Getting to Vancouver Island, the Oceanside region and The Beach is easy by land, air or water.
From Victoria (approx. 2 hrs.) drive north on Highway 1 toward Nanaimo; take the Parksville/Campbell River exit and continue on Hwy. 1 until the Parksville Exit #46 or #51.
From Vancouver and the Fraser Valley take the Lion’s gate or Ironworkers’ Memorial (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.
From the 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 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 exit to Hwy. 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 Highways 1 and 19 north to Oceanside.
From the Comox Valley take either the scenic coastal Oceanside Route 19A or the four-lane Inland Island Highway 19 south from Courtenay.
By Air – Travellers can land at the Qualicum Beach Airport. Connecting flights from Vancouver International Airport also fly into the neighbouring airports in Nanaimo or Comox. Westjet flies direct from Calgary into Comox International Airport, and from Edmonton and Toronto to Comox via Calgary. Harbour Air also has flights to Nanaimo. To link to Westjet’s site, click here:
By Water – Full service marinas are located in Nanoose, Deep Bay and French Creek.
Car Rentals: National Car and Truck Rental – Contact Megan in Nanaimo for all your vehicle rental needs. As a guest of Life’s the Beach they offer their best discounted rate. 250-758-3509