British Columbia

~~Oceans, Rivers & Lakes~~

British Columbia is heavily influenced by the Pacific Ocean - the weather, the industry, the economy, transportation - are all affected by the sea. This is not unusual when you consider that British Columbia has over 27,000km of coastline. This coastal environment provides the ideal situation for protected water cruising - either by charter yacht, sailboat, ocean kayak, ferry or cruise ship. This is the famous Inside Passage.

The Inside Passage extends from the Juan de Fuca Strait at the southern end of Vancouver Island north to Prince Rupert and on to Juneau and Skagway in Alaska. Paralleling this coastline north are the Coast Mountains whose lofty peaks are snow-capped and glaciated. Many of the fjords and inlets cut deeply into these mountains. For the boater, there are hundreds of anchorages, coves and marinas to provide safe moorage and services. The water in several areas such as the Sunshine Coast and Desolation Sound can reach comfortable swimming temperatures, and there are excellent opportunities for fishing and wildlife viewing.

The numerous islands off this coast are popular get-aways for residents and visitors alike. This coast is also home to orcas, and whale watching cruises are common. The west coast is indented with inlets and sounds, with few opportunities for vehicle access. One of the exceptions is the road from Victoria to Port Renfrew, with many beach access points and hiking opportunities. A very spectacular area of the west coast is the Ucluelet/Pacific Rim National Park/Tofino/Clayoquot Sound region. The beaches of Pacific Rim National Park are famous for their long, wide, hard-packed sand and surf and this area also experiences the yearly visitation of grey whales on their migration north to the Gulf of Alaska.

The central coast community of Bella Coola, nestled on a fjord in the spectacular Coast Mountains is the western terminus of the "Freedom Highway" from Williams Lake. Ferry service with Port Hardy offers another option to explore the dramatic Inside Passage. Some of the best salmon fishing in the world is to be found around the Hakai Pass recreation area. Kayakers and other sightseers of nature marvel at the beauty of this fjordland.

Much more remote, further north and out sea are the Queen Charlotte Islands. Accessible only by ferry from Prince Rupert, or by airplane, these islands are renowned for their unique and isolated environment as well as the rich, cultural heritage of the Haida.

With thousands of lakes and rivers, British Columbia is a paradise for virtually any sport or activity involved with water. The Okanagan Valley has lakes perfect for water sports - water skiing, swimming, board sailing or para-sailing. Shuswap Lake, with 1,000km of shoreline and several arms and reaches, beaches and provincial parks, is a houseboater's dream. Even stunningly beautiful Atlin Lake, in the extremem Northwest corner of the province, offers houseboating for the adventurous.

All these rivers and lakes provide some excellent freshwater fishing opportunities, and fishing lodges and resorts abound, either easily accessible by car, or wilderness fly-in. In the fall, marvel at the spectacle of spawning salmon, as thousands of these fish return to the stream or pool where they were born, to spawn and die. Perhaps the most spectacular event is the Adams River sockeye salmon run in October.

British Columbia's rivers are perfect for river rafting of all types - from the adrenaline rushes of whitewater rivers, such as the Frasier, Kicking Horse and Thompson Rivers, to the more sedate float trips best suited for nature viewing, such as the 10 day trip down the impressive and remote Tatshenshini-Alsek River in the Northwest corner of the province.

Continue on our journey through this beautiful province by learning about our parks and trails, choose the next button.

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