16 Days of Boat-to-Table Culinary Celebration!May 18 - June 2, 2012

tourismtofino.com

TRAVEL BC

Worldly wave catcher and pro surfer Noah Cohen may be internationally renowned, but his heart lives in his hometown of Tofi no

ESCAPE TO BEAUTIFUL BRITISH COLUMBIA

Drift awayDiscover Shuswap houseboating

Fore!BC’s golf industry shakes things up

March 2012

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Courtesy of Destination Osoyoos and

Oliver Wine Association

Here, in the South Okana-gan, between Osoyoos and Oliver, BC, is a distinctively different destination. Fram-ed by spectacular arid hills, cerulean lakes, verdant or-chards and picture-perfect vineyards, the beauty is re-markable, and so is the eco-system.

This is Canada’s one true desert, and li-ke its climate-counterpart in Califor-nia, the cool nights, hot days and ide-al elevation produce excellent condi-tions for growing grapes, and produ-cing outstanding world-class wines.

“The climate and soils here ma-ke this region one of the best areas for growing vines in Canada,” states Tim Martiniuk, president of the Oli-ver Osoyoos Winery Association, re-presenting 24 vineyards in the area. “It’s no coincidence that more than 50 percent of all grapes in BC are cultiva-ted here in this 20 kilometre stretch. The long hot days are ideal for the red, and the cool nights deliver the unique fresh fruity fl avour in both reds and

whites.”

A range of tastes Indeed, within the region, which fea-tures three distinct winery areas, in-cluding Golden Mile, Black Sage and the benches around Osoyoos Lake, a wine adventure may include visiting internationally-renowned larger wi-neries as well as artisan boutique wi-neries. To experience the best that the wineries have to o� er, visitors may amble along the quaint and quiet rural roads to tour wineries and their won-derful tasting rooms, or may opt to be

part of one of the exceptional local wi-ne festivals. Sip and savour complex rich reds, fruity whites, organic varie-ties, fruit wines and delectable ice-wi-nes, with a backdrop of stunning vine-yard vistas and one of the most uni-que eco-systems in Canada—this is an unforgettable visitor experience.

The vine—and beyond Beyond the vineyards, you will disco-ver that this area is the ultimate geta-way, with our country’s warmest lake and hottest, driest climate.

Indeed, there is something for eve-ryone, every season of the year. In and around the small friendly resort town of Osoyoos, a growing number of sty-lish resorts have technology-equipped banquet and conference rooms ac-commodating up to 400 people—per-fect for business meetings, conferen-ces or weddings. These resorts o� er a ‘paradise’ setting for special events such as the Osoyoos Celebrity Wine Festival, drawing hundreds of people every year—the 2012 event is slated for September 14 to 16. Other distinctively unique events including the ½ Corked

Marathon, the Tumbleweed Film Fes-tival, and the Cherry Fiesta and Fire-works. And there’s more. Golfi ng on spectacular championship Four Star “must-play” courses. Skiing “steep and deep” on local champagne pow-der. Basking on the soft sand of the sun-drenched beaches. Swimming in the clear warm waters of Osoyoos La-ke. Learning the fascinating legends of the First Nations culture while stu-dying the desert ecology at a world-class centre—don’t miss the live ratt-lesnake shows! Savouring fresh and innovative local culinary creations. Eating juicy sweet fruit “just pick-ed” at an orchard’s quiet countryside stand. Exploring the surrounding hills and mountains by foot or horse-back. Experiencing complete bliss in a health and beauty spa. Romance, ad-venture, relaxation and inspiration—it’s all yours to experience, year-round in Canada’s hottest destination, with Canada’s warmest welcome. Book your place in paradise now!

Explore the region of good taste

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER!www.facebook.com/MediaplanetCAwww.twitter.com/MediaplanetCA

Looking for a little adventure? Diverse activities, natural wonders and delicacies abound in the land of sea and sky—and it’s all just next door!

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“Mountains, ocean—so much uninhabited area to explore and, for me, waves... actually, Tofi no has everything.”

Hit the links p. 5Why golf is becoming a popular sport for the whole family.

Hidden gems p. 6Explore BC’s historic and adventure-fi lled regions.

Surf’s up!Tofi no native Noah Cohen shares the secrets of his home town.

