What we did not really think about when we booked our hotel in Vancouver, which also decided how long we were going to stay on Vancouver Island, was that this island is almost the size of Switzerland. Trying to see the entire country of Switzerland in 6 days is very optimistic and so was our time schedule for Vancouver Island.
We decided to skip hiking the mountains. Due to lack of time and a cold. Instead we were eager to walk on the beaches. We had after all not been on a beach in a very long time. The ferry had taken us to the northern part of the island and we drove down the east coast to were we could find a road that would take us to the west coast and the ocean. The small sleepy villages along the coast all looked cosy and I got the feeling I wanted to just stay longer in every place we visited.
Our camping spot
On the west coast we settled in to a campground in Ukluelet. This might have been my favorite campground so far, just next to the harbor. We tried to find some sort of beach in town but did not succeed. Here the coast line was rugged with dark uninviting rocks. A new sport we learnt about here is storm watching. To make people come here even in the winter time they make watching huge waves pounding on the coast from a warm and cosy hotel sound like a nice thing to do. And actually I am tempted. I could definitely sit with a good book, a cup of something hot and a blanket in a comfortable chair and look out a window for a few days.
Rugged coast line in Ukluelet
Eventually we did find the beach which happens to be the longest surfable beach in the country. It is an about 18 km long sandy beach which is situated in a national park and therefore also accessible to the public. The visitor center is right on the beach with a café that promises safe storm watching in the winter time.
The visitor center on Long Beach
Surfers on Long Beach
The south east coast of the island which is the most populated, is littered with cute villages along the water front. We did not visit them all but one favorite is Cowichan Bay which we passed by accident really in search of ice cream. A sleepy little town on stilts with a very high concentration of restaurants and cafés.
Cowichan Bay
Apart from the small towns, Victoria, the largest city, is also very charming and well worth a visit. We particularly liked Fisherman´s Wharf. Unlike the more famous version in San Francisco, this is a little community on the water. There are a few restaurants but most of the buildings are houses.
The harbor in Victoria
Fisherman´s Wharf
Vancouver Island is pretty much the perfect place for vacation. There is hiking, surfing, kayaking, fishing, biking, wine tasting, city sightseeing, whale and bear watching – you name it. I am very sure we will return to this area in a not distant future. 🙂
More images:
 |
| Vancouver Island |