Nanoose Bay:
Attractions and Activities:
Golf - With its stunning natural setting and breathtaking ocean vistas, Fairwinds Golf and Country Club is one of Western Canada's finest golf facilities. Pristine surroundings, panoramic views and abundant wildlife offer an unforgettable golf experience.
Fishing and Boat Charters - Fairwinds Schooner Cove Marina is located on the coastline of the Nanoose Peninsula, Minutes walk from Island Treasures Bed and Breakfast (B & B) where the local waters offer a fantastic array of boating delights.
Marina - At Schooner Cove Marina they offer boaters a full range of amenities at there 360 slip marina. Docking is available for vessels up to 150 feet.
ARBUTUS GROVE PROVINCIAL PARK:
ENGLISHMAN RIVER FALLS PARK offers offers a large day area picnicking facility , hiker's trails, swimming and fishing holes, besides the gorgeous waterfalls. There are plenty of stairs, bridges and trails. According to legend, the river acquired its name more than 100 years ago, when Indians discovered the skeleton of a white man along the river banks. To find the park, travel approximately 5 km west of Parksville on Highway 4A and turn left at Errington Road and follow the signs to the park (approximately 8 km).
HORNE LAKE CAVES PROVINCIAL PARK a great place for a picnic, trout fishing or exploring the limestone caves. Three of the caves are open to the public year-round however the main cave is closed to the public during the winter, and tours are given during the summer months. Travel 25.6 km north of Parksville and turn left on Horne Lake Road. It's 11.2 km to the lake and another 8 km to the caves.
LITTLE QUALICUM FALLS PROVINCIAL PARK offers beautful waterfalls and plenty of hiking trails, picturesque foot bridges and great picnic areas. Travel 19.2 km west of Parksville on Highway 4 and watch for the sign.
RATHTREVOR BEACH PROVINCIAL PARK is famous for its shallow sandy swimming beach where high tide offers the warmest ocean swimming in British Columbia. Average water temperature in the summer is 21 degrees Celsius. This popular beach park is great for afternoon strolls or picnics. Bird lovers will be interested to note that more than 150 different species of birds have been recorded in the park. When the tide goes out explore the biggest beaches anywhere. The park is located 1 1/2 km south of Parksville.
MacMILLAN PROVINCIAL PARK (CATHEDRAL GROVE) This grove of giant trees was given to the Province in 1944 by H.R. MacMillan. Some of these giants are over 800 years old. Following a big fire nearly 300 years ago, the "new" towering Douglas Fir trees which have since grown and reached giant size, make up the majority of the "new" forest. The grove is located 32 km west of Parksville on Highway 4.
MOUNT ARROWSMITH offers hiking in the summer and a breathtaking view of Vancouver Island. The major hiking trail up the mountain, Mount Arrowsmith Trail, starts off at the Cameron Lake picnic site and winds its way up to the 6,000 foot summit. (Watch carefully for the sign, it's not very large). The trail takes between 3 to 9 hours and is moderate hiking. Parksville attributes its mild climate to Mount Arrowsmith. the mountain breaks up weather patterns coming in off the Pacific.
BIG QUALICUM FISH HATCHERY is operated by the Federal Fisheries for the enhancement of our salmon resources and is open to the public. The hatchery is particularly interesting during spawning season during which you can watch the salmon fighting to get up the river to lay their eggs. If you time it right, you may see the staff "milk" the eggs from the salmon. The eggs are then hatched under conditions controlled by the staff of the hatchery. The hatchery is located 25.6 km north of Parksville.
CRAIG HERITAGE PARK is located about 3 km south of Parksville on the Island Highway. On location are some local heritage buildings and artifacts depicting the lives of these early pioneers.
RHODODENDRON LAKE is busting out every spring, in late May or early June. The shores of Rhododendron Lake are lined with a stunning pink rhododendrons. Botonists believe that these beautiful wild rhododendrons survived the last Ice Age. Access to the lake is by private logging road. Check signs posted at the entrance of Northwest Bay Logging Division, approximately 7.2 km south of Parksville.
CAMERON LAKE is fed from glaciers from Mt. Arrowsmith and is a deep water lake filled with trout. Cameron Lake is very picturesque on calm days when reflections are mirrored in the water. The lake is situated between Little Qualicum Falls and Cathedral Grove on Highway 4 and has camping, swimming and picnic areas.
COOMBS is a small community only a few kilometers west of Parksville on Highway 4A. There is an abundance of small craft shops and services at coombs and the centre piece that created Cooms is the Coombs market, famous for the goat that resides on the roof.
Weather - Nanoose Bay is blessed with one of the mildest climates in Canada, all year round. We are protected from Pacific weather systems by the range of mountains which run the length of Vancouver Island, and further moderated by the Strait of Georgia.
Envision an exotic green-canopied landscape punctuated by artists' studios, picturesque B&Bs, resorts, an awesome golf club, and a marina with a range of services including kayak, sail, and fishing charters. This is Nanoose! The coves and hidden beaches, stunning rock formations, and rare arbutus forest cover make the Nanoose peninsula a nature lover's paradise. Using this area as a base, take a sight-seeing boat trip to visit Jedediah Island, now a provincial park, and watch for its infamous wild goats, reportedly left by the Spanish centuries ago.
