Visitors

Centrally located on the east coast of Vancouver Island (150 kilometres north of Victoria and 40 kilometres north of Nanaimo), Parksville is nestled along the shores of the Salish Sea. Parksville’s mild climate and central location make us a popular year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts and beachgoers. The City of Parksville is surrounded by natural beauty, from wide tidal flats and mountain vistas to the supernatural evergreen rainforests. We are proud to be a part of the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region; a UNESCO recognized area, dedicated to finding innovative ways to achieve a balance between the needs of humans and nature.

Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park and Parksville Bay Beach are heaven for sun lovers, kite flyers, wildlife watchers, and sandcastle builders. In fact, six provincial parks are located within a thirty-minute drive from Parksville, providing every recreational activity imaginable. The Parksville Community Park, the jewel of Parksville, located on the ocean in the heart of downtown, draws thousands of visitors annually. The City takes pride in offering a variety of parks for the enjoyment of residents and visitors and strives to ensure they are welcoming public spaces which encourage many activities and community events.

Our seaside community is known for its hospitality, attracting visitors to return. The City offers unique restaurants, one-of-a-kind shops, and recreational activities along with a variety of accommodations from camping and private rentals to world class hotels and resorts.

Whether you are here for business, a quick visit or just passing through, we invite you to stay a while, explore and enjoy the City of Parksville and surrounding Oceanside region. Spend an afternoon on one of our beautiful beaches, explore trails in our urban forests, or wander Parksville downtown and you’re sure to feel the flavour of Parksville!