47 Things to Do in Parksville Qualicum Beach

If you're looking for things to do in Parksville Qualicum Beach, you're in for a treat. This picturesque region boasts a wide variety of attractions that cater to every interest and age group. Whether you're an adrenaline seeker, a history buff, a nature lover, or someone in search of unique events, you'll find an abundance of options to make your visit truly unforgettable.

Things to Do

Outdoor Activities | Arts, Culture & History | Wildlife & Nature | Events & Festivals | Relaxation & Wellness | Recreation & Sports

Outdoor Activities

1. Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park

Explore Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park & bring your gumboots so you can explore the tidal pools.

2. Parksville Community Park

Visit the Parksville Community Park, the jewel of Parksville, featuring a Lions Outdoor Gym, Ventureland Playground, splash park, arboretum, sand plenty of space for beach volleyball and kite-flying.

3. Parksville Waterfront Walkway Boardwalk

For a beautiful sunset stroll on a summer evening, walk along the waterfront walkway, suitable for pedestrians, wheelchairs and strollers, from The Beach Club Resort to the Parksville Community Park.

4. Horne Lake Caves & Outdoor Centre

Combat your claustrophobia with an exciting cave tour at Horne Lake Caves & Outdoor Centre. A variety of tours is available for ages 5 and up, no previous experience necessary for some cave experiences.

5. Swim at a lake

Grab your swimsuit and take a dip or paddle a canoe on one of the many lakes including Cameron Lake, Spider Lake, and Horne Lake Regional Park.

6. Admire Waterfalls

Love waterfalls? Check out Little Qualicum Falls and Englishman River Falls, set amid lush old-growth and second-growth forests of Douglas fir, cedar, hemlock and maple.

7. Moorecroft Regional Park

Explore Moorecroft Regional Park in Nanoose Bay, a 34 hectare park featuring Western Red Cedar, Douglas Fir, twisted Arbutus trees, and endangered Garry Oak. If that's not enough, add in a hike to The Notch, and end the day with a pint at a destination craft brewery - Rusted Rake Brewing.

8. Ocean Water Sports

Test your ocean skills at skim boarding, Stand-up Paddleboarding (SUP), kayaking, wind surfing, and kite boarding.

9. Arrowsmith CPR Regional Trail

Take a hike on the Arrowsmith CPR Regional Trail, built by Canadian Pacific Railway in 1912 to service guests at their Cameron Lake Resort. The entire trail is about 10 km so be prepared: pack water, warm clothing and wear sturdy boots.

10. Cathedral Grove

Visit Cathedral Grove, located in MacMillan Provincial Park, and stroll through a network of trails under the shadow of towering ancient Douglas fir trees, some more than 800 years old.

Arts, Culture & History

11. Visit a Museum

Museum buff? Wander through the artifacts at either or both the Qualicum Beach and Parksville Museums. Visit Craig Heritage Park featuring several buildings from the late 1800s and early 1900s.

12. St. Anne’s Anglican Church

For the history lover, St Anne's Anglican Church, located on Wembley Road, is one of the oldest on Vancouver Island built in 1849.

13. Boutique Shopping

Stroll the walkable downtown cores for some great boutique shopping in Parksville and Qualicum Beach.

14. Monk Art Gallery & Studio

Visit the art gallery and studio of Monk, an award winning West Coast artist renowned for her unique style of painting - she invites young and old to join in and add their brushstrokes to original paintings, creating a truly collaborative work of art.

15. Explore Coombs

Bring the family and spend the day in Coombs - explore the frontier town and shop for unique gifts in the many arts & crafts stores. The community also hosts special events such as a bluegrass festival and a rodeo. A stop at Coombs is not complete without exploring the Old Country Market and saying hello to the famous goats on the roof.

16. Visit a Gallery

Encounter an artist at work in one of the many galleries in the area including The Old School House Arts Centre, McMillan Arts Centre, and The Salish Sea Market.

17. French Creek

Visit the bustling marine community at French Creek, with a federal dock complete with facilities for visiting boaters, moorage, fresh seafood sales, fishing charter companies, whale watching tours, and a pub. It's also the base for the walk on ferry to Lasqueti Island.

18. Lighthouse Country

Take a drive to Lighthouse Country featuring the communities of Qualicum Bay, Bowser and Deep Bay and home to Island Scallops, the Salish Sea Market, and the Big Qualicum Fish Hatchery.

19. Visit Restaurants

There are a variety of dining experiences to discover for all palates - popular restaurants include Cedars Restaurant & Lounge at Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Resort, Pacific Prime Steak and Chop Restaurant at The Beach Club, Lefty's in Parksville and more.

Wildlife & Nature

20. Deep Bay Marine Field Station

Take a self-guided tour of the Deep Bay Marine Field Station and learn about marine conservation issues and how you can help protect the marine environment.

21. Butterfly World & Gardens

Stroll through tropical gardens filled with trees, plants, flowers and butterflies from around the world at Butterfly World & Gardens.

22. North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre

Visit the animals at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre, a world class wildlife rehabilitation facility specializing in raptors and black bear. Magnificent eagles can be viewed through one-way glass in the largest flight cage of its kind in Canada.

