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A Romantic Getaway on Vancouver Island
One of the most romantic places in Canada has to be Vancouver Island!
Many travelers limit their British Columbia visit to just Vancouver. But for the lucky ones that jump on the ferry to this enchanting Island, it’s one of the great outdoor experiences in North America.
Vancouver / Victoria / Vancouver Island - What's the Difference? In case you're wondering: Vancouver is a city on the west coast of British Columbia, the most westerly province in Canada. Victoria, the capital city of British Columbia (but smaller than Vancouver), is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. For details on how to get from Vancouver to Victoria, see below. For a Quick Look at a Vancouver Island Map, Click Here.
Now, let's discover some of the most romantic spots on Vancouver Island...
SookeWest of Victoria on the trans Canada highway, you'll find this attractive settlement. Many couples leaving on Victoria weekend getaways stay here in cozy cabins, cottages, bed and breakfasts and vacation rentals in Sooke, BC. Hiking, biking and whale watching tours are favorite daytime activities.
One of the most romantic places to stay on Vancouver Island is the Sooke Harbor House . A fine oceanfront inn with space to unwind and enjoy some quiet time with the birdlife, otters and seals nearby. Theme rooms feature local art and jetted soaker-tubs, and the dining room sits above one of the best wine collections in Canada. Highly recommended for a romantic getaway on Vancouver Island, and a choice spot for a Vancouver Island honeymoon.
If you love cozy places to stay, Sooke is the place. One of the most romantic Sooke Bed and Breakfasts is the Sooke River Estuary Bed & Breakfast. You can enjoy the oceanfront hot tub, warm up beside the fireplace, or watch the whales and birds through the telescope!
The Southern Gulf Islands
A short drive and ferry ride from Victoria will put you in the B.C. Gulf Islands, a small group of islands between Vancouver Island and the mainland. As you check the map, look for Galiano, North and South Pender, Mayne and Saltspring Islands.
They're quiet, slow-paced sleepy little places that are home to retirees, artists and nature-lovers. Secluded beaches and coves, cute little villages and funky off-beat shops and stands make the Gulf Islands a perfect weekend getaway or retreat for a few days.
We are particularly fond of Saltspring Island, with it's colorful Saturday Market, and the lovely meadows and valleys. A hike up Mt.Maxwell is fantastic on a sunny spring day. Parksville & Qualicum BeachSome of the best beaches on Vancouver Island's east coast are found around Parksville and Qualicum Beach. Lots of romantic things to do on Vancouver Island here, including:
Tofino & Pacific Rim National Park
An amazing place for a romantic getaway on Vancouver Island! The wild west coast of Canada is at it’s best here. Maureen and I both think Long Beach is the best beach in Canada, and the combination of whale watching, exploring the rain forest and beachcombing are unbeatable.
And cozy nights by the fireplace listening to the crashing Pacific ocean during a winter storm in Tofino are very romantic! You can overnight in everything from a cabin to an eco-lodge or luxury resort. For more on a romantic getaway on Vancouver Island in Tofino, check out our page on Tofino Resorts.
Vancouver Island Spa ResortsVancouver Island and the Southern B.C. Gulf Islands have some very attractive luxury spa resorts that you could add on easily to any Vancouver or British Columbia romantic getaway.
We’ve put together some listings of both well-established and new resorts on our Vancouver Island Spa Resorts page, so check it out soon. Travel to Vancouver IslandBest Time to Visit Vancouver Island: Vancouver Island weather is mild year-round. It does rain quite a bit in the winter, with snow on the mountain passes and higher elevation. Victoria is busy with visitors from June till September.
Is Vancouver Island difficult to reach? Not really. Getting on one of the B.C. ferries to Vancouver island is easy. Vancouver Island Ferry: Ferries to Victoria, B.C. depart from Tsawwassen, B.C., which is 31 km (19 miles) south of downtown Vancouver. Car, taxi or bus is the best way to get there. It costs about $10 one way per adult (plus $33 if you want to take you car). Sailing time from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay (the ferry port for Victoria) is about 1.5 hours.
Or, you can sail from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island (Nanaimo is 113 km/70 miles north of Victoria). Fares and sailing times are very similar. Seattle to Vancouver Island: High-speed catamarans can take you to downtown Victoria in about 2.5 hrs. Price is approx. $120/return.
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