Whether you’re staying in Parksville or Qualicum Beach, the area surrounding these two cute towns has a lot to explore – especially if you know where to look. For many visitors, relaxing one one of the local beaches is at the top of their list, and for good reason; the beaches here are gorgeous.
But there’s a lot of other outdoor exploration to be done here too. Hikes in the area lead to spectacular waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, or through beautiful old-growth forests. Make sure to bring your binoculars though – hopefully you’ll spot some wildlife! If not, you can always head to the North Island Wildlife Recovery Center and visit the animals there. Looking for even more excitement? Parksville Qualicum Beach has you covered. Try spelunking or even sky diving! Finally, explore local flavours at restaurants, breweries, and distilleries, plus don’t forget to make sure to sample some of the local cheese (and say hi to the cows!)
In this guide, I’ve detailed all the best things to do in and around Parksville Qualicum Beach, but if you think I’ve missed something (and I probably have), feel free to let me know!
Spend Time at the Beach
Okay, this one’s obvious. When the calm and shallow waters recede, they reveal long sandy stretches of beach that are the pride and joy of the Parksville Qualicum Beach area. The large beaches here stretch nearly a kilometer into the ocean, and the shallow water is easily warmed by the sun, making it some of the warmest anywhere around Vancouver Island. There are three main beaches to check out here, and though each offers something slightly unique, they all offer the same warm sand, calm water, and spectacular views of the distant coastal mountains.
Parksville Beach is a community gathering spot, complete with volleyball courts and a skatepark, as well as an annual sand sculpture competition. The walkway alongside Parksville Beach is one of my favourite places for a sunset stroll in the area, and the views of the water as well as of the mountains are hard to beat.
Rathtrevor Beach is located in Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, and the beach here is lined by towering Douglas Fir trees. It feels a lot more natural than the other two beaches. There are hiking trails that are perfect for exploring the park, and the campground is one of my favourites in the area.
Qualicum Beach is known for its accessible waterfront promenade, featuring several different local restaurants. There are also plenty of spots perfect for picnicking, but taking a scenic stroll is very welcome too.
Explore Horne Lake Caves
Vancouver Island has the highest density of caves anywhere in Canada with over 1,000 known caves, so the opportunity to explore one for yourself can be an unique and memorable adventure. Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park, established in 1971 at the behest of local caving enthusiasts, is one of the finest places to do so.
Horne Lake Caves offers several different tours, with highlights including waterfall climbs, Canada’s only cave slide, and rappelling, squeezing, and crawling through a variety of obstacles. The guides are experienced and professional, and the cave is incredible. I’d rank a visit to Horne Lake Caves as not just one of the best things to do near Parksville Qualicum Beach but also one of the best things to do on Vancouver island in general.
Go Whale Watching
If you’re looking for one of the best things to do in Parksville Qualicum Beach, don’t miss the opportunity to go whale watching in the Salish Sea. The waters surrounding Vancouver Island are home to a variety of marine species, and it’s common to see Orcas and Humpbacks, as well as occasionally Grey and Minke whales. In addition to whales, look out for seals, sea lions, river otters, porpoises, and bald eagles. The best time of year to see whales is summer through autumn, but it’s still possible to see these incredible creatures year-round.
Experience the Parksville Beach Festival
One of the best reasons to visit Parksville in summer is the Parksville Beach Festival, which takes place every year at Parksville Community Park. This event begins with a sand sculpting competition and exhibition, which spans four days in mid-July, attracting master sculptors from around the world. Competitors have 30 hours to create sand sculptures from 30 tons of sand, often reaching heights of up to 15 feet. After the competition, the sculptures remain on display for several weeks, giving visitors time to view them. The festival also includes live music, artisan markets, food vendors, and an outdoor concert series.
Eat Like a Local
Neither Parksville nor Qualicum Beach are well known for their dining, but if you know where to look there are definitely some hidden gems to be found in the area. Make sure to start your day at either Wild Culture Bakery or French Press Coffee Roasters , which has locations in both Parksville and Qualicum Beach. If you’re into fresh local organic ingredients then Realm Food Co and De L’île restaurant are both must-visits, and if you’re having a cheat day then Q Burger and Extreme Eatery will definitely satisfy those cravings. With both towns sitting along the spectacular shoreline, several restaurants are great spots to visit not just for their delicious food but also the great views out over the ocean. Some of the most idyllic views (and best food) can be found at Nanoose Bay Cafe , Pacific Prime Restaurant , Shore Restaurant , Shady Rest , or Qualicum Beach Cafe .
Visit Englishman River Falls
Englishman River Falls is one of the more majestic waterfalls on Vancouver Island, and also one of the more unique ones. The wide river almost lazily spreads broadly over bedrock steps, creating a series of small cascades before all at once shooting down close to a hundred meters into a tight slot canyon below. Interestingly, the slot canyon is perpendicular to the river and redirects it 90 degrees to to the left, meaning that the falls cascade over the side of the canyon rather than at the head.
