Vancouver Island towns
Short local guides to the Island’s towns and villages — what each one is known for, who runs local services, and the verified businesses and events you’ll find there.
Greater Victoria
- Victoria BC's capital on the Inner Harbour 72 local businesses
- Sidney Booktown by the sea at the top of the Saanich Peninsula 23 local businesses
- Sooke Wild beaches and rainforest trails on the west coast road 21 local businesses
- Langford The fast-growing heart of the West Shore 14 local businesses
- Saanich Lakes, farms and neighbourhoods north of downtown Victoria 9 local businesses
- Oak Bay Leafy seaside village life east of downtown Victoria 7 local businesses
- Brentwood Bay A waterfront village on Saanich Inlet 6 local businesses
- Saanichton Farm country and the Saanich Fair 6 local businesses
- North Saanich Rural acreages, marinas and the Island's airport 6 local businesses
- Esquimalt A navy harbour town with a strong community spirit 4 local businesses
- Colwood Lagoons, beaches and a national historic site on the West Shore 4 local businesses
- Metchosin Rural, wooded and proudly unhurried 4 local businesses
Cowichan Valley
- Duncan The City of Totems, at the heart of the Cowichan Valley 29 local businesses
- Cowichan Bay A working seaside village on the Cowichan estuary 9 local businesses
- Chemainus The mural town on Stuart Channel 9 local businesses
- Cobble Hill Farm country, wineries and the Cobble Hill Fair 8 local businesses
- Ladysmith A heritage harbour town on the 49th parallel 8 local businesses
- Mill Bay On Saanich Inlet, with the ferry shortcut to the Saanich Peninsula 5 local businesses
- Lake Cowichan Gateway to the big lake and the Cowichan River 4 local businesses
Parksville–Qualicum
- Qualicum Beach A walkable village above the beach 44 local businesses
- Parksville Wide sandy beaches and the warmest swimming on the coast 36 local businesses
- Nanoose Bay Quiet peninsula living between Nanaimo and Parksville 7 local businesses
- Coombs Home of the market with goats on the roof 6 local businesses
North Island
- Port Hardy The North Island's hub and the Inside Passage ferry port 33 local businesses
- Port McNeill A harbour town at the centre of the north 15 local businesses
- Telegraph Cove A boardwalk village on Johnstone Strait 6 local businesses
- Alert Bay Cormorant Island and a living centre of Kwakwaka'wakw culture 5 local businesses
- Sointula Malcolm Island's village with Finnish roots 4 local businesses
Gulf Islands
- Salt Spring Island The biggest Gulf Island, with Ganges and its Saturday market 21 local businesses
- Pender Island Two islands joined by a bridge, with coves and trails 8 local businesses
- Gabriola Island The Isle of the Arts, a short ferry from Nanaimo 6 local businesses
- Mayne Island Quiet orchards and coves in Active Pass 4 local businesses
- Denman Island A short ferry hop to farms, artists and quiet beaches 4 local businesses
More towns are on the way, region by region. Looking for somewhere not listed yet? Browse all nine regions or search the full directory.