PAGE 4

WE RECOMMEND

TRAVEL BC2ND EDITION, MARCH 2012

Responsible for this issue:Publisher: Emily O’Donnellemily.odonnell@mediaplanet.comDesigner: Penelope Grahampenelope.graham@mediaplanet.comContributors:Kate MacLennan, Diana McLaren, Rod Harris, Destination Osoyoos, Oliver Osoyoos Wine AssociationManaging Director: Joshua Nageljoshua.nagel@mediaplanet.comBusiness Developer: Ash MacLeodash.macleod@mediaplanet.com

Photo Credit: All images are from iStock.com unless otherwise accredited.

Distributed within:Calgary Herald, March 2012This section was created by Mediaplanetand did not involve Calgary Herald orits Editorial Departments.

Mediaplanet’s business is to create new customers for our advertisers by providing readers with high quality editorial contentthat motivates them to act.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER!www.facebook.com/MediaplanetCAwww.twitter.com/MediaplanetCA

ANCIENT ATTRACTIONSexperience the old growth forest outside of Port Cle-ments to enjoy the peace and tranquility of nature.PHOTO: PICTUREBC.CA – IAN GOULD

Pick your journey and explore BC!

Alberta and British Columbia sha-re much in com-mon. A wealth of tourism expe-riences awaits the visitor to

Canada’s western-most provinces. The majestic Rocky Mountain range straddles both areas, and an array of unique travel experiences are waiting to be discovered.

As President and CEO of Tourism British Columbia, I enjoyed a spe-cial opportunity to explore the hid-den travel secrets of BC over a period of 16 years. I would like to share so-me of them with readers in the hope that it will stimulate new ideas for upcoming trips.

Beauty as far as the eye can seeMany visitors from Alberta are al-ready familiar with the East and West Kootenays. They o� er an array of outdoor activities including gol-fi ng, fi shing and mountain biking. Growing up in Kimberley, I was de-lighted with visits to Fort Steele as an intriguing showcase of our early pioneers.

One of my most memorable ad-ventures involved a week of summer heli-hiking in the Adamant moun-tain range. As such, it is just one of

several locations. Both comfortable climbing expeditions and more ri-gorous mountaineering adventu-res are available where one can rap-pel down cli� sides or watch glaciers calve. Dotted throughout the regi-on are numerous, highly sought af-ter hot springs such as Radium, Fair-mont or Halcyon, which provide either therapeutic benefi ts or pure relaxation.

A multitude of activitiesVenturing further west, the Oka-nagan Valley o� ers a range of ex-periences beginning in the south-ern most desert country of Osoyoos. While it is most recognized for lead-ership in Canada’s viticulture and wine industry, much more is availa-ble for the visitor to experience. Bet-ween rounds of golf, or water sports on the lake, it is essential to take ti-me to savour the foods and bevera-ges of the valley in any of their su-perb restaurants. Highly recom-mended is a visit to N’kmip Wine-ry and the cultural centre of the Osoyoos First Nation.

For the “self-contained” traveller with the fl exibility of a recreation vehicle, some of my most unusual experiences began with a stay at one of the many famous guest ranches in the Cariboo, followed by a trip along the “freedom highway” on the Chil-

cotin Plateau heading west to Bella Coola combined with a journey on BC Ferries through the “inside pas-sage” on the way to Prince Rupert.

Should the visitor be exploring the northern part of the province, an-other “must” journey is from Mile “0: in Dawson Creek beginning a trip along the Alaska Highway, including a side visit to Tumbler Ridge to view the dinosaur tracks.

An option from Bella Coola is to ta-ke BC Ferries south to Port Hardy on the northern tip of Vancouver Island. Both the “big island” and its many neighbouring islands o� er camping, comfortable accommodation and B & B’s to meet any traveller’s tastes. To cap o� any visit in super, natural British Columbia, overnight stays in Vancouver, Victoria or Whistler are defi nite requirements, with their performing and visual arts, muse-ums and multicultural dining esta-blishments.

During my career, I had the good fortune of visiting each of the are-as described in this article. The best approach in planning your trip is to work with the knowledgeable sta� in any of the six regional tourism or-ganizations or the community desti-nation organizations.

I am confident you will enjoy your travels in super, natural British Columbia.

“Many visitors from Alberta are already familiar with the East and West Kootenays. They offer an array of outdoor activities including golf-ing, fi shing and mountain biking.”

