Top 28 things to do and attractions in Qualicum Beach

Fascinating beach where you wade out for great distances due to the very slight incline of the sand bar. The park itself has pleasant picnic areas, decent parking, and some inretesting old tree boles.

Late season camping was so beautiful! This is a difficult Provincial Park to get a site in during high season. We were able to get a large site close to the main beach trail. It was quiet and the natural beauty was stunning.

We camped at the campground for a night second week of September, it was fully occupied. This place was very well maintained, very organized and well labeled rows of campsites, very clean bathrooms, easy access to beach and nice walking trail along the waterfront. They came by to sell firewood in the evening. Sunset was beautiful and peaceful at the beach. Would definitely recommend this campground.

Huge cedar trees everywhere...very thick tree cover makes it feel like camping in an ancient forest. Sites are super clean, bathrooms and showers are clean and in good working order. Then, walk down the end of your camping row and find yourself out on the beach! It is immediately beside the campground...you can hear the ocean from many of the sites and smell the ocean air. Great combination of camping and beach watching. The minor inconveniences are that there are no hookups and the sun does not often penetrate the tree cover so solar isn't the best option. Bring your own water or make a funnel like I did because water taps do not have a hose connection option. Wood is super expensive. You get 4-5 pieces of wood for $10. Finally...take your own toilet paper to the bathroom. One ply? Come on...thought we were done with that foolishness. Still one of the best campgrounds I've ever been to!

Beautiful park and amazing views. Very family friendly, bathrooms are pretty clean and the showers are nice and hot. There is a few items you can buy when you check in at the front of the park. There’s also a general store before you meter the park if you need groceries or camping items. The water is lovely and the trails are nice and clean. Amazingly quiet at night.

Rathtrevor Provincial Park on Vancouver Island offers a truly enchanting experience, especially at low tide. The expansive sandy beach, revealed by the receding waters, creates a perfect playground for exploration. The tide pools teeming with marine life, such as starfish, crabs, and anemones, offer a fascinating glimpse into the underwater world. Walking along the shoreline, the views are breathtaking, with distant mountains framing the horizon and the fresh sea breeze adding to the serene ambiance. The park's natural beauty is complemented by its well-maintained trails and picnic areas, making it an ideal spot for families, nature enthusiasts, and photographers alike. The unique coastal ecosystem provides excellent opportunities for bird watching, as many species flock to the shore during low tide. One of the highlights is the sense of tranquility and connection to nature that Rathtrevor Provincial Park offers. The experience of walking on the soft sand, listening to the gentle lapping of the waves, and discovering the hidden treasures left by the tide is nothing short of magical. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure in nature, this park at low tide is a must-visit destination on Vancouver Island.

Wish we'd had more time to enjoy this park. We visited in the evening and walked along the walking trail which is very well maintained. There are also several spots to go out to the water's edge as well. It was very calm on the water so would be a great place to paddleboard or kayak.

What an adorable little farm! Went with my mom on a spring weekend and it’s very well taken care of, and you get to be in very close proximity with the animals which is great. There are some educational aspects too. Tried their milk and cheese sampler, both delicious. All the animals were 1000/10 cute and we had a great experience there.

I'm a local customer who has visited the farm since it first opened, I appreciate the growth and changes the farm has made and love where it is at now. There are not many farms that allow you to wander around for as long as you'd like while interacting with the animals, let alone without a cost! We love visiting the animals(especially the calves) and then going to find lots of local food treasures in the farm store, and of course finishing with delicious coffee. Also, we enjoy being able to go get milk 'after hours', conveniently avoiding the crowds... since this is the only milk we ever want now, we are hooked! As suggested to us, the ground beef is fantastic, it makes perfect smash burgers, and is so flavourful! The cheese curds are squeaky and addictive, a favourite for us, along with the brie of course!! Thankful for all their hard farm work, and to be able to frequently visit and shop at this fun and educational farm!

Lovely little farm with no entry fee. Our kids enjoyed seeing the cows, calves and rabbits so much they had us come back a second time (alas on a closed Monday!). The Brie is excellent and they sell crackers and paring knives if you haven't brought your own. A nice variety of merchandise as well. Highly recommended for the cheese/dairy if local and for a visit if from out of town.

I live in Calgary, and I have visited this farm twice in the past two years. The milk here is the best I’ve ever had—so fresh, it tastes like melted ice cream. You can also interact with cows, lambs, and rabbits. It’s a must-visit place when traveling to Nanaimo.

It’s a lovely little farm where you can see newborn calves and dairy cows. They sell delicious milk and cheese, too. Families with kids would really enjoy it

Cute little farm. No guide, just feel free to zoom around the property. You can see the cow feeding. Sample or buy fresh milk onsite. $3 for 1L seems quite expensive and tastes the same to me.

We came here as a quick stop on our way back to Parksville. We got some cheese to go and also learned about how the farm produces milk. We got some milk and it is was great. We regretted not getting more. Tip: bring your own cartoon.

This was lovely. The enclosures for the animals appear well made, the animals have space to keep away from view if needed, and they look close to natural habitats. The animals are well adjusted to the public, definitely not shy. They seem quite happy! I really like the story behind the recovery center and how it came to be what it is today. It was busy, and parking was limited when we arrived. It was definitely worth a visit. It did not disappoint.

This is definitely worth a visit. Absolutely amazing. Great volunteers and staff and very educational. A great well stocked gift shop to check out too.

This place is definitely worth the visit. It's the only location on the Island where you can go and support rescued wildlife. While learning a great deal of fun and educational information. (Also love that they include each animals story and why they're at the centre)

For the price it is a great activity!! Lots to see and learn. Sad to see how many animals get hurt but the enclosure were generally all great. Except the bears. Couldn’t see anything with the few windows they have. But the birds are all great viewing Lots of spots to stop and sit and enjoy a break with some great views. All the staff in interacted with were super friendly too

Very nice place to see ask this wildlife, and their effort to rehabilitate them. This place is also surprisingly big, almost like visiting a zoo. Should be perfect for little kids.

