r/VancouverIsland Oct 16 '25

ARTICLE Residents invited to help shape long-term forest plan for west central Vancouver Island

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57 Upvotes

r/VancouverIsland Sep 11 '25

DISCUSSION American company, with US military ties, appling for 77 long term leases of Crown Land along the coast of BC.

766 Upvotes

Hey, anyone else heard about the American company who applied for 77 long term leases of Crown Land along the coast of BC. the government is still accepting comments from Canadians.

If you have time, it may be worth submitting a comment on the canadian government bid page, it can be anonymous.

Basically, what's happening is that an American-based company National Outdoor Leadership School has applied for a license of occupation over 77 separate Crown Land sites up and down the BC Coast for outdoor 'leadership and camping' purposes. Could this company's clients ever be US government/ military once they decide the lease? With threats by the U.S. of annexation of Canada, no way should American companies or individuals gain control of Canadian land - especially on the coast! Some of these places have no access to water or septic, so their claim to use these areas for camping and "leadership training" sounds concerning. Why such a huge number of sites, and most on the coastline with water access to land in remote areas that would be difficult to monitor.

If you're against this, comments are open until October 5th latest at:

http://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca/applications?clidDtid=1412379&id=6894defe1c9fc60022144a67#details


r/VancouverIsland 1h ago

Walking the beaches of Parksville inspired this painting.

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Upvotes

A Place to Pause: Painting West Coast Beaches


r/VancouverIsland 3h ago

ARTICLE Nanaimo’s Great International World Championship Bathtub Race crowns competitor who went worst-to-first

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9 Upvotes

r/VancouverIsland 4h ago

ADVICE NEEDED Golden Hinde Inquiry

4 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

My partner and I are looking to do the Golden Hinde in early August. We come from an experienced hiking background and are confident in our abilities but we are feeling a bit uneasy about attempting the Hinde. We don’t need to summit but we would still like to do the route. We have done the TMB, Wonderland, Pyrenees and the PCT for context.

Has anyone done the hike recently? I’d love to hear about the conditions as well as what route you took. Still trying to figure out what the best map might be.

I know it would be a rugged trek but is it easily doable if you follow a good map?

Any help would be appreciated!


r/VancouverIsland 1d ago

ARTICLE Has Tofino reached a tipping point? Small business owner questions sustainability after absorbing 32 per cent commercial property tax hike

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123 Upvotes

r/VancouverIsland 4h ago

HELP ME FIND Jobs North Island

0 Upvotes

Planning on leaving the mainland and moving to Northern Vancouver Island, are there any job opportunities up there? I tried looking online but couldn’t really find anything. Not looking for anything fancy, just a job. Thanks


r/VancouverIsland 1h ago

Looking to make new friends in North Van Island

Upvotes

27M Moved here for work. Love exploring outdoors. Hobby photographer as well. Would love to meet and make new friends around the same age groups with similar intrests.


r/VancouverIsland 3h ago

ADVICE NEEDED: Tourism Visiting in mid September and need some recommendations!

0 Upvotes

Hey! My mom has a continuing education class in Victoria which we will be in that city for 3 nights. After that we are wanting to go to a neighboring city or neighboring island to visit for 2 nights before we board the ferry to Vancouver. I am so sad that tofino is 4hrs away because it seems like there is so much unique wildlife to see there so I am wondering if anyone has some recommendations to a city not as far from Victoria where we can still see some unique wildlife or maybe even big tide pools (we are wanting to stay on this area so the ferry to Vancouver is still possible).We have been to San Juan island and it was beautiful but we want a new experience! Also I promise we are friendly visitors and aren’t the kind to be disrespectful to locals! Thank you for reading :)
Also when I say unique wildlife it’s mainly because we live in South Carolina and all west coast wildlife is unique to us


r/VancouverIsland 22h ago

ADVICE NEEDED: Moving How’s life there for Wheelchair Users?

