The traditional land of the Coast Salish people including the Quw’utsun, Halalt, Stz’uminus, Snuneymuxw, Snaw-naw-as, K’ómoks, and Qualicum First Nations
Parksville Qualicum Beach is a charming collection of 14 unique communities – all epitomizing the relaxing Vancouver Island lifestyle. The sandy beaches of this region are truly remarkable, spanning as wide as 1 kilometre at low tide. Stick to the scenic coastline for plentiful pelagic birding opportunities, then relax and recharge your batteries with the postcard views, and stunning trails of these seaside communities.
Getting Here
By Land
By Bike
- Biking Routes: Parksville – Qualicum Beach Links
- Biking North: From Nanaimo
- Biking South: From Courtenay
By Bus
By Air
- via Comox Valley Airport
- via Harbour Air
- via Helijet
- via Iskwew Air
Winter Birding in Parksville Qualicum Beach
The cooler weather doesn’t mean the birds all disappear – quite the opposite! Seabirds are plentiful, with loons, scoters, and auks off the coast, often visible from shore. You’ll most definitely come across the bufflehead, small ducks that return to the shoreline like clockwork each winter. Large, graceful trumpeter swans can be found in freshwater in the area. A bird you’ll hear before seeing is the golden-crowned sparrow, a bird always looking for an audience. One special treat is finding a northern shrike – an adorable bird at a glance that is actually a predatory songbird.
Spring Birding in Parksville Qualicum Beach
The arrival of spring means the arrival of Brant geese – guests to the island and stars of the annual Brant Wildlife Festival in Parksville. Scanning the open water, you could find three local scoters (surf, white-winged, and black), colourful harlequin ducks, or a Western Canadian icon, the Pacific loon.
Summer Birding in Parksville Qualicum Beach
Summer is an exciting season full of energetic birds around Central Vancouver Island. From the lively killdeer and black oystercatchers on the shoreline, to the feisty rufous hummingbirds that visit the area (and its feeders), there’s a lot of action to be seen. You might come across some skittish California Quail, possibly with a trail of tiny youngsters running in a line behind them. Look up, watch for the large turkey vultures soaring in the warm air, assembling into circling flocks of dozens – or hundreds! – of birds before they migrate south at the end of the season. You’ll also probably befriend some curious Steller’s jays, BC’s provincial bird – especially if you’re anywhere around a campground.
Fall Birding in Parksville Qualicum Beach
Fall brings migration and the herring run to Central Vancouver Island. In addition to the changes-every-week sightings you’ll see here on the Pacific Flyway, catch gulls such as mew and Iceland enjoying the plentiful herring. A bit off-shore, the waterbirds start to show up in droves. Auks like the common murre or marbled murrelet dot the open water, and you might even get to see long-tailed ducks, possibly the most majestic waterfowl around.
Parksville Qualicum Beach
Parksville Qualicum Beach is a charming collection of 14 unique communities – all epitomizing the relaxing Vancouver Island lifestyle. The sandy beaches of this region are truly remarkable, spanning as wide as 1 kilometre at low tide. Stick to the scenic coastline for plentiful pelagic birding opportunities, then relax and recharge your batteries with the postcard views, and stunning trails of these seaside communities.
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13521 Dolphin Drive, Nanoose Bay, BC, CA, V9P 9K1
Encounter shorebirds, whales, dolphins, and seals during a variety of themed adventures, from fishing to sunset sightseeing.
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2123A Shelly Road, Parksville, BC, CA, V9P 2H8
An important habitat to the Pacific Brant Sea Goose, this estuary offers a short walking trail and a chance to see some of the 250 bird species living here.
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Enjoy the beauty of Vancouver Island with an emphasis on environmentally friendly kayaking. Adventuress offers a variety of day trips, multi-day adventures, and group tours.
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4123 Craig Street, Parksville, BC, CA, V9P
Grab some breakfast or lunch at this cozy cafe just steps away from the Parksville Community Park beach.
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53521 Dolphin Drive, Nanoose Bay, BC, CA, V9P 9K1
Discover Nanoose Bay’s premier dining destination offering locally-sourced provisions, live music, private events, and more. Join them for a taste of Vancouver Island’s finest offerings by the waterfront.
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6180a Craig Street, Parksville, BC, CA, V9P 0A7
A community food hub working with local farmers to create a vibrant and diverse menu, with gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options.
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7710A Memorial Avenue, Qualicum Beach, BC, CA, V9K
A “Left Coast” inspired eatery doing fresh breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
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81051 Resort Drive, Parksville, BC, CA, V9P 2E4
Grab a pint on the patio to pair with pub classics in this English styled restaurant on the grounds of the Beach Acres Resort.
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9240 Dogwood Street, Parksville, BC, CA, V9P 1E1
Exquisite oceanfront dining with a West Coast-inspired seasonal menu paired with Vancouver Island craft beer and local wines.