Quaint little wildlife recovery centre! So many birds - cool to see more background information on each of the animals on how they got to the centre and why can’t be released, if they’re endangered or not, and other fun facts about the species! Special shoutout to Casey the cutest bald eagle with a dislocated wing 🦅🥺🪽

Great place to support and visit. I had no idea how snobby Great Horned Owl were. They seem to be thinking, "How dare you breath My air Human?!" Just wonderful. Very cute bear. They are an actual rescue with an ICU. The animals you see there were injured enough to not be released.

Quiet park with walking trails. Just a cozy place where you can walk, hiding from the scorching sun in a refreshing shade. But unfortunately there are no benches to sit down to relax and just admire nature. And we were also unlucky to meet wasps there are, one of which stung my daughter. This upset us. You can walk the dogs, but there are no playgrounds and no toilets also.

Right in the center of Qualicum Beach stands this 50 acre expanse of old growth forest. Trails meander through different directions or you can take the loop trail. Discover this rare peace and tranquility steps from your door. This is a forest that must be preserved at all costs.

A great urban park that takes you away to another place. You feel small among the large trees however keep an eye on the ground as the roots can be quite hazardous. A few poor dog owners who don't pick up after there pets spoil it for the responsible owners. On a whole a great place to get away from the sun and enjoy the old and spectacular forest!

A magical place to enjoy in Qualicum Beach, visit the mighty and gentle giants, inhale the fresh scent of cedar and let your worries leave you. We met some friendly people walking their dogs and found a clearing with a bench to admire the forest and the sounds of its inhabitants, love the sound of the wind blowing through the deciduous leaves, autumn must be lovely here. Please respect the heritage forest and leave it as you find it.

Breathtaking forest with winding paths and multiple info stations and benches scattered along the trails. It is extremely peaceful and the only sounds heard were the birds high above us. Huge 500 year old Douglas Firs and many others I can not name!

This was a lovely forest walk with plenty of signs to read and learn from along the way! The only downside was it was noisy at times from the construction or logging (not sure which as I was just visiting and didn’t see personally).

Great place to see old growth Douglas firs, mushrooms, redwoods and spruce trees. Also a great place to watch birds. Saw some woodpeckers, sparrows, American robins among many other birds. Easy walk. Highly recommend

What a lovely way to spend an afternoon. The grounds are mature and blossoming. There is a garden center and a historical property worth visiting.

Went for tea with a friend on a perfect late Summer day! We walked through the woods and around the gardens and stopped at the house for a lovely light lunch of soup and focccia. Followed by scones with cream and jam, washed down with a lovely pot of tea. The food was served on real china in beautiful patterns and colour's. The volunteers obviously love the gardens andceere knowledgeable and friendly. The gardens were amazing, even this late in the year. Of particular interest to me was the Pink Silk tree. It was breathtaking. The lotus blossoms on the reflecting pool were perfect. I am looking forward to my next visit, most likely for the Christmas Lights.

Milner Gardens is a beautiful historical property on Vancouver Island minutes from Qualicum Beach. You can stroll the grounds at your leisure or take the tram if you have small children or have difficulty walking. The gardens are bountiful and diverse. The main house located steps from the beach, The Camellia Tea Room is open in the summer until fall and take out is available. Children are free, youth prices are minimal, and reasonable for adults. This is a beautiful nature walk as a couple or for the entire family. If you are a gardener this beautiful historical site is a must visit.

I don't know what I liked most about this place: 1) the TRILLION dollar long-range view of the Georgia Straight with snow-covered mountains and islands and BC mainland; or 2) the peaceful walk thru Douglas first and red cedars and ferns; or 3) the work of many volunteers who make visiting this place possible. We had tea, scones and carrot cake in the Camellia Room, which was grand. Two other groups were in the room during our visit, it was not crowded. One person said, "These are the best scones I've ever had," and I would agree. Menu is limited to scones and cakes, no sandwiches or savory fare. The story of the house is very interesting, and there were many volunteers to provide information. Highly recommended. Thank you, volunteers, we had a great time!

Had the most wonderful time exploring there. Was especially impressed by the volunteers who contribute their time. Big shout out to Tina, Lynn, and Gail who are such great ladies and exceptional hosts, taking the time to explain things in great detail. They represent Milner Gardens extremely well. Will be returning again and again.

What a beautiful place to stop and smell the ultra fresh coastal air filtered through giant trees, mosses and ferns. The stroll along the paths were sometimes totally natural and sometimes totally manicured depending upon what area you were traveling through. There were fruit trees, flowers, towering pines and ocean vistas. There was Grandma’s Garden gift store as well as the fancy home now set up for events. Definitely recommend staying for a tour. 2 hours for a solid walk around or even linger longer and just enjoy the sights. For you birders I would add this to your trip. We saw all kinds of birds traveling up and down trees looking for a meal. Big cudos to all the volunteers we saw working in the gardens. Also we didn’t see one staff person who wasn’t accommodating and friendly.

would love to have seen the gardens but it isn't dog friendly. if you want a dog friendly garden on van island visit butchart gardens as they are certainly set up for dogs.

Fabulous spacious place to explore local artists in residence in the two story historic school house. Admire watercolour, acrylic and penmanship at it's best!! Buy your perfect pottery present for your next special occasion. We found a beautiful crock pot for our wedding gift.

A good selection of local artists in a number of galleries. Some artists in residence. Accessibility: disabled parking in the lot on the west side of the building. Outdoor ramp on the west side of the building to access the second floor.

This was the site of the Qualicum Camber of Commerce Art of Murder dinner and fundraiser. Lovely evening but would have benifitted from a larger venue. The seating for dinner was very cramped and crowded and it was very hard to hear over the musicians. The food was excellent, of particular note was how tender and melt in your mouth the beef was.

Go. Just go there! A gem in Qualicum Beach featuring local talented artists. And the shopping downstairs has something for everyone. The volunteer-run schoolhouse features a weekly Sunday music lineup with surprisingly reknown talent. I would give it 5 stars if there were a variety of pianists from week to week.

