British Columbia is an adventure seeker’s playground with impressive natural beauty. It’s hard to get bored with the beautiful Pacific coastline and legendary old-growth forests.
Johnstone Street, a glacier-carved canal between mainland British Columbia and Vancouver Island is particularly beautiful – and perhaps even see a humpback whale in the water if you come at the right time.
One of my favorite experiences on Vancouver Island in the province is kayaking along the coast in the morning. I saw Steller sea lions gliding through the water and a river otter playing on a nearby dock.
Once you’re done with the water, head to nearby picturesque communities like Telegraph Cove and Hanson Islands. Or maybe you find your footing and try the Haddington Beach Trail (just under 2 miles round trip) or the Salmon River Estuary Trail (less than 2 miles round trip).
While I’m there, I suggest you learn more about the area’s diverse ecosystem—and there may be no one better to teach you than members of the Tlowitsis Nationa group considered to be among the first to originally live on this piece of land.
Take the time to learn more about indigenous cultures in the area and book experiences through Native guides can also enrich your trip by helping you learn the history of the country you are visiting and why it is so important to protect it.
This story was originally published on July 11, 2024 and last updated on September 2, 2026.
