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Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island sits approximately 25 kilometers off Canada's western coast of British Columbia. It has an area of over three million hectares and a length of approximately 450 kilometers. It has become extremely popular due to its wonderful mild biosphere and refreshingly clean air. It is accessible by ferry from Vancouver, Seattle, and Powell River. To arrive in Nanaimo on the east coast of the Island one boards a ferry at Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver and takes a picturesque 1 hour 35 minute ferry ride to Nanaimo's Departure Bay or from the Tsawwassen Terminal in south Vancouver, which is a two hour ferry ride. From there you travel north up the Island to visit the Nanoose Bay, Parksville, Qualicum Beach areas. Vancouver Island is also accessible by Air, via the Victoria and Nanaimo and Comox airport as well as harbour to harbour flights. The new inland Island 4 lane Highway has provided a rapid alternative to the sedate and picturesque Oceanside route. The Esquimalt and Nanaimo railway provides a daily passenger service from Victoria to Courtney via Nanoose Bay, Parksville and Qualicum Beach a popular tourist activity passing through some of the most spectacular scenery on Vancouver Island. Inland the mountains rise to a snow capped central chain with deep cut glacial lakes providing glorious vistas and skiing, hiking, fishing and riparian adventure opportunities to rival any Rocky Mountain destination. Parksville and Qualicum Beach are centrally located on Vancouver Island whereby one can access the following areas within a two hours drive: Tofino to the West, Courtney, Comox and Campbell River to the North, and Nanaimo and Victoria to the South. The beautiful beaches, surfing and trail systems of Tofino, with its most famous Long Beach, on the west coast of Vancouver Island are accessible by the only all weather paved road from the Parksville Qualicum Beach areas. Vancouver Island has become one of the most desired areas to reside and visit due to its climate, clean air, accessibility, and recent developments and infrastructures.
Nanaimo
Known as the Harbour City due to its beautifully protected harbour and sea wall promenade, Nanaimo is Vancouver Island's second largest city. It is host to the internationally famous Bathtub Races, Cadillac Van Isle 360 Yacht Race, and the Nanaimo Bar, a wonderfully tasty chocolate treat. This beautiful waterfront community has fine waterfront apartments, stores and restaurants, and many communities within its boundaries such as the Old City Quarter, Cedar, Chase River, Yellow Point and Gabriola Island. The Old City Quarter is central to the city of Nanaimo and is a quaint shopping area surrounded by character homes. Gabriola Island is short ferry ride from Nanaimo and is a beautiful island with whimsical waterfront homes and farms. Nanaimo has numerous parks and hiking trails and is a favourite with outdoor enthusiasts. Bungy jumping is among Nanaimo's diverse recreational opportunities, and it's been named the best scuba diving destination in North America. With two B.C. Ferry terminals, Duke Point and Departure Bay, the Harbour Lynks Ferry, a private passenger only high speed catamaran city to city ferry, and Airport and numerous floatplane facilities Nanaimo is known as the Gateway to Vancouver Island. It's a mecca for shopping, first class dining, accommodations, and arts and entertainment. Its rich history is in coalmining, fishing, and logging.
Lantzville
Lantzville is a small picturesque seaside community that sits just north of the North Nanaimo commercial malls and big box stores. It is a quaint meandering neighbourhood on the Oceanside that gives no hint of its proximity to North Nanaimo facilities with its farms and lovely oceanfront homes dotting the gentle shoreline.
Nanoose Bay
Nanoose Bay has it advantages as it is located north of Nanaimo and south of Parksville so it is easily accessible to all their amenities, even though it maintains its rural quiet atmosphere. The peninsula's large, protected harbour is a popular destination for boater's and boasts two marinas, Schooner Cove Marina and Beachcomber Marina. Nanoose Bay has a number of smaller residential areas within it. The Red Gap area is a more densely populated area of Nanoose Bay, which has a neighbourhood commercial centre including a grocery store, and other shops and the only Nanoose Bay Real Estate office of Royal Lepage. The southerly exposed Gary Oaks area of Nanoose Bay sits on a hillside and affords most of its homes incredible views of the bay and the mountains beyond. A popular retirement destination is the upscale development of Fairwinds in Nanoose Bay, where most homes have stunning views of the ocean, golf course and the Coastal Mountains of British Columbia.