Old house with rooms to see different artists work paintings sculptures & much more a chance to actually have a casual chat with the actual artists if they're in! it really was a wonderful, unique experience for any level!!

Every time we visit this Gallery the work displayed always catches my breath. The current show is fantabulous, simply amazing. The volunteers are super helpful and kind. Thank you again! :)

Amazing local artists are showcased monthly.It is interesting to see local artists sharing studio pace at the gallery. There is an amazing gift shop and wonderful opportunities to take art courses on site!

French press is good, like really good. By far the best coffee in Qualicum Beach and possibly Parksville too. The cafe is well setup, the choices are fresh and creative and most importantly the coffee is top notch (and awarded as such). I love the staff and I always look forward to my weekly latte. Qualicum Beach is very lucky to have this level of cafe in such a small community.

Popular spot with cozy vibes and solid coffee French Press Coffee Roasters is clearly a local favorite—and after visiting, I can see why. The café has a warm, cozy atmosphere with plenty of seating, making it a great spot to relax or catch up with friends. Staff were friendly, and both food and drinks came out fairly quickly. I had an iced latte, which was smooth and well-balanced. I also tried the shakshuka—my first time having it. While it was decent, I found it a bit underwhelming flavor-wise; for a tomato-based dish, I was expecting a bit more depth and seasoning. That said, it might just come down to personal preference or unfamiliarity with the dish. Overall, it’s a great café to check out if you’re in the area—especially for coffee lovers. I’d definitely return to try more from their menu.

If you find yourself on Vancouver Island, there are a number of musts that you should try. One of my favourites is this wonderful boutique coffee shop. Staff is friendly, lineups might be long but move along quickly and well worth the wait. The food and featured coffees and teas are fresh and delicious! If you haven’t yet discovered this quaint Qualicum Beach gem, be sure to check them out.

one of the best oat milk London fogs I’ve ever had and the avocado toast was so delicious. The baked goods are also so good and lots of options for sweet/savory. A great spot with ample sitting and friendly staff. We did have to wait a very long time for our food and no clean cutlery available. I will continue to come here in my future visits to QB.

Really cute coffee place with lovely outdoor seating! We enjoyed their sandwiches a lot!

Lovely stop in Qualicum! Nice coffee menu and delicious baked goods. Super chill.

Breakfast sandwich with the extras is a bit pricey but wow!! So dang good! Rhubarb muffin amazing, flat white was perfect. Go there!

Visited Fern + Cedar with high hopes, but unfortunately, the experience was a bit underwhelming—especially when it came to the food. The menu items are priced more like a full-service restaurant, yet the quality and complexity of the dishes just don’t measure up. For the price point, you’d expect more effort in preparation and flavor. The patio is a nice touch, although it feels a bit cramped, especially during busier hours. That said, the décor inside is beautiful and thoughtfully done—definitely one of the highlights of the space. I’ll also give credit where it’s due: the washrooms are impressively clean and well-kept, which is more than you can say for a lot of places. Still, at the end of the day, we’re not just coming for the atmosphere and a nice bathroom. The food really needs to catch up with the aesthetic if Fern + Cedar wants to stand out in a meaningful way. There’s potential here, but some improvements are definitely needed.

We've recently moved to Vancouver Island and decided to explore and see what Qualicum had to offer. We were intrigued after finding them on Google Maps and thought a locally owned Brewing Company and Restaurant, on a hot and beautiful sunny day, sounded perfect. They have a lovely patio outside and an open air interior with their beautiful, famous live hanging ferns. They bring greenery in from their community and lush forest inside that is quite an experience if you love the outdoors. Also, their Brewhouse is in full view of the restaurant, and you can often see the brew crew during the day creating their next hand crafted batch. No reservations, but not a long wait. We very much enjoyed it and look forward to coming back.

Great brewery amd restaurant - period! Loved the decoration in the room and the food was just delicious. The service was super friendly too. And the beers.... Lets just say, one of the best beer flights I've had in quite a while. The hazy ipas are outstanding and the honey lager is a tasty little treat. Just a great spot to eat and drink...

Ate here twice in 3 days. It was fantastic. Beers were delish and the short rib dish was so good I had it both times. Also had the chicken burger - amazing - and the special burger which was good but not amazing. Both the truffle fries and the rosemary housemade chips were incredible. It’s a busy place though so expect to wait a bit for a table. Worth it though, in my opinion. Servers both days were really great.

We went to Fern and Cedar for lunch with some family and sat on the patio, which is dog-friendly. It was great to see that the space accommodates dogs so everyone can enjoy. The service was attentive, and the beer selection was very good and tasty.I had the bison burger, and really enjoyed it. The only downside was that the chairs weren’t very comfortable, and the noise level made it a bit hard to hear conversations at our table. Other than that, we really enjoyed the food and the overall experience. We’ll definitely be back!

A very pleasant experience overall. The service was warm and welcoming, and the kids’ menu even came with crayons to keep little ones entertained. The beer selection was extensive and excellent. The interior stood out with its unique and stylish design. The food did not disappoint either—I especially enjoyed the fish and chips, with fresh fish cooked very well.

Great food and atmosphere plus dogs are permitted in the patio. At one point 8 of 9 tables had dogs at them! Egg Nasi was spectacular as we the Jumbo Shrimp Skillet. Highly recommend.

The museum locates in a quiet and beautiful neighbourhood. It's a nice well keep museum. If you don't have time like us, it is still a pretty stop for you. The garden is beautiful too. There are lots of parking in the Qualicum Beach Train Station just across the street. The old Train Station is a historical landmark. It's a good place for some nice pictures.

I really enjoyed visiting this museum, knowing how people lived before and seeing many of the items that our grandparents used. but above all see parts of the animals that lived many thousands of years ago.

A great and cute little museum. They have a lot of great exhibits on fossils and the towns history, and the garden is nice for a brief walk around. My kids loved visiting!

Plan to visit this museum when in Qualicum Beach! While small, it has a diverse range of very exciting history on display. From paleontology and fossils, to social history and culture ... step back in time. If you enjoy Royal memorabilia, you will find a nice collection to browse. Admission by donation - $5 a person is average. Please support the local artists in the gift shop - artists and museum need our support!

