Water Activities
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Some of the water-based activities include:
- Beach combing: how big a piece of seaweed can you find? How smooth a piece of log? Build a fort of driftwood, too.
- Bird watching: the Island is a special habitat and a haven for trumpeter swans and for hundreds of other migratory and local birds. You can be there when an eagle swoops down and plucks a salmon from the water.
- Canoeing: as with kayaking, canoeing is a popular water sport year after year, with a 12-month season.
- Exploring tide pools: fascinating explorations for the young and old when the tide is out.
- Fishing: the Cowichan River is the "Fly Fishing Capital of the World" and herring migrate along the Island's west coast. That’s not all. The Island has been sport-fishing centre for hundreds of years – river, lake, and ocean.
- Guided boat tours: for fishing and for sightseeing, the island has many successful tour boats.
- Kayaking: Vancouver Island is such a great place for kayaking that there have been busy kayak makers here for many years. In fresh water or saltwater, the kayaking is great here.
- River rafting: it’s a mountainous island with many rivers. Rafting can be a thrill.
- Sailing: from this island in the Pacific with many neighbouring islands and a temperate climate, great sailing opportunities are plentiful. Sailing even becomes a spectator event with regattas such as the annual Swiftsure yacht race.
- SCUBA diving and snorkelling: Vancouver Island is a global destination for these sports, too.
- Surfing: Long Beach, Sombrio Beach, English Beach – the list of great surf spots on the island is long. Find one you enjoy and come back for more.
- Water-skiing and jet skiing: many waters and a mild climate offer many opportunities to enjoy these sports.
- Whale watching: offshore, about thirty species of marine mammals make Vancouver Island home. You can visit various species of whale, seals, dolphins, porpoises, and sea lions from shore or by boat.
- Windsurfing: Jordan River is a favourite for windsurfers on the Pacific. Yet, as with the other water sports, there are many freshwater and saltwater destinations that windsurfers enjoy. When you live here, you can try them all.
- Yachting: another popular pastime that draws people from near and far, and a thriving industry.