Fiance and I are going to Vancouver Island for our honeymoon in August, staying in Saanichton for 5 nights, August 5th to 10th. What are some nice places to visit on the island, no matter how far, except for Victoria which we've visited before

Cathedral grove. Walk Westwood lake in Nanaimo. Rathtrevor beach. Horne lake caves. Coombs. Stroll through the town of Duncan. One section has quaint little shops

Ucluelet and Tofino

August is very busy..reservations are a good idea...

Have you been to the Wickinish Inn in Tofino? Amazing!

Have you been to the Wickinish Inn in Tofino? Amazing!

Wineries in cowichan valley...
Port Renfrew...

You should stay mid island then you can do day trips. Qualicum Beach, Tofino and Ucluelet, Coombs, the Comox Valley

Sydney is beautiful , Butchart Gardens as well

Tofino

Sooke potholes

Sooke on the way to Port Renfrew. Great award winning brewery, Worlds best contemporary gin distillery. ( Sheringham Point Distillery in Sooke) Best coffee in the world at Stick in the Mud ( honest, a life- changing experience) and great food at many places, notably Route
14. And amazing beaches from Whiffin Spit to Port Renfrew - Gordon’s Beach, French Beach, China Beach , etc..,

Tophino and long beach.

Tighnamara resort and point no point

Port renfrew

We loved the entire area of Sooke, especially French Beach.

Tofino for sure, coombs has a cute market place with goats on a roof place literally so cute
Parksville beach
A little west coast trail - China beach, French and sombrero beach with a little hiking in

More support for Sooke side. To me, though, Vancouver island is about the activities: cycling and hiking. I would highly recommend the single day East Sooke Coast Trail (w. shuttle).

Go to the kingfisher in royston and do a hydropath and done experience! Very relaxing and excellent food .Check out goats on the roof in coombs and enjoy a romantic Italian dinner or lunch at cuckoo's. If you're into a hike neck point in Nanaimo has beautiful views. Another couple of nice strolls is papers lagoon in Nanaimo and top bridge in Parksville. Rathtrevor beach in Parksville is stunning.Tofino and uclulet of course are beautiful. Suggestions on places to eat : in Nanaimo (Longwood brewery, Nori sushi, Gina's Mexican, nest, and Asteras), In Parksville(Blackgoose, Amerikos, and cafe brimm) In coombs( Cuckoos) In Qualicum beach(QBI),in Cumberland (Cumberland brewery), in Royston (Kingfisher)In Courtenay (Atlas), In uclulet (blackrock). I lived on the island for six years and traveled all over the island . I'd you need more suggestions let me know! It's a beautiful place . I hope to move back there some day

Chandelle van der Merwe Neck point is in Nanaimo not Nanoose. And it is Pipers Lagoon, also in Nanaimo. I live in Nanaimo and agree it is beautiful here.

Chandelle van der Merwe possibly meant hike Notch Hill in Nanoose?

China beach or mystic beach, east sooke park

Sooke Harbour House hotel and restaurant

Telegraph Cove farther north is quaint and beautiful.

Myra falls up island are amazing! Or English man river falls! Tofino - both the previous places listed are on the way. And i highly recommend checking out cathedral grove on the way! Book a surf lesson for a tofino sunrise. You won’t be disappointed

Salt spring Island is one of the gulf islands. You would need to take a ferry and have a car. Saturday is when they host a market. You may want to consider shortening your stay in Saanich and doing a road trip north up Vancouver Island if you have already seen the sites in a Victoria. Otherwise you will spend hours ever day driving back to you hotel. If you can, Long B Beach on the west coast is stunningly beautiful. Feel free to PM me for more info. I was born and live on Vancouver Island.

