Nothing says summer like hot weather, but there is something to be said about a chance to cool down, especially with the natural air conditioning that is the Pacific Ocean breeze. With warm days and cool evenings, Vancouver Island is the perfect place to beat the heat and stay cool on a golf vacation!
Beaches, Whale & Wildlife Watching
Make a splash when you discover Vancouver Island’s abundance of water activities. With more beaches than you can count, sandy or pebbled, don’t be surprised when you find yourself relaxing seaside. Need to cool down part way through lying in the sun? Dip your toes in the water or take a refreshing swim in the sea.
Home to a variety of unique micro-climates and ecosystems, Vancouver Island is also home to truly unique wildlife experiences with opportunities for whale watching in Victoria and Campbell River, bird watching, scuba diving, and beachcombing.
Oceanside Golf Courses
Spread over 250 km of Pacific paradise, the Vancouver Island Golf Trail stretches from Victoria in the south to Campbell River in the north. With four distinct golf regions, multiple accommodation partners and outstanding après-golf activities, there are plenty of opportunities to take your golf vacation to the next level.
Cool down and explore one of the finest marine environments in British Columbia when you head to Vancouver Island’s oceanside region, Parksville Qualicum Beach, and golf seaside at Fairwinds Golf Club. Nearby, Morningstar Golf Club offers a fantastic compliment to your oceanside round. When you have your fill of golf, stroll the sandy shores or sit back and watch the tide roll in and out from your balcony.
Boasting ocean vistas, clear views of BC’s coastal mountain range and sitting at the edge of the Great Bear Rainforest, Quadra Island Golf Club is a unique west coast golf experience. Just a 10-minute ferry ride from downtown Campbell River, you can walk on the ferry with your clubs and be shuttled to and from the course!
Located just a short drive from downtown Victoria, Bear Mountain Golf & Tennis Resort Community is home to 36 holes of Nicklaus Design golf between the sibling Mountain Course, the highest elevation golf course on Vancouver Island and Valley Course. This is the perfect place to cool down and put that swing to work!
Fishing
We weren’t kidding when we were bragging about our next-level après-golf activities, especially Vancouver Island fishing – available year-round, late summer and early fall is the peak BC fishing season due to the abundance of salmon and halibut. With several charter operators available, including Comox Fishing, cool down with the sea breeze while fishing some of the best fishing holes in the province!
If you’re looking to cast a line in the morning and swing the clubs in the afternoon, the North Island Fins and Skins is sure to make for some great memories!
Hiking in the Forest & Waterfalls
We encourage you to go chasing waterfalls when on Vancouver Island. Known for its variety of beautiful hikes suitable for all skill levels, don’t be surprised when you fall in love with gorgeous waterfalls, forests, and waterfalls across Vancouver Island’s hiking trails, sprinkled generously through the island’s distinct regions
Langford and Victoria
If the sea is what you came to see, then the Malahat Skywalk is for you, especially with views from 250 m above sea level. Not to mention, a great place to catch the same breeze as the birds!
If you really want to jump in and cool down, visit the Sooke Potholes and swim in the deep pools that were created during the ice age by glacial action.
Other notable hiking trails near Victoria and Langford to visit include:
Goldstream Park, less than 20 minutes from downtown Victoria, is set in a gorgeous old-growth rain forest and home to beautiful waterfalls, a stunning river connecting to the sea, and several different birds and fish species. There’s a beautiful waterfall affectionally referred to as “Goldstream Niagra Falls” cascading down 47.5 m.
Mt. Finlayson, is one of Victoria and the area’s most challenging hikes – the sore muscles the next day will be worth it once you see the amazing view that looks down on the Bear Mountain Golf Resort.
Galloping Goose Trail: a 55-km trail set on a former railway line, connecting Victoria to Sooke.
Cowichan
When in Cowichan, play a visit to the Cowichan River Provincial Park, particularly Skutz Falls where you’ll take in stunning views of river rapids, waterfalls and a man-made fishing ladder.
Looking for somewhere to relax following your round at Cowichan Golf Club or Arbutus Ridge? The seaside village of Cowichan Bay sits on the water and its many quaint shops and culinary explorations will entertain you for an afternoon.
Parksville Qualicum Beach
North of Nanaimo and west of Parksville, Englishman River Falls is considered a bucket list hiking destination. Set amidst an old-growth and second-growth forest, there are two waterfalls in this picturesque piece of paradise.
Campbell River
Just a two-kilometre hop, skip and jump, away from Campbell River and its exceptional golf courses, Elk Falls Provincial Park is one of the top provincial parks in Vancouver Island with a stunning waterfall and an extensive forested trail network. Looking for more waterfalls near Campbell River, read this Essential Guide to Chasing Waterfalls in Campbell River.
Explore the Water
With outstanding paddling opportunities and endless bodies of water close at hand, there is no shortage of amazing destinations to canoe, kayak or SUP on a visit to Vancouver Island, which is considered one of the top ways to cool down after a warm summer day of golf.
Want to get out on the water but maybe don’t have your sea legs yet? With several guided tours, rentals and lessons available, you can trust you are in the right place to start your ocean exploration.
Victoria
Victoria SUP Guides & Rentals
Victoria Kayak Tours & Rentals
Ocean River Sports
Cowichan:
Coastal Bliss Adventures / Cowichan Bay Kayaking
Parksville Qualicum Beach:
Take Off Adventure Rentals
Adventuress Sea Kayaking
Courtenay and Campbell River:
Spirit of the West Adventures
Comox Valley Kayaks
Wildcoast Kayak Tours & Vacations (Quadra Island)
Oceanside Patios
For the ultimate summer beat the heat (and refresh) experience, finish your days off by relaxing and diving into delicious fare at some of Vancouver Island’s top oceanside patios, with our recommendations below:
Victoria and Langford:
Barb’s Fish & Chips
Red Fish Blue Fish
Milestones
Glo Restaurant and Lounge
Vancouver Island Brewing Company
Boom + Batten Restaurant & Cafe
Cowichan:
The Cook & Butcher
The Masthead Restaurant
Shipyard Restaurant and Pub
Arbutus Ridge Satellite Bar and Grill
The Udder Guys Icecream Parlour
Parksville Qualicum Beach:
Bayside Restaurant and Lounge
Cedars Restaurant at Tigh Na Mara
Black Goose Inn
French Creek Marine Pub
Courtenay and Campbell River:
Locals Restaurant
Timber Room Grill at Crown Isle
Harbour Grill
Anchor Waterfront Restuarant
Dockside Fish and Chips
Dive Into Your Vancouver Island Trip Planning
Now that you have a fool-proof cool-down plan this summer, complete with golfing, fishing, paddling, hiking and patio sitting, it’s time to plan your Vancouver Island golf vacation!
May 12, 2023, by: Golf Vancouver Island