This development is located on the point of the largest peninsula and includes the oceanfront Schooner Cove Hotel and Marina, and one of western Canada's finest golfing facilities: the Fairwinds Golf and Country Club as well as the Fairwinds Community Center, a center which provides its residents with a large pool, sauna, weight room, gymnasium, cards and snooker room, board rooms and kitchen facilities. The Beachcomber area of Nanoose Bay is a small residential peninsula that has the Beachcomber Marina at its doorstep and a natural park. The exclusive Dorcas Point Road has oceanfront estates whose elegance graces the natural shoreline. The Rocking Horse area of Nanoose Bay is a rural area of horse friendly farms where trails abound, and where the delightful English neighbourhood pub called the Rocking Horse Pub is located. The Madrona and Wall Beach area of Nanoose Bay is an exclusive oceanfront and residential area where the 4 star Pacific Shore Resort nestles into the oceans shores, providing a restaurant, fitness facilities and spa to local residents and guests alike. Nanoose Bay has a world class diving site off the Madrona Point affording clear access to a deep water ocean trench. Nanoose is a popular area for kayaking, fishing, boating, hiking, trail walking, golfing, swimming and mountain biking. Easy access to the Island Highway from Nanoose Bay provides its residents with quick availability to all amenities.
Parksville
This town boasts one of the finest climates in Canada and is both a favoured summer family vacation destination and retirement community for Vancouver Island. Parksville is only 37 kilometers north of Nanaimo. Mild winters provide for an active outdoor lifestyle year round. The waterfront strip between Parksville and Qualicum Beach to the north is almost a continuous strip of resort and tourism facilities mixed with private residences. Parksville is an enchanting seaside village that has absolutely stunning beaches that provide hours of recreations for young and old alike. Loaded with restaurants, hotels, stores and a medical walk-in centre this area is centrally located to access every recreational activity afforded to the area.
Parksville has a number of residential areas. Craig Bay sits on the northern edge of Nanoose Bay but was incorporated into Parksville. This popular high-end oceanfront town home development with clubhouse and numerous activities for residence, swimming pool, fitness center, and private walk-on sandy beach and park contains beautiful luxurious homes from the ever popular 3000 sq. ft. Bowen to the smallest 1400 sq. ft Sonora model. The range of product and style is extensive with high ceilings, ocean views and luxurious finishings and decor. River's Edge is Parksville's exclusive high end rural acreage estates with executive homes often affording stunning views of the Englishman River and mountains San Periel sits between the protected Englishman River estuary with boardwalks and nature reserve and the Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park and is a beautiful quiet residential community with access to the park and its splendid sandbar beaches and walking trails. It is a few minute drive north to Parksville and all its amenities.
Parkville's newest subdivision is Corfield Glades which is located within a short walking distance of all downtown Parksville amenities including schools, shops, and the beach and community park. It is a mixture of town homes, large family homes and retirement ranchers. This area has its own neighbourhood park and walking trails. Maple Glen is a mid range residential neighbourhood, that is primarily retirement ranchers and some larger family homes with access to the multiple amenities of Springwood Park and the Springwood Middle School. The Uplands Neighbourhood is one of the most popular sub-divisions in Parksville having a good balance of mid-range residential family homes and retirement ranchers with outstanding views of Mount Arrowsmith from every street. This area has wide tree line boulevards and generous green spaces that compliment the well maintained homes. Uplands is close to all levels of schools including Winchelsea Elementary School, Springwood Middle School, and Ballenas High School. To learn more about this neighbourhood go to uplandsneighbourhood.com.
