For a quintessential West Coast expertise, the enchanting trio of Nanoose Bay, Parksville, and Qualicum Seashore on Vancouver Island have a lot to supply travellers. Only a ferry journey and a brief drive from Metro Vancouver, these coastal gems on mid-Vancouver Island supply a charming mix of pure magnificence, out of doors adventures, and a heat, welcoming group.

There are plentiful actions within the area to have interaction all types of holiday makers, whether or not you are seeking to play a spherical or two of golf (mini or the true deal), hike trails with breathtaking views, forest bathe, or go whale-spotting. Households will get pleasure from a wide range of recreation choices, from Parksville’s incredible ocean-side playground to bumper boats and arcade video games or only a day on the seashore. And even essentially the most die-hard adventurer can respect a spa day!

I am the sort of traveller who loves seashore roving, mellow hikes, and walks that permit for loads of stops to take a look at outlets, artwork, and good eats – and a spherical of mini golf for good measure. Luckily, these beach-side communities on Vancouver Island’s central east coast serve up these alternatives in spades. 

Keep

Fairwinds Residences, Nanoose Bay

Nestled alongside the picturesque shoreline of Nanoose Bay, the Fairwinds Residences on the marina supply an unparalleled retreat. These fully-renovated luxurious waterfront condos present short-term leases with all of the comforts of house, together with spacious dwelling areas, fully-equipped kitchens, and gorgeous views. You are subsequent door to the Nanoose Bay Cafe, which implies your subsequent nice breakfast, lunch, or dinner is useful, as is their small market that includes merchandise and produce from native distributors and farms. If you happen to want, take a brief drive to the closest grocery retailer, however you should definitely preserve your eyes out for the numerous deer that roam the hillsides of this quiet group. You’ll want to put aside time to loosen up on the patio, significantly for those who’ve received a rental with a marina view, to drink within the coastal great thing about Nanoose Bay and watch the sailboats glide by, or catch a dawn or sundown whereas having fun with the glow of the gasoline hearth pit. 

Deal with: 3521 Dolphin Dr, Nanoose Bay

See, study, store, and play

Let’s face it: You may’t do all the pieces in a single go to to those lovely mid-Island communities (so it is completely cheap that after you have left you end up planning your subsequent go to already). In Nanoose Bay, you do actions like horseback driving, skydiving, bird-watching, kayaking, scuba diving, and climbing. Head to Parksville and Qualicum Seashore to discover the shoreline, loosen up on the spa, or do some buying; relating to the latter I am a giant fan of roaming Qualicum Seashore’s central enterprise space on foot, stopping in at its many outlets promoting books, housewares, artisan items, and secondhand treasures. 

For many who need to study extra concerning the native historical past, problem companions at mini golf, or see the paintings created by proficient space residents, listed below are a number of stand-out choices for what to do: 

Milner Gardens & Tea Room

For many who respect a little bit historical past and horticulture – with a facet of scones and tea – a go to to Milner Gardens is the proper approach to spend a while within the space. Avid artist and gardener Veronica Milner was as soon as the woman of the home who oversaw her charming 1931-built residence and the expansive grounds. She died in 1998, however donated the property to Vancouver Island College in 1996. VIU runs the 70-acre seaside backyard “oasis,” with a small workers of workers and a big crew of volunteers who assist make it a magical place to walk forested paths, peer at passing pods of whales within the waters beneath, and marvel on the crops and flowers. You’ll want to put aside time to have lunch or a snack on the tea room contained in the Milner home. You may take house tea blends or house-made jams as souvenirs, or store the reward store for prints of Milner’s paintings. 

Deal with: 2179 Island Hwy W, Qualicum Seashore

Paradise Enjoyable Park

Paradise Enjoyable Park in Paksville provides a laid-back and fulfilling expertise for households and guests of all ages – until you’re a cutthroat competitor and also you’re right here chasing the joys of the win. The colorful highway-side amusement park supplies a spread of leisurely actions, together with mini-golf on two elaborately-themed 18-hole programs, bumper boats, and go-karts, set towards a backdrop of well-tended grounds. Chill with a snack from the concession stand and take a look at your luck on the arcade. 

Deal with: 375 Island Hwy W, Parksville

The Previous Faculty Home Arts Centre

The cheery yellow constructing on the sting of city in Qualicum Seashore occurs to be a welcoming hub for native artists. Arrange like a gallery, you possibly can roam from room to room to see the newest works from a number of artists from the area, and go to them in individual of their workshops to study extra about their work. You do not truly exit by the reward store, however you would be remiss for those who did not pay it a go to and choose up a one-of-a-kind treasure from a proficient space artist. 

