The latest escalations in the Canada-US trade war have many Canadian RV snowbirds rethinking their plans to head south for the winter. Campspot reported a 38% drop in first-quarter bookings by Canadians across the U.S. sunbelt. But staying in Canada doesn’t necessarily mean we’re going to tough out this Canadian winter. Instead, Canadian snowbirds are flocking to other destinations where winters are warm where the Canadian dollar goes a lot further. With that said, many snowbirds are now eyeing destinations out west that boast mild winters.
Southern and eastern Vancouver Island offer the mildest temperatures in Canada, largely due to the moderating influence of the Pacific ocean. And there’s plenty to do there- from world-class fishing, shopping, mountain biking, walking trails and sight seeing. And won’t need to worry about access to healthcare or other services because the big island offers everything you need for long term RV stays. With that said, most RV snowbirds find they don’t need to leave the island for anything.
If you’d prefer to stay on the mainland, you can also find snowbird-friendly destinations on the Sunshine Coast, in the Fraser Valley and in some areas of the South Okanagan. However, these destinations can be a little colder and more winter-like than those on Vancouver Island.
In this Vancouver Island winter destinations guide, we’ll take a look at the top 5 places where you can ride out the worst of winter in mild weather with a view that includes endless forests and uncrowded ocean beaches.
1. Victoria, British Columbia: Mild Weather and Lots To Do
Victoria and the Saanich Peninsula are at the top of our list because not only do they boast the mildest winters in Canada, they’re close to all amenities, including shopping, medical services, and oceanside RV parks that are absolutely stunning.
On the South Island, winter temperatures average between 4Âş and 10Âş celsius and there is sometimes a little snow that only sticks around for a few weeks, if at all. An important thing to know about Vancouver Island is that the further North you go, the more precipitation there is.
The best thing about Victoria is that it’s a major city-(the capitol of BC) and as such offers all the amenities you’d expect to find- great restaurants, entertainment, shopping, golf, healthcare-you name it, it’s here. It boasts plenty of walking and cycling trails, including the waterfront sea walk and the Galloping Goose Trail that goes from one end of the city to the other
Located about 10 minutes North of Victoria, the Saanich Peninsula offers a quiet alternative, surrounded by parks, farmland, and quaint seaside communities.
Snowbirds Love These Year-round RV Parks in Victoria & Saanich
- Salish Seaside RV Haven
- 445 Head Street, Victoria, BC
- 37 Big-rig friendly RV Sites
- Phone: 1 (250) 590-5995
Email: reservations@victoriarv.com
- Fort Victoria RV Park
- 129 Burnett Rd. Victoria, BC V9B 4P6
- 120 Sites
- Phone: 250-479-8112
- Email: info@fortvictoria.ca
- Oceanside RV Resort
- Big Rig Friendly
- 3000 Stautw Road, Saanichton
- (250) 544-0508
- oceanside@parkbridge.com
Upsides
- Mild weather
- Victoria is relatively sunny in winter
- Abundant entertainment and activities
- Health services close at hand
- Close to ferries and airports
- Play outdoors all winter
Downsides
- More rain than many easterners are used to
- Mild climate attracts homeless people from across the country
- Rates are higher than other snowbird locations
2. Parksville and Qualicum Beach, British Columbia
A little farther north, Parksville and Qualicum Beach offer a relaxed atmosphere and beachside vibe. These neighbouring communities are located on Vancouver Island’s sheltered east coast, with stunning views of the coastal mountain range on the other side of the straight. Snowbirds love the mild winter temperatures here as well as the long, sandy beaches. It’s a gorgeous spot for winter walks, but it’s also close enough to Mount Washington for skiing, and the small city of Nanaimo for shopping and other amenities. However, you won’t need to travel to find all the necessities- both Qualicum Beach and Parksville It’s also worth mentioning that. This is a golfer’s paradise with numerous golf courses in the area.
Upsides
- Mild weather
- Quiet
- Victoria is relatively sunny in winter
- Abundant entertainment and activities
- Golf and skiing nearby
- Health services close at hand
- Close to ferries and airports
- Play outdoors all winter
Downsides
- Rain and cool temperatures
- Not much nightlife
RV Parks Near Parksville & Qualicum Beach
- Surfside RV Park And Resort
- 200 Corfield St N, Parksville, BC
- Large RV Sites
- Contact: Phone: 250.248.9713
- Pacific Palms Resort
- 161 Island Highway, Parksville BC
- Contact: 250-586-9933
- Email: info@pacificpalmsrvresort.com
- Lily Pond RV Resort
- 2540 Macpherson Road, Qualicum Beach, BC
- Contact: (250) 951-1616
- Email: hello@lilypondrv.ca
3. Nanaimo and Ladysmith, British Columbia
Nanaimo is a small city located about midway along Vancouver Island’s East Coast. That makes it an excellent base for exploring the island, but it also has all the amenities for extended RV stays. There’s plenty of golf courses, hiking trails, and beautiful beaches nearby. Old city Nanaimo offers a wealth of funky little boutiques, shopping malls and great restaurants with multi-cultural cuisines. Nanaimo also has great access to health care providers and a modern hospital.