The Morningstar area incorporates the internationally famous Morningstar Golf Course and supports two large golf course town home developments being St Andrews Lane and Quail's Landing. There are also many high end executive homes with outstanding views across the golf course and to the mountains. On the Oceanside of Morningstar lies the picturesque harbour of French Creek with its array of fishing boats and recreational crafts, a restaurant and bar. This marina has a foot passenger ferry to the remote rural Lasqueti Island in the Georgia Strait. Some people live on this island full time but mostly it is a haven for summer vacation homes. Columbia Beach is an interesting mix of old and new residences containing older retirement homes and large newer oceanfront/ocean view luxury homes.
The area contains a natural park and public beach access with stunning views across the Georgia Strait to the Coastal Mountains of the British Columbia mainland. This small is equidistance to both Qualicum Beach and Parksville. Adjacent to Columbia Beach occupying an exclusive walk-on waterfront location is the popular town home development /gated community known as pebble beach. The complex boasts mature landscaping, ponds, gardens and trail ways to the beach. Sandpiper is an older neighbourhood with a mixture of family and retirement homes on larger lots with mature trees and gardens. Sandpiper has a small children's play park and is within walking distance to Arrowsmith Elementary School. This area also enjoys equidistance to both Qualicum Beach and Parksville and sits approximately on the opposite side of the Oceanside island highway to Columbia Beach.
Parksville holds many festivals throughout the year including the Parksville Beach Festival which has numerous activities and events for children of all ages. The Brant Wildlife Festival celebrates the migration of up to 20,000 Brant geese from Mexico to their Alaskan breeding grounds. The beaches around Parksville and neighbouring Qualicum are the site of an annual migration of thousands of brant geese in mid-April. Parksville is often the base for west-coast visitors to travel to various island activities including the whale-watching festival, skiing at Mount Washington, and fishing in Campbell River and other locations.
Errington
Located in the foothills of Mount Arrowsmith sporting views of the mountain and the Englishman River valley and directly south of Parksville is the small community of Errington. It has large tracks of natural forest, and is a farming community which boasts the entry way to the Englishman River Falls and the 97 hectare park with walking trails through lush old growth trees appropriately named the Englishman River Falls Provincial Park. The North Island Wildlife Recovery Association is located in Errington as is a children's farm with hands-on experience called Tiger Lily Farm. The area is a haven for equestrian estates and hobby farms. An eclectic assortment of farmers, artisans and craftspeople live in Errington which makes this small community a bountiful resource for a variety of attractions.
Coombs / Hilliers
The area of Coombs and Hilliers is dotted with hobby farms and acreages. Clustered along the Coombs section of the Port Alberni/Tofino Highway 4 and nine kilometers west of Parksville is a popular stopping point for tourists as it is a plethora of small gift shops, antique stores, craft stores and the famous, Goats on the roof Coombs Old Country Market. There are many festivities throughout the year celebrated in Coombs, including the Rodeo and the annual Coombs Country Arts and Crafts Fairs are held in mid July at the Coombs Rodeo Ground. The Cameron Lake Recreation Site is 12 kilometers west of Coombs which has an abundance of picnic sites, campsites and a boat launch. Little Qualicum River Provincial Park is nearby and possibly the most magnificent park on Vancouver Island. Other natural amenities close at hand are MacMillan Provincial Park famous for Cathedral Grove, Mount Arrowsmith which offers skiing, hiking, rock climbing and incredible views of Vancouver Island.
Qualicum Beach
Qualicum Beach is an enchanting seaside village whose sights and smells reminds one of the quintessential European village with charming tea rooms, shops, restaurants, quaint courtyards, and a commanding clock tower. Qualicum Beach is located on the eastern shores of Vancouver Island, 12 kilometers north of Parksville on the Oceanside Route (Hwy 19A). Arts and crafts abound in the area, which is home to painters, weavers, sculptors, carvers, glass blowers and other artisans. The Old School House Gallery and Art Centre, in the heart of Qualicum Beach, exhibits local artisans' creations, as well as holding frequent workshops, classes, and concerts.
