Looking for some ideas on what to do on your next Canada holiday? British
Columbia, has plenty activities to keep you busy! Read on to find out the top
five BC summer activities.
1. Hiking - The #1 Canada Holiday Activity in BC
There are hikes in
British Columbia for all levels. Throughout the entire province one can find old
logging roads and hiking trails providing easy access to higher alpine areas and
eye-popping mountain scenery. Day hikes offer lifetime memories of peaceful
walks, wildlife viewing and bird watching. BC's nature is "yours to discover"
from meadows to an abundance of waterfalls, lakes and beaches. British Columbia
is simply hiking heaven!
2. Wine Tasting
The heart of wine country in BC is the Okanagan Valley.
Although you will find some wineries in other BC regions, the majority are
located in the BC interior. The Okanagan Valley is internationally recognized as
a Canadian wine region and is a wine lover's paradise! The main Okanagan winery
hubs are: Naramata, Okanagan Falls, Oliver, Osoyoos, Summerland, Kelowna and
Westbank, where one can find over 40 wineries to visit!
3. Golfing
British Columbia offers many world-class golf courses and is
one of Canada's top golf destinations. Whistler is one of the more popular
destinations with it's beautiful blend of snowcapped mountains, world-class
resort and magnificent golf courses by Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Arnold Palmer and Robert Cupp. Other BC summer golf regions include the
Okanagan Valley, Kamloops and Victoria on Vancouver Island.
4. Sailing
British Columbia is jam packed with small to large lakes
offering a different sailing experience. And for the more adventurous, the ocean
off the coast is a popular sailing area, in particular the Gulf Islands. The
islands are protected from the west coast rains and winds and the marine life is
abundant. During the summer, it is possible to see killer whales, porpoises,
harbour seals and seal lions. Bald eagles, blue herons, Canada geese,
cormorants and grebes make up the bird species found on the Gulf Islands and
surrounding waters. This region offers many marine parks, designated for public
use. Some offer small craft floats, buoys, interesting hiking trails, picnic and
sanitation facilities. Typically Gulf Island summer weather means mornings of
calm winds and seas, with afternoons bringing on westerly winds and rougher
conditions. Cruising is best done in the mornings.
5. Fishing
Whether you fancy freshwater or saltwater - BC offers
both!
There are hundreds of pleasant fishable freshwater lakes in British Columbia
that can be easily reached and fished with simply a vehicle with good ground
clearance, a car-top or inflatable boat or float tube, and the right tackle.
Freshwater fish species include white sturgeon, trout and charr.
If you prefer saltwater, salmon dominates British Columbia's marine waters.
The types of salmons which are available depend upon the season:
- Chinook - (also called king or spring, or tyee if over 30 pounds/13.5 kg)
are the largest of a ll Pacific salmon, frequently exceeding 30lb (14kg).
- Coho - (also called silver, blueback, or northern) - not the biggest
salmon, but are the most sought after, as they jump and fight like trout.
- Sockeye - the tastiest salmon of all
- Pink - (also called humpy),
- similar in size to sockeye, but not as tasty
