Getting Here

By Land
By Bike

Learn about the North Island Wildlife Recovery Association’s bald eagle rehabilitation efforts in Parksville Qualicum Beach

Watch

Canada’s Riviera

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.

Parksville Community Park
 Birding
Englishman River Estuary - Parksville - Central Vancouver Island - BC Bird Trail
Englishman River Estuary
 Cafe
 Food
Black Goose Inn by Jordan Dyck
 Food
 Shopping
 Visitor Centre
 Accommodations

Birding Along the Beach

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”.

Seaside Nature Park by Jordan Dyck
 Birding
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    French Creek Estuary & Breakwater
    1055 Lee Rd, Parksville, BC 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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    Hamilton Marsh
    Hilliers Rd S, Qualicum Beach, BC 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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    Seaside Park Faye Smith Rosenblatt Memorial Pavilion
    Off the Island Highway

    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. 

Bald Eagles at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre
 Birding
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    North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre
    1240 Leffler Rd

    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.

 Cafe
 Food
Q Burger by Jordan Dyck
 Food
Brant Geese
 Shopping
 Visitor Centre
 Birding
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    Deep Bay Spit

    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.

 Accommodations

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Discover the Parksville Qualicum Beach Wildlife Management Area
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Try the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Amazing Places GeoTour
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Tuesday Bird Walks with The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
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Visit the Deep Bay Marine Field Station
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Explore an ancient forest and garden oasis by the Sea at Milner Gardens & Woodland
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Go underground with caving tours at Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park
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Learn about The Big Qualicum Hatchery through tours of the hatchery
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Celebrate the return of the Brant Geese at the Brant Wildlife Festival

April 2022.

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