We came there a few days ago asking about an old friend’s business called Qualicum House ( gift / houseware ) type store started in the late 1980’s / 1990’s by Jens & Lars.The staff was great and could not immediately recall the store but we left our info incase someone knew of it. To my surprise the next day I received a news article from 1994 regarding Qualicum House and the location 165 west 2nd st. Thank you all for your kindness and helping us with a trip down memory lane :) Jan & Yuka

Great museum, very nice staff! No ticket needed. We took our time and wandered around the fossil-exhibit and the local history exhibit. Very informative and the exhibits are well presented and thought through.

Surprising amount of interesting fossils, very cool

Nice course, in good shape. Very Friendly staff and members we got paired up with. Only suggestion or complaint about course is not a single ball or club washer on any cart or any of the tee boxes. Would be nice to see some put out

Really fun course that's well maintained. The greens are fast and really smooth. Not a very long course but it's a target golf course that you have to hit it to the correct spots. Would recommend to other for sure.

This well-designed golf course is in a great location, has well-maintained fairways and absolute carpet greens, a driving range, putting green and restaurant on site. I spent the afternoon here with family and enjoyed the entire course. Great job Pheasant Glen staff !! Certainly one of the top 10 courses on Vancouver Island, and number one in my opinion in the Nanaimo/Parksville/Qualicum Beach area. I will definitely return.

Definitely my top course, always been a member here and for good reason. Championship course, outstanding practice facilities, amazing staff and the best owner ever. If you haven't played here you need to. One of the most challenging and fun courses you'll ever play.

The course is one of the best public courses on the island. Unfortunately with no starter or marshal it’s an absolute gong show out there on a busy day. Be prepared to fight through multiple groups standing on the first tee that are 30 minutes early but trying to get out early when the tee sheet is packed. With no marshal there is no pace of play enforcement so expect a 5+ hour round on the weekend if you play after 10am. Hopefully the mayhem is fixed by the time they open as a resort because this is one of the best golf courses on the island.

Best greens I have ever played on, they are very fast I think around a stimp 12 or higher. Course is well maintained and the local members and staff are very welcoming and friendly. Pace of play was good and overall the course is a good challenge. I will be back and highly recommend this Vancouver Island course.

Very well maintained, very good practice facilities, challenging, could use a Marshall on busy days but players are respectful here

Loved touring this farm, so many animals to see. Cows, goats, sheep, and even bunnies! The cheeses and coffee were excellent and even got some fresh cheese curds (on Thursdays at 2pm) that were extra squeaky. All free to walk around, would definitely recommend on a sunny day.

Those who love nature and natural foods can bring their children and pets here to buy 4.11% grass-fed milk and freshly made cheese.

We went to Morningstar Farm in Parksville, BC. A great visit. FREE admission. A very modern dairy farm operation with very happy cows! It's a great place to take kids. Gift shop sells farm themed toys and a selection of cheese and meats. Some very funny signs! Accessible except for toilets. Disabled parking right at the farm.

We held our wedding ceremony here in summer 2019, and it was one of the best decisions we made in our wedding planning! The owners and staff were friendly, helpful, patient when answering questions, and helped make our ceremony run perfectly smoothly. Holding the ceremony on the farm was great for kids too, as the dairy farm is a great place to wander and see the animals up close. 🐮

Interesting to see a working dairy farm, really good cheese curds made on site and fresh self serve milk dispenser.

Awesome experience and great grilled cheese lunch menu at their cafe. We came her for a wedding and their venue is beautiful!

Disregard the negative comments. This is a generational dairy farm that has opened it's doors for a self run visit. Watching the automated cow milking was fascinating and we had to physically removed our daughters from the calf nursery. Awesome to see these family run businesses. You can buy products on your way out. A highly recommended way to spend an hour.

Memorable experience, food and service. We enjoyed the view. And the timing was just right, we came after lunch, not crowded. We had short ribs and salmon, good dishes. It’s been a while since I had cake for my birthday, that’s the highlight for me. Amazing service for both of them. Attentive waitress and the waiter who delivered our food created a storyline for the meals and made it fun. Definitely recommend.

Heather (who helped serve our table) was fantastic and helped make our meal exceptionally fun. Heather was humorous, friendly, and also made helpful suggestions in our food selection…especially with the dessert choices for the younger kids in our group. The ocean front setting was beautiful, the dining room was bright and airy, and the food was delicious. Very happy here.

What a wonderful experience! From the moment we arrived, the service was exceptional. Tony was amazing, attentive, and truly made our visit special. The food was just as impressive. The oysters were incredibly fresh, and the meatballs were absolutely delicious. On top of all that, the views added the perfect touch to a memorable meal. Highly recommend!

Just finished a week long trip around the Island and started with a great brunch here last Friday. I can't remember our servers name (lovely girl working the patio on the 29th), but she provided amazing service and the food/views were unmatched. We'll be back for sure!

Great space for brunch with a decent view, bright and plenty of windows. Staff are attentive and friendly and food is good. We ordered eggs Benny and found it relatively tasty. Our friend ordered waffles thinking they were regular sized but they turned out to be mini waffles which explains the $3 / waffle price. Overall enjoyable experience with great ambulance, would recommend for brunch for sure!!

Let me start by saying customer service was good. Our server Jessy was lovely. The food was really hit and miss. My partners tenderloin was good and his chocolate mousse was delicious. Our appie was the crab cakes - 1 was fine but the other was cold in the middle. We waited nearly an hour for our mains (restaurant was busy but not crazy packed). When I got my chicken parm, it was fully raw in the middle. The staff made it right by bringing me something else to eat although my partner finished eating before our server had a chance to come check why I had an entire plate of food I wasn’t touching! Overall we were there nearly 2 hours for our dinner. This was our second time here after a rocky experience a couple years ago. Service and location were great but thoroughly check your food especially after reading some of the other reviews…

This is literally mind blowing gem by the beach, initially, I checked the pictures assumed it is just another cliche business restaurant. It is not! They have so many choices even for vegetarian like me! And is all house made food! U can just taste the caring and love in the food! Do not judge a book by its cover! Especially Makayla offered me an outstanding service! She is so thoughtful that my meal felt like birthday dinner! All adds up to my experience! Also the sunset view is a beautiful plus! You do not want miss it !!!!🙏🙏🙏

although this course is only 9 holes it's still one the best courses on the island. Always in immaculate shape, this course demands accuracy of the tee and distance control.