-Coombs ( goats on the roof) for sure.
-Tofino and Ucluelet
-Telegraph Cove for some whale watching
-Qualicum Beach (very cool, quaint village)
-Whale rubbing on Malcolm island (the whales like to rub on the pebble beach at high tide)
-Rathtrevor Beach in Parksville has an amazing beach that goes out forever.
-There are lovely islands, just a short trip by ferry, Saltspring, Gabriola, Quadra, just to name a few.
-Lady Rose, a day trip on a vessel that'll take you to Bamfield and back. Out of port Alberni.
I live on the island, would be more than happy to give directions, suggest restaurants and accommodations. Enjoy! The island is a piece of heaven. You'll love it here!

This

Agreed

Linda thanks

Mushfiqur Rahman, I'm glad to share.

Port Alberni for lots of beautiful hiking and vistas. Enjoy Twin City’s award winning craft brewery and stay overnight at Swept Away Inn. It’s a converted tug and offers a unique stay with incredible Morrocan cuisine!

Book soon for accomodations in tofino or Parksville , busy time.

You've not got enough time to get over to Tofino (need 3 days min to get there & back & have a day there) if only there for 5 days.

If you have a car:
-Mystic Beach (great little hike down to an amazing beach)
- Shirley Delicious, an adorable cafe with great food along the way
-Port Renfrew, Botanical Beach specifically its beautiful
- Avatar Grove. This is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been! It is a bit of a rough bumpy dirty road to get in, but absolutely beautiful if you are looking to see a pristine, quiet old growth forest
All these things could be done in a busy day trip if you left early enough! Just beware if you go out there there is very limited cell service
If you did need somewhere to stay point no point is a great resort with nice cabins you could stay in

Because you only have five days and are staying in Saanich, I reccomend sticking to the south of the island otherwise you will spend too much time in the car!

Avatar Grove and Botanical Beach near Port Renfrew and any of the beaches near Sooke for a South Island day. On your way north, take a tour and a cider tasting at Merridale Cidery - the orchards will be lovely in August, or take in a show at the Chemainus Theatre. Hole-in-the-Wall (a unique swimming hole) near Port Alberni is a worthwhile place to visit. On your way up to Port Alberni area, make time to stop and stroll the shops at Coombs, BUT don’t stand in line forever waiting for ice cream! Drive a little further up the highway to the Coop Gas Bar on the left hand side a few minutes north of Coombs Country Market. It looks like nothing special, but their ice cream selection is amazing. “One scoop” is two and “two scoops” is three. Go hungry!
(Really, this post was all about the route to take to get to the ice cream...
)

Janna awesome! This is a day trip from Victoria.

Through the Cowichan Valley there are so many things to see and do depending on your interests...
there are a number of winerys (tours or drop in), golf courses and theatre/arts, Music in the Park - Cobble Hill, Chemainus, Ladysmith)
Damali Lavender farm (Cobble Hill)
Cowichan Bay (eclectic little village y the ocean)
Duncan - totem poles, world's largest hockey stick, unky Downton area, Saturday market in downtown square,
Chemainus - famous for wall murals ☆☆ (can walk or take horse and buggy ride tour), Chemainus theatre (Mama Mia is playing)
Ladysmith - beach, Ironworks Cafe Creperie (great food)