Walking to Englishman River Falls means nothing more than a short level walk from the car park. A bridge stretches over the slot canyon, offering picture-perfect views of the waterfall surrounded by old-growth forest. The only downside of a waterfall equal parts beautiful and accessible is that you’re unlikely to have it all to yourself.
Brant Geese Festival
Every year, Brant Geese embark on a long-distance migration from their wintering grounds in California and Mexico to their breeding grounds in the Arctic. Parksville Qualicum Beach plays an important role in this migration, serving as a vital resting and feeding stopover.
Founded in 1989 by Neil Dawe and Bashir El-Khalafawi, Parksville’s Brant Wildlife Festival was inspired by a desire to connect people with nature and raise awareness about the importance of preserving local wildlife habitats. The festival has grown significantly since its inception, with events now including estuary and wetland tours, bird identification classes, eagle release, and the Pacific Brant Carving, Woodworking & Art Show.
Cathedral Grove
Tourists come from all over the world in order to see the last few remaining old-growth trees on Vancouver Island, many of which are still in danger of logging today. The tiny protected area of Cathedral Grove between Parksville Qualicum Beach and Port Alberni is one of the best places to see some of these 1000 year-old trees that have been protected. There are two short walks through the grove, and it’s impossible to miss – the highway passes right through it.
Indigenous peoples utilized the area for ceremonial purposes long before European settlers arrived, with evidence of culturally modified trees dating as far back as AD 1137. The site was a popular tourist stop all the way back in the 1920s, but despite public pressure and advocacy for its preservation, H.R. MacMillan, the so-called “Emperor of Wood”, refused to give it up and was instead intent on clearcutting it all. Eventually he reportedly stormed out of a public meeting shouting, “All right, you can have the god-damn grove!”, slamming the door on his way out. The area was officially designated as a Class A provincial park in 1947, and is now one of the very few places near Parksville Qualicum Beach where the old growth giants remain.
Little Qualicum Cheeseworks
The 88-acre Morningstar Farm near Parksville Qualicum Beach is a fantastic place to sample a wide variety of local cheese made with milk from grass-fed cows. The farm is also known for Canada’s first milk-on-tap dispenser, where locals come to fill up reusable containers with fresh, whole, non-homogenized milk directly from the farm.
Little Qualicum Cheeseworks produces a wide variety of artisanal cheese, including Monterey Jack, cheddar, brie, fromage frais, blue cheese, and even fresh cheese curds. The farm store has all their cheeses available, as well as several other local products.
Visitors get to take a self-guided tour around the farm where they can interact with the animals. The calves especially are incredibly friendly, and there are even bunnies to be pet as well.
North Island Wildlife Recovery Center
The North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre located in Errington, just a short drive from Parksville, specializes in wildlife rehabilitation as well as public education. Founded in 1985, the facility focuses on the care of ill, injured, and orphaned wildlife, aiming to reintroduce as many animals as possible back to their natural habitat while also providing an educational platform about wildlife and environmental issues
The self-guided tour through the center leads past enclosures that house over sixty resident, non-releasable animals alongside those preparing for release. The centre boasts the largest eagle flight cage in Canada, a Museum of Nature, an interactive Learning Centre, and beautiful enclosures where guests can see like black bears, various birds of prey, turtles, and more.
Hike Little Mountain
If you’ve taken a drive north from Nanaimo, somewhere around Parksville you’ve probably looked left out your window towards the distant Mt Arrowsmith and the Beaufort Mountains stretching north, separating the Alberni Valley from Vancouver Island’s east coast. You may have also noticed a much closer, much smaller bump not far from the highway – I wouldn’t blame you if you can’t remember seeing Little Mountain – compared to the much more majestic distant mountain peaks it doesn’t look particularly memorable. The views from the top of this Vancouver Island hill, once the site of a forestry lookout, are another story.
Hikers near the top of Little Mountain are greeted with sweeping views including Nanaimo’s iconic Mt Benson to the south, Mt Moriarty, Mt Arrowsmith, Mt Wesley, and the many peaks of the Beaufort Range. In the distance Denman and Hornby Islands are visible to the north, with a tiny blue ribbon of sea separating them from Vancouver Island. The wide-open western views from Little Mountain make it a perfect sunset location, and the road winding up to the top of the hill means it’s popular among non-hikers as well.
Cameron Lake
Cameron Lake is one of the most beautiful landmarks all visitors pass by on their way towards Cathedral Grove and Port Alberni It’s impossible to miss on the right side of the highway as you’re driving in, but if you have a keen eye you might be able to see the abandoned railway trestles on the opposite side of the lake. There are a couple of different picnic areas alongside the lake offering opportunities to get closer.
Little Qualicum Falls
Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park, established in 1940, is home to one of the most well-known and beloved sets of waterfalls on Vancouver Island. Unlike Englishman River Falls, which has an impressive flow year round, Little Qualicum Falls’ character changes dramatically throughout the year. In the rainy winter months it’s violently powerful, blasting hikers with spray. In the summer however the river calms down considerably, gently cascading down from rocky pool to pool.