Course is great but service in the restaurant was so bad we left. Were ignored for a while then a server came and bussed an empty table right beside us and still ignored us even when our table had some used glasses we put together for pick up. Talking to others I guess this is not unusual. Dont understand this mentality.

Pretty fantastic course conditio. Fun layout great 9 holes. Probably best Bunker's I've seen this year greens running pure. Great view's... Nothing bad to say

Aerated greens on our visit. Beautiful views none the less. Wish we had played 18. Well maintained course. A family of deer greeted us on the tee box.

Nice track. Pro shop staff were very friendly and accommodating, course conditions were excellent, beachside location can't be beat, and the layout is reasonably challenging for a somewhat shorter course. Played as a twosome at 730am and got around 9 holes in 1 hr 28 minutes!!

What a great golf experience this 9 hole course is. In great shape and reasonably priced. Definitely 2 thumbs up.

Great shape but not an easy course. Plays longer than it seems. Sand traps could use more sand.

Nice tours are organized here. Safety is greatest priority. Our guide was Jenna, many thanks for the nice tour. There is a parking spot with very basic restroom. Then you have to go through the guide post. And you will need to climb up pretty high to reach caves. There are several tours with different complexities so pick up wise. You need to visit their website to book a tour upfront.

Curtis, our guide, was amazing. This is not only a tour but a comedy show as well. The level of entertainment provided on this tour added to the care for the preservation of the caves, the safety of the customers and the amount of knowledge about the cave was amazing. One of the best tours I have ever had and I travel a lot. The staff in general is great. We had issues getting to the cave on time. Our ferry was late and the cave tours were 1km further than what our GPS indicated. The front desk called us and we were able to hurry up and get our gear on. They where helpful and understanding. Would definitely go again.

We did the Riverbend tour with our group of 8, ages 5-60. The 1 km hike was a little steep but was definitely manageable by all. I won't elaborate on what we saw and experienced because you really need to go and see it for yourself! Our guide was Miles. He was a rock star of cave knowledge and super personable with everyone! Thanks for the amazing tour, Horne Lake Caving. It was an unforgettable experience 👍👍👍

This is our first experience with caving. It turns out fantastic. Our tour guide, Emma is very knowledgeable and has great sense of humour. The blackout is totally unforgettable experience. Highly recommend the River Bend tour. Remember to carry a pair of gloves with you and wear a pair of sturdy shoes

It was an amazing experience with the multi cave tour. The first one is a river bend cave and the second one is the main cave. The guide explained about the cave system, about the forest, and within the cave as well. It was a cool experience within the cave. The walk to the cave was tiring because of the multiple layers of clothing so have clothing accordingly in summer months. The water in the main cave was very nice. The kids also enjoyed the cave tour. We got helmets with lights, outer coat, boots and hand gloves. They are optional. They clean the coats and shoes so that caves and bats do not get any fungal disease. It was a very long drive from Victoria so plan accordingly. You can book the options of cave tours from the website. They have Public and private tours. They have a gift shop, restrooms and a picnic table near the entrance. Overall we recommend this multi cave tour.

My husband and I had an amazing time exploring Horne Lake caves. It was our first time caving. We didn't know what to expect but we had a great experience. Our guide OJ was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, making the tour both educational and exciting.He kept us feeling secure and safe and explained every step to take thoroughly. During the tour, I unfortunately lost my gold bracelet which was very valuable to me. However the team and Laura went above and beyond to find it. They conducted a thorough search inside the cave and found my bracelet in one of the cave. My husband and I are immensely grateful for their dedication and kindness. Overall, our visit to Horne lake caves was unforgettable, Thanka to the outstanding service and genuine care provided by the entire team. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for an exceptional adventure in nature. Thank you Laura and the team for making our trip truly special! ☺️

The team at Horne Lake Caves is amazing. From the guides to the desk folks, everyone is welcoming friendly and professional and care that you get the best experience. Just went on the Max Depth Tour with Kale and cannot recommend it enough 👌 The Caves are beautiful and the guide are super knowledgeable and the whole thing was a blast! Plus their gift shop is awesome for nature nerds 🤓

Coombs Market is such a fun and unique stop on Vancouver Island. The goats on the roof are definitely a must-see attraction! The deli inside the grocery store has a great selection—we picked up some delicious treats. The veggie market offered plenty of fresh fruits and local produce. We also tried the doughnuts, which were fresh and tasty. Overall, it’s a great place to shop, grab a bite, and enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area!

I was definitely skeptical when someone recommended this place. I thought for sure there would be ceramic goats or something on the roof... But nope, I was wrong. There definitely WAS a goat on the roof, just hanging out. I was certainly surprised. It was super busy but I did manage to snap a photo and take a quick video. Definitely a place worth to check out. Lots of unique items inside the market place itself with a dining room as well for some good food. Be sure to checkout the produce market up the road as well as I was able to get some fresh apples.

Such a charming and cheerful place with a great vibe. The goats on the roof are so cute and make the whole experience unforgettable. Inside, there’s a wonderful selection of local treats, souvenirs, and delicious food — I especially loved the bakery! It’s the perfect little stop for both fun and relaxation. Definitely a must-visit spot on Vancouver Island!

What a charming and unique stop! There's truly something for everyone here - shops, food, gifts, and of course, the famous goats on the roof! I loved wondering through the market and soaking up the rustic charm. Picked up some delicious coffee and a few treats to bring back home to Ontario. Definitely worth the visit if you're in the area!

Cool little eclectic place, only complaint is that most of the goods were made in China. More Canadian goods would make it that much better. We had an unusual lunch of smoked salmon, cherries, peaches and topped off with a donut from Billy G’s. It was a good experience to visit and would recommend anyone to stop in and visit.

