The central Vancouver Island tourism region of Qualicum Beach & Parksville BC is Canada’s best family friendly beach destination according to Better Homes and Gardens. Local islanders often call this charming collection of communities “Oceanside”.
Boasting spectacular sandy beaches, coastal mountain vistas, and lush temperate forests, Oceanside enjoys the mildest climate in the country, with an annual average of 2,050 hours of sunshine.
Oceanside is located along Highway 19 on south central Vancouver Island. The largest community in Oceanside – Parksville – is approximately 2 hours (88 miles/147 km) north of Victoria. Ferry access from Vancouver to Oceanside is through Nanaimo, 45 minutes (22 miles/36 km) to the south of Oceanside – from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo (Departure Bay), and from Tsawwassen to Nanaimo (Duke Point). Air links to Oceanside are through Victoria, Nanaimo and Comox to the north.