Whatever time of year you choose to visit, Little Qualicum Falls is an impressive destination. It’s not quite as short a walk as Englishman River Falls, but the parking lot still gets you pretty close (ten minutes ish?) from the falls. I highly recommend walking the loop trail which follows along the banks of the river on either side, allowing you to see the numerous falls.
Go Skydiving
You can’t argue just how beautiful Vancouver Island is, but there is some debate to be had as to where the best views of the Island are to be found. The answer just might be that the best views of Vancouver Island are from 12,500 feet in the air. Just remember the parachute!
Skydive Vancouver Island offers a unique and memorable experience, whether you’re a first-time tandem-jumper or a seasoned solo skydiver. Located in Nanoose Bay, this skydiving center runs seasonally from mid-April to the end of October, and offers a variety of packages including photo and video options to help remember your exhilarating experience.
BoMé Cheese
BoMé Cheese is run by German couple Horst Boehm and Bibi Menge, who immigrated to Canada in 1999. Along with their business experience, they brought furniture from Menge’s hotel as well as Boehm’s dairy equipment. The cafe specializes in traditionally aged alpine cheeses, and the selections include cheeses not typically found in Canada like Topfen and Bomarti, as well as more recognizable varieties like the Cambozola-inspired “Coombozola” and a variety of different bries, including a cheese with hemp seeds, imparting a nutty taste.
Their BoMé cheese shop café features large windows that allow café visitors to observe the cheese-making process while enjoying a meal. The menu consists of delicious German-style dishes, many of which incorporate cheese or byproducts from the cheese-making process. These include traditional favorites like schnitzel, goulash, and spaetzle, as well as an array of homemade bread and baked goods. Plus, the “world-famous cheesecake” is a must-try.
Discover Local Breweries
While Parksville Qualicum Beach’s four breweries each offer something very different in terms of experience, what they have in common is delicious and award-winning beer. Whether you check out all of them or have time for just one, sipping on a local brew is one of my favourite things to do in Parksville Qualicum Beach.
Mt Arrowsmith Brewing , named for the iconic peak which looms over the region, is also one of the most iconic breweries in the area, with popular flagships like Jagged Face IPA, Salish Sea Pale Ale, and Low Pressure Porter being available widely. The Parksville tasting room is unpretentious and relaxed, offering great food along with the beer.
Fern + Cedar Brewing , from the same owners as Mt Arrowsmith, is located in Parksville and offers a slightly more upscale, restaurant-like experience. The interior decor is very instagrammable, and the greenery from all the real ferns hanging from the ceiling adds a very nice touch.
Loveshack Libations is one of absolute favourite breweries on Vancouver Island. There’s no cell service, so find a seat at one of the communal tables and get to know the locals. And if the tables are all full, then there’s a stack of pallets or an old refrigerator that have been mcgyvered into tables as well. The bottle-conditioned beer here is excellent, but it’s the atmosphere that really makes it special.
Finally, Rusted Rake Brewing in Nanoose Bay offers an unique “farm to tap” experience in that the barley for beer is all grown on-site. The modern and cozy tasting room offers a variety of beers along with delicious food that also embodies the same ethos, utilizing fresh local ingredients.
Try Local Distilleries
Stopping by the local distilleries is one of the best things to do in Parksville Qualicum Beach for spirits lovers. Both distilleries just have small tasting rooms, offering none of the bells and whistles of some larger distilleries. The benefit of this is getting to chat one on one with the passionate distillers themselves who are eager to tell you all about their product.
True North Distillery , one of BC’s oldest craft distilleries, offers an impressively wide range of spirits (23, but who’s counting), but the most popular are the whiskys. Make sure to try their Scotch-, Irish Whisky-, and Bourbon-inspired whiskys, as well as the vodka made from local Vancouver Island potatoes.
Misguided Spirits offers a far more modest selection of spirits, but the quality is no less impressive. Both the vodka and the gin leave an impression, plus the growing variety of gin liqueurs are dangerously delicious. The cleverly named distillery is a family-run operation, with the friendly owners happy to provide tours whenever possible.
Make a Pit Stop in Coombs
The Old Country Market in Coombs has been a landmark tourist spot for over 50 years, located along the highway on the way towards Port Alberni. Originally starting off as a roadside stand offering fresh produce in the 70s, it has expanded into a diverse marketplace featuring international gifts, groceries, great food, and last but not least the iconic resident goats living on the roof from May to October. To many tourists driving to or from the west coast, a stop in Coombs to see the goats is a must-do.
There’s actually a decent amount to do in Coombs if you want to kill some time, as a number of businesses have popped up catering to tourists, from a donut shop to an Italian restaurant and more. Personally I like to stop in the market to grab some candied salmon for the rest of the drive, but it’s also hard not to see if anything else catches your eye while you’re there.
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