No goats on the roof when we went but it is such an AMAZING market. So many things from sweets to deli to fresh pastry and hot food. Toys and kids items to unique finds. Soooop much to take if you could spend half a day here checking out the options. 100% a much stop

The donuts are RICH but delicious 🤤 Took us a few days to finish them, but so worth it! Love the variety of flavours, colors and textures—makes it so hard to decide on top 6. Cute little walk through donut shop connected to the Old Country Market.

Burgers were amazing - True Canadian and Crunchy Quinoa Fries? Regular string, yes! Curry fries, don’t do it. Super powdery and dry. Place is super popular! We arrived for 5:30pm reservation and food delivered at 5:48pm - awesome but at 6:10pm server signalled our table to new customers advising that when we left, their reserved table would be available. Felt a bit rushed after that, felt the need to finish my beer more quickly. No offer of dessert? Two burgers and two beers $70 plus tip. I would prefer to let my meal go down before leaving, it’s not a fast food joint.

We heard about the hype generated by all the awards and YouTube fuss of Q Burger and thought we'd try it out tonight. First of all, ensure you make a reservation well in advance. We tried earlier and it was full up on the Saturday we came through Qualicum. So this time we booked two weeks in advance. In the twenty minutes we were waiting for our food, they probably turned away 8 people looking for a table without a reservation. The atmosphere is quaint and cozy, full marks there. The four of us had mixed reviews on our burgers. My friend and I had the burger special, the handsome mushroom burger, a hand smashed patty with mushrooms, blue cheese and jalapeño mustard. I asked if they could do the burger medium rare, which they tried to do but it was more medium. Generally, that burger was pretty salty and lacked a lighter acidic lift. Also, it was clear the fries were perhaps cooked before and reheated. We actually had a much better fry experience the day before down the road at the Fern and Cedar. Our other two companions ordered the QBoom burger and the True Canadian Classic. Both were better than Mr Handsome. Though the three of us refused any ketchup, we asked for two cups of ketchup for the 14 year old who believes ketchup is a food group unto itself. Surprisingly we were denied that second helping until after he finished the first. The result was he left most of the fries but see our comment above). The most surprising thing was that about a minute to 6:00 (our reservation was for 5 pm and we sat down promptly at that time) we were advised that we needed to be done by 6:00 as they had another reservation. It did take 20 minutes to get our food so we felt a little rushed and unwelcome. Overall a fair experience but personally I've had better burgers and that was the general consensus of our group. Perhaps our expectations were set too high.

I came here for lunch on recommendation from a friend. What an amazing find of a place! Beautifully cooked burger, well seasoned fries. I tried their special, the mushroom burger - it not only delivered it surpassed my expectations for flavor! Well balanced, every bite was delicious. I will be back for sure!

Top notch burger place in Qualicum Beach! Highly recommend making a reservation, because seats fill up fast. I ordered the Pickle Sonic Boom burger and it didn't disappoint. Fries were ... Just ok. The decor and service make it a really fun place to eat. We will be back for more! Best burger I've had in a long, long time.

World class food. Absolutely ground breaking burger cuisine with breakout flavours and a great selection of brews. I had the zombie smash burger with the bacon and blackberry jam. It was ridiculously good and the entire party loved what they got. Service was super fast - they really understand the meaning of smash burgers which should cook fast! One of our members stressed out because they ordered the same as last time, but we will be back to try something different next time. And will such a fantastic line up (including keto friendly and vegan options) we just have to come back! The funky digs just totally suits the food and the staff were awesome!

We came to Q burger wanting a 'better' burger and we were very pleased. Pictured here is the pickle Burgerito and Wicked chicken burger. Taste wise the burgers were amazing, I preferred the chicken burger over the beef, and the Burgerito was a great choice. The fries were a bit dry but the burgers made up for that. Service was top notch. Will be back to try the other options next time.

This place really lives to the hype, great staff, amazing burgers, and really big so make sure you go here hungry 😄, not a big fan of poutine but this one was the best Ive ever had. I am sure desserts are great too, we didnt have room for any 😄. Looking forward to next time!

Decent 9-hole course, but 42 bucks is a bit rich for a midweek morning. Made it worse that there was almost nobody playing. This place could thrive with slightly lower green fees.

If I could give this place less than one star I would, booked a tee time and double checked they would have rental clubs for me. Showed up in the morning of and come to find out the rental clubs were being all “being sent out” and no employee made an effort to make a note that a tee time would need rental clubs. Course looks awful and in terrible condition.

amazing service and incredible hospitality. awesome view and community. waitress was so amazing and nice and food was delicious.

$40 for 9 holes puts you above the rate of other courses in your area. Do you have any lower rates for groups ?

Course isn’t worth the price in peak season, it’s not maintained very well. Guy in the shop isn’t very kind either

Stop by to sit on the patio. Sun was shinning. Had a great lunch. I was shocked to learn a pint of beer was free we you order wings! huge value. Great menu, super location,

After reading numerous reviews of Qualicum Beach restaurants we decided to go to eaglecrest golf club. It was the best decision we made for eating out! I had the seafood bisque and my husband had talons burger. Both were absolutely delicious! Our server Kelly was super nice and knowledgeable about the menu and recommended we have toffee pudding dessert which was out of this world (and we are picky eaters). The prices are very affordable and the view of the golf course is relaxing. We will be back!

Solid fish tacos with a great view. Shrimp tacos were mine favourite so far. Perfect pitstop if you’re travelling. 🚙

My husband and I went to Shore for a light dinner, so we ordered and shared fish and chips, and had our own dessert; mine was a “Typhoon” choice—a chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream in a cup while hubby got a Dole whipped ice cream in a cone 🍦. The batter for our cod fish was light and crispy, and the fries for our chips were cut slightly thick like in England. It also came with plenty of malt vinegar packets which we appreciated. It was decently priced at $20-something dollars and $9 cheaper than at Red Fish, Blue Fish in Downtown Victoria. Staff were warm and friendly, and managed the long line ups during the dinner rush. There were plenty of orders from people with a “John” or “Jon” first names that evening, so it was pretty funny. We will come back here again as we enjoyed the lively atmosphere and warm and quick service from staff.