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10181 Beachside Drive, Parksville, BC, CA, V9P 0B1
Enjoy fine dining with local seafood and amazing views, or sit on the oceanfront patio for a more relaxed experience.
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11Parksville, BC, CA, V9P 2H6
Parksville’s newest bookstore, owned and operated by local husband and wife adventure couple Kristie and Kevin.
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121025 Lee Road, Parksville, BC, CA, V9P 2E1
Explore Parksville and the Salish Sea with daily wildlife and whale-watching experiences. Half and full-day tours offer opportunities to see orcas, humpback whales, bald eagles, and more out on the open ocean. Please note: this experience is not available year-round, please contact operator directly to confirm seasonal availability.
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14181 Beachside Drive, Parksville, BC, CA, V9P 0B1
A luxury hotel with a seaside pool and hot tub, spa, thoughtful amenities, and easy access to the beach.
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151055 Lee Road, Parksville, BC, CA, V9P 2E1
A popular area for shorebirds, stick to the west side of the marina to explore the creek and estuary or head to the east side to explore the breakwater for more birding opportunities.
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16Hilliers Road South, Qualicum Beach, BC, CA, V9K 2H9
A beautiful wetland located ten minutes from Qualicum Beach. Home to many species of owls, early migrant swallows, and migrant shorebirds. It’s also the largest water bird brood marsh on this part of Vancouver Island.
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17Qualicum Beach, BC, CA
This interpretive pavilion honours Faye Smith, a longtime wild-salmon advocate dedicated to protecting salmon habitats from Englishman River to Little Qualicum watersheds. Take in the panoramic view, and learn about the intertidal ecology, wild salmon, and a myriad of bird species.
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181240 Leffler Road, Errington, BC, CA, V0R 1V0
With a mission to care for injured, ill and orphaned wildlife, this world-class rehabilitation centre is home to more than 60 non-releasable birds and animals and features the largest eagle flight enclosure in Canada where recovering eagles regain condition and build muscles before being released back into the wild. Open daily for public viewing.
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19692 Primrose Street, Qualicum Beach, BC, CA, V9K 1S7
This award-winning cafe roasts all their coffee in-house, but don’t forget to load up on their delicious selection of baked goods too.
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20403 Lowrys Road, Parksville, BC, CA, V9P 2B5
The name says little, but this renowned stop produces some of the west coast’s finest artisan cheeses – perfect snacks while wandering the trails.
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21109 West 2nd Avenue, Qualicum Beach, BC, CA, V9K 1G9
Stop here for a cozy atmosphere and delicious, creative burgers.
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222326 Alberni Highway, Coombs, BC, CA, V0R 1M0
Stop by this Coombs landmark to refuel at one of the many eateries while watching the famous goats on the roof.
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232179 Island Highway West, Qualicum Beach, BC, CA, V9K 1G1
Take a break for some afternoon tea, served with freshly baked scones and jelly, inside the historic Milner House.
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24130 West 2nd Avenue, Qualicum Beach, BC, CA, V9K 1S8
A staple of the community, you’ll find a large selection of books and gifts in this independent bookstore.
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265451 Deep Bay Drive, BC, CA, V0R 1G0
Located along Deep Bay Dr., this sheltered bay offers chances to see ducks, loons, grebes, and more. It’s also a common habitat for waterfowl in the winter.
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272254 Alberni Highway, Coombs, BC, CA, V0R 1M0
Take Off Adventure Rentals rents quality electric bikes, bikes, mountain bikes, kayaks, paddle boards, camping supplies and more. They also offer mountain bike camps and biking tours. They’ve got everything you need to get out and enjoy Vancouver Island’s amazing wilderness.
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282690 Island Highway West, Qualicum Beach, BC, CA, V9K 1G8
Stylish and elegant rooms just steps away from the sandy beaches of the Strait of Georgia.
Just 37km north of Nanaimo, Parksville is the perfect oceanside retreat to relax, rejuvenate and reconnect. With something for everyone, this region offers family-friendly activities, outdoor adventure, and luxurious spa getaways. Year-round events bring the locals together, all under the watchful eyes of the resident and migrating bird population.
As we explore and enjoy the super, natural beauty of British Columbia and the birds that call it home, we should be aware of our potential impacts on the environment. Through learning and supporting local conservation efforts, we can all play an important role in ensuring the health of our local nature, making sure it sticks around for everyone to enjoy. In this Field Notes series, we’ll take a look at conservation organizations along the BC Bird Trail. Let’s start with some within the region of the Central Vancouver Island Bird Trail.
Continue your exploration of Parksville, then head further north up the road to the charming seaside town of Qualicum Beach. The name is a Straits Salish word meaning “where the dog salmon run”.
In the summer and fall of 2021, we collaborated with renowned biologist, birder and author, Dick Cannings and regional Bird Trail partners to highlight real stories of local birding, community, and conservation in British Columbia. The result was a 14-minute documentary short which is the first release of the ongoing series, ‘Stories from The BC Bird Trail’.
