Craving wide open spaces, fewer faces, and an opportunity to play some fantastic golf courses? Then look no further than the Parksville Qualicum Beach golf region on Vancouver Island. Here you’ll find luscious year-round golf courses, kilometres (or miles, if you prefer) of sandy beaches, and some excellent places to explore. So if that sounds like it is up your alley, then what’s the best way to get the most out of your vacation to Parksville Qualicum Beach?
Book Longer, Explore Deeper
While you could certainly cram in 54 holes of golf over two days and then head home (exhausted!), your Vancouver Island golf vacation can be that much more enjoyable when you slow down and get on “island time.” A more relaxed pace will give you the opportunity to not only play four featured Parksville & Qualicum Beach golf courses but to also delve into the area’s other fantastic offerings, including endless sandy beaches, subterranean cave systems, brews, tours and more.
Give yourself time with four days or more for your Vancouver Island golf trip. Grab a morning round at Fairwinds Golf Club and then visit the Qualicum National Wildlife Area where millions of migratory birds stop on their way to and from feeding grounds. After playing Morningstar Golf Club visit Little Qualicum Cheeseworks for self-guided tours and local fresh fare. Finish off with Pheasant Glen Golf Course and pop over to quaint Coombs and their Old Country Market for tons of local favourites as well as goats – on their grass roof! In between, you’ll have plenty of time leftover to hike, explore, taste, and discover this incredible region.
Love the Beach? Stay Seaside!
Make transitioning from golf shoes to no shoes, with your toes digging into the warm sand, that much faster by staying right on the water at Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort. The 22-acre property boasts Canada’s #1 spa, two exceptional restaurants, and is perched along sandy Rathtrevor Beach, which extends five kilometres along the shoreline. Sun on the sand, walk out with the low tide (up to one kilometre!), stroll along the oceanfront trail, or connect to other trails for further exploration at your leisure. Or book your stay at the iconic Bayside Oceanfront Resort, a family-friendly, non-smoking property offering panoramic ocean views and direct access to the beach.
Shun the Sun with a Cave Tour
The summer sun is not everyone’s cup of tea, so if you’re looking for a way to cut back on your Vitamin D after a day playing Parksville & Qualicum Beach golf courses, consider a cave tour at Horne Lake Caves – about a 30-minute drive northwest. Reservations are strongly recommended as self-guided tours are currently closed due to COVID-19 safety precautions and cave tour groups are kept small to increase everyone’s safety.
Build your Brewery Bravado
Local craft beer is a passion in Parksville & Qualicum Beach, and visitors can get their fill at two local haunts. Mount Arrowsmith Brewing Company in Parksville brews exceptional craft beer and has been a consistent award winner since opening in 2017, while nearby Love Shack Libations nano-brewery in Qualicum Beach offers four regular brews along with seasonal offerings for a true craft experience. Those in search of even more craft collaboration can embark north or south along the Vancouver Island segment of the BC Ale Trail to explore to their heart’s content.
If you’re on the golf course and have a thirst – try the exclusive Vancouver Island Brewing’s Vancouver Island Golf Trail Ale, only available on select golf courses along the Vancouver Island Golf Trail!
Discover Restaurant & Patio Pleasure
Stop in for drinks and nosh after your round at some spectacular golf course patios, or head to several seaside options to enjoy the salt-tinged fresh air and incredible views. If you’re staying at Tigh-Na-Mara (or want to check it out for your next golf vacation), stop by the Cedars Restaurant and Lounge for appetizers and entrées that embrace rustic dishes with a contemporary spin.
Eat right on the shore at Shore in Qualicum Beach, offering comfort classics like fish ‘n chips, fish tacos and burgers, or take an ice cream to go and walk the beach before sunset.
The Black Goose Inn is a British owned and operated pub-style restaurant in the historic 100 year-old Samuel Maclure House. They are currently offering takeout only, of traditional, home-cooked fare daily from 4pm – 7pm.
Find the Tidal Taco Shack in Qualicum Bay for incredible fish tacos and Tex-Mex favourites.
Milner Gardens & Woodland is a historic estate featuring a wild garden for a botanical retreat sheltered by stands of old-growth Coastal Douglas fir for a relaxing visit for afternoon tea.
Check out Parkville & Qualicum Beach’s Top Eats blog for more terrific suggestions!
Don’t Just Take Our Word for it!
Parksville Qualicum Beach is a regular stop for golf media touring the Vancouver Island Golf Trail, and here are just a few things they’ve had to say about their trip:
“The Parksville and Qualicum Beach region of the Vancouver Island Golf Region was a wonderful experience…this collection of three golf courses may possibly be the most underrated on the entire trail and surely deserves more recognition.” Kevin Tao, eighteenunderpar.com
“It takes more than great golf to make a great golf road trip…No matter how good the golf is or how many birdie putts you drain, the quality of the considerable time spent away from the course will ultimately determine just how memorable that trip is…During my recent three-day visit — we’ll call it the Mid-Island Express — the golf was terrific. But so was the time spent between rounds.” Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf
Ready to start planning a visit? Browse popular golf packages and visit the Parksville Qualicum Beach Tourism site for further planning resources.
July 23, 2020, by: Golf Vancouver Island