cultural displays and a number of heritage and vintage buildings. The coastal road winds through quaint towns of Chemainus has in particular become Canada’s largest outdoor gallery with its gorgeous life-sized murals, all professionally painted on the sides of downtown buildings, the murals reflect the history, people, and most emphatically the pride of the small charming town. You can also shop 'til you drop with over 100 antique dealers residing in the lovely seaside town, or take a boat trip as the views of nearby Ladysmith, Thetis Island and Lantzville are truly magnificent.

A scuba divers paradise, acknowledged by professionals as one of the best diving locations in North America, the beautiful waters around Nanaimo cater for divers of all skill levels. Also known as the "Harbour City" for its incredible downtown harbour, the city provides visitors with a myriad of activities and attractions. Don’t forget your camera, with the amazing array of sea life residing in the area around the reef. The world’s largest octopus on record was found here and huge tubeworms ranging in colors from stunning orange to turquoise. Get your adrenaline moving because Nanaimo is home to North America’s only legal bungee jumping, taken from the bridge above the Nanaimo River, this jump off bridge gives you a spectacular view of the forests before you take the daring plunge at 60 miles per hour! For a more relaxing treat, visit nearby Nanoose Bay with its numerous native galleries, stroll in world-renowned gardens, or relax in the refreshing and bubbling hot springs. The evening brings a splendid nightlife of the theatre or you can try your luck at the casino. Why not take a weekend break, a romantic getaway or a well-deserved vacation, and enjoy the excellent bed and breakfast in The Islands?

Other beautiful towns and villages with fabulous fishing and exceptional golf courses are Parksville, Comox, Heriot Bay and Coombs all near Mount Washington, reputed as one of the snowiest ski resorts in Canada including downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, tubing and you can even try out their natural luge run. On a clear day the stunning views from the top give scenic views of the vivid green farmland of the Comox Valley, the Strait of Georgia, Dennman Island and the picturesque surrounding islands. Visit the quaint seaside villages of Qualicum Beach renowned for its spectacular setting of safe, sandy beaches, magnificent shoreline and old-growth forests all set against a marvellous scenic mountain backdrop. So beautiful it has become the home to painters, sculptors and other artisans who welcome visitors to their studios. Festivals, local attractions and a wide variety of opportunities for outdoors adventure can be found and is also emerging as one of Vancouver Island’s premier golf destinations.

Courtenay, near Strathcona Provincial Park with an amazing 500,000-acre wilderness park, is a land of untouched rugged forests, looming mountain peaks with far reaching valleys covered by a complex network of rivers and lakes, offers excellent skiing at Mount Washington. Visit the Courtenay River Estuary a superb place for a photographer or bird watcher. You will see trumpeter swans, bald eagles, blue herons and many other marine birds. The estuary is home to spawning herring bringing seals and osprey looking for a meal. Tsolum River is an easily navigated waterway that goes through old growth forests. Here you’ll find many swimming holes and is a popular gathering place for horseback riders, mountain bikers and hikers. Downtown offers among other attractions The Courtenay Museum home to one of the town’s most notable residents, a life-sized replica of an 80-million year old 39-foot Elasmosaur along with many other remarkable prehistoric exhibits.

Port Hardy offers spectacular scenery with towering mountains, roaring waterfalls, endless islands and virgin rain forest. Animal and marine life are abundant, including eagles, sea lions and porpoises or even orca whales. Visit the port of Campbell River, the “salmon capital of the world” or check out the caves at Port McNeill, here you’ll find sinkholes, canyons, large arches and a swift-flowing river which appears and disappears into the rock formations.

The Pacific Rim is a region of wild landscapes, never-ending beaches and spectacular weather. Do allow time to visit the small fishing village of Tofino, surrounded by crashing waves and towering rainforests of giant cedar and ancient Sitka spruce, sandy beaches and fully caters to the outdoor adventurer. Enjoy the marvellous sights and sounds of the waters in Clayoquot Sound, see eagles swoop overhead and on a few occasions black bear has been seen hunting for food on the shore.

Enjoy world-class fishing with its easy access to an offshore fishery that starts early March through to September, unrivalled anywhere in the world and sample the delights of whale watching, not forgetting that bird watching is a big year-round activity in Ucluelet. Named after the Nuu-Chah-Nulth word meaning "safe harbour", the quaint village of Ucluelet sits on the amazing, unspoiled and rugged West Coast of Vancouver Island. The area picturesque post-card destination and its natural beauty will blow your mind! Spring offers the chance to watch gray whales as they migrate down the coast towards Baja, while summer brings warm days that may be spent combing the sandy stretch of Long Beach. Port Alberni “The Salmon Capital of the World” offers anglers access to the amazing Alberni Inlet and is home to one of the largest annual Sockeye Salmon runs in the world. Whatever your choice of vacation, the bed and breakfast in The Islands will leave you with an indelible vacation experience.

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