- 25,000 km of coastline
- 997 provincial parks
- 6 distinct regions
British Columbia welcomes you into adventure. Learn to surf on the relentless Pacific waves of Tofino; swirl-and-sample award-winning local wines in the arid Okanagan Valley. Dine at cosmopolitan seafood restaurants in Vancouver; be awed by wild whale sightings in the remote Haida Gwaii. Carve up untracked powder in Whistler; immerse yourself in the Gold Rush history of Barkerville. Engage with First Nations cultures at aboriginal heritage sites; spot bears, eagles and elk in pristine coastal rainforests.
Outdoor adventure
Urban adventures
- Bask in colonial charm while you enjoy High Tea at Victoria’s 100-year-old Fairmont Empress Hotel.
- Shop for exciting fashions at designer boutiques on Vancouver’s Robson, Granville and Burrard Streets.
- Get up-close with beluga whales, bicycle a scenic seawall and see an outdoor concert — all at downtown Vancouver’s Stanley Park.
Arts & culture
- Seek out totems hidden in the misty rainforest of Gwaii Haanas National Park, Haida Gwaii ; further explore aboriginal history and culture at the Haida Heritage Centre.
- Squeeze through century-old alleyways while you explore Canada’s oldest Chinatown in Victoria.
- Wander the permanent collection of one of Canada’s most celebrated painters, Emily Carr, in the neoclassical-designed Vancouver Art Gallery.
Food & Drink
- Sample award-winning reds, whites and bubblies produced by Mission Hill, Burrowing Owl and other Okanagan Valley wineries.
- Embark on a culinary tour of east-meets-west fusion fare at Vancouver’s world-class restaurants such like Oru and Vij’s.
- Dine on fresh-from-the-Pacific sustainable seafood at ocean-view eateries in Victoria.
Nature & wildlife
- View wild grizzlies from a safe vantage point in the expansive Great Bear Rainforest.
- Stroll 30 storeys above the treetops at Vancouver's Capilano Suspension Bridge.
- Spot humpback whales, orcas, sea lions and bald eagles with a whale watching tour in Tofino.
Weather
- Warm summer weather extends from late-June until September — expect average daily July temperatures of 17.5 degrees Celsius in Vancouver and 16.3 C in Fernie.
- Winter, from December until March, brings BC’s most varied weather patterns. Vancouver sees cool and wet weather — January averages 3.3 C with snow in the mountains. By contrast, Fernie sees heavy snowfall and an average January temperature of -6.8 C.
- Spring lasts from March until early June, and brings mild temperatures province-wide — in April, Vancouver’s average is 9.2 C and Fernie averages 5.2 C.
- Fall, from late-September to November, brings more mild and cool weather throughout BC — in October, Vancouver averages 10.1 C and Fernie averages 5.4 C.
- Discover more local weather information <text linked to weather information page>.
Quick facts
- Area: 944,735 sq-km
- Capital City: Victoria
- Largest City: Vancouver
- Total Population: 4.1 Million
- Official Languages: English & French (English predominant)
- Provincial Motto: “Splendour without diminishment.”
When to go
- Ski season runs province-wide from December until April.
- Wildlife viewing and whale watching is best in summer and fall.
- Vancouver and Victoria are vibrant cities year-round.
- Tofino’s storm-watching season lasts from November to March.
- Hike, camp, paddle and surf in BC’s parks from May until October.
- Plan your vacation around BC’s vibrant festivals and events.
Getting Here
British Columbia is located on Canada’s West Coast and accessed by road/train travel or via two major international airports:
- Victoria International Airport (YYJ)
- Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
Getting around
- Find general information on Getting Around BC.
- BC highway traveller information is available at DriveBC.
- Find information on coastal and island travel via BC Ferries.
- View BC Public Transit fares, routes and schedules.
- Find information on Translink (Metro Vancouver Public Transit).
Tourism websites
