9 Reasons Why You Should Visit British Columbia This Summer

Naturally, plenty of people see BC as predominantly a winter sports destination, especially as it's known for stellar skiing options in Whistler and snowshoeing adventures in the backcountry. Basically ... it is one of the best places to get outdoors each winter.

However, this largely forested stretch of the Pacific Northwest is equally fantastic for those seeking summertime fun. Here, you can practice yoga asanas or test your balance on a stand-up paddleboard, hike and mountain bike through the woods and countryside, or even try your hand at dirt biking, as well as go kayaking and snorkeling in a harbor seal habitat.

Even if you aren’t the sporty type, there are still plenty of ways for you to enjoy British Columbia’s pleasant summer weather, besides hopping on a bike or donning a snorkel mask. Instead, make this the place for a romantic escape with your sweetheart, and add sunset views to date night aboard a Vancouver Harbour dinner cruise.

You can also go beyond Vancouver and take advantage of snow-free roads to head out on a weekend getaway to Tofino, Vancouver Island or Gibsons on the aptly-named Sunshine Coast. Alternatively, consider a seaplane tour over the wider region and make memories together on an arguably once-in-a-lifetime experience.

While BC gets its fair share of rain and clouds throughout the rest of the year, your chances of clear skies are much higher from June through August. So, take advantage of these cloudless panoramas to soak up the best views in British Columbia this summer.

Hop on the Skyride aerial tram up to the summit of Grouse Mountain for the best views of Vancouver, and don’t forget to stop at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park along the way. If you’re in the mood for a road trip, continue up to Squamish for a ride on the Sea to Sky Gondola or mosey on over to Whistler for a ride on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, which connects Whistler to the nearby mountain of Blackcomb.

Related: 9 of the Best Views in Vancouver and Where To Find Them

Summer brings with it increased chances of seeing some of British Columbia's most notable animals—whales and bears. Peak whale-watching season in British Columbia runs from May through October, when the waters around the province are at their warmest. Take a summer whale-watching boat tour from Vancouver or Victoria and you'll likely spot resident and transient orcas (killer whales), as well as humpbacks. If you're lucky, you may even spot an elusive minke whale, too.

As for bears, head to Khutzeymateen/K’tzim-a-deen Grizzly Sanctuary, arguably the best place to see them in a controlled environment. Alternatively, if you're in town later in the summer season—think: August—you can (metaphorically) catch them in the wild throughout the Great Brear Rainforest with the help of a guided expedition.

British Columbia is home to 10 major mountain ranges, so it’s no surprise that the region is full of geothermal activity and hot springs—lots of them. You'll find a particularly large concentration of hot springs in the Kootenay Rockies part of the province, from Naksup Hot Springs, a developed complex surrounded by forest to Ainsworth Hot Springs, where you can wade through a hot springs–fed cave.

If you don’t have time to stray too far from the city though, Harrison Hot Springs near Vancouver is a fantastic option just a short drive from town. Whichever option you choose, the warmer summer weather makes being outside and exploring the hot springs resorts a much more appealing prospect all-round.

British Columbia is home to some famously fantastic gardens, starting with Butchart Gardens in Victoria, which offers a summer concert series and evening visits on summer weekends, complete with after-dark illumination. While you’re in the area, you can also check out the Victoria Butterfly Garden or the Abkhazi Garden, home to a variety of rare plants.

And if you can’t make it to Victoria, know that the VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver is a great alternative, as is the city's popular Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, built in the Ming Dynasty style.

While the public market on Granville Island has been an institution for ages—whatever the season—there are plenty of other markets worth checking out, from North Vancouver’s Shipyards Night Market, where you can get your fix of food and live entertainment in equal measure, to the seasonal Salt Spring Saturday Market, which exclusively showcases food and handicrafts produced by local makers.

If culinary travel is your jam, don’t miss the chance to take a food tour to the Victoria Public Market or sample global fare at the Richmond Night Market, a summer-only market inspired by night markets found across Asia.

Summer means festivals in British Columbia. The best-known is the annual Honda Celebration of Light, a musical fireworks competition featuring three pyrotechnics shows (each representing a different country), typically spread out over three nights in late July.

Meanwhile, lovers of the performing arts will find plenty to keep them entertained at the Victoria Fringe Festival which—like the Edinburgh Fringe Festival—takes place in late-August into September each year. Music fans, on the other hand, should look into the Vancouver Folk Music Festival and the dance music–heavy Shambhala Music Festival near Nelson.

The Okanagan Valley is Canada’s second-largest wine-producing region—and you’ll find it right in the heart of British Columbia, just five hours west of Vancouver. The unique microclimates and diverse terrain here are key players in making this Canadian wine so special, and you can sample it for yourself on guided tours this summer.

Excursions here typically center on winery tours and tastings, though you can also find additional activities to enjoy in the Okanagan Valley that will complement any summer excursion, from tranquil lake cruises to parasailing experiences.