Transportation
If Vancouver Island had a midriff and belly button, Oceanside would not be far from it. The region is conveniently situated for your Vancouver Island vacation on the island’s curving eastern flank, a half-hour north of the ferry terminus in Nanaimo and a little over two hours from British Columbia’s capital, Victoria.Cruise here in comfort via B.C.’s world-class ferry system, which during off-peak hours can deliver passengers and their vehicles across the Strait of Georgia from Vancouver in little more than three hours door-to-door. Hop aboard an airplane for flights into Qualicum Beach, Nanaimo and Comox; absolutely breathtaking, the too-short trip offers glorious views of white-capped ocean waters, forested islands and jagged mountain peaks. Or load friends and family into the car and hit the four-lane blacktop, which over the last decade has been widened, extended and improved dramatically. No bumps here!
If speed isn’t an issue, meander to Oceanside via the ocean-hugging secondary roads. One quaint and relaxed option is to ride the rails aboard the historic E&N Railiner, which leaves Victoria each morning for scheduled stops in Parksville and Qualicum Beach. Whatever the means of transport, Oceanside is accessible and easy to reach.
Members who provide Vancouver Island transportation optionsBC Ferries - 1-888-724-5223
Drive BC - British Columbia road reports 1-800-550-4997
From Victoria
Drive north on Highway 1 to Nanaimo, just south of Nanaimo, take the exit for
Highway 19 and the North Island. Bus and train connections are
available from downtown.
From Vancouver and the Fraser Valley
Take the Lion's Gate or 2nd Narrows Bridge across Burrard Inlet, then
follow the signs to Horseshoe Bay and take the BC Ferry to Nanaimo.
Exit the ferry and keep to the 2 right lanes, then take Highway 19
North towards Parksville. If you are arriving on foot, there is a passenger only ferry service from downtown Vancouver to Nanaimo Harbour.
From Vancouver International Airport and South Vancouver
Take Highway 10 and 99, head to the BC Ferry terminal in Tsawwassen and
catch the ferry to Duke Point (south Nanaimo). Head north on Highway 1
and then exit to Highway 19 and Parksville.
From Seattle
Head north on I-5 and cross the border at Blaine. Continue
north on Highway 99 about 15 minutes, then take the exit for Tsawwassen
and the ferries. Take the ferry to Nanaimo (Duke Point). Head north on
Highway 1 and then exit to Highway 19 and Parksville. There are also
ferries out of Anacortes and Port Angeles in Washington that will take
you to Victoria, where you can follow Highway 1 and 19 north to
Parksville and Qualicum Beach.
From Tofino or Ucluelet
Follow Hwy. 4, the 2 - 2 ½ hour drive leads directly to Qualicum Beach.
By Air
Travellers can land at the Qualicum Beach Airport with KD Air from YVR's South Terminal. Connecting flights from Vancouver International also fly into the neighbouring airports in Nanaimo or Comox. Harbour Air Seaplanes offers flights from downtown Vancouver to downtown Nanaimo, among other routes. WestJet flies direct from Calgary and Edmonton into Comox.
From the Comox Valley
Take either the scenic coastal Oceanside Route 19A south from Courtenay, or the four-lane Inland Island Highway 19 south. Either way, Parksville & Qualicum Beach are less than an hour away.
Full service marinas are located in Nanoose Bay, Deep Bay, and French Creek.
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