F

Born and raised here - live in Saanich.
Rent a bike - ride the goose -it’s takes you everywhere and you can stop and investigate different areas
Butterfly gardens and butchart gardens are a must
Brentwood bay pub - has a dock to go kayaking in the bay - near butcharts so awesome and the pub has great food and beautiful patio that overlooks the bay
^^^^^that would be a nice day^^^^^^^
Butcharts has fireworks every Saturday night - totally worth it.
East Sooke park hike -has a beautiful little beach too - stop at the red barn market and get lunch and head out for an awesome day
Sidney by the sea - lovely little town with shops and a walk along the water. The little pebble beach by the pier is a glass rock beach - can collect rocks to take home. Lots of good food options too. Sidney bakery - chocolate covered donuts
only last until 11am or so -have to go early
Esquimalt lagoon - my favourite spot , Hatley Castle (in lots of movies) these two are close to one another. You can see the castle from the lagoon but you can actually explore the grounds and go inside if you drive to it. The lagoon also has a bird sanctuary and bald eagles, herons, swans and many other ducks and birds frequent and call this place home.
Food spots - they are all over the CRD
When your on your way to east sooke - my chosen cafe
Downtown -
shizen sushi - a must! (Highlander roll)
Pagliaccis - the best food but BETTER desserts! Carrot cake and cheesecake-to die for!
The blue fox cafe - breakfast -always a line but worth it
JAM -breakfast and lunch - one of a kind amazing - usually a line too
Sunny side cafe - in esquimalt (near downtown) breakfast - amazing > could walk to visit sax point and Fleming beach amazing views on the water
(You could take a little water taxi from the inner harbour to esquimalt and discover a whole lot!)
I’ll terrazo-you must have a reservation - so good - like really really good (free bread and the most delicious olive tapenade)
Zambris - must make a reservation (on open table) -sooo good! - free bread! And olives - you must try the crispy broccoli
(mind blowing)
GLO - has a patio that is fantastic and the food is great with lots to choose from!sits right on the gorge waterway has spectacular sunsets
( you need to make a reservation on open table) you can walk the Selkirk trestle after over the waterway - it’s part of the galloping goose trail

That’s a great list!!

Great list - yes, rent a kayak or paddle board and tour around Tod Inlet!

If you want to leave Victoria South Island - day trips are Coombs/parksville - you can go to the French creek fish market and have fish shipped home! It’s an amazing spot.
Tofino/Ucluet is an overnight trip but amazing place best beach - try surfing!

Also the Victoria Distillery in Sidney and Sea Cider just outside Saanichton.

Bike to Sidney along the Lochside Trail, or to the West Shore/Sooke along the Galloping Goose - lots of places to stop and sightsee along the way. Drive to Port Renfrew and stop at some of the beaches along the way (don't forget to stop at Fairy Lake and check out the tree in the middle of the lake). Kinsol Trestle near Shawnigan, then to Cowichan bay for lunch and kayaking. See the murals in Chemainus, or visit a winery in the Cowichan Valley. So much to do within 30 minutes of Victoria.

Rotary Suspension Bridge in Campbell River, many nice beaches and hiking trailing along the way. Tofino is great place for a visit as well.

You'll never regret: http://freespiritspheres.com/

Coombs, goats grazing on the roof, great country market,fascinating store with everything!

Salt Spring Island !

Ragnhild definitely a must on Market day

Darlene ,yes but don’t take your car,no parking ever on Saturdays. There is a bus at every ferry,$2.50!

definitely parksville

Black Rock in Ucluelette. Very romantic, picturesque! Long Beach Lodge in Tofino, best beach and beautiful sunsets

Where are you staying in Saanich?

Tracy its saanichton actually I must have wrote it down wrong in my post. The Inlet Bed and Breakfast

Ahhh thanks.

Shawnigan Lake, Cowichan Bay

yes try finding the quarry! It’s a beautiful swimming spot.

Tofino

Have lunch or dinner here .
The view from above is spectacular & the food is to die for .
Just make sure you have reservations in the summer .
https://www.villaeyrie.com/

Rathtrevor Beach in Parksville. Walk far out into the ocean when the tide is out! Afterwards eat at “The Black Goose Inn”.

Coombs

Coombs, Tofino, Uclulet, Cowichan Bay

Amazing restaurant worth a drive anywhere on the southern island, located in Sooke: Wild Mountain Dinners. It is really spectacular food & drink for a celebration.

Michelle wow, I live close to there and have never heard of it! Will check out...

Karen it is slow food/organic and it’s our favourite!

Comox Valley and Mount Washington for a walk around Paradise Meadows.