Rod HarrisAdjunct Professor; Past President and CEO Tourism BC

EVENT LISTING

Tofi no spotlight ■ A six-day series of extraordi-

nary culinary events will be held in the coastal town of Tofi no, BC from May 18th to June 2nd, 2012. A collaboration between the area’s renowned chefs, fi shermen and women, accommodation pro-viders, activity providers and tour operators, FEAST! Tofi no celebra-tes the abundance of seasonal pro-duce, seafood and sustainable “bo-at-to-table” practices commonly adopted by the area’s restaurants. FEAST! Tofi no invites all guests to forage through the spectacular Tofi no landscape to fi nd the most exciting ”fresh, local and real” meals.

Courtesy of Tourism Tofi no

Where do we begin .... to tell you about a destination that is so distinctively different.

A destination that is the ultimate getaway.

Golfing. Spas. Beaches.Award-winning wineries and restaurants.

Flowers and festivals. Year-round meeting, conference and wedding venues.

Eco-desert and aboriginal culture experiences.And, tranquility.

The desert hills are in bloom; the sun is warm and the air is clear.

Welcome to Osoyoos. Plan your place in paradise NOW!

destinationosoyoos.com

HELLO CALGARY!Welcome to Canada’s warmest lake and hottest climate.

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INSPIRATIONPro surfer Noah Cohen has surfed on many continents, but he says the vibe at home in British Columbia is a tough feeling to beat.

Noah Cohen doesn’t hesitate to discuss his devotion to Tofino, Bri-tish Columbia, a tiny outpost with a big reputation on Vancouver Island’s rugged, hypnotizing west coast that he’s called home his entire life.

But the truth is that Noah is one of Canada’s fi rst professional surfers and, as such, the dude tends to get around. At 22-years-old he’s already been to Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia and Costa Rica. Most of these destinations are places where the surf is much warmer and more consistent than in Canada—ideal for a young surf afi cionado. Yet Cohen just can’t stop coming home.

He explains it’s “because BC has everyth-ing for me.

“Mountains, ocean, so much uninhabited area to explore and for me, waves.” He pauses and then narrows his praise: “Actually, Tofi -no has everything.”

A geographical wonderFor centuries the Nuu-chah-nulth First Na-tion have been calling the coastal expanse where Tofi no is situated home, which inclu-des Pacifi c Rim National Park and Clayoquot Sound, 400,000 hectares of lush rainforest, sweeping mountain peaks and marine inlets rich with aquatic life. Nicknamed “Tough Ci-

ty” by immigrant maritimers in the early 20th century for its relentless, Byronic win-ters, Tofi no fi nally landed on the internatio-nal map in 1993 during protests against the clear-cut logging of Clayoquot Sound, now a U.N.-recognized UNESCO Biosphere Reser-ve. Cohen remembers his father lying down in front of logging trucks.

“I grew up in the anti-logging hippie days of Tofi no,” he says, before going on to assu-re that the political tensions have long sin-ce been bridged by the burgeoning surf com-munity and infl ux of up to one million annu-al visitors to the area. “People on the island are happy and laid back for the most part. I think you should be happy if you live on the Island.”

A love for all things localIn addition to his expert opinion of the area’s beaches, Cohen is also a local food afi cionado. One such favourite haunt is SoBo. “Lunch, din-ner, any meal at SoBo you can’t go wrong,” he says of the nationally recognized eatery. He al-so recommends the Buddha Roll at The Inn At Tough City Sushi Bar, and lets it slip that Shel-ter Restaurant is the place where locals like to go for cheap beer while cheering on the Van-couver Canucks.

“It’s great to experience Tofi no in all seasons. It’s peaceful here in the winter and you get the reef breaks that just don’t break all summer. In summer you get the crowds in town, but the weather’s good and I like people watching.”

PROFILE

Noah Cohen ■ Date of birth:

April 20, 1989, in Nanaimo, B.C.

■ Surfing since: 2002

■ Track record: First place 2011 Rip Curl Stew (Canada’s largest surfi ng competi-tion); sponsored by Rip Curl, Mon-ster Energy, Oak-ley Eyewear, Sitka Surfboards, Vans, Storm Surf Shop and OAM Surf

LEADER TO LEADER

Conquering the beach and beyond

The active lifestyleOn the summer days when the wa-ves aren’t performing, he’ll hang up his board to hit the links. “I’d really like to do a golf tour of [BC’s] interi-or, they’ve got some great courses,” he says, though it looks like a trip to the remote, spectacular archipelago in North British Columbia known as Haida Gwaii is next on his provin-cial travel agenda, as well as a long weekend in Whistler. “I don’t real-ly snowboard,” he says, “but there’s so much terrain in Whistler for that and mountain biking if you do. Plus,

it’s pretty beautiful just being up the-re on top of the mountain and loo-king down at all the lakes and rivers. Whistler’s fun.”

