Qualicum Beach

“A gardener’s paradise”

Location
Qualicum Beach is a picturesque seaside community located on the eastern shores of Vancouver Island, just 40 km north of Nanaimo.

About Qualicum Beach
A temperate climate,  beautiful natural setting and an active community make Qualicum Beach a highly desirable place to live. With all it has to offer, it is no wonder that Qualicum Beach is now the retirement capital of Canada.

Dedicated to heritage preservation and heritage-style development, Qualicum Beach has one of the prettiest pedestrian-friendly downtowns on the Island. A stroll along quaint cobbled streets will bring you to unique clothing boutiques, specialty stores, antique and collectible shops, restaurants and pubs, a restored train station, a museum, and an old-fashioned town square.

Much of the charm of Qualicum Beach’s downtown, and many of its’ residences, comes from the profusion of flowers and bushes that bloom here all year round. Recently, the town won the 'Communities in Bloom' competition, an international award, confirming that Qualicum Beach truly is a world-class gardener’s paradise!

Arts and Culture
An active and involved community awaits you with a variety of arts and cultural events. Ongoing art shows and classes are offered in The Old School House Arts Centre while summertime is enlivened with Summer Theatre under a Tent and a variety of local festivals.

Particularly known for its local art, craft and pottery galleries, Qualicum Beach is a mecca for artists and artisans, many of whom welcome visitors into their studios.

Recreation
For a quiet walk in the woods or riverside, a short drive will take you to Englishman River,  French Creek, Little Qualicum Falls and six provincial parks. The more actively inclined can enjoy canoeing, caving, hiking, swimming, fishing or any one of five local golf courses which offer stunning views of the ocean and mountains.

Or take in Qualicum’s main attraction—its seaside promenade and miles of sandy beach.  On a hot summer’s day enjoy a picnic, an afternoon at the beach, or a leisurely stroll along the tree lined promenade, where you will be treated to panoramic views of the jewel-like Georgia Strait, Lasqueti and Texada Islands, and the distant snowcapped coastal mountains of the mainland. With views like this on your doorstep you will wonder why you ever lived anywhere else!