You could be forgiven for thinking that on the Vancouver Island Golf Trail it’s all about golf, all of the time. While that is true 90% of the time, given the magnificence of Vancouver Island, we’d be fools to ignore its many, many other charms. So we’re here to change your thinking and give you a unique way to explore Vancouver Island. Read on for our version of a Vancouver Island travel guide: 13 insider tips and must-stops to go along with our 12 golf courses on the Vancouver Island Golf Trail.
1. Stop For Craft Beer
You know what goes down really well after a round of golf? Of course you do. Beer. Luckily for you, on Vancouver Island, we not only boast a golf trail, but also an ale trail. After a round at a nearby Victoria region golf course, stop to discover Victoria’s Ale Trail. Whether you stop for just one at Vancouver Island’s first craft brewery, Vancouver Island Brewing on Government Street, or opt for a brewery tour, Vancouver Island local craft beers will not disappoint.
Golf Stop Nearby: Highland Pacific Golf Course
2. Stop for Fish
She sells seashells by the seashore. Actually, they sell the freshest of fresh fish by the seaside. Red Fish Blue Fish, a “seafood eatery by the seaside”, is an absolute must-stop in Victoria’s Inner Harbour. This outdoor waterfront restaurant takes everything you ever thought about fish and chips and makes it so much better. Go for the traditional Halibut & Chips, or branch out with tacones – hand-roll style taco complete with grilled flour tortilla, your choice of seafood or tempura yam plus coleslaw, pea shoots, sauce, lemon-pickled onions.
Locally caught, sustainable, Ocean Wise, straight from the ocean. So good you’ll need to play another round to make room for more.
Golf Stop Nearby: Highland Pacific Golf Course
3. Stop for Burgers
Fish and chips not your thing? A good ol’ burger is, undoubtedly, the golfer’s go-to food. It’s a guaranteed good thing between the front 9 and the back, the ultimate grab-and-go food. But at Olympic View, you might want to save your burger cravings for after your round is finished. Because this is one burger you’re going to want to take your time over. The Three Napkin Deluxe Burger at Table Nineteen at Olympic View has achieved something of a cult status amongst golfers in the know. Join the cult. You know you want to. Of course, they have a ton of other terrific features, including Neopolitan-style pizza made from scratch in-house, and a surf and turf that will make the rest of your foursome rethink their choices.
Golf Stop Nearby: Olympic View Golf Club
4. Stop for Seriously Good Food
Let there be brunch! Relax and enjoy your breakfast with flavours of West Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific Northwest Cuisine at the House of Boateng in Langford. If dinner is more your style, start your evening off on the patio with a cocktail, glass of wine or local beer. Elevate your experience and request the Chef’s tasting menu for a culinary journey that combines local and international cuisines. Guided by the word “Akwaaba,” which means welcome in the Akan languages, the delicious food at House of Boateng will take you back to some of your fondest memories in life all while refuelling your appetite. With gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy your meal and drink without worry. Inspired by the following core values; simply fresh ingredients, delightfully personal service, and seriously good food, how could it not be seriously good?!
Golf Stop(s) Nearby: Bear Mountain Golf Resort – Mountain Course & Valley Course
5. Stop for Views
A short (less than 5km) drive from downtown Victoria as you continue exploring the Vancouver Island Golf Trail is the lovely 1.8 Gonzales Hill Regional Park. Hike the easy trail for sweeping views of Victoria, Juan de Fuca Strait, the Olympic Mountains and the Sooke Hills. If you’d like to continue your exploration of beautiful Vancouver Island parks, stop just 30 minutes outside Victoria at the top of the Malahat (Highway 1) for views of the fjord-like Saanich Inlet and the Gulf Islands at Malahat Lookout. Named after the Malahat First Nation, this rugged region of heavy forest and steep cliffs is traversed by one of the most beautiful roadways in the world, climbing to a summit of 356 metres (1,156 ft) and capped with the Malahat Skywalk set 250m above sea level for spectacular views. The area also of great ceremonial significance to the Malahat First Nation and one of the most sacred sites on southern Vancouver Island.
Golf Stop Nearby: Highland Pacific Golf Course, Arbutus Ridge Golf Club
6. Stop for Cars
What Disneyland is to kids, The Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit is to adults with a need for speed and a love of fast cars and performance driving. A private motorsport country club, they offer seven different track configurations, sophisticated road courses fit to host a Grand Prix, a multi-function driving dynamic area featuring a skid pad, an off-road course simulating a trip into a West Coast rain forest… Yes, it requires membership, but if you’re a motorsports enthusiast, this really is the playground to end all playgrounds.