RV Parks Near Nanaimo
- Living Forest Oceanside Campground
- 6 Maki Rd, Nanaimo, BC
- 54 acres of oceanfront and forest campsites with all amenities
- Contact: (250) 755-1755
- Email: https://www.livingforest.com/map-contact
- Jingle Pot RV Campground
- 4012 Jingle Pot Road, Nanaimo, BC
- Contact: 250.758.1614
- Email: jinglepotrv@gmail.com
4. Cowichan Valley, British Columbia
If you’d rather spend winter surrounded by farms, forests and vineyards than city streets, the Cowichan Valley is well worth considering. The area around Duncan and Cowichan Lake is renowned for warm Mediterranean summers and mild winters that stay above zero degrees celsius. The mild climate and fertile soil of the Cowichan Valley has made it home to numerous wineries, farm markets, local food and outdoor recreation. The town of Duncan offers all of the practical necessities for a long-term stay, including supermarkets, shopping and healthcare. Meanwhile, nearby communities including Cowichan Bay and Chemainus offer golf courses. hiking and other recreation opportunities. If you’re craving more urban activities, Victoria is just a 45 minute drive south.
Upsides
- Mild, drier weather than other west coast locations
- Close proximity to both recreational and urban activities
- Campsite rates are often slightly less than in Victoria
Downsides
- Rain and cool temperatures
- Not right on the ocean
RV Parks In Cowichan Valley
- Van Isle Cowichan RV Park
- 2950 Boys Road, Duncan, British Columbia
- 29 Full Service Sites
- Contact: (250) 732-7440
- Email: info@vanislecowichanrvpark.com
- Country Maples RV Resort
- 9010 Trans Canada Highway, Chemainus, BC
- 175 Sites, Pet Friendly, Big Rig Friendly
- Contact: 250-246-2078
- Chemainus River Campground
- 8682 Trans Canada Hwy, Chemainus, BC
- 23 acres
- Contact: (250) 246-9357
5. Comox Valley, British Columbia
Those who are more inclined to outdoor recreation than urban amenities, Comox Valley offers a little of everything: Sandy beaches, hiking, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, world-class skiing, fishing, golf, and an overall laid back vibe. The area is an hour’s drive north of Nanaimo, but the weather is similar. A temperate climate and good soil conditions make Comox Valley home to lush farmland and wineries. You’ll find everything you need for an extended stay here too. In addition to recreation opportunities, there’s good shopping, health care services.
Upsides
- Abundant recreation opportunities
- Farmland, forests and beaches
- Oceanside campgrounds
- Mild winter climate
- Numerous RV resorts and parks
Downsides
- Expect cooler, wetter weather than Victoria or Cowichan Valley
RV Parks In Comox Valley
- Cape Lazo RV Park
- 685 Lazo Road, Comox, BC
- Small, oceanside campground with all the amenities, pull through sites available
- Contact: 250-339-3946
- Email: https://capelazo.com/contact/
- Pacific Playgrounds Resort
- 9082 Clarkson Avenue, Black Creek, BC
- Oceanside full amenity campground with pull through sites. Big Rig friendly
- Contact: 1 250 337-5600
- Email: info@pacificplaygrounds.com
- Ellie’s Farm & RV Sites
- 1388 Ellenor Road, Comox, BC
- 12 site RV park on a farm with laundry facilities, located close to airport, shopping, wineries farm markets and trails
- Contact: 778.431.0399
- Email: info@elliesfarm.ca
What to Know About Wintering On Vancouver Island
If you’re looking to escape typical Canadian winters that involve block heaters and parkas without leaving Canada, Vancouver Island is the place to be. You’ll find beautiful beaches, magnificent forests, skiing, golfing, fishing and a host of other outdoor recreation activities here. Winter weather tends to get wetter and colder the further north you travel on the island. With that said, all the locations mentioned in this article offer mild winter temperatures that rarely dip below zero. Vancouver Island is our own snowbird paradise, right here in Canada.
Lynne Fedorick is an RV expert and experienced outdoor author who has written hundreds of articles for RV Life, RV Trader, and other leading publications. She evaluates RV gear, portable power systems, and emergency preparedness equipment for real-world RV travel. Lynne is the founder of RVAdventureGuide.com, offering RV travel tips, reviews, and destinations from a uniquely Canadian perspective.
