The little oceanside communities of Parksville and Qualicum Beach, British Columbia are special. Known for their gorgeous sandy beaches, incredible golf courses, year-round camping, world-class spas and lively community, it’s no wonder Parksville and Qualicum Beach, BC are the most popular getaways for Vancouver Islanders, visitors from all over Canada and the world! So if you’re looking for a peaceful west coast holiday, look no further than the gorgeous, oceanfront EMR rentals in Parksville Qualicum Beach!
Where are Parksville and Qualicum Beach?
Located in Central Vancouver Island, just north of Nanaimo on the east coast of Vancouver Island, Parksville and Qualicum Beach are easy to get to no matter where you’re staying on the Island. Just a two hour drive from Victoria, an hour from the Cowichan Valley, thirty minute drive from Nanaimo on the Island Highway (19), and forty-five minutes from the Comox Valley makes the Parksville area an ideal day trip when you’re visiting!
What to Do in Parksville and Qualicum Beach
There are so many things to do in Parksville Qualicum Beach whether you’re staying for a while or only a day trip!
Get out in nature!
Bird Watching: Parksville is one of the top places on Vancouver Island for bird watching, especially the migratory Brant Geese that stop along the shores in Parksville to get ready for their flight up to Alaska in the summer or down to Baja in the winter!
Beachcombing: With 18 kilometres of beaches to explore, it’s no wonder that Parksville is one of the best places to find beach treasures on the west coast! From scuttling crabs to gorgeous shells, there is no end to the treasures you can find here!
Kayaking: Parksville has some of the warmest and calmest ocean waters on Vancouver Island, perfect for kayaking. Plus with many launching points you can really take your time and explore this coastline!
Camping: Parksville is home to some of the best campgrounds on the Island. Nestled in the forests, on the edge of the ocean, camping in Parksville is really the best of both worlds!
Fresh Water Swimming: On a hot day, you can find many locals taking a refreshing plunge at Top Bridge Park. With clear, cool water and interesting petroglyphs to see, this is a must in the summer!
Golfing: With several incredible courses in the area – including the award-winning Morningstar – it’s no wonder that some of the best golfing on Vancouver Island is found in Parksville and Qualicum Beach.
French Creek: For remarkable wildlife viewing, fishing and boating, head to the community of French Creek! From here, you can also catch a boat to the beautiful Lasqueti Island.
Enjoy the food, drinks & culture!
Little Qualicum Cheeseworks: If you love cheese as much as we do, stopping into Little Qualicum’s farm is a must!
Mount Arrowsmith Brewing Company: With both tours and a small tasting room where you can try flights, fill growlers and get a six pack of your new favourite, this is sure to be a hit for any beer lover!
Parksville Museum: Learn about Parksville’s pioneer days by exploring the eight heritage houses on site as well as the main museum to see photos and artefacts from the early days of Parksville!
Parksville Community Park: Known as the jewel of Parksville, this oceanview park is a popular gathering place and venue for community events and festivals. Right on the edge of stunning Parksville Bay, this park is also close to downtown Parksville for shopping and dining.
Parksville Beach Festival: Every year, Parksville hosts this incredible festival that includes the always popular sand sculpting competition. So much more than your average sandcastles, these sculptures are incredibly detailed and are a can’t miss if you’re in the area in the summertime!
Get some R&R
Grotto Spa at Tigh-na-mara: With a relaxing mineral pool and a wide variety of rejuvenating treatments and packages to choose from, the Grotto Spa is a great choice when it comes to self care!
The Stonewater Spa: Located in The Beach Club Resort, this spa offers a selection of beautification and relaxation treatments in a relaxing setting.
Enjoy the Parks
Englishman River Falls: Enjoy walking through old-growth forest trails along the Englishman River and see two stunning waterfalls cascading along the descending riverbed into a deep canyon.
Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park: At low tides, this beach goes on for kilometres providing an excellent spot to walk, picnic on the beach and wade in the warm, shallow water.
Horne Lake Caves: If you want to have a completely unique experience, make sure to stop at Horne Lake Caves! Book an exploration package to visit the depths of these intricate cave systems!
For more information about Parksville you can visit the Parksville Qualicum Beach Tourism page!