I mean pretty much anywhere, the island is so beautiful. I’d spend a day doing the beach chain along the west coast starting in Sooke. Sandcut (little waterfalls), Sombrio (cute little cave in there), Mystic (waterfall, but might be minimal in the summer), China, and Botanical. There’s a nice wood fired pizza place along the way. Also check out Goldstream Park on the Malahat, the water fall and the Trestle are gorgeous, and Mount Finlayson in the park too, if you’re feeling like a challenge. It’s a hard climb but the view is worth it.

Book brunch at Villa Eeyrie, Mystic Beach

Try the North Island, super beautiful way less people.

Tofino, Long Beach....if you're heading south just after Duncan there is a back road that takes the most beautiful drive down to Renfew.

Following

Following too.

Saltspring Island and or Hornby Island camping at Tribune Bay.

Go for lunch at Merridale Cidery. Nice drive and a great lunch!

Drive to West coast, Tofino, stop by Port Alberni, they has some nature park to camp or simply walking around.

Chemainus worth a visit

Coombs

I now live in Parksville, we have the best beach here and Rathtrevor beach just up the road, All kinds of activities and music in the park in August. Our twin town Qualicum is the prettiest town on the island and is a ten minute drive north. The drive from Victoria to Qualicum is awesome. Lots of walks and hikes in our neck of the island. Stop at the Crow and Gate for a pint (very popular country pub) in Cedar (suberb of Nanaimo). The Nanaimo waterfront is the best waterfront walk. etc etc.

Come to the comox valley , there is lots to do here . Drive up to mt Washington and go skiing and have lunch at fat Teddy’s . Nymph falls has really nice walking trails along the river . Go to the goose spit and do the stairs and take in the views .

Salt Spring Island

Parksville/Qualicum Beach - a bit of a drive but great beaches.
Sea Cider - a great cider place right in Saanichton. Go for lunch and get the tasting and their cheese board. I always took visitors and they loved it.
Cowichan Bay for wineries
Tofino - great beaches, nice hippie town.
Port Renfrew - secluded and quiet. One of my favourites.
ENJOY!

Also, Cathedral Grove, on the way to Port Alberni. Beautiful old growth, massive trees close to Cameron Lake. Great place for a hike and on the way to Tofino and Ucluelet.

Butchart gardens

Cowichan for wineries. Cowichan Bay, Chemainus. Check out the low tidesat Botanical beach.

Jayne and while in the valley go to the Kinsol trestle
https://www.cvrd.bc.ca/1379/Kinsol-Trestle

west coast....wickanish and long beach,,,,maybe hire a boat to hot springs cove from Tofino....

Campbell River. Elk Falls suspension bridge.Eat fresh seafood at Crabby Bob's, beside the Fishing Pier. 2 sandy beaches south 20 minutes. Saratoga Beach and Miracle Beach. Beachfront Cabins for rent there. Take your car to Quadra Island for the day (10 min. ferry) and explore , rent kayaks and paddleboards

Check out tigh na mara in Parksville and do the dip and dine package!!! Endless tapas and access to their grotto spa pool, it’s such a nice experience. Also check out Coombs

Tofino and Ucluelet are incredible. Can't beat the beaches.

Sooke Potholes Park

East Sooke regional park for fantastic and easy trails, Sooke Potholes to cool off in, Horne Lake Caves up by parkesville for very cool guided caving (not for the feint-hearted).

Coombs is fun - they have goats on the roof Old Country Market (Coombs)

Saratoga and Miracle beaches..

Qualicum beach, with a Coombs pit stop. Obviously Ucluelet/Tofino are pure magic if you’re up for the drive!
Cumberland has a nice little community with arts and breweries.

https://www.facebook.com/ProvincehoodVancouverIsland/

Tube the Cowichan River and enjoy the pristine scenery and crystal clear water as your float down Vancouver Islands' best-kept secret. Cowichan River Tubing www.cowichanriver.com
The Tube Shack

Stop at the
Old Town Bakery in Ladysmith and have a famous cinnamon bun and take it to enjoy at Transfer Beach.

