Vancouver and Victoria islands Travel. Tourism Environment. 300 miles long, filled with breathtaking mountain scenery and coastline, Vancouver Island is ruggedly beautiful, with areas of lush temperate rainforest. Major areas of population are Victoria (around half a million inhabitants), the provincial capital, perched on the southern tip of the island, and the port of Nanaimo, a city of around 80,000 people, on the island's sheltered East Coast. Other noteworthy destinations include Parksville and Qualicum, on the East Coast and Tofino, Ucluelet and the Pacific Rim National Park on the more remote West Coast. The latter provides plenty of boating, kayaking and eagle-spotting opportunities. Beautiful and historic, Victoria is a fantastic place to visit. Known as the Garden City, it's in full bloom in spring and summer, and has such a mild winter, you can golf year-round! Easily accessible from Vancouver, Victoria is the perfect day trip. Wander the quaint downtown core with its British colonial architecture to shop, sightsee, admire heritage buildings, visit stunning gardens, then relax over afternoon tea. If you're looking for a more active and adventurous day, rent bicycles to explore the city's many paths and trails, or hit the water for an afternoon whale watching. Don't miss Butchart Gardens - world-renowned for its 55 acres of year-round, spectacular floral displays and theme gardens!.