Natural wonders of Vancouver Island

Natural Wonders & Coastal Gems

Vancouver Island’s rugged landscape is defined by a high concentration of waterfalls, from the 25-meter drop at Elk Falls to the multi-tiered cascades of Myra Falls in Strathcona Provincial Park. The coastline preserves maritime history through shipwrecks like the SS Valencia, part of the notorious Graveyard of the Pacific. Geological features range from the limestone walls of Marble Canyon to the Hole-in-the-Wall, a man-made passage through solid rock near Port Alberni.

Corey Doughty / CC-BY-SA

Hole-in-the-Wall

A large circular opening blasted through solid rock in the 1960s for a former water pipeline, now a waterfall and swimming hole.

Choogler / CC BY-SA 3.0

SS Valencia

SS Valencia was an iron-hulled passenger steamer built for the Red D Line for service between Venezuela and New York City.

Aaron Carlson / CC BY-SA 2.0

Little Qualicum Falls

Features upper and lower waterfalls cascading through a steep rocky gorge surrounded by old-growth Douglas fir forest.

A.Davey / CC BY 2.0

Port Neville

Port Neville is a bay, port and locality on the north side of Johnstone Strait, south of Call Inlet, in the Central Coast region of British…

Cardena / CC-BY-3.0

SS Cardena

For more than 35 years, from 1923 to 1958, the Union steamship Cardena sailed the British Columbia Coast, carrying passengers, groceries,…

Marble Canyon

A waterfall located along the West Coast Trail where water drops through narrow limestone canyon walls near the ocean.

Elk Falls

A 25-meter waterfall on the Campbell River, viewed from a suspension bridge and multiple cantilevered platforms.

Moose Falls

A cascade on the Campbell River located just upstream from Elk Falls within the provincial park trail system.

Deer Falls

A waterfall on the Campbell River situated between Moose Falls and Elk Falls in a forested canyon setting.

Crystal Falls

A seasonal waterfall near Ladysmith accessible via a forested hiking trail.

Lady Falls

A 30-meter waterfall in Strathcona Provincial Park reached by a short trail through old-growth forest.

Myra Falls

A tiered waterfall at the southern end of Buttle Lake, featuring distinct upper and lower viewing areas.

Triple Falls

A series of three distinct cascades on the Englishman River accessible via a hiking trail near Errington.

Walbran Falls

A remote waterfall located within the ancient old-growth cedar forests of Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park.

August Creek Falls

A waterfall located near August Creek along the southern section of the West Coast Trail.

Stocking Creek Falls

A tiered waterfall in Stocking Creek Park featuring a natural sandstone cave located directly behind the curtain of water.

Christie Falls

A waterfall near Ladysmith featuring a trail that allows access behind the falls into a large rock alcove.

Skutz Falls

A series of river rapids and a small waterfall on the Cowichan River featuring a man-made fish ladder for spawning salmon.

Sarita Falls

A wide waterfall on the Sarita River near Bamfield, located on the traditional territory of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations.

Other Lists

Vancouver Island and Coast / * Essentials Local Hidden Gems Parks and Campgrounds Viewpoints and Lighthouses Beaches and Coasts Lakes and Reservoirs