Travel

Discover the North Island

Discover the North Island

Explore an array of year-round adventures on northern Vancouver Island

  • Apr 23, 2020
A community of 1,396, Galiano Island saw an estimated 80,200 visitors in 2007 (John McKinley file)

Galiano Island’s ecological footprint swells from tourism: study

Community’s footprint ‘much larger’ than other B.C. locales

Mark Pavesic reels in a small mouth bass from Elk Lake, near Victoria, BC. Kelsey Pavesic photo

Let Outdoors West be your guide to the great outdoors this summer!

Magazine shares the how-to and where-to of exploring Western Canada’s natural spaces

Tim Sangha, a member of the Nanaimo-based business partnership that has owned the Scarlet Ibis Pub and Restaurant since November 2020, presents a carving by woodcarver Rick Rotar of the Ibis business logo to Patricia Gwynne who owned and operated the Island’s most remote pub for more than 40 years. (Scarlet Ibis image)

New business partners breathe new life into Vancouver Island’s most remote pub

Scarlet Ibis Pub and Restaurant in Holberg is edge of civilization for wilderness adventurers

Carrot/Rotary park in Port Hardy. Tyson Whitney / North Island Gazette photo

Cultural and gathering space enhancements coming to downtown Port Hardy

Reconfigured area will honour ancestral history while driving visitor attraction

Carrot/Rotary park in Port Hardy. Tyson Whitney / North Island Gazette photo
From hunting and ice fishing to snowshoeing and hiking, this new must-read guide from Black Press Media and WestCoastTraveller.com will inspire plenty of winter pursuits.

Enjoy the great outdoors this winter with Outdoors West!

Magazine shares the how-to and where-to of exploring Western Canada’s natural spaces

From hunting and ice fishing to snowshoeing and hiking, this new must-read guide from Black Press Media and WestCoastTraveller.com will inspire plenty of winter pursuits.
Kwakiutl chief Calvin Hunt working on the 30-foot totem pole. (Tyson Whitney - North Island Gazette)

VIDEO: Kwakiutl chief Calvin Hunt’s totem makes a statement on northern Vancouver Island

Kwakiutl chief Calvin Hunt’s latest totem pole is taking shape in the…

Kwakiutl chief Calvin Hunt working on the 30-foot totem pole. (Tyson Whitney - North Island Gazette)
The Tree to Sea loop is a 1,000 km bikepacking route around the north end of Vancouver Island. Photo courtesy Miles Arbor

1,000 km route opens northern Vancouver Island to ‘bikepackers’

Bikepacking combines ultralight backpacking and bicycle touring

The Tree to Sea loop is a 1,000 km bikepacking route around the north end of Vancouver Island. Photo courtesy Miles Arbor
Twa Dogs Brewery in Saanich, just outside Victoria. Photo courtesy BC Ale Trail

Sip and savour: Artisanal beers abound on Vancouver Island

When it comes to voting for the BC Ale Trail’s Best Brewery…

Twa Dogs Brewery in Saanich, just outside Victoria. Photo courtesy BC Ale Trail
Proceeds from the B.C. Wildlife Federation’s second annual online auction will support conservation initiatives around the province. BCWF photo.

Online gift, gear and getaway auction boosts BC fish and wildlife conservation

B.C. Wildlife Federation online auction supports conservation projects across the province

Proceeds from the B.C. Wildlife Federation’s second annual online auction will support conservation initiatives around the province. BCWF photo.
Sport fisherman hunting predator fish. Outdoor fishing in river during sunrise. Hunting and hobby sport.

Head outdoors this summer with Outdoors West!

New magazine shares the how-to and where-to of exploring Western Canada’s great outdoors

Sport fisherman hunting predator fish. Outdoor fishing in river during sunrise. Hunting and hobby sport.
Last year, Port Alberni’s Twin City Brewing earned the BC Ale Trail’s Best Brewery Experience award for the quality of its beer and food as well as the way it adapted to the pandemic.

Which BC brewery do you think offers the best overall experience?

Voting is underway for the BC Ale Trail’s Best Brewery Experience award

Last year, Port Alberni’s Twin City Brewing earned the BC Ale Trail’s Best Brewery Experience award for the quality of its beer and food as well as the way it adapted to the pandemic.
A humpback spotted just off Cortes Island breaches. This humpback breached several times, as it played by itself for nearly half an hour. Photo by Terry Farrell

PHOTOS: Humpbacks put on a show for visitors to Vancouver Island

Whale watching tour leaves participants in awe

A humpback spotted just off Cortes Island breaches. This humpback breached several times, as it played by itself for nearly half an hour. Photo by Terry Farrell
Big Catch

Enter to WIN a family fishing adventure in Ucluelet

Share your favourite fishing photos to enter

Big Catch
Capture Summer Photo Contest

Photo Contest: How will you Capture Summer?

Share photos of your summer adventures to be entered to win up to $250 in grocery gift cards

Capture Summer Photo Contest
The<em> Northern Sea Wolf</em> arrived in Bella Coola June 19. Michael Wigle photo

Summer ferry service to Bella Coola to start June 19

“We are optimistic for a good tourist season.”

The<em> Northern Sea Wolf</em> arrived in Bella Coola June 19. Michael Wigle photo
Day-use passes for specific trails within Stawamus Chief and Garibaldi parks along the Sea-to-Sky corridor will be among the measures to address the surge in visitors while protecting the environment. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Day-use pass initiative for 5 busy BC parks to address safety, protect environment

The second phase of its free day-use pass pilot program rolls out June 22 in five provincial parks

Day-use passes for specific trails within Stawamus Chief and Garibaldi parks along the Sea-to-Sky corridor will be among the measures to address the surge in visitors while protecting the environment. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
(Metro Creative photo)

Youth summer fishing challenge: Go fishing, take a photo, then enter to win!

Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC’s contest returns this summer

(Metro Creative photo)
B.C.’s Family Fishing Weekend is coming up June 18 to 20.

BC’s Family Fishing Weekend returns June 18 to 20

Get ready with a free Family Fishing Webinar Series June 12

B.C.’s Family Fishing Weekend is coming up June 18 to 20.
Owners of the North Island’s Scarlet Ibis Pub and Restaurant and Nanaimo’s Longwood Brewery will donate 25 cents from the sale of every can of ‘North Coast Trail Ale’ to the park for trail improvements and upgrades.

Interest in Vancouver Island’s wild north coast continuing to brew

Growing interest in Cape Scott and the North Coast Trail can be washed down with new craft beer

Owners of the North Island’s Scarlet Ibis Pub and Restaurant and Nanaimo’s Longwood Brewery will donate 25 cents from the sale of every can of ‘North Coast Trail Ale’ to the park for trail improvements and upgrades.