Vancouver Island is a top destination for golf and fishing enthusiasts, with legendary salmon fishing and top-shelf golf courses, making it a perfect location for a fins and skins adventure. Accessible by air or ferry, the island boasts stunning scenery, outstanding restaurants, uncrowded beaches, whale-watching, and more. For the best golf and fishing experience, head to Campbell River, known as the “Salmon Capital of the World.” Campbell River’s geographic setup funnels fish through the waters offshore, making it a prime location for salmon fishing.
A two-night stay at Westin Bear Mountain in Greater Victoria offers access to two Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses, Mountain and Valley, which dip and dive through rocky, rugged terrain filled with moss-coated rock outcroppings, towering trees, and ravines. Campbell River, approximately 165 miles north of Victoria, is a small seaside town with a rich fishing history and offers excellent golfing options as well. Storey Creek Golf Club and Campbell River Golf Club are must-plays, and Crown Isle Golf Resort in nearby Courtenay is also worth checking out.
Naturally Pacific Resort in Campbell River is a luxury boutique hotel located minutes from downtown and the golf course, offering a range of amenities for a comfortable stay. The Campbell River Golf Club and Storey Creek Golf Club provide different experiences, with the latter nestled in a dense mixed forest and offering a peaceful atmosphere for golfers. Crown Isle Golf Resort in Courtenay is another scenic spot for golfing, with towering trees and a challenging course that has hosted Canadian PGA Tour events.
For the fishing portion of your adventure, head to Moutcha Bay Resort on Nootka Sound, approximately two hours west of Campbell River. Owned and operated by Nootka Marine Adventures, the resort specializes in custom fishing adventures in the salmon-rich waters of Nootka Sound, offering luxury yurt lodging, state-of-the-art fishing fleet, gourmet food, and more. Explore historic sites like Friendly Cove, one of the oldest continuously inhabited villages in North America, where Europeans first made contact with First Nations people in British Columbia.
Moutcha Bay Resort offers a unique fishing experience with the best guides, top-notch fishing fleet equipped with Seakeeper 3 Stabilizers, gourmet food, and various activities like kayaking and SUPing. Catch your quota of salmon before noon and explore the scenic west coast surroundings from the seaside accommodation. Wrap up your adventure with a chilled craft beer and savor the memories of your fins and skins escapade in Vancouver Island. Andrew Penner, a freelance writer and photographer based in Calgary, Alberta, shares his experience in this top-tier destination for golf and fishing enthusiasts.
