Vancouver Island - Cruising

Vancouver Island is a large island in the northeastern Pacific Ocean off the coast of British Columbia, Canada. It is Canada’s 11th largest island, and the largest island on the west coast of North America, at 290 miles in length by 62 miles at it widest point. Part of the island is the only part of Canada south of the 49th Parallel, with one of the warmest climates in Canada. It is also the second most populous island in Canada, after Montreal Island. Nearly half the population lives in the metropolitan Greater Victoria area. A range of mountains runs the length of the island, which is separated from the Canadian mainland by the narrow Johnstone Strait and the Queen Charlotte Strait. Notable cities on the island are Victoria, Nanaimo, Campbell River and Courtenay.