Deal with: 122 Fern Rd W, Qualicum Seashore

Parksville Museum

This by-donation indoor-outdoor museum is immersive and interactive, and a worthwhile spot in case you are curious concerning the space’s wealthy historical past. Arrange like a small city, company can roam the grounds, coming into buildings to find out about all elements of native historical past, from the arrival of the railroad to what life was like a century or extra in the past for settlers. Ring the old school faculty bell and sit within the one-room schoolhouse, step inside an outdated publish workplace, or head to the primary room the place there are tons of artifacts and images from days passed by. 

Deal with: 1245 Island Hwy E, Parksville

Riptide Lagoon

Riptide Lagoon in Parksville is an absolute blast, the place you possibly can bask in a world of enjoyable with thrilling rounds of mini golf and an array of arcade video games. Positioned alongside the “resort” strip, Riptide Lagoon boasts two mini golf programs, every with its personal terrain, challenges, and charming landscapes. After surrendering a number of cash to the arcade, bounce within the bumper vehicles, or sit back with a beneficiant scoop of Island Farms ice cream from the deal with store.

Deal with: 1000 Resort Dr, Parksville

Parksville Neighborhood Park

This ocean-side park is taken into account the “jewel of Parksville” with good motive, because of its unbelievable location in shut proximity to the downtown district, group occasions, and probably the greatest playgrounds in British Columbia for youths of all ages and skills. Along with the playground there is a splash park and an out of doors health club for the kids and adults who need the prospect to maneuver their our bodies a bit. Stroll the boardwalk (its terminus level is on the Seashore Membership Resort), arrange on the sandy shore, or go fly a kite. The facilities are seemingly countless right here for adventure-seekers and sports activities lovers, however for those who simply need to dip your toes within the water and take in the solar, that works, too. Summertime guests take be aware: In July and August, that is the place you may go to expertise the annual sandcastle competitors and Seashore Fest.

Deal with: Entry from Hwy 19A in central Parksville (Beachside Drive)

Eat

The previous few years have seen a number of development and alter on this space simply north of Nanaimo, and with an inflow of residents representing a youthful demographic, and a few Mainland people making the transfer throughout the Strait of Georgia, there’s been a giant shift within the mid-Island area’s meals scene – however there’s nothing “mid” about it. 

A few of my favorite locations to get pleasure from incredible foods and drinks in Nanoose Bay, Qualicum Seashore, and Parksville embrace the next: 

These breweries, eating places, espresso roasteries, and legacy companies are making a go to to the “Mid-Island” area all of the extra worthwhile for meals lovers, and you may examine every of those unbelievable locations in my information to a few of the greatest locations to eat in Nanoose Bay, Parksville, and Qualicum Seashore.

Listed below are a few different stops I like to recommend for locating recent native fare from Vancouver Island:

Qualicum Seashore Farmers Market

The Qualicum Seashore Farmers Market takes place each Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to midday, showcasing the best within the area’s native produce, artisanal crafts, and delectable treats. Taking up a beneficiant portion of land adjoining to the prepare tracks within the coronary heart of Qualicum Seashore, this market provides an array of recent meals, handmade items, and mouthwatering meals stalls. Even for those who aren’t going to fill your luggage with goodies, this can be a nice approach to expertise the essence of Vancouver Island’s tradition and flavours. Search for all types of baked items, preserves, ferments, condiments, and crafted objects; for those who’re in search of a beverage to get pleasure from whereas strolling the stalls, head to the Flyte Cafe trailer to get drink creations like a nitro London Fog or iced tea made with seasonal fruit. 

Deal with: 172 Veterans Approach, Qualicum Seashore

French Creek Seafood

There isn’t any approach to make this fish market sound fairly, as a result of, to be actual, it is proper on the busy docks and is all concerning the enterprise of getting recent native seafood from the waters to the desk. Drive during the huge parking zone, onto the gravel, and cling a left to get to the constructing that homes this small market store (parking is free for retailer clients). If you’re seeking to prepare dinner a recent catch throughout your keep, you may discover what you want right here, however in case you are additionally simply in search of picnic meals, snacks, or shelf-stable meals to savour again at house, yow will discover numerous merchandise right here. I like their very own smoked tuna and salmon, canned underneath their very own label, to take as a tasty memento, together with some morsels of candied salmon for a little bit highway snack. Cannot beat how recent it’s!

Deal with: 1097 Lee Rd, Parksville

Disclaimer: Due to Parksville Qualicum Seashore and the Nanoose Bay Cafe/Fairwinds Residences for facilitating the go to and a few of the featured experiences. All opinions and inclusions are these of the writer and weren’t guided or influenced in any approach, and not one of the companies or entities talked about have been granted any previews of this article previous to publication.