It’s clear that his heart, however, is on Vancouver Island. “You can surf and snowboard in the same day,” he enthuses. “There’s the West Coast Trail if you’re into hiking. You can go to Sombrio and sleep on the beach. If you like the outdoors I can’t think of a place you’d rather be.”

KATE MACLENNAN

editorial@mediaplanet.com

WORLDLY WAVES Despite his access to some of the warmest tropical surfing conditions the world has to offer, Cohen loves returning to his home town waves in Tofino, BC. PHOTOS: KYLER VOS

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AN INDEPENDENT SECTION BY MEDIAPLANET TO CALGARY HERALD MARCH 2012 · 5

■ Golf’s appeal is changing and it’s fi nding a place as part of a well-roun-ded vacation in many beautiful re-gions of BC.

As golfi ng becomes an activity en-joyed by more people, it has broken free of the stereotype as something only retirees and businessmen enjoy.

“The golf industry is focused more than ever on kids, women and whole family experiences,” says Mike Zuc-colin, general manager of Nicklaus North Golf Course, a resort located in the beautiful Whistler area that inte-grates golf as part of their array of va-cation actitivies.

“The village of Whistler itself o� ers great dining from high end to little ca-fes. There are lots of activities for kids, and biking and hiking trails for eve-ryone,” Zuccolin says. And of course, pristine mountain lakes make both water and snow skiing possible.

A view from the sandtrapBC’s golf courses take advantage of the regions where they’re located, o� ering attractive vacation packages such as Okanagan Valley’s Gallagher’s Cany-on and The Pinnacle. General Mana-

ger Peter Hopley says they tie a lot of activities around the area’s many wi-neries.

“We also have a full-length challen-ging course as well as a shorter nine-hole course that can appeal to begin-ners and children.”

At Vancouver Island’s Arbutus Rid-ge Golf Course, there’s a real empha-sis on kids. “Anyone under 16 plays for free and we are creating a short cour-se with forward tees (3,000 yards ins-tead of a typical 5-6,000+ yards) which is a real innovation,” says General Manager Jason Lowe.

Access to shopping and other ci-ty delights can be found in Victoria which is only 25 minutes away from Arbutus Ridge.

BC has some of the country’s best golf courses and when combi-ned with the array of other outdo-or recreational activities, all-ages appeal, and spectacular natural beauty, it’s an unbeatable vacation package.

DIANA MCLAREN

editorial@mediaplanet.com

HIT THE LINKS FOR FAMILY TIME

Vancouver Island’s Central and North central island re-gions offer a variety of uni-que opportunities for ad-venture and relaxation for the spring and summer.

The Central Island area offers long sandy beaches, warm ocean temperatures, and tranquil lakes, great for fi shing and other water activities.

The North Central area spans

from the Pacifi c Ocean to Vancou-ver Island’s highest peak, and is a great year-round destination for fi shing, kayaking, mountain bi-king and numerous other outdoor activities.

Take a ferry from the mainland or fl y direct to reach this beautiful section of B.C.

The Comox Valley Airport (YQQ) is centrally located, providing easy access to all points on central and northern Vancouver Island with

daily direct fl ights from major ci-ties including Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton with connections beyond.

Some highlights of this region include Comox, Nanaimo, Parks-ville, Qualicum Beach & Tofi-no, where some of Canada’s best beaches can be found.

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Summer is coming so get ready to let the good times roll!

Sunshine Festival – Jun 16 Kalamalka Classic

Stand-Up Paddleboard Festival – Jun 23 - 24

Funtastic Sport and Music Festival – Jun 29 - Jul 2

Summer Okanagan Wine Festival – Jul 7-15 Sturgis

North Motorcycle Rally and Music Fest – Jul 18-23

Wild Salmon Festival – Jul 27-29 Komasket Music

Festival – Aug 3-5 Sun Valley Cruise-In – Aug 11-12

Vernon Dragonboat Festival – Aug 18

Come visit us at the Vernon Visitor Centre on Hwy 97 South or at our Vernon Discovery Centre on Hwy 97 North.

