Your Guide to BC
Let's plan your next BC adventure. Where will you explore next?
Essential Canada Travel Info
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Languages Spoken
Communication essentials
English
- •French (especially in Quebec and parts of Ontario/New Brunswick)
- •Indigenous languages (60+ distinct languages including Cree, Inuktitut, Ojibwe, and many others)
Travel Guides From BC Locals
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Hi! We're Alia & Shawn.
While the Sea to Sky is our home-base, we make it our mission to get out and explore more of the province and the country as much as we can. We only recommend destinations we have personally explored and would go back to. We hope our guides help you plan the perfect BC bucket list trip.
British Columbia Destinations
Best places to visit
15 Best Things to Do in Gibsons, BC (2026 Guide)
Best Things to Do in Gibsons: waterfront walks, hikes, beaches, local markets, breweries, and cozy stays on the Sunshine Coast near Vancouver.
How to Visit Thormanby Island, BC (2025 Guide)
How to Visit Thormanby Island, BC: sandy beaches, tidal sandbars, camping, hiking, paddling, and wildlife on the Sunshine Coast’s hidden gem.
10 Best Things to Do in Sechelt, BC (2026 Guide)
Discover the best things to do in Sechelt, BC - from kayaking the inlet to beaches, hikes, local food, and hidden Sunshine Coast gems.
11 Best Things To Do on Bowen Island From Vancouver, BC (2026 Guide)
11 Best Things to Do on Bowen Island. Full guide explaining top sites, hikes, restaurants, and all the details you need to plan your visit.
10 Best Things to Do in the Cowichan Valley: A 2026 Guide
Planning a trip to the Cowichan Valley? Discover the best things to do in 2026, including Cowichan Lake, Malahat SkyWalk, waterfalls, hiking trails, whale watching, breweries, cideries, and charming Vancouver Island towns.
Cowichan Waterfalls: A Guide to the Best Falls in the Region (2026)
Discover the best waterfalls in the Cowichan Valley and South Vancouver Island, including Niagara Falls, Christie Falls, Skutz Falls, and Stocking Creek Falls, with hiking tips, trail details, and what to actually expect in 2026.
Malahat SkyWalk: What to Expect and Is It Worth It (2026 Guide)
Is the Malahat SkyWalk worth it? The honest 2026 guide — tower views, the glass Overhang, spiral slide, and everything you need to plan your visit.
Cowichan Lake: A Guide to the Best Beaches and How to Spend Your Day
Planning a lake day at Cowichan Lake on Vancouver Island? Discover the best beaches, swimming spots, picnic areas, paddleboard launches, and local tips for the perfect summer day at Cowichan Lake.
27 Things To Do In and Around Sooke, BC (2026 Guide)
Discover the best things to do in and around Sooke, BC — from rugged coastal hikes in East Sooke Regional Park and tidal pools at Botanical Beach to river swimming at Sooke Potholes and the scenic Highway 14 drive to Port Renfrew. Your complete 2026 guide to Vancouver Island's most underrated destination.
The 7 Best Sunset Spots in Tofino, BC (2026 Guide)
The best places to watch the sunset in Tofino — from tin wis Beach and Chesterman Spit to Cox Bay Lookout and Long Beach, ordered along the coast.
East Sooke Regional Park: Complete Day Trip Guide From Victoria (2026)
The complete guide to East Sooke Regional Park — Creyke Point, the coastal trail, petroglyphs, Iron Mine Bay, and how to plan your day from Victoria.
Sooke Potholes Provincial Park: Complete Day Trip Guide From Victoria (2026)
Everything you need to know about Sooke Potholes Regional Park — Crescent Beach, the potholes viewpoint, Mary Vine Falls, and how to plan your day.
18 Best Things to Do on Salt Spring Island, BC (2026 Guide)
Salt Spring Island's best things to do, from the famous Saturday Farmers Market and Mount Erskine hike to Ruckle Park camping, Beddis Beach, and the Tree House Café. First-hand guide with practical tips on ferries, beaches, and where to eat.
