Salt Spring Island, British Columbia

Goldstream Provincial Park is just a short drive from Victoria. Within 20 minutes of leaving the city center, you can be immersed in an old growth temperate rain forest.From Victoria, take the Trans-Canada highway to the start of the Malahat. The Goldstream day use area is well marked. Stop here ...

Take Highway 1 west from Victoria. Turn onto Exit 10 (View Royal/Colwood) and continue on the Island Highway. Turn right at Six Mile Road, which leads straight to Thetis Lake Regional Park.Note that this park is also accessible by bike via the Galloping Goose Trail.With minimal elevation (~60m) a...

Mount Grant Preserve is still in the midst of becoming an official park, but is open to the public for hiking, so you will get to see this amazing spot before it's too crowded. With a trial system currently being made, most people hike up the established road, but there are well marked signs to h...

The easiest way to explore this area is through Outer Island Excursions, which offers a 3-hour kayaking tour from Smuggler’s Villa Resort on Orcas Island (they also offer various tours of the surrounding islands).The tour begins with a paddle down the North Shore of Orcas Island to Point Doughty ...

Victoria Harbor located on the southwestern tip of Vancouver Island, British Columbia is the southernmost port in Canada. Enjoying a moderate climate year round, one will quickly see why it is also known as Canada's busiest port. Pleasure boats, water taxis, large car and passenger ferries, tugbo...

The Galloping Goose Regional Trail connects downtown Victoria, Canada to the former town of Leechtown. Part of the Trans Canada Trail (which traverses the entire country) the Galloping Goose follows the path of the former Canadian National Railway passing through the communities of Sooke, Metchos...

It may be daunting to figure out how to kayak in the San Juan Islands.If you're a beginner/intermediate kayaker, this is the trip for you.First, you'll want to plan ahead and reserve a kayak for Sucia Island. We used Outer Island Expeditions which was nice because they make it pretty easy for you...

Accessible from downtown Victoria, The Breakwater at Ogden Point makes a fun, easy-access shore-dive. I've been freediving here a couple times now and have loved it each time. You can access the granite stepping blocks by a staircase on the left side (if you're facing the water) of The Breakwater...

The Sooke Potholes seem to have something for everyone. Those seeking quick and easy beach access can enjoy short, well-groomed trails that lead straight to the pebble beaches from each of this spot’s multiple parking lots. There are also a number of paths leading to viewpoints overlooking the ri...

The Sooke Hills is a geographic region of low hills with elevations between 350m (Mt. Wells) to a high of 682m (Mt. Empress), located in the area bounded on three sides by Highway 1 to the east, Highway 14 to the south and the Sooke River to the west. Though heavily logged 100+ years ago, in the ...

Beacon Hill Park is the jewel of Victoria's crown. Spanning 200 acres and connecting Downtown to the ocean alongside Dallas Road, Beacon Hill Park is one of the highlights of visiting the Capitol city on Vancouver Islands southern tip. Every corner of the park features unique flora, fauna and p...

The San Juan Islands are one of the most stunning places you could go for a paddle. If you can go for a 3-5 day (or even longer) expedition you will get the most out of it.Start off in Friday Harbour, and get dropped off at one of the launching beaches. Many expedition operators work in Friday Ha...

The San Juan Islands are a gorgeous collection of islands situated 90 miles from Seattle. While most people enjoy the island at B&Bs, and join one of the dozen whale watching tours, the hands down best way to see the islands is by kayaking.Jones Island is a great place to set as your initial ...

No visit to the San Juan Islands is complete without taking a whale watching tour and Rosario Harbor on Orcas Island is uniquely situation to allow for trips east into the Rosario Straight, south into Lopez Sound, or west into the Haro Straight. Such flexibility is useful when on the looking for ...

Moran State Park is an true gem within the beautiful San Juan Islands. The park takes up a large portion of the East side of Orcas Island, the largest of all the San Juans. There are multiple campgrounds within the park along the shores of Cascade Lake and Mountain Lake. For the most relaxing exp...

This 7 mile round-trip hike takes you to the mountain's summit. From here you'll be able to take in an amazing view. During the hike, you'll head around the left side of Mountain Lake, and then continue on to Twin Lakes, before starting your jaunt to the top of Mt. Constitution. The hike around ...