The entire sooke region for sure.. could take up at least one full day or more. East sooke park, Sooke potholes, adrenaline zipline tours, whale watching or kayaking if you're into tours ... whiffen spit, Jordan river, mystic beach, botanical beach, China beach (all have different trail lengths), avatar grove, the big beach in port renfrew ... you could even do the circle route and drive through port renfrew and into cowichan and then back down to your accommodation. The sooke museum is worth a quick visit & the best places for food are 17 mile pub, route 14, wild mountain and shirley delicious. We also have 3 breweries, a distillery & a meadary to check out in the area!

the butterfly museum and be sure to see the Butchart Gardens

Sidney Bakery has the most deee-licios (and best value) Apple Fritters!

Shawn mmmmmmm Sidney Bakery is amazing!

https://wildplay.com/victoria/Wildplay is a fun adventure

Sooke

Point no Point in Sooke - very romantic!

Yes! Point No Point. Private hot tubs overlooking the ocean; and arguably one of the best restaurants you’ll ever eat at. The food is incredible!

Comox Valley is great year round outdoor mecca!

get to Long Beach, Tofino, Ucluelet if no where else!

Go to Creyke Point in East Sooke, bring a picnic basket. Go to Sombrío beach and ask the locals to show you where the hidden waterfall is. On your way to Sombrio you can stop at Shirley Delicious or Stoked Wood pizza for a bite. You could also keep going to Botanical Beach. I’ve always liked the scenic views of The Fort Rodd Hill & Fisgard Lighthouse. Also try the Sooke Breweries, there are currently 3. I would also recommend Tofino but it will be a 6hr +/- drive from Sannichton, so probably not worth it if you’re only there a couple of days.

You could take the alpine ferry over to Sidney spit for a walk and beach picnic day, it leaves from Sidney

http://Wildpod.ca
Haven’t been yet, but looks amazing!

Tofino or Coombs market where the goats on the roofs are. Or you can just go for a drive in qualicum Beach oceanside, fanny Bay for oysters!

Enjoy a drive along Highway 14 to Sooke. Stop in at the Sooke Region Museum for information and enjoy the region's history. Have coffee or lunch in one of the fabulous local restaurants. Continue the drive to Port Renfrew, Lake Cowichan and circle route returning by the Mill Bay-Brentwood Bay ferry. http://www.sookeregionmuseum.ca/

Drive up to Parksville and stay a night or two— it’s about 1.5 hours from Victoria, but take your time driving and stop at some of the beautiful wineries, cider houses & bakeries. Merridale Cidery & Distillery and
Emandare Vineyard are two of our favorites.

Tigh na Mara in parksville

Definitely if you’re up that way!

following

Following

Tofino,

Parksville (Rathtrevor Beach) really beautiful and only one hour drive up island

Wow, the response is so overwhelming, thanks everyone ! I've started an excel spreadsheet already to sort through all your wonderful suggestions

Diana Sam no matter what you do, you’ll have a wonderful time on the island.

Diana Sam just don’t tell everyone about how wonderful of a time you have

Diana Sam I am working in West Saanichton on a project until Mar 31st. Didn’t think to visit these places. Your post has shed bright light on a trip plan
. Thanks

Depends what you like. Cedar Grove is worth a visit.

Also Raptors is amazing and then there is the Bungee Zone!

Tofino - wolf in the fog is the best restaurant I have been to in a long time

Right in ur hood is best pub ever, Prairie Inn. Island view beach next exit down.Shaw aquarium in Sidney. Big boy pizza by the slice at Keating Pizza on way to beach. take hike in Dean Park . if ur going up island take brentwood ferry prepurchase tix at thriftys in Saanichton. Chucks burger bar in sidney.

Victoria gin in Sydney, east Sooke park... beacon hill, Dallas Road waterfront....

