Vancouver Island

Ancient cedars tower like gothic spires in forests where First Nations peoples have carved totems for thousands of years. Vancouver Island bridges two worlds - Pacific storms crash against its wild western shores while tranquil waters lap the eastern coast where orcas hunt in matriarchal pods. Trees here grow to staggering proportions, some standing since before Columbus sailed. Resident orca families cruise past kelp forests where wolf packs hunt salmon on beaches. Black bears feast on barnacles at low tide while cougars ghost through moss-draped forests. The island's isolation created unique subspecies - wolves that fish, marmots found nowhere else, and the kermode or 'spirit bear' that appears like a ghost in the green darkness. Indigenous communities lead visitors into their ancestral territories, sharing songs that mimic whale calls and stories carved into ancient cedars. Hot springs hidden in old-growth forests offer soaks with ocean views. Sustainable forestry practices protect remaining giants while whale-watching boats follow strict approach distances, allowing orcas to hunt undisturbed.

Water Features

Pacific Ocean, fjords, rivers, waterfalls

Ecosystem

This destination features a temperate forest ecosystem.