Your Vancouver Island Gateway

There is no better starting place for your Vancouver Island vacation than the Comox Valley. The Valley is your gateway to adventures and attractions in the Pacific Rim, northern Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast and other parts of the Island. From here, it's only a two-and-a-half hour drive to Victoria, British Columbia's capital city, and the southern Gulf Islands. Or head north to Port Hardy and take BC Ferries up the Inside Passage to Prince Rupert and on to the Queen Charlotte Islands.

Start your Island adventure by avoiding the crowds and flying to the bright new facilities at the Comox Valley Airport (YQQ). Direct flights from major centres land daily here, and you'll love the experience of travelling to this friendly, hassle-free environment.

A new floatplane service directly to Comox Harbour from a variety of urban centres, including Seattle, is also available.

From the Valley head west to Port Alberni, where you can board the quaint passenger/freight vessels the Lady Rose or Frances Barkley, for a scenic trip to the picturesque outposts of Bamfield and Ucluelet. From Port Alberni the road winds its way to the west coast of Vancouver Island, the site of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, which includes Long Beach, the Broken Islands Group and the West Coast Trail. During the summer, the West Coast is an adventure lover's dream. Visit in the winter for spectacular storm watching.

Three hours north of the Comox Valley is the historic fishing village of Telegraph Cove, famous for its incredible whale watching. From there you can continue on to Port McNeill and the First Nations museum and heritage buildings of Alert Bay. Further north visit Port Hardy and the incredible wind-swept beaches of Cape Scott Provincial Park.

South of the Comox Valley, you may want to visit the Southern Gulf Islands of Saltspring and Gabriola-laid back, eclectic communities famous for their colourful cultural offerings and bountiful farming.

For those wanting a little more adventure visit Juan de Fuca Provincial Park near Port Renfrew, an easy day trip from Victoria. This beautiful park features the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, a 47-km wilderness route stretching along the shoreline, excellent beaches and one of the richest intertidal areas along the West Coast.