Ucluelet!
and Tofino, 20 mins drive apart. We stay at the Terrace Beach Resort (not to be confused with Terrace Beach Cabins!!). Great cabins , most with hot tubs overlooking the ocean, great hikes and beaches in between Ucie and Tofino are unbelievable. Chesterman, Long Beach. Best crab in Ucie! Pacific West Coast Trail a must!

Mystic beach is a great hike and beautiful

Look up the Cheewhat Giant, Canada's largest tree. Also, Big Lonely Doug, Canada's tallest tree. Plus there are more in the Ancient Forests on the south end of Vancouver Island. Cheewhat giant is 1200 years old and 17 meters circumference. A day for sure!

Cathedral grove on route to Port Alberni

Anywhere in the Comox Valley! Strathcona Park

Tofino...4 hours away with Cathedral Forest and Crystal lake on the way. You won’t regret it.

Drip Coffee Social at Departure Bay Beach for a morning coffee. Piper's Lagoon for a beautiful walk.

China beach!

Live in Nanaimo its beautiful here..great seawall..Westwood lake and Pipers Lagoon....qualium beach I love... Coombs awesome place ...Parksville there is mini golf and bumper boats chemainus and its murals..Quadra and salt spring island u take a ferry to both..beautiful

Sombrio Beach in the Juan de Fuca prov. Park is my fave!!!

Pacific Marine Circle Drive thru Port Renfrew; Sombrio Beach and China Beach are along the portion from Sooke to Port Renfrew; continue out to Lake Cowichan. Stay in Port Renfrew for a couple of days and walk the Botanical Beach at low tide and hike through the tall trees of Avatar Grove.

I met a man who owns a brewery in saanichton called love shack libations. CUTE DO IT

I think Love Shack Libations is in North Qualicum.. unless they have two?

Linda damn maybe you’re right lol

Lol..only because my good friend goes there often. Still, I hear it's a great place!!!

Carmanah valley

Sombrero beach and East Sooke Park are my favoritez

Hornby island

coombs why not stay qualicum or nanaimo

www.discoverucluelet.com #StreeFreeZone

If on the island for 5 days in Saanich, Tofino is too far away. You might as well book into Tofino for 5 days. You don’t want to spend all you time driving. Stay close to home. Sidney Spit is a nice day trip. There’s a little ferry to take you over there. Out in Sooke there’s Point No Point for tea it’s also a nice day trip. There’s Whiity’s Beach, Esquimalt Lagoon, Island View Beach for great beach walks. Rent or bring bikes and ride the Lochside Trail or the Galloping Goose trail. There’s so much more to do and so little time!

That’s another great walk to add to all the rest. Also an afternoon shopping in Sidney is good too.

I second the sidney the Sidney spit day trip . Cute little passenger “ferry” and beautiful beaches & walks once youre you’re over there Take a picnic lunch along

Telegraph Cove, northern tip of the island by Port McNeill.

The Roost for lunch

Sharon that looks fantastic!

Michelle The Roost is amazing!

Go even further than East Sooke Park (which honestly is one of my favourite places on Earth) to China Beach/Mystic Beach and stop for lunch at Shirley Delicious. Yum!!

Tofino

Tofino & Ucluelet!!

Heather Lillebuen-Burt
If you are near Duncan and love wildlife stop at Pacific Northwest Raptors to get up close and personal with some amazing birds.

Horne Lake Caves!

Willows Beach if you want something local and an easy 20 min drive from Saanichton. Agree with China Beach and Mystic Beach, about 1.5 hrs away. You'll walk through moss-draped trees and land on a spectacular beach for walking. Check for low tide and take a picnic. If you want to go up island, head out early for the 2 hr drive. Again beautiful beaches, but an ocean warm enough to swim in as tide rolls in over the warm sand. While the tide is out, you can walk for miles. The sandcastle competition may be on as well. You can also take the ferry from Brentwood Bay to Mill Bay and shorten the drive. Much happiness to you and your fiance!

butchartgardens.com