Outdoor Adventure
According to the Government of Canada (Statistics Canada 2001), Victoria is rated the “Fittest city in Canada.” Thirty-six percent of the adult population is active which is nearly double the national average. With the mildest climate in the country, Victoria is Canada’s destination for year-round outdoor adventure. Vancouver Island’s natural beauty also inspires people to get out and enjoy their surroundings. Victoria provides easy access to miles of scenic trails and sites that incorporate old growth rainforests, ocean shores and mountains. Hiking, cycling, kayaking and golf are just a few of the activities regularly enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
Surrounded by water, ocean adventure abounds on Vancouver Island for kayakers, divers and sailors. Sea kayaking can be an unforgettable experience and Victoria offers conditions to suit all levels of experience, including flat waters and urban kayaking in the Inner Harbour as well as open ocean and beautiful scenery in the surrounding areas. Explore the Gulf Islands for endless small coves, marine animals and sandy beaches.
The interesting coastline of the Gulf Islands also offers a scenic treat for a sailing getaway. Most islands have public wharves for mooring close to accommodation, pubs and family restaurants.
Vancouver Island features some of the world's best scuba diving. Sunken shipwrecks, artificial reefs and an underwater interpretive trail are some of the highlights. The Cousteau Society rates Vancouver Island's winter dive site as second only to the Red Sea.
Fishing is a year round activity in Victoria in both fresh and salt water. Two species stand out as the most sought-after: salmon in the tidal waters of the coast and rainbow trout in the lakes and rivers, but cod, halibut and steelhead are also to be found.
Visitors to Victoria's wilderness and marine parks are often given the opportunity to view wildlife throughout the seasons. Black bears, cougars, raccoons and deer are commonly spotted from the Island back roads and highways. Sea life, too, is abundant on the west coast. A kayak or sailing outing often leads to multiple sightings of otters, seals, sea lions, eagles and dolphins. Killer whales and gray whales are the easiest whales to encounter, but they prefer not to be approached too closely. Below sea level, the waters teem with starfish, sunfish, sea urchins, mussels, oysters and giant crabs, many of which can be seen in tidal pools.
Hiking and cycling are popular options for land-based adventure. Victoria is rated the “Cycling Capital of Canada” according to Statistics Canada (2001). The Galloping Goose Trail and scenic coastal routes offer no-stress urban cycling. The trail links numerous rural communities each an excellent opportunity for cycling in a minimum amount of traffic. Mt. Work-Hartland Park, the only designated mountain biking area on Vancouver Island, has numerous trails that are well suited for those with moderate to strong bike handling skills.
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