Cultural and theatrical events thrive in Qualicum Beach. Bard to Broadway is a summer theatre production under "The Big White Tent", draws many live theatre enthusiasts. The Village Theatre in the heart of Qualicum Beach hosts shows in both summer and winter. Many of these productions are put on by the resident ECHO Players who specialize in musicals and lighter fare. Fire and Ice is the premier May event held in the town of Qualicum Beach. The Fire component refers to teams competing to prepare and serve up the Ultimate Chile. The Ice component of the festival comprises of over 20 ice carvers who complete to create block ice sculptures. Other festivities include street entertainment, a firewalking display and the finale awards presentation.
The annual Brant Wildlife Festival celebrates the migration of up to 20,000 Brant geese from Mexico to their Alaskan breeding grounds. The beaches around Parksville and Qualicum have been the site of an annual migration of tens of thousands of brant geese since well before the settlement of the town. This migration has been cause for annual mid-April festivities in the town. There are no less than six world-class golf courses in the Qualicum Beach area, and the pleasant sunny climate means play continues year-round. The Qualicum Beach Memorial Golf Course lies between the town and the ocean and enjoys ocean and mountain views. There are many homes that front the course taking advantage of the greens as well as the ocean and mountain vistas. French Creek Marina is the nearest Marina to Qualicum Beach a 5 to 10 minute drive.
Enjoy the seasonal Saturday morning farmer's market in the town of Qualicum Beach and stroll through the market stalls selling local farm produce household items, and crafts. Another Qualicum Beach attraction is the heritage home and unspoiled 70 acre oceanfront Milner Gardens and Woodland estate. This beautiful garden has huge rhododendron-lined glades that is carpeted with cyclamen, trillium and other indigenous plants and is open to the public. The Qualicum Beach Civic Centre and Ravensong Aquatic Centre with neighbouring Lawn Bowling grounds and sports fields provide ample opportunity for participation in fitness and sport activities.
Gently cascading from the central point of the Qualicum Beach village finds Qualicum Beach's charming neighbourhoods.
The Eaglecrest neighbourhood of Qualicum Beach has a variety of homes which are older, elegant European style bungalows amidst the abundance of mature trees and protected crown forests surrounding the world popular Eaglecrest Golf Course. There are also newer executive homes in this desirable neighbourhood affording spectacular ocean views or wonderful walk-on waterfronts with glorious sandy beaches and rock pools at low tide. This is one of the most prestigious neighbourhoods of Qualicum Beach, for good reason!
The Chartwell area of Qualicum Beach is a modern subdivision of higher end retirement rancher style homes, some with extensive basement developments permitting families to reside in this quiet exclusive neighbourhood. It is within walking distance to the Arrowsmith Elementary School and a 5 minute drive to the Qualicum Beach village center and is adjacent to Qualicum Beach Airport which is used for smaller and lighter aircraft but services 5 daily flights to Vancouver and has an active flying club. For golf enthusiast Pheasant Glen Golf Course is within walking distance of this neighbourhood. The neighbourhood of Qualicum Woods is an older well established sub-division with larger lots and an abundance of trees including the adjacent Heritage Forest of Qualicum Beach which is a 35 acre nature reserve which showcases an old-growth Coastal Douglas Fir eco-system, complete with forest trails and a salmon-bearing stream.
The famous and exclusive waterfront area known as Judges Row is the most expensive street in Qualicum Beach. These often regal homes of distinction and character with beautifully manicured park-like gardens proudly nestle between the sandy beaches of the oceanfront and the land's gentle sloping embankment. Above Qualicum Beach is the neighbourhood of Hermitage Park which is the only subdivision within walking distance to the village of Qualicum Beach. The no-through road policy of this sub-division allows for a quiet peaceful neighbourhood of newer and older homes which boasts mature landscaping, many trees and easy access to the inland highway. It is within walking distance of Qualicum Elementary School. The subdivision enjoys and elevated perspective with views over the village and the ocean beyond.