The only thing I didn’t enjoy was the tartar sauce (heavy on the mustard), but it didn’t even matter because the fish batter was so well seasoned i didn’t even want any! The fries had great seasoning as well and perfect crispy onion rings. The hot chocolate was delicious after coming out of the rain! Would definitely return.

Walk-up order and wait with patio seating. Summer day was able to find a seat. Food is great, light batter on the fish. The thin fries were very good and cooked well.

A great little restuarant for casual dining right on the beach. Had the fish tacos and shrimp tacos. Both were excellent. Great taste and fresh ingredients. Can't beat a great meal overlooking the ocean and watching the sun set. :)

Delicious fish & chips. The batter was nicely seasoned, crispy and not too oily. Beautiful view and setting.

The staff are all really friendly, both the fish and the spicy shrimp tacos are SO GOOD, & the view can’t be beat. 10/10 recommend

The feeling at this market is incomparable, small town charm with vast offerings. The vendors are from all over the world and each brings their own flair to add to the market community. What a great way to spend a Saturday morning on beautiful Vancouver Island!

Gotta go! The best summer market !! Lots of vendors! Nice atmosphere!

Lots of amazing vendors, a good variety. Can be very hot on a sunny day, bring sun protection.

Huge! Bring your carts to carry your fresh veggies. Saturday and Sunday

Passing through in late June. I expect a farmer's market to have fresh goods from farms: produce, fruit, eggs, meat. There was none of that. Just expensive crafts, t-shirts, sweets and some cured meats/fish. It's a nice street market, but it wasn't a farmer's market.

This is a great Saturday Farmers Market with a good selection of foods and other goods including gifts. Very friendly people! I had a pancake breakfast at the end of the market in the Canadian Legion garden. Beautiful flowers in the garden.

Bit less crowded than uncomfortable and outside, so... great variety, nice folks. Beautiful day. Tons of variety

Nice cozy theatre! Saw a great play there. Will definitely go again!

Wonderful little theatre. Currently featuring the production off Kinky Boots!

Fantastic productions done here! The volunteers work so hard to put on wonderful shows! It is so lovely to have this available in Qualicum Beach as there is not much else to do in the evenings. Thank you to the volunteers for putting in so much work to entertain us!

Great productions, fun place, but the seats are a little cramped.

Thoroughly enjoyed our evening production of Kinky Boots. Quaint, dated theatre but charming. Not enough bathrooms of course and lobby too small but that's part of the historical charm.

The production value is phenomenal for such a small community theater. They have had some real bangers over the years and I just know there are amazing shows to come!

Kinky Boots was so enjoyable! Intimate theatre setting, professional acting, realistic sets!

Close to Rathrevor campsite, if you are looking for another activities with the family or friends I recommend this place. The youngest that can rode is 8yrs old. They also have other activities offered. We are a big group and they were able to accommodate all of us.

LOVE the fun here. I’ve only done the go-karts. So much fun and the thrill of speeding around the track. I always bring our out of town visitors here ! It’s best to reserve a race time a few days ahead.

Great fun with the Family. The carts are fast enough that everyone can enjoy them. There was also axe though ing, laser tag, and airport. Good times

This was great! I am a little ashamed because I didn't get the best lap time in my group but that's my fault not Fast Time's. :-) Great carts, shade for when you are waiting to race, super organized(!), reasonable pricing for all they have to do. Great staff and also enough staff to help you when you spin. Will definitely return and bring friends. Thanks for the great experience.

We went go karts today and had the BEST time! Norm was extra attentive and accommodated our big group with a friend that needed an accessible go kart! He took the time to get him organized and comfortable with the accessible kart. We will definitely be back. THANK YOU, NORM AND STAFF!

Probably the best go carting on the island. It’s pricey but I don’t know a go carting place that doesn’t feel like it isn’t! Kids loved it and can’t wait to go back.

This place is amazing! There is so much to do here and the service is amazing. We have come here a couple of times and have not been disappointed. The go-karts are so fun, the kids always book for 3 sessions in a go. It is hot there so seek some shade on those sunny days. Safety is important to staff and they give a brief before you are allowed to ride the karts, and they check your helmet too.

A fairly easy hike for those without any physical limitations, but those with some might find parts difficult or impossible to navigate, especially when muddy. The waterfalls are beautiful. Some idiots carved their names into the arbutus trees, which is a shame - but apart from that, the greenery is expectedly beautiful. A highly recommended stop.

Beautiful park! Upper waterfall trail is more accessible (mostly flat), while lower waterfalls trails is mostly stairs. Parking is big, but was full, I guess there were more spots somewhere along the road. Wish they had water refill station.

We stayed at the campground for 4 days with our pup and it was perfect! The swim spots weren't huge but it never felt too crowded especially if you went in the quiet hours. The washrooms were each individual and had showers but no plugins. The walk around the falls was very beautiful and peaceful. All the staff and fellow campers were very nice and respectful. Definitely one of our campgrounds we're going to have to come back to!

We dry camped here for one night on the lower loop. Site was clean with plenty of space for our RV. There are showers available on the upper loop. The trails to the waterfalls are fairly easy and wide. Well worth a stop to see the falls!

Stunning state park, there are 6 kilometres of trails definitely wear comfy shoes. The stunning lookout views of the upper and lower falls are just spectacular. Make sure to head to nearby Cameron Lake, which is a ten-minute drive away on Highway 4. The clear waters are also great for freshwater scuba diving, sailing and swimming

Had a great day here with the family 👪. Parking wasn't an issue as there were plenty of spots. We hiked all over looking at the beautiful views of the water along the way. We started off at the upper falls and made our way around to the lower falls. The temperature seemed just right, plenty of sun and just a few clouds to keep us warm enough to make the entire trek. Make sure to take water and perhaps a snack or lunch for when you are done for the day. I'm definitely coming back in the warmer months to see this place in full swing.