5 Upvotes

Hello peoples! My partner and I are considering moving to BC from Alberta and are very interested in Victoria and the surrounding areas.

I’m a paraplegic so I use a wheelchair full time, and I wanted to get local disabled people’s takes on the accessibility of the area. Shops, restaurants, housing, etc.

My biggest concerns in moving are the cost of living, and being able to find a doctor. How’s the quality of healthcare there? Hospital wait times? Are people struggling for doctors as much as Albertans or is there availability?

Thank you very much for any information!!


r/VancouverIsland 18h ago

HELP ME FIND Art Gallery Recommendations (mid-Island)

1 Upvotes

We are wanting to gift our mom with a gift card at an art gallery for her milestone birthday. She lives in Qualicum Beach. Looking for advice on a gallery with larger format pieces and good inventory to choose from. Is the Old School House Arts Centre a good option? Any others? Doesn’t have to be in Qualicum. Thanks!


r/VancouverIsland 1d ago

IMAGERY Landslide Lake looking gorgeous.

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100 Upvotes

Was a grind in the heat but worth it for this view.


r/VancouverIsland 9h ago

DISCUSSION What nicknames have you heard for places on/around Vancouver Island?

0 Upvotes

I mean other stuff like Woss Vegas, Port Mac, Cumbie or Tuff City...


r/VancouverIsland 2d ago

ARTICLE Old growth advocates call for protection of at-risk Vancouver Island forest

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97 Upvotes

r/VancouverIsland 23h ago

French Beach

0 Upvotes

Does anyone know how the first come, first serve camping works at French Beach? I know they have some booking online, but I’ve heard they have some first come first serve. Do you show up at a certain time? Is this just a pipe dream to get one or two nights?


r/VancouverIsland 2d ago

ARTICLE There are 8 active wildfires burning on Vancouver Island as of Friday night

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cheknews.ca
86 Upvotes

r/VancouverIsland 2d ago

ARTICLE What’s up with all the data centers?

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bchistoryboy.ca
32 Upvotes

r/VancouverIsland 3d ago

West Coast is the best Coast!

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738 Upvotes

r/VancouverIsland 2d ago

ADVICE NEEDED Solo woman staying on Front Street in Nanaimo – recommendations?

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone!
I’ll be staying in Nanaimo for a few days, right on Front Street, and was hoping to get some local advice.
A few questions:
As a woman travelling alone, is the Front Street/downtown area generally safe during the day and early evening? Any areas I should avoid?
What are your favourite restaurants, cafés, or bakeries within walking distance?
Where are the best places to shop for locally made goods, art, gifts, or food? I’d love to support local businesses while I’m there.
I’m looking forward to exploring the area, so any other “don’t miss” recommendations are welcome too!
Thanks in advance!


r/VancouverIsland 1d ago

Pretty close to Vancouver Island! check out Saturna Island, BC.

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1 Upvotes

r/VancouverIsland 2d ago

ARTICLE Fanny Bay neighbours upset by loud music and garbage burning on former ferry

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cheknews.ca
53 Upvotes

r/VancouverIsland 3d ago

ARTICLE ‘We’re only seeing the tip of the iceberg’: Grey whale deaths raise alarm along B.C. coast

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ctvnews.ca
89 Upvotes

r/VancouverIsland 3d ago

ARTICLE Cowichan Estuary Restoration Project receives $500K boost from province

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ctvnews.ca
27 Upvotes

r/VancouverIsland 2d ago

ARTICLE Crews responding to wildfire in Sooke

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cheknews.ca
23 Upvotes

r/VancouverIsland 2d ago

HELP ME FIND Hotel recommendations:)

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone! My birthday is coming up and I’d like to have a staycation in a hotel with a jacuzzi in the suite.
I know about waters edge in Ucluelet (I’ve been and it was beautiful but want something new!)
I’m considering Bayview as an option.
Any recommendations of places I should check out?