Surfside is a small sought after waterfront community bordering the Little Qualicum River Estuary Park. The ocean frontage has miles of open sand at low tide. It is a mixture of older summer cottages and newer architecturally desirable high-end homes. This quiet enclave of Qualicum Beach is full of wildlife from Killer Whales to Eagles.
Located 5 minutes up the coast from Qualicum Beach across the Little Qualicum River Bridge lies a quiet rural community known as Dashwood, which boast elegant bluff point waterfront estates and hilltop residences with dramatic ocean and river views. There is a mixture of retirement and family homes in this area.
Qualicum North or Lighthouse Country
Lighthouse Country incorporates three waterfront areas north of Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island. These include Horne Lake, Qualicum Bay and Bowser/Deep Bay. This area is stunningly picturesque and runs along the Oceanside route of 19A from Qualicum Beach to Fanny Bay. The breathtaking views include the popular holiday spots of Denman and Hornby Islands, and the coastal mountains across the Straight of Georgia on the British Columbia mainland.
This area also includes the newly expanding Little Qualicum River Village. This high altitude remote gated community is 20 minutes north-west of Qualicum Beach. It plans to incorporate a variety of housing types from summer recreation vehicle use to retirement ranchers on small lots to larger acreage properties almost all affording dramatic mountain and distance ocean views. This community is in a rural wilderness setting next the Little Qualicum River Park. This community will be serviced by a small village center.
Horne Lake
Horne Lake is located 18 kilometers west or inland of the quaint town of Qualicum Beach. It is a favoured destination vacation spot for hikers, campers, cavers, boaters, picnickers and fresh water swimmers. There are private homes along the lake but for the public, at the west end of Horne Lake, adjacent to the Horne Lake Caves one finds the Horne Lake Regional Park which is a 260 acres parcel of land which includes: pristine forests, views of local mountains, 3 kilometers of lakefront and a further 2 kilometers of Qualicum River frontage. Spider Lake is a small lake nearby Horne Lake and has a lovely stretch of beach beside the warm, clear waters of the lake for picnicking or swimming Qualicum Bay and Bowser are about 25 kilometers to the east of Horne Lake along the oceanfront, and provide necessary amenities such as gas, groceries and restaurants.
Qualicum Bay
Qualicum Bay is an oceanfront community that is within the area known as the Lighthouse Country or Qualicum North. It is becoming increasingly popular as it is easily accessible to Qualicum Beach and Comox/Courtney amenities including the Comox Airport. The Arrowsmith Golf course is close to this area.
Bowser/Deep Bay
Bowser is an oceanfront community located 21 kilometers north of Qualicum Beach (a 20 minute drive north). Bowser is also a short drive further north to Courtney and Comox, which has numerous large stores and amenities including the Comox Airport which is a West Jet destination including daily services from Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta.
Rosewall Creek Provincial Park is just north of Bowser and is a small 63 hectare roadside park. The park offers riverbank casting at the entrance to Qualicum Bay. Bowser area recreational activities include swimming, hiking, golf, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, and cave spelunking, kayaking, boating and fishing. Bowser attractions include clam and oyster picking, whale watching and there are also many galleries and artisan in the area.
Denman Island and Hornby Island
Denman and Hornby Islands are just off the east coast of Vancouver Island. Denman Island is accessible by a 15 minute ferry ride from Buckley Bay. Denman Island is the larger of the two islands and is dotted by quaint pastoral farmlands and various artisans that live on the island. You get to Hornby Island by way of Denman Island. Travelers must cross Denman Island to Gravelly Bay and take a short ferry ride to Shingle Spit on Hornby Island which has splendid white sandy beaches.
Fanny Bay
Fanny Bay is a small Oceanside community located on Baynes Sound that is 10 minutes north of the Qualicum North or Lighthouse Country area on the east coast of the mid-Vancouver Island region located approximately an hour's drive from Nanaimo. Fanny Bay is well known for its Oysters.
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