Beautiful falls. Great way to spend time and good workout too. There is a minimal hike kind of with a little trail and there are two levels of water . It’s one of the must visit places in Nanaimo . The water is so clear and the sound of water is so energetic 💜

First time there. Beautiful spot, clean, warm lake, did not use bathroom so cannot comment. Quite busy with families but not overcrowded in the least. All well behaved kids and dogs. Will definitely go back. Three senior citizens had a great afternoon.

I found the lake very inviting and not too cold. Great refreshing way to spend the day. Packed a lunch and took the dogs. Lots of family fun.

Beautiful spot for a day trip. There are several picnic tables and washrooms. A beautiful beach and super clear water. A short drive away from Nanaimo!

Nice little lake with picnic tables and bathrooms. It's dirt not sand but the water is nice and clean.

A very beautiful lake, great for paddle boards and Kayaks. Picnic tables and basic outhouses. Come prepared to spend the day

Great picnic tables, garbage cans, outhouses. Great place to kayak with your family and to swim in the lake. One thing needed is a changing room. As it was discussing to try to change your clothes and bathing suit in a outhouse and not even a clothes hanger in it. But I'll be back as the trees gives it a little shade. 🌞🏖

We took the kids here during spring break and it was completely empty. Beautiful. Serene. Fresh. Easy to get to, the roads are all perfectly maintained. Far enough away from hubs to remain fairly quiet during peak season.

Clean and quiet sites with full hookup, friendly owners and very well run campsite and general store all while surrounded by nature. Clean coin operated showers are available along with a full bathrooms and a laundry room. The general store stocks everything you'll need for your trip along with a nice outdoor area to sit and eat your ice cream. I would definitely stay here again. GREAT JOB!!

Love what Paul and Kris are able to offer in produce from their farm and other fresh fruit vegetables and artisan food products. Great ice cream too! .

Come for the local produce, best market store with local goodies, excellent breads and bakery items, great coffee and ice cream. Get ice cream with a shot of expresso poured over it. Yum! RV sites and great people running Pineridge.

Fresh Carrots picked today off the farm and part of our afternoon snack. Near Horne and Spider lakes and west of Qualicum Beach is the seasonal market of Pineridge Farms. An interesting collection of home grown fruits and veggies plus unique food imports from around Vancouver Island. Stop by during July and August on your way up Island for a treat on the run.

There is a good assortment of produce and some interesting canned goods but overall it is quite small and expensive. It is far off the beaten path and other than bushes and trees the views aren't spectacular.

The store has a great selection in a compact, open and very unique store plus good coffee and ice cream! Paul is super friendly!

Very little TV reception, clean restrooms and shower’s, internet was ok, our spot was very small only about 15 foot from neighbors, grocery stores were fairly close, we were there to go and see the area not to hang out at the park, so it served it’s purpose.

We had visitors from SK, who were interested in seeing this (3rd largest?) fish hatchery with us. We arrived on a chilly day, slightly AFTER closing. The mgr offered to take us on a mini overview tour of the pens, etc. INFORMATIVE & INSTRUCTIVE! We had a GREAT time. Thanks folks!!

Great place to start a hike along the river. Lots of trail choices if you look for them. Also a great place to start a bike ride. Huge parking lot. 👍🏼👍🏼

Hidden gem, great place for a short hike on a flat easy trail. Also great place to see a working salmon hatchery. One of the staff doing a count of the salmon was so informative, he took the time to educate us about the Chinook and Pink salmon we saw that day and how the hatchery helps populations of wild spawned and hatchery raised fish.

Very interesting! We used their parking lot as parking then rode our e-bikes thru the property ( which is allowed!) and up the trails ! A lot of fun. Shaded trail so you don’t get hot in the sun well riding!

This Govt of Canada facility is a big disappointment. No signage explaining the how's and why's of salmon spawning, but plenty of signage about how you are at your own risk, and no fishing. It once was a highly informative venue with many displays, but now being run by bureaucrats, it is a nothing burger.

Awesome viewing areas, tons of salmon in the river right now! Kid friendly walk. Dog friendly (on leash).

Took the family here for the first time to see the salmon run up the river to spawn. Lots of spots to view them.

The marsh is beautiful, however one of the trails is not well kept and require some bushwacking and dead fall dodging. It is a fairly short walk (10 minutes round trip from Westernmost entrance. Was hoping for a trail around the marsh, but it's more or less just in and out. If you're going to see the marsh, 5 stars, if you want a nice walk, 1 star.

If you go right at the fork on the way in, the trail is maintained and not so muddy. If you dont want a challenging, muddy walk back from the dock then go back the way you came. Otherwise, just be ready for lots of mud and balancing on logs (which is kind of fun).

It's an absolutely beautiful area, but the trails are a bit waterlogged. The floating dock is useful, though a bit rundown. The marsh is amazing, we saw lots of wildlife.

I was very disappointed that the trail wasn't maintained at all. Everything is rotting away. The footbridge to the chair overlooking the marsh can only reached when you take the risk falling through one of the cracked planks.

Right in the middle between Qualicum and Coombs. Quite muddy on the loop trail but the main trail to the floating bench/walkway is good and walkable.

Gorgeous marsh. Not something you'd often see. The marker on the map is about 500 feet from the pullout on the road. Then only a five minute walk to the marsh.

A very short trail (500 m) to the dock. A beautiful wetland with lots of frogs ribitting all around us

Beautiful locally-made art, in a soon-to-be expanding location. We went in to see if we could find a distinctly West coast painting, and left much later, unable to make a decision after seeing so many wonderful works of art. The lovely proprietor was extremely patient and shared her inside scoop behind each painting we were considering. We will be back!

Really lovely works are on display. But the only staff person didn’t make us feel welcome. No smile and seemed somewhat surly. Perhaps a bad day? The art made up for this negative and off putting vibe as there are some very good artists represented.

Luckily discovered the gallery couple years ago and have made several purchases of amazing art! Heather is friendly, relaxed and very informative.....she has even personally delivered and hung art gifted to family. A very nice collection of Canadian artists where it’s hard to leave without owning something....enjoy.