23. Milner Gardens & Woodland

Enjoy a cup of tea in the same house Royals once visited, at Milner Gardens & Woodland, a beautiful public retreat where a historic estate and wild garden are buffered by a stand of old growth forest. Make memories with family and friends during the holiday season by experiencing a winter outdoor stroll through thousands of twinkling lights and festive window displays at Milner Christmas Magic.

24. Little Qualicum Cheeseworks

Explore Little Qualicum Cheeseworks where family fun abounds with self-guided tours, festivals & events, lots of farm animals to see and pet, and of course, cheese.

Events & Festivals

25. Quality Foods Sand Sculpting Competition & Exhibition

From mid July to mid August, witness the sand creations during the Quality Foods Sand Sculpting Competition & Exhibition at the Parksville Community Park.

26. Brant Wildlife Festival

Celebrate nature during April during the Brant Wildlife Festival with events that could include bird watching, eagle release, marsh tours, film presentations and more.

27. Farmers Markets

Wander through the Qualicum Beach and Errington Farmers Markets while you pick up locally made art or fresh produce, cheese, baking and more.

28. Coombs Fair

The Coombs Fair is held every August and celebrates local agriculture and community. And Coombs Fair's Family Day is a full day of fun in February. Check our calendar for the latest info.

29. Christmas Toy Drive

During their Christmas Toy Drive, bring a new unwrapped toy to Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort, and enjoy a free breakfast. Non-perishable food items and "coins for kids" will also be accepted. Check our calendar for this year's date.

30. Street Markets

Throughout the summer take in the Summer by the Sea Street Market on Tuesday nights in Parksville and the Qualicum Beach Uptown Market on Thursdays.

31. Beach Day

Every day is beach day in Qualicum Beach, but Beach Day includes special events to celebrate the beauty of the beach. Enjoy the Shriners breakfast, live music, games and entertainment on the beach.

32. Sporting Events

Burn off some energy at one of the many sporting events in the area including the Qualicum Beach Triathlon and the 5k River Run.

33. Tapped In: Craft Beer & Mini Putt Festival

In May, test your beer drinking and mini-putt skills! Featuring an incredible selection of local, craft breweries, live music, unlimited mini golf, food trucks, outdoor games, and more!.

34. Father's Day Seaside Cruizers Show & Shine

If you're a car buff, you don't want to miss the Father's Day Seaside Cruizers Show & Shine in Qualicum Beach - mentioned on the Oprah Winfrey Show as one of the 10 best things to do on Father's Day. Bring your dad.

35. Canada Day

Join the fun and festivities on Canada Day with a Parade, Festival and Fireworks display at the Parksville Community Park.

36. Echo Players Theatre

Echo Players has been presenting live community theatre on the Village Theatre stage for 50 years! Echo Players produces five Mainstage shows per season. Additionally, they host the Vancouver Island Juried One-Act Play festival every November, along with other fundraising events so you are sure to be able to take in a show whenever you may visit.

37. Grand Prix Plein Air Painting Race

Every year artists from all over Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland come to Qualicum Beach, BC to create art that represents our beautiful community. The Grand Prix d’Art is a three-hour painting “race” that requires artists to complete a work of art “en plein air” (working outside, not in a studio). Each artist is assigned a location in the Town of Qualicum Beach by lottery. The artwork must represent or be inspired by something that is visible from the assigned location.

Relaxation & Wellness

38. Sleep in a Tree House

Spend the night in a tree house for adults at Free Spirit Spheres - a unique accommodation of handcrafted spheres, set among tall trees of the west coast rainforest.

39. Grotto Spa at Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort

Relax and unwind in the Grotto Spa at Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort, where you can plunge in the mineral pool, indulge in a variety of spa options, and round out your spa experience by dining (in the comfort of your robe) at the Treetop Tapas & Grill.

40. Go Camping

Are you the outdoorsy type? Grab the tent and go camping in the many regional or provincial parks offering varied landscapes from beachfront to forest. Tent not your style? Reserve a comfy, rustic cabin and enjoy the simplicity of roughing it in comfort.

47. Haida Gold Ocean Adventures

Set sail with Haida Gold Ocean Adventures for a magical sunset cruise.

Recreation & Sports

42. Ravensong Aquatic Centre

Take a dip at the Ravensong Aquatic Centre which also offers a hot tub, sauna, Finnish steam room and several family change rooms.

43. Mini Golf

Have a fun game (or three!) of Mini Golf and bring out your inner child at Paradise Fun Park (now open year round!), Riptide Lagoon Adventure Golf, or Riverside Resort Mini Golf.

44. Oceanside Place Arena

Grab your skates and head to the Oceanside Place Arena where public skates, special events, lessons and camps are offered year round.

45. Qualicum Beach Airport

Try your hand at flying a plane with flight training at the Qualicum Beach Airport.

46. SkyDive Vancouver Island

Take a flying leap! Go skydiving with SkyDive Vancouver Island.

47. Golfing

Fore! Grab your clubs and check out the seven Golf Courses in the area including Fairwinds, Qualicum Beach Memorial, Eaglecrest, Arrowsmith, Pheasant Glen, Morningstar, and Brigadoon.