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AN INDEPENDENT SECTION BY MEDIAPLANET TO CALGARY HERALD6 · MARCH 2012

NEWS

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Get a group together and go houseboating!S P R I N G , S U M M E R o R F A L L If you love the water, hangin’ out, exploring or just spending the daysfloating along then get your group together for one of the mostmemorable BC vacations you’ll ever have! Shuswap Lake is Canada’shotspot for houseboating with 1000km / 621 mi of shoreline to explore.

To reserve your houseboat, call 1.800.663.4026g o o d f r i e n d s. l e g e n da r y s e r v i c e. lu x u r i o u s h o u s e b oats.

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www.TourismNorthernRockies.ca

■ Whether you drive a car, truck or RV, the landscape is ever-changing as you travel north on Highway 97 from Dawson Creek— from prairie-like landscapes to the terminus of the Northern Rocky mountains past Fort Nelson.

And your enjoyment isn’t limited to looking out the car window—along the way you can fi sh, camp, hike and take in the spectacular northern BC sights. This feast for the eyes makes the scenic tour attractive for those from neighbouring provinces looking for a gorgeous getaway.

“Calgarians would access these areas of Northern BC primarily by one of two routes,” says Hubbard. “Icefi elds Parkway to Jasper and then west on Hwy 16 to Prince George then North on Hwy 97, or drive to Edmonton then across to Grande Prairie and enter BC near Dawson Creek.”

Hubbard offers some of the

highlights along the northern adventure are found in towns such as Chetwynd, Dawson Creek, Fort St. John and Fort Nelson, all full of unique attactions:

■ Chetwynd: The only community not on the Alaska Hwy route, Chetwynd is on the route from Prince George to Mile 0 (start of the Alaska Hwy at Dawson). The town is known for its International Chainsaw Carving Contest—beautiful de-tailed carvings from the hands of international artists.

■ Dawson Creek: Welcome to Mile 0 of the Alaska Highway and learn about the history of the amazing people who built this 1000 km route of diverse terrain. Visit the unique art gallery situated in an old grain elevator which was purchased for $1 and moved to its current site in Dawson Creek.

■ Fort St. John: The town’s history dates

back to 1793 and is the oldest non-native settlement in BC. Now the largest town on the Alaska Hwy, Fort St. John is the transportation hub for the area.

■ Fort Nelson: The Settlers Museum is a must-see in Fort Nelson, situated at Mile 300 on the Alaska Hwy and the northern tip of this eastern portion of the Great Northern Circle. The museum boasts a unique Transportation collection of restored vehicles, an early 20th century Hudson’s Bay house and other historic buildings.

“2012 is the 70th anniversary of the highway that is synonymous with grand adventure,” says Hubbard, “so come celebrate!”

LOOKING FOR ADVENTURE? HEAD NORTH EAST

DIANA MCLAREN

editorial@mediaplanet.com

1. Check out Chetwynd’s abun-dance of winter outdoor activi-ties.2. Take in breathtaking views in Fort Nelson.3. The South Creek Community Multiplex in Dawson Creek brings gives visitors a culture fix.4. Industry meets wilderness in Fort. St. John.PHOTOS: 1: MAGGIE GILBERT, 2: WAYNE SAW-

CHUK, 3: PEACE PHOTOGRAPHICS, 4: ANDREW

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■ Kootenay Rockies Tourism Association: krtourism.ca ■ Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association:

travelthompsonokanagan.com ■ Vancouver Coast & Mountains Tourism: vcmbc.com ■ Vancouver Island Tourism Association: tourismvi.ca ■ Northern BC Tourism Association: travelnbc.com ■ Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association:

landwithoutlimits.com

Hitting the open road? Be a savvy tourist and check these links for vital info:

AN INDEPENDENT SECTION BY MEDIAPLANET TO CALGARY HERALD MARCH 2012 · 7

MAKING A SPLASHSicamous is called the houseboat capital of Cana-da. Over six houseboat com-panies and manufacturers are located here. PHOTO: DON WEIXL

NEWS

Take to the lakes for a unique getawayGreg Scharf can’t get enough of houseboating. He’s been cruising on beautiful Shuswap Lake for 15 years in what he calls a “fl oating luxury hotel—one you can leave every day for moun-tain biking, hiking and cozy campfi -res when you beach the boat for the night.”

