Vancouver Island is one of the few places in Canada where you can golf year-round—and fall is one of the best times to go. The Vancouver Island Golf Trail offers mild temperatures, stunning scenery, welcoming destinations, and fewer crowds, making it a must-add to your fall vacation bucket list. As one of the top fall activities on the Island, golfing here delivers unforgettable moments both on and off the course. To celebrate the season, we’re counting down the top reasons to plan a fall golf getaway to Vancouver Island.
Mild Sweater Weather
Everyone loves summer golf, but something is refreshing about not perspiring the second you step on the course. Known for its temperate and mild weather, Vancouver Island averages around 15 °C through the fall season, meaning you can spend more time on the greens and less time hunting for shade. Although the days are shorter and the mornings can be crisp, a glimpse of the sunrise and sunset plus a cozy sweater will make the autumn breeze well worth it!
Picture Perfect
Grab your camera! Think morning dew, colourful changing leaves, and autumn light; pair this with the Pacific Ocean, and you have the picture-perfect fall golf backdrop.
Home to 36-holes of Nicklaus-designed golf, Bear Mountain’s Mountain and Valley courses boast panoramic views of the mountain, city and ocean, all framed by lush coastal forests.
Only 20 minutes outside of Victoria’s downtown core, Olympic View is known for its tranquillity and nature, accented by 12 lakes, two waterfalls and coupled with soaring eagles and roaming deer; prepare to stop and admire the course’s natural beauty.
Halfway between Victoria and Nanaimo, Cowichan Golf & Country Club’s picturesque mix of meadow and tree-lined holes make a spectacular spot to watch the autumn colours change. Also, the hub for the majority of Vancouver Island’s wineries and the second-largest wine region in British Columbia, a trip to the Cowichan Valley makes for the ultimate wine and golf pairing.
The scenery is pretty amazing in the fall on Vancouver Island!
Fins and Skins
Surrounded by the ocean on all sides, it is no surprise that Vancouver Island is known for its fishing. Deemed the salmon capital of the world, Campbell River is the ultimate place to observe the salmon run during mid-to-late October. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even go swimming with the salmon on a snorkel tour!
For the golf and fishing die-hards, there are plenty of Fins and Skins opportunities; that way, you can spend the morning on the water casting a line and hit the fairways a few hours later.
Open Tee Sheets
Another positive of fall golf vacations is the lighter crowds. With fewer people competing for tee times, you’ll have a wider selection on the tee sheets, even with the shorter days. Avoid the crowds and focus on what matters, like enjoying a relaxing round instead of worrying about that fast foursome behind you or keeping pace with the twosome ahead of you.
Recommended Courses
With an entire oceanfront community in tow, Fairwinds Golf Club has established itself as a premier golf destination on Vancouver Island. With a covered and heated driving range, you can practice your swing, even with the cooling weather.
Tucked amidst an old-growth forest, each hole at Storey Creek Golf Club is wrapped in its own grove of trees, making it the ultimate spot to absorb autumn’s beauty. Storey Creek Golf Club is also Audubon Certified in environmental planning and preservation and hosts a coho salmon and cutthroat trout enhancement program with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
Fall Road Trip Idea
The map is already laid for your fall golf road trip – simply follow the Vancouver Island Golf Trail! If you need a vehicle during your stay, National Car & Truck Rental makes it easy to get around with unlimited mileage and no return drive should you desire.
Take advantage of shoulder season and the fall weather by spending two weeks exploring Vancouver Island and golfing at some of the island’s top golf courses with the Two Week Golf Trail Package.
Just because summer’s winding down doesn’t mean your golf season has to! Fall is one of the best times to golf on Vancouver Island—crisp air, vibrant colours, and quieter fairways. Now’s the perfect time to plan your fall golf getaway and take advantage of some of the top stay and play golf packages in BC.
August 11, 2022, by: Golf Vancouver Island