The Best Beaches in Tofino: Your Complete Guide to Vancouver Island's Wild Coast (2026)
A guide to all the best beaches in Tofino, how to get to them, which beach to visit in every kind of weather, and all the best spots to surf, swim, or relax.
8 Best Things To Do in Ucluelet, Vancouver Island (2026 Guide)
Skipping Ucluelet for Tofino? Don’t. Here are 8 incredible things to do in Ucluelet, including wild coastal hikes, secret beaches, and epic whale watching spots.
8 Best Things to Do in Egmont, BC's Sunshine Coast (2026 Guide)
Discover the best things to do in Egmont, BC - from Princess Louisa Inlet tours and Skookumchuck Rapids to local cafes and wilderness adventures.
9 Best Things to Do on Savary Island, BC's Sunshine Coast (2026 Guide)
Best things to do on Savary Island B.C, Canada. Top beaches, must-see attractions, how to get around, and when to visit.
15 Best Things to Do in Tofino, BC (2026 Guide)
Best Things to Do in Tofino, BC: surf, beaches, rainforest hikes, whale watching, hot springs, and cozy stays on scenic Vancouver Island.
British Columbia Itineraries
Curated travel itineraries
Ultimate 10-Day Sunshine Coast Road Trip Itinerary (2026 Guide)
10-Day Sunshine Coast Road Trip: from Gibsons to Lund. Ferries, beaches, islands, hikes - the ultimate 2025 coastal adventure.
3 Day Sea to Sky Itinerary: Where I Would Take a Friend Visiting Me In BC
This is the exact trip I'd take you on if you came to visit me in BC. 3 days hitting every highlight along the Sea to Sky—no tourist traps, just the good stuff.
The Pacific Marine Circle Route Itinerary: The Best South Vancouver Island Road Trip
The Pacific Marine Circle Route is a 4-day road trip from Victoria along Vancouver Island's wild southwest coast to Port Renfrew and back through the Cowichan Valley. This guide covers every stop — old growth forests, tidal pools, waterfalls, river swimming, and the best places to eat and stay along the way.
The Best 3-Day Cowichan Valley Itinerary (2026)
Plan the perfect 3-day Cowichan Valley road trip from Victoria — Malahat SkyWalk, Kinsol Trestle, Cowichan Lake, Chemainus murals, and more. The complete 2026 itinerary.
3 Day Sooke Itinerary: The Perfect Long Weekend on South Vancouver Island (2026)
Plan the perfect 3-day long weekend in Sooke, BC — with a full day in East Sooke Regional Park, a scenic drive along Highway 14 to Botanical Beach and Port Renfrew, and a final morning at Sooke Potholes. The complete 2026 itinerary for the south island's most underrated corner.
3 Day Salt Spring Island Itinerary: Long Weekend Road Trip From Vancouver (2026 Guide)
From the Saturday Market to Ruckle Park, Wild Cider to Beddis Beach — here's exactly how to spend a long weekend on Salt Spring Island, BC.
3 Day Sunshine Coast Itinerary: Long Weekend Road Trip From Vancouver (2026 Guide)
A local's 3-day Sunshine Coast itinerary covering Gibsons, Sechelt, and Egmont — with ferry tips, hidden gems, and the exact stops worth your time on BC's most underrated long weekend escape.
3 Day Tofino Weekend Itinerary I Wish I Had Before My First Trip (2026 Guide)
Tofino travel guide for couples: best time to visit, car rental tips, Hot Springs Cove tour booking advice, costs, and what to do when it rains. Plan a dreamy Vancouver Island getaway—whether it’s sunny beach days or moody rainforest adventures, Tofino delivers in every season.
The Perfect Ucluelet Weekend Itinerary for Couples (2026 Itinerary)
The perfect weekend itinerary for couples looking for a cozy staycation on Vancouver Island that is equal parts rest and exploration. Ucluelet 3 Day itinerary.
British Columbia Accommodations
Best places to stay in British Columbia
Best Hotels and Cottages in Tofino (2026 Accommodation Guide)
Plan your 2026 Tofino trip with this guide to where to stay — town centre, Chesterman Beach, Cox Bay, and Pacific Rim camping options.
