The views expressed in this Opinion article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Narcity Media.
This B.C. island is full of juxtapositions—a bustling city center not far from thick rainforests veiled in mist, and a dramatically rugged coastline blending into sandy shores filled with beachgoers in the summertime. Vancouver Island is the kind of place where adventure, natural beauty, and the liveliness of a city all come together.
It’s no hidden gem, with many travel lists putting it on the global stage, filling our feeds with breathtaking photos of the island alongside other 2025 tourism hotspots. It’s been ranked among the world’s best time and time again — from the likes of Condé Nast to CNN Travel — finding its way onto the bucket lists of many.
I’ve been lucky enough to explore Vancouver Island on a few occasions, the distinctive beauty of it always drawing me back. With every trip, my list of things to do grows instead of shrinks, which is a testament to how magical this place is.
Vancouver Island is massive and around every corner there’s another little pocket beauty to check out.
While I haven’t seen it all, I can tell you why the rankings have gotten it right by placing Vancouver Island among the world’s most sought-after destinations for 2025.
Here’s what keeps me coming back, and will probably make you fall in love with Vancouver Island too.
The city’s charm
The island’s natural beauty is at the top of my list of reasons why I visit, but the fact that it’s also home to one of my favourite cities makes it that much better.
While I lived in Vancouver for a year, the more popular B.C. city, Victoria has its own unique charm. It’s smaller and overall less hectic, with historic buildings and cobblestone streets that bring an old-school feel to the city. Walking around you’ll pass by narrow alleyways, with shops tucked away within, adding a fun flair to a day spent wandering around.
The walkability of the city is something I love, with cool local boutiques next to great restaurants, all relatively close to the scenic waterfront pathway.
While the harbourfront is beautiful — and especially picturesque with the Fairmont Empress overlooking it — heading a bit outside of downtown is where you’ll find lovely oceanfront walks, rocky beaches and idyllic parks.
I stayed at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel on one visit to the city and the quiet neighbourhood along the water was especially stunning. The hotel is also famous for its hot pools overlooking the water, making for an unreal weekend getaway spot.
To me, this city just feels well-balanced. You get city perks like the shopping and award-winning restaurants, but a cozy feel in surrounding neighbourhoods and easy access to peaceful nature (often without crowds of people).
You can’t skip Tofino
This beach town is well-known on a global scale but don’t let the crowds deter you from visiting. The rugged scenery here makes it one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to.
I’ve always camped when visiting since it’s cheaper than the typically pricey hotels and Airbnbs, and that meant spending all my time soaking in the unbelievable nature. If you want a slightly cheaper stay you can also head to the nearby town of Ucluelet, which is usually less busy.
Bella Pacifica Campground, right in Tofino, has sites tucked into the treeline along the beach. You get that dreamy camping experience of unzipping your tent and looking out onto the sparkling ocean.
While here, my group rented bikes and took to the winding pathway that leads you throughout the area, passing by various beaches. Peddling through woods and past towering trees you’ll get glimpses of the jagged rocks along the coast and the ocean beyond. Just biking along is fun, but stopping at Long Beach is a must.
It’s one of the most popular beaches in Tofino, within the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. It’s known for Incinerator Rock, which is an easy-to-spot landmark out in the water.
Surfing is a trademark of the town, and you can rent a board (or get a lesson) while there. You’ll see lots of other people floating out in the water waiting for waves, and joining them is a fun way to spend an afternoon.
Make sure to explore the depths of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve while here too. The Long Beach Unit of the park is between Tofino and Ucluelet, and while the shoreline is stunning there are trails that take you into old-growth forest. The rainforest trails immerse you in the vibrant area that’s unique to the region.
While summers are when people usually make the trip here, there’s also something to visiting during the off-season. The rain clouds roll in but with mist shrouding the beaches and forests there’s a certain beauty that comes along with it too. Plus, it’s a haven for storm-watching, when the power of nature is on full display.
Don’t skip the other areas
While the sandy beaches of the Tofino area are stunning, there’s also something about the ones along the Juan de Fuca area. The pristine shoreline here has that same untouched feel, especially if you are willing to hike onto the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, where you can reach more secluded areas.
I spent a weekend camping in Juan de Fuca Park, taking in the lush greenery of the forest and the peaceful sounds of nature within. We hiked through the vibrant forest trail to Mystic Beach, and the famed waterfall there delivered on all fronts— and still stands as one of my favourite hikes ever.
The raw beauty of this park lets you escape into the wilderness of the area, and it’s a reminder that there are so many underrated parts of the island.
There’s more than the coastline
I’m a sucker for a good beach, but there’s a lot to explore on the islands apart from the ocean vistas.
The Sooke Potholes were one of the spots that took me by surprise, with its bright emerald water and unique rock formations. You can swim between canyon walls and past bedrock that was carved out by glacial action in the last ice age — and it’s just tucked away in a park not far from Victoria.
That’s just one example of some of the spectacular nature that’s waiting around the island. Then there are all of the small towns and communities — including one known for goats roaming the roof of a local market — and brilliant nature preserves like Strathcona Park.
Waterfalls, forest trails, and wildlife so rich that it inspired a whole Netflix documentary — if you haven’t watched Island of the Sea Wovles add it to your list — are all here and works to make this one of the most remarkable places I’ve visited.
Vancouver Island undoubtedly deserves the praise it receives, if not more, and won’t disappoint if you make the trip.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
Source: Narcity – Read More