Golf Stop Nearby: Cowichan Golf & Country Club
7. Stop for Village Life
Did you know that Cowichan Bay Village is home to the second oldest active lawn tennis court in the world next to Wimbledon? It is also home to a working marine community, making for plenty of watery activity. Sail all day on a twin masted ship, race across the waves in a Zodiac to go whale watching, rent a boat and take a picnic to a deserted beach, dive deep to see the creatures of the sea or go kayaking as the sunsets. On land, ride a horse, hike a trail, go for a bike ride, head for a nearby winery. But whatever you do, don’t forget to swing a stick at some point.
Golf Stop Nearby: Cowichan Golf Club
8. Stop for Wine
Southern Vancouver Island is the second-largest wine region in British Columbia, after the Okanagan Valley. The majority of Vancouver Island’s wineries are located in the Cowichan Valley, 45 minutes north of Victoria. But you know what makes this wine region even more delicious? Close proximity to some of the best golfing on the island. (Arbutus Ridge Golf Club is just a six-minute drive from the Islander-favourite Cherry Point Winery.) Explore our Golf and Wine packages for the ultimate Vancouver Island getaway: golf and wine touring.
Golf Stop Nearby: Arbutus Ridge Golf Club
9. Stop for Nanaimo Bars
You can’t visit Nanaimo without stopping for a world-famous Nanaimo Bar! The first known recipe for Nanaimo bars appeared in the 1952 Women’s Auxiliary of the Nanaimo Hospital Cookbook and was labelled “chocolate square.” One year later, a similar recipe was published in Vancouver’s Edith Adams’ Cookbook, this time going by the name “Nanaimo Bar.” But some say that the history of this custardy, chocolatey treat dates back to when families would send their coal-miner providers into the mines with bars tucked into their lunch pails. Whatever the case, it’s a must-have on the Vancouver Island Golf Trail, giving you plenty of energy for yet another round. Bonus: tired feet from all that golfing? Local Nanaimo salon and spa House of Kiyo offers a Nanaimo Bar Pedicure. Now that really takes the cake!
Golf Stop Nearby: Fairwinds Golf Resort
10. Stop for Beaches
The most famous of all the Vancouver Island beaches is perhaps Long Beach on the West Coast near Tofino – a stop on every surfer’s list. But what’s that you say? Golf more your thing? Yeah, we’re with you. So with you. Luckily, you practically can’t swing a club on the East Coast without your ball hitting a beach somewhere. We’re particularly fond of Parksville and Rathtrevor Beaches, which are close to three golf courses in the region.
Golf Stop(s) Nearby: Morningstar Golf Club
11. Stop for Spas
All that golfing can really take it out of you. Fortunately, the Vancouver Island Golf Trail is also home to numerous spas and resorts with spa facilities, including the #1 Spa in Western Canada as named by Spas of America, The Grotto Spa at Tigh-Na-Mara. Get your golfing muscles in fine form with a back massage and watch for the results on your scorecard the next day. Or treat yourself to a pedicure to get your feet ready for another 18 holes. Whatever your pamper poison, your golf will thank you for it.
Golf Stop(s) Nearby: Fairwinds Golf Club
12. Stop for Oysters
What is the very best way to eat oysters? Straight from the ocean. After a round of golf, of course. No need to get cold and wet yourself though – just head to Fanny Bay Seafood Shop, located at the Buckley Bay Ferry Terminal for the Denman Island crossing in Fanny Bay. This is the ideal place to find our farm fresh clams, mussels, oysters, and live crab. Stop in and grab a seafood snack of candied salmon or even some of the housemade sushi! Here the oysters are fresh, the people passionate, and the closest golf course is a mere 20 minutes away. Happy slurping.
13. Stop for Fins
One of the very best and most unique Vancouver Island experiences has got to be the opportunity to pair your skins with some fins… There really is no better place to do it. For thousands of years the waters off Vancouver Island have been harvested for their rich sea life – salmon, in particular, is abundant here. Our favourite place to drop a line? Well, Campbell River isn’t called ‘The Salmon Capital of the World’ for nothing. Besides, this region is also home to three particularly beautiful golf courses. Do yourself a favour and put this on your bucket list. The Fins & Skins experience really can’t be beaten.
Golf Stop(s) Nearby: Crown Isle Golf Resort, Storey Creek Golf Club, Quadra Island Golf Club, Campbell River Golf Club
Finally, if you’re still looking for more things to do to round out your golf trip to Vancouver Island (although there’s always another fantastic round of golf to be played – just saying), check out our extensive Things To Do on Vancouver Island guide. Fair warning though: you may just have to extend your trip.
March 20, 2017, by: Golf Vancouver Island