Cowichan Accommodation Guide
Discover where to stay in the Cowichan region, Vancouver Island. Compare Cowichan Lake, Cowichan Bay, Chemainus & Ladysmith accommodations for your perfect trip.
Sooke Accommodation Guide
Sooke accommodation guide: compare luxury resorts, cozy cottages, and family-friendly townhomes near East Sooke Park, the Potholes, and Juan de Fuca.
Salt Spring Island Accommodation: A Complete Guide On Where to Stay (2026)
A comprehensive guide to accommodations on Salt Spring Island. It covers areas on the island, types of accommodations available, and personal recommendations.
Where to Stay on the Sunshine Coast, BC (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to where to stay on BC's Sunshine Coast. Best hotels, resorts & camping in Gibsons, Sechelt, Pender Harbour & Egmont for 2026.
British Columbia Day Trips
Detailed 24 hour guides
Bowen Island Day Trip With a Car: Full Island Itinerary (2026 Local Guide)
A full day on Bowen Island with your own car: Mount Gardner via the SW Ridge, Bowen Bay Beach, sunset at Lighthouse Lane, and everything in between. Local guide with ferry tips, trail info, and a complete itinerary.
Bowen Island Day Trip Without a Car: The Perfect Car-Free Itinerary (2026 Local Guide)
We've done Bowen Island with and without a car, and no car works just fine. This itinerary goes over how to make the most of a car-free day on the island.
Squamish Day Trip From Vancouver: The Perfect One-Day Itinerary
Most people drive through Squamish without stopping. Here's the full day itinerary that shows you exactly what they're missing.
British Columbia Transit Guides
Car-Free travel guides
Getting Around the Sunshine Coast, BC Without a Car (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to exploring BC's Sunshine Coast without a car. Transit schedules, ferry info, bike tips & car-free itineraries from Langdale to Lund.
Ferry To Salt Spring Island: How to Get to The Largest Gulf Island
A breakdown on the ferry to Salt Spring Island. Which route to take based on where you're coming from and ticket flexibility you probably didn't know about.
How To Get To Tofino
Getting to Tofino from Vancouver takes 6-7 hours by car and ferry, or under 1 hour by seaplane. Here's everything you need to know about driving via BC Ferries or flying with Harbour Air.
British Columbia Roadside Stops
Best things to see in British Columbia just off the side of the road
Best Juan de Fuca Stops: The Complete Guide From Sooke to Port Renfrew (2026)
The complete guide to Highway 14 from Sooke to Port Renfrew — Mystic Beach, Botanical Beach, Sombrio Falls, and every stop worth making on the drive.
9 Stops You Need to Make Along Highway 4 on the Way to Tofino
These are the 9 best stops I never skip when driving to Tofino — from Cathedral Grove's old-growth giants to Long Beach and the best swimming hole on Vancouver Island.
10 Stops You Can't Skip Along the Sea to Sky Highway, BC
The 10 best stops along the Sea to Sky Highway — from Shannon Falls and Squamish to Brandywine Falls and Whistler Village, with timing, tips, and food picks.
British Columbia Hiking Guides
Explore the best trails across British Columbia
Hiking in the Cowichan Valley: The Best Trails and What to Actually Expect (2026 Guide)
Looking for the best hikes in the Cowichan Valley? Discover scenic summit trails, waterfalls, coastal walks, and underrated Vancouver Island hikes with local tips, trail difficulty, and what to actually expect in 2026.
The 21 Best Hikes and Trails in Tofino (From Someone Who's Done Them All - 2026 Guide)
The complete guide to hiking in Tofino — every trail ranked and reviewed from first-hand experience, from easy beach walks to the summit of Lone Cone.
7 Best Hikes on Salt Spring Island (2026 Guide)
A breakdown of the best hikes to do on Salt Spring Island. This guide covers the best coastal walks, sunset hikes, and the best beaches for a beach walk.
BC Hiking Ethics: Leave No Trace & Trail Etiquette (2026 Guide)
BC hiking ethics guide: Learn Leave No Trace principles, trail etiquette, bear safety, and responsible outdoor practices for hiking in British Columbia. Respect wildlife, pack out trash.
