10 Things To Do On Vancouver Island

I have compiled this random list of what I think are the best things to do on Vancouver Island (mainly in the summer months).

10. Go Fishing: There are so many fishing hot spots off of Vancouver Island it's amazing, so many choices of location (Port Alberni, Campbell River, Sooke, Port Hardy, etc) and so many choices of fish! (salmon, trout, cod, etc).

9. Nanaimo's International World Championship Bathtub Race: This occurs near the end of July and is one of the biggest events of the year for Nanaimo.

8. Vancouver Island MusicFest: This happens July 10-12 in the Comox Valley, the organizers try to keep it as green as possible, local food, recyclable products, etc! 3 days of great music!

7. Saratoga Speedway: Located halfway between Campbell River and Courtenay, drag racing, monster trucks and modified stock cars will keep everyone entertained!

6. West Coast Trail: This 75km hike that stretches in between Gordon River and Pachena Bay is a popular one, reservations required! Experience the natural world of Vancouver Island.

5. Strathcona Park: This is BC's oldest provincial park and the location of Vancouver Island's highest mountain. Plenty of hiking, mountain biking and camping can be done.

4. Camping: Lake Cowichan, Port Alberni, Goldstream, and Tofino are some popular camping areas, but any community on the island is campable! (is that even a word?)

3. The Beach: There are many beaches but the most popular ones would probably be Parksville, Rathtrevor, Long Beach and Pachena Bay.

2. The River: River swimming is very popular on Vancouver Island. Sooke Pot holes, Nanaimo River, Nimpkish, and Englishman River are some good areas to check out.

1. Long Beach, Tofino: With a population of about 1900 (this triples in the summer), Tofino is the place for surfing, classy resorts/spas, amazing beaches, fishing and the true West Coast.

Did I miss anything?

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Vancouver Island and The 2010 Olympics.

So, the Olympics (Winter) are coming to Vancouver. Here are some interesting stats on previous Olympics. This was found HERE.

Olympics have been known to greatly increase tourism, and this won't be any different with a city that already has great interest world wide.

Calgary 1988

• During Calgary's Olympic year, tourism grew by 12 per cent, augmented by an average annual growth of 3.25 per cent in the five years following the Olympics.

Sydney 2000

• Sydney had 1.6 million additional visitors in the year following its 2000 Games.

• Sydney saw $6 billion of worldwide media exposure as a result of the Games.

Salt Lake City 2002

• 9,000 International Olympic Committee (IOC) accredited media attended the Salt Lake City Games, while an additional 1,600 non-accredited media were in Park City for the Games.

Vancouver-Whistler 2010

• Number of visitors expected during the Games is 17,000 per day in Whistler.

• NBC will pay $820 million for the U.S. television rights for the 2010 Winter Games. The IOC told Bid cities to estimate 49 percent of all television contracts for the 2010 Olympics in their budgets, currently estimated at $400 million US. This amount supersedes the $348 million estimated in budgets prepared by Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation.

Other numbers

• Number of rooms required for media and broadcasters in Vancouver and Whistler: 9,000.

• Amount of federal/provincial Endowment Fund contribution to support ongoing operations of Olympic Venues after the Games have ended: $71 million.

• Number of countries expected to participate in 2010 Paralympic Games: 40; number of athletes: 700.

• Number of passenger ferries that would transport people from Richmond and Canada Place to Squamish during the Olympics: 16. Number of buses operating daily between Vancouver and Whistler: 900.

• Amount spectators will pay for event tickets: $19 to $710; number of tickets available: 1.8 million.

Vancouver Island is just a short ferry ride away from Vancouver, more laid-back, more in-tune with nature and more enticing for older folks who are looking to retire without having to pay 1 million for a condo. The Swedish nordic ski team has expressed interest in using the Mount Washington site for training. Booths will be set up at the Olympics highlighting and educating the public on the beauty that is Vancouver Island.

Vancouver Island will benefit greatly from this opportunity and hopefully people find out how great our little island really is.

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West Coast Trail.

Recently I've been researching a potential West Coast Trail adventure. I'm shooting for April-May of 2009. Upon researching I've learned quite a bit about the process which eventually leads up to the 75km trek.

First and foremost you have to book a reservation(not MANDATORY, but strongly recommended) at least 90 days in advance. There's a reservation fee of $25.00 per person. This is in ADDITION to the $70 it costs for the Trail Use Permit Fee. This is payable when you start your hike.

There are two possible start sites - One being the Pachena Bay Trail head which is near Bamfield. The other is the Gordon River trail head. This one is usually suggested as the beginning is quite rugged, therefore you can somewhat enjoy the rest of the hike from this point. There is also a mid-entrance which is located near NitNat Lake.

The hike is expected to take 5-7 days, or potentially more depending on your speed.

This hike is not suggested for beginners, it's a moderately difficult trek. I think I'll do it !!!

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Bamfield

A couple years ago in my infinite wisdom I decided to take off for the summer and picked up a job in Bamfield working at the lodge there. It was the first time I had ever been and I thought I was truly lost after driving on a mediocre gravel road for over an hour. The road was first built in 1963 and is still an active logging road, so if you happen to be driving it (especially in the summer when it's dry) be sure to pull over and wind up your windows. I was driving the road twice a week back and forth and I had dust in my car where you would never imagine. There are other ways of getting there - floatplane, boat, and the M.V Lady Rose which boards in Port Alberni.

The population of Bamfield is about 200 off season, but swells immensely in the summer, as it attracts visitors, fishers, camping and hikers. It is close to the West Coast trail. I met people from ALL over, literally. There is one store in the town, which is also the liquor store. Bamfield is also seperated by an inlet, called West Bamfield which is where the Bamfield Lodge is located, it is accessible by boat and there is also a water taxi avaliable. The Bamfield Pub has delicious fresh seafood dishes and many other selection, as well as daily specials that will delight the tastebuds. The people in Bamfield are laidback and friendly.

There is also the Bamfield Marine Sciences Center that is open to the public and students study there throughout the summer. Bamfield is worth the trip!

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