A whole new kind of partyFans of houseboating are a diverse bunch ranging from the older crowd looking for relaxation, to those loo-king for a more active time. The ever-changing scenery as they cru-

ise along the 1,000 km Shuswap La-ke system is ideal to young outdoor enthusiasts who love the hiking/bi-king/fi shing and skiing in the area’s incredible array of waterways, parks and beaches.

“Housboating is such an a� orda-ble vacation,” says Neil Millar, gene-ral manager of Waterway Houseboa-ting. There are boat sizes to fi t groups from 10 to 30, so costs can be shared and there are enough amenities onboard to satisfy everyone: hot tubs, gourmet kitchens, watersli-des and state-of-the-art wired electronic areas.

“You can have the kind of vaca-tion you can’t get anywhere else,”

Millar says. “The size and variety of the Shuswap itself is unique. And the depth of the water makes it perfect for beaching with the front of the boat on land but the propeller still in the water.”

Beyond the deckOnce on land, there are exten-sive mountain bike trails, love-ly towns, tourist attractions and provincial parks offering acti-vities too numerous to list. Ma-ny houseboat rental compa-nies purchase a fleet package that covers the cost to use the provincial parks.

For those who worry about

houseboat partiers ruining a fa-mily holiday, area enthusiast Greg Scharf says he and his fa-mily have never found this to be a problem.

“The Shuswap is huge so there’s room for everyone to keep apart. Even though our kids are older now, they love hanging out in the hot tub so they still love coming on family houseboat vacations.”

DIANA MCLAREN

editorial@mediaplanet.com

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M A G A Z I N E

Top 10HIDEAWAYS BY THE SEA

Gotta get away?Waterway will contribute a 2012 season 3 day weekend or 4 day mid-week trip during spring or fall season aboard a beautiful Genesis 75 houseboat with tube slide! The winner may apply the full value of this trip towards an upgrade to any other houseboat trip.

$3,725 Value!

Visit Facebook.com/mediaplanetCA to enter!

LOOKING FOR ADVENTURE? HEAD NORTH EAST

Gotta get away?

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Waterfalls & wilderness

Nearly 1600 sq km of provincial parks and wilderness areas, an extensive trail network and monster waterfalls — discover the world of Tumbler Ridge this summer!

Tumbler Ridge has big, wild parks, waterfall and peak bagging, expansive alpine playgrounds… experience the impressive power of nature.

www.VisitTumblerRidge.ca | 1.877.SAW.DINO

Seabird Island, near Agassiz, BC, is a vibrantly colored paradise in the springtime. Visit the island in April or May (call ahead to check for dates) for the Tulips of the Valley Festival. Here you’ll � nd approximately 40 acres of multi-hued tulips blooming, with snow-capped Mount Cheam standing in the background. Afterwards, continue on to nearby Harrison Hot Springs for unique shopping, waterfront dining, boating, gol� ng and much more. Make sure you test out one of the hot spring-fed pools before you leave! For another great experience, visit Granville Island, located just minutes away from downtown Vancouver. Visit galleries full of original artwork, rent a kayak and tour False Creek, or catch a show at a local theatre. Check out the Granville Island Public Market, which offers a diverse array of locally grown food, bath and body products, fashion accessories, and more. Browse the colorful stalls before heading to a waterfront restaurant to eat while you catch a glimpse of the sunset. After dark, wander along the seawall pathways for some fantastic views of the city lights before spending the night at the luxurious Granville Island Hotel.

Those looking to get away from it all should visit Bowen Island, only a 20 minute ferry ride from the

Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal in West Vancouver. Just a short stroll from the ferry you’ll find everything from fine dining to hearty pub fare. Check out Artisan Square for some fantastic local artwork, rent a kayak at the Snug Cove marina, swim at one of the popular sandy beaches, or hike around Mount Gardner or Killarney Lake. After a full day of exploring, stay overnight in one of the cozy lodges or B&Bs located on the island.

For more travel ideas visit our blog at 604pulse.com for insider tips, upcoming events, and our favourite things to see and do in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Region.

Written by Crystal Solberg

Discover the ‘hidden gems’ of the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Region

The Tulips of the Valley Festival on Seabird IslandPHOTO: BOB YOUNG

This spring or summer, head west and visit the ‘hidden gems’ of the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Region for some unique adventures!