Four Lakes Trail, Alice Lake Provincial Park (2026 Local Guide)
Four Lakes Trail is an easy 6.4 km loop in Alice Lake Provincial Park near Squamish. Visit Alice, Stump, Fawn, and Edith Lakes. Great for families. Takes 1.5-2 hours. Swimming available.
Murrin Loop & Jurassic Ridge Trail, Squamish (2026 Local Guide)
Jurassic Ridge is a challenging 3.1 km loop in Murrin Park with scrambling, roped sections, and Howe Sound views. Takes 2 hours. Not for dogs or kids. Best in summer. Near Squamish.
Mamquam Spawning Trail, Squamish (2026 Local Guide)
Plan your visit to the Mamquam Spawning Trail in Squamish: an easy, flat loop through salmon spawning habitat with wildlife, eagles, and stunning mountain views year-round.
Brackendale Estuary Dyke Walk, Squamish (2026 Local Guide)
Brackendale Estuary Dyke Walk is an easy 1.5-2 hour trail along the Squamish River. Connects to Eagle Run Path, passes Fisherman's Park. Prime eagle territory. Dog-friendly, flat terrain.
Eagle Run Path, Squamish (2026 Local Guide)
Eagle Run Path is an easy 2.1 km riverside walk in Squamish with Bald eagles, mountain views, and The Watershed Pub at the end. Flat gravel path, dog-friendly. Takes 30 minutes.
Downtown Squamish Estuary Loop Trail (2026 Local Guide)
Downtown Squamish Estuary Loop is an easy 4.3 km flat walk with views of the Chief, Shannon Falls, and 200+ bird species. Dog-friendly, transit-accessible, perfect for families. Takes 1 hour.
DeBeck's Hill Hike, Alice Lake Provincial Park (2026 Local Guide)
DeBeck's Hill is a moderate 3.4 km hike in Alice Lake Provincial Park near Squamish. Steady climb to viewpoints of the Tantalus Range. Takes 1.5-2 hours round trip. Year-round access.
Crooked Falls Hike, Squamish Valley (2026 Local Guide)
Crooked Falls is a 5.6 km moderate hike in Squamish Valley with a unique 90-degree waterfall. Best in spring during snowmelt. Year-round access, steep climb, stunning forest views.
Tin Hat Hut Hike, Sunshine Coast, BC (2026 Local Guide)
Hiking to the Tin Hat Hut - routes, parking, tips, and when to go. The ultimate 2025 guide to BC’s most scenic backcountry hut.
Joffre Lakes Hike, Pemberton, BC (2026 Local Guide)
Hiking to Joffre Lakes, BC: glacier-fed lakes, alpine trails, backcountry camping, turquoise waters, and epic Pemberton mountain views.
Watersprite Lake Hike, Squamish, BC (2026 Local Guide)
Hiking to Watersprite Lake, Squamish: glacier-fed alpine lake, challenging trail, backcountry camping, turquoise waters, and mountain views.
Wedgemount Lake Hike, Garibaldi Provincial Park, BC (2026 Local Guide)
Hiking to Wedgemount Lake, Whistler: alpine lake at Wedge Mountain base, glacier views, backcountry camping, challenging trail, turquoise waters.
British Columbia General Info
Everything you need to know before visiting British Columbia
What is BCAA? How It Works, What It Costs, and Who Can Actually Join
What is BCAA, how much does it cost, and is it worth it? A no-fluff breakdown of membership plans, roadside coverage, and partner discounts — plus what to do if you're not a BC resident.
Driving The Sea To Sky Highway, BC
Drive the Sea to Sky Highway with confidence—local insights, safety tips, and real experience to help you navigate BC’s most scenic drive the right way.
Is the Whistler Gondola Worth It in Summer? (2026 Guide)
Is the Whistler Gondola worth $105 in summer? Find out what you can actually do at the top, the best hikes from the Roundhouse, and why the season pass is the real value play for your Whistler trip.
15 Best Beaches on the Sunshine Coast, BC (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to Sunshine Coast beaches: sandy stretches, hidden coves, and island paradises. Find your perfect BC beach from Gibsons to Powell River and beyond.
