Many travelers associate a perfect island vacation with spending days in quaint fishing villages by the ocean and relaxing on a palm-tree lined beach. What if you had a chance to experience even much more? The islands off of both of Canada’s impressive coastlines provide travelers with some of the most rewarding experiences. Travelers get to explore quiet fishing towns by the sea while experiencing a natural charm paired with diverse culture and rich history that can’t be found anywhere else around the world. Here are some of the best islands to visit in Canada.
Vancouver Island, British Columbia
If you’re an outdoor traveler, Canada’s Vancouver Island is a must-visit place. The island is known for its moderate climate, and beautiful landscape, and unhurried way of life. It’s Canada’s most conspicuous island. The impressive snowy mountainous terrain on Vancouver Island makes it an ideal place for snowboarding and skiing. There are hot spring coves waiting for travelers looking to unwind. Travelers looking to reconnect with nature will find the marshes, iconic mountains, rainforests, amazing wildlife, and diverse ecosystem here quite fulfilling. Beach lovers are welcome at Tofino where they’ll find stretches of pristine beaches. Other activities to enjoy at Vancouver Island include canoeing, fishing, kayaking, and more.
Prince Edward Island
One of Canada’s older settlements, Prince Edward Island features a slow-paced way of life that’s perfect for anyone looking to have a vacation full of relaxing on its beaches, wandering outdoors, and experiencing its towns. The island is the only provide with no land boundary in Canada. The sea food cuisines, gorgeous beaches, and lush green mountains will make you completely fall in love with the Island. Perhaps you should come and see why it’s often referred to as Canada’s food island.
Cape Breton Island
Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia is a paradise for hikers and anyone looking to explore nature, culture, and history. Famed for its Celtic heritage, the island is home to the Cape Breton Highland National Park and one of the world’s most beautiful coastal drives- the Cabot Trail. There are about twenty six trails offering amazing opportunities for drive tours and scenic walks on the island. Cape Breton Island is truly a hiker’s paradise. Be sure to explore the Fortress of Louisburg National Historic Site.
Baffin Island
Home to about eleven thousand people, the Baffin Island is the world’s fifth largest island and Canada’s largest island. The island’s strategic location allows travelers to experience an impressive assortment of nature, wildlife, and culture. From building an igloo and staying overnight in it at Iqaluit to exploring wildlife to stepping on a floe edge at Arctic Bay, there’s so much you can do here. Head to the Auyuittuq and Sirmilik National Parks and enjoy a range of activities.
Sable Island
Located 190 miles southeast of Halifax, Sable Island is one of the few places that have witnessed hundreds of shipwrecks, dangerous waves, and deaths of brave sailors. That explains why it’s often referred to as the Graveyard of the Atlantic. That shouldn’t scare you anyway. The island is uninhabited and can only be accessed by boat of plane. Visitors are, however, required to seek permission from Parks Canada before getting on the island. Sable island is home to wild horses, pristine sandy beaches, offshore shipwrecks, grey seals, and a few macho souls.