Vacation Rentals on Central Vancouver Island

Just north of Nanaimo, conveniently located a half-hour away from the ferry terminal are the seaside towns of Parksville and Qualicum Beach. Known for their breathtaking shorelines, charming town centers, and incredible climate, these towns are popular destinations for Vancouver Islanders. Bordered to the east by the Strait of Georgia and to the west by the Vancouver Island Ranges, Parksville and Qualicum Beach enjoy a warm, maritime Mediterranean microclimate, similar to that found in the Cowichan Valley. In both these towns you can find dining, shopping and activities like the delightful Paradise Fun Park, and Qualicum Beach Museum. Here you can find unparalleled natural beauty like vast beaches, enormous old growth forests and deep, mysterious caves.

Made up of three main communities: Courtenay, Comox and Cumberland, the Comox Valley is a beautiful area that is composed of farmland, beaches, mountains and forests. Tucked right below the Comox Glacier that rises high above the valley, this area provides visitors with ample activities and a laid-back attitude. Recreational opportunities are endless with swimming, golf, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, fishing and so much more available year ‘round. Skiing is also available during the season at the nearby alpine resort of Mt. Washington! When it’s time to come down from the mountain or in from the ocean, there are many incredible restaurants and breweries that focus on locally grown ingredients and small businesses that offer locally made items.

Strathcona is an enormous area that encompasses a swath of north Central Vancouver Island from Nootka Island to the west all the way to Mount Good Hope near Chilko Lake to the east. In this rugged wilderness, you can find truly endless and challenging outdoor activities. Admire turquoise glacial lakes, scale mountains, conquer oceans and rivers in a kayak and so much more. Unlike most of the southern Central Island Region, the area is home to only 50,000 people the majority of whom live in Campbell River, the largest community in this area. Campbell River is a thriving community of people who truly love Vancouver Island and bring their passion for their home into everything they do. You'll find incredible dining and beautiful local art but at its heart, this town is an outdoor aficionado’s paradise. This is unofficially the Central Island’s sports fishing headquarters as the quality of the fishing in the area is known by anglers from around the world to be unsurpassed. Join the Tyee Club and stand with other purists in fast-flowing rivers, cast a line from the saltwater fishing pier or book a fishing charter and head out into the Strait to find a big catch. ... more information about Vancouver Island