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Sightseeing

Tourism Vancouver Island (4VI)

201-1934 Boxwood Road · Nanaimo, BC

Why you should go…

Tourism Vancouver Island, run today by the non-profit 4VI (Tourism Association of Vancouver Island), is the destination organization for Vancouver Island, the Southern Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast. Its consumer site, vancouverisland.travel, covers the South Island, Cowichan, Nanaimo to Campbell River, the Pacific Rim and the North Island with trip ideas, regional guides and operator listings. The Nanaimo office on Boxwood Road is an administrative base rather than a walk-in visitor centre.

  • #tourism office
  • #vancouver island
  • #trip planning
  • #regional guide

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Tourism Vancouver Island (4VI), ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    Vancouver Island Whale Watch

    $50+

    Three- to five-hour whale-watching trips from downtown Nanaimo's waterfront into the Salish Sea by open Zodiac or semi-covered boat, with a whale-sighting guarantee.

    0.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre

    Under $25

    Wildlife rehabilitation centre near Parksville where visitors see more than 60 non-releasable eagles, owls, hawks and black bears, open daily 9 am to 4:30 pm.

    21 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Shopping
    Local Favorite

    Lavender & Black

    Free

    Family-run lavender farm, artisan distillery and botanical studio on Salt Spring Island, with a farm shop of oils, perfumes and skincare and distilling workshops.

    24 mi awaySwitch it up: Shopping

  • Sightseeing
    Free Entry

    Salt Spring Island Visitor Centre

    Free

    Volunteer-staffed visitor centre on Lower Ganges Road in Ganges, home base of the Chamber's free Salt Spring Island Visitor Guide and fold-out island map.

    29 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Free Entry

    Salt Spring Visitor Information Centre

    Free

    Chamber-run visitor centre in downtown Ganges, open daily, where staff and volunteers help plan Salt Spring Island beaches, dining and attractions.

    29 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Bowen Island

    Free

    Official visitor guide to Bowen Island, a short ferry ride from Vancouver in Howe Sound.

    31 mi awayMore like this