Go Northwest! A Travel Guide.  

  You are here: Go Northwest! HOME/...  British Columbia/...  The Islands

THE ISLANDS

Vancouver Island

The Gulf Islands
Gabriola Island
Galiano Island
Hornby Island
Pender Island
Salt Spring Island

Queen Charlotte Islands

Barkley Sound


Cities and Towns on Vancouver Island
Campbell River
Cobble Hill
Comox
Courtenay
Duncan
Nanaimo
Oak Bay
Parksville
Qualicum Beach
Sooke
Tofino
Victoria

Vancouver Island Sea Kayaking Areas
Barkley Sound
Clayoquot Sound
Gulf Islands
Johnstone Strait
Nootka Sound

British Columbia, Canada
The Islands Travel Region

The islands of British Columbia could be considered a microcosm of the province’s richest environments. With the exception of the arid desert that surrounds Osoyoos in Thompson Okanagan region, just about every climate zone can be found on B.C.’s west coast. From the remote rainforests of the Queen Charlotte Islands, to the snowy heights of Mt. Washington on Vancouver Island, the islands just about have it all. No region better mirrors the diversity of cultures, climates and communities of British Columbia than the island populations that enrich its coastline.

There are three distinct archipelagos of islands in British Columbia. The Queen Charlotte Islands, located off the coast of Northern British Columbia are known for their lush beauty and ancient First Nations communities. Toward the southern end of the province are the spectacular but remote Discovery Islands. Further south is a string of islands and islets called the Gulf Islands. Known for their abundant sunshine and quiet beaches, the Gulf Islands are one of B.C.’s most popular island destinations.

Vancouver Island, also located at the southwest corner of the province, is home to world-famous Victoria, with its stately 19th century historic buildings and Old England charm.

B.C.’s ferry service links the mainland with most of the province’s larger islands. Travelers can board ferries from several ports, including Horseshoe Bay, near West Vancouver, and Tsawwassen, southwest of Vancouver. Transportation to the Queen Charlottes is available from the Northern B.C. city of Prince Rupert, but can also be reached from Vancouver by a three-day ferry trip from the Vancouver Island town of Port Hardy.

VISITOR   INFORMATION

Tourism Association of Vancouver Island.  #203 - 335 Wesley Street, Nanaimo, BC V9R 2T5.  Phone: 250-754-3500; Fax: 250-754-3599.  E-mail

Sea to Sky Country
These web pages by Mountain Internet have description, photos, weather and map of the Islands region, which stretches from above Vancouver to Lillooet.

Gulfislands.com
This sponsored site, promoting island businesses, includes accommodations on Galiano, Pender, Saltspring and Saturna Islands.

THE ISLANDS

Vancouver Island

The Gulf Islands

Queen Charlotte Islands


 

 

Go Northwest! Bookstore
Best selection of books on the Northwest.
Click here!

British Columbia Handbook: Including Vancouver, Victoria, and the Canadian Rockies
by Jane King, Andrew Hempstead.
May 2000, Paperback, 5th edition, 430 pages, (non-fiction). Covering recreation, accommodations, food, transportation, and sights for all regions in British Columbia. Order now...

Frommer's British Columbia & the Canadian Rockies
by Bill McRae, Shawn Blore
June 2000, Paperback, 3rd edition, 432 pages, (guidebook)
Readers can take their pick of sunny coastal resorts, misty islands, lush temperate rain forest, rugged mountains with world-class ski slopes, alpine meadows, verdant wine country or the neighboring Banff and Jasper national parks. Order now...

Kayaking Vancouver Island: Great Trips from Port Hardy to Victoria
by Gary Backlund, Paul Grey. Paperback - April 1, 2003. Using a guidebook format with journal-like entries from their own travels, the authors cover detail on launch sites, lunch sites, currents, tides, local mythology, folklore and history, local conditions, charts, marine weather and coastal regulations.

Easykayaker: A Guide to Laid-Back Vancouver Island Paddling. by Paul Grey, Gary Backlund. Paperback: 192 pages, Greyswan Publications, January 1, 2002.
Focuses mainly on eastern Vancouver Island and other popular Vancouver Island paddling locations ranging from the Gulf Islands to the Broken Group and Nootka Sound.

We appreciate your orders.  They help keep Go Northwest! online.

Northwest Books
from . . . 


Shopping at
Go Northwest!

gnwtrailmade31.jpg (3024 bytes)

gnwtrailmtstore31.gif (1566 bytes)

gnwtrailmap31.gif (1636 bytes)

gnwtrailorbook31.gif (1561 bytes)

Home    British Columbia    Idaho      Montana    Oregon    Washington
About Us    Contact Us    Copyright   Terms of Use    Privacy    Disclaimer    Business Services    List with Us    Advertising    Web Hosting   

Go Northwest!®    gonorthwest.com (tm)

Go Northwest!® gonorthwest.com (tm) and GoNorthwest.com (tm) are trademarks of Go Northwest, LLC
All original text, maps, photographs, and other images on this web site, as well as the compilation and design thereof, are
Copyright © 1997-2008 Go Northwest, LLC.   All rights reserved.

Revised: May 13, 2008.