Within the Qualicum Beach area you will find many opportunities to enjoy some of the world's most spectacular forest and marine environments. Hike an alpine trail leading up to to the Mount Arrowsmith lookout. Follow gentle paths amongst 850-year-old Douglas firs at MacMillan Park's Cathedral Grove. Walk sylvan trails though old growth forests alongside a cascading waterfall of the Englishman River Falls Park and the Little Qualicum Falls Park.

Explore the depths of underground caves full of impressive crystalline formations and take advantage of basic or advanced instructions in rock-climbing and rappelling techniques. Hop a mini-ferry or charter your own sailboat or power boat to picnic or swim on the off-shore islands.

Ride on horseback through tall timber and along mountain streams. Catch your dinner of salmon or trout with a local fishing guide. Kayak the calm waters of Georgia Strait or nearby Home, Spider, or Cameron Lakes. Local companies offer kayak rentals, instruction, and guided tours. Bring your bike or rent one here and tour the village, cruise the beachfront or, for extreme adventure, hit mountain or forest trails.

If diving is your passion, local guides can outfit you and introduce you to the waters of the Northern Gulf Islands. Here you can find walls and passes festooned with congregations of anemones, large cloud sponges, and dwarf Gorgonian corals. During the summer months the rare and elusive six-gill shark makes its appearance off the southeast corner of Hornsby Island. In Nanaimo, just to the south and 22 fathoms underwater, lies MCS Saskatchewan, British Columbia's newest artificial reef.

Qualicum Beach is the perfect hub for day trips to more distant island attractions. Less than a two-hour drive away, Mount Washington is a magnet for skiers and snowboarders in winter and for summer visitors who love its spectacular ocean-to-alpine views. A day of whale watching on the Island's West Coast is both affordable and easy to arrange through the Visitor Info Centre. Alternatively, check out local tour operators and leave the planning and driving to the experts.

Calendar of Events ... Lodging ... Local Attractions
Parks & Natural Wonders ... Recreation ... Golf Courses ... Restaurants

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