By Emma Yardley
Emma Yardley is an award-winning travel journalist who lives on a tiny island off the west coast of British Columbia (although most of her time is spent in transit). She's written for The Globe & Mail, The Toronto Star, Metro News, FASHION Magazine, CAA Magazine, Refinery29 and Fodors.com. Soft adventure, unusual experiences and anything to do with water — be it at the spa or on a sailboat — are her jam.
Vancouver Island is renowned for its spectacular beaches, thick temperate rainforests, and wild untouched wilderness. While most visitors flock to its shores during summer, wintertime holds its own enigmatic allure. The Beach Club Resort in Parksville not only offers amazing winter rates and spectacular oceanfront views, it also provides a cozy, luxurious basecamp from which to explore the island during the cooler, misty months.
Storm Watching
Discover what locals of Tofino and Ucluelet have long known — winter’s when the island’s west coast really gets wild. As harsh weather systems blow in off the Pacific Ocean, they crash along the rugged rocky shoreline, sending spectacular 10-metre waves up into massive fans of spray and foam. Storm-watching season runs from October to March and is best witnessed from the beaches and beachside restaurants and resorts along the coast from Tofino to Ucluelet. About 2.5 hours from Parksville, you could make a day of it, heading along Highway BC-4 W up through the spectacular Vancouver Island Mountains. After an afternoon of this seaside spectacle, head back to The Beach Club Resort for a delicious west-coast inspired dinner at Pacific Prime Restaurant & Lounge.
TIP: Vancouver Island’s west coast gets up to four metres of annual rainfall, so be sure to pack waterproof gear!
Historic Mail Flight
With over 40,000 islands stretched along B.C.’s west coast, seaplanes are a transportation staple for moving goods and people. Corilair began flying its Havilland Beavers or Cessna floatplanes around the northern tip of Georgia Strait and the Discovery Islands 30 years ago. Today, you can ride along on the Historic Mail Flight as the pilot loads their seaplane with mail bags in Campbell River (an hour’s drive north of Parksville) and delivers them to Canada Post outlets in tiny working communities, such as Surge Narrows and Refuge Cove, sprinkled throughout this network of channels and craggy islands. Getting a bird’s eye view and then actually landing on the ocean below is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Bonus: join this flight tour in winter and you’ll likely get the pick of the best seats for optimal views.
TIP: Pack a pair of earplugs, as the small engines of these versatile planes can be quite loud.
Horne Lake Caves
Among Vancouver Island’s 1,000+ caves, Horne Lake Caverns at Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park are some of the most breathtaking — and are just a 40-minute drive from Parksville. Join one of the many different subterranean tours (tailored to your comfort level) and explore this underground wonderland with a professional guide. Get up close and personal with otherworldly rock formations, underground waterfalls and the dark silence that only comes from being nearly 60 metres below the earth’s surface. Once above ground, head back to The Beach Club Resort for an afternoon treatment at Stonewater Spa, followed by a good book and a cup of tea in front of your cozy in-room fireplace.
TIP: No matter what time of year you visit, the caves remain a steadily 8 degrees Celsius, so dress appropriately. During the winter months, a number of the caves have flowing underground streams — be sure to bring solid, waterproof footwear.
