West Coast

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Merridale Cidery & Distillery

Like so many tourism businesses on Vancouver Island, Merridale Cidery & Distillery began with a desire to leave city living behind and return to the simplicity of country life. Janet Docherty and Rick Pipes had accomplished quite a bit in their professional lives when the inspiration to start a cidery struck. At the time there was very little by way of locally grown cider and they spotted a niche that was needing to be filled. They purchased property in the Cowichan Valley, considered by many to be the bread basket of Vancouver Island and got down to work.

Merridale Distillery Building

Rick put his education in fermentation and distillation to work, first with creating cider and then a few years later expanding to gin, brandy and even vodka. In fact, in 2013 they became the first craft distillery certified in BC. But it wasn’t just agriculture that these two had in mind. They understood the importance of creating an experience for their customers that went beyond their product. They wanted to explore the full potential of their venture, and share Merridale as a whole with their costomers.

The Farmhouse Eatery with performer Dylan Stone

They made connections with the local tourism industry and opened their property up to tours and special events. They built a restaurant, gift shop, tasting room, and most surprising of all, set up two luxury yurts on the property that can be rented by guests. Today, Janet and Rick sit on several tourism-related boards on Vancouver Island, assisting in development of the tourism industry.

One of two luxury yurts that can be rented

Thinking about taking a trip to Merridale Cidery? Why not try our Taste of Cowichan tour!

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St. Jean’s Cannery

St Jean’s

Whether you’ve lived on the west coast your whole life or you’re coming here for the first time, you’ve gotta try the fish! What better place to do so then at the largest salmon cannery in all of southern BC? St. Jean’s Cannery is well-known for their wild salmon, both smoked or candied. They come in a variety of flavors, making their gift shop well worth the visit. In addition, St. Jean’s has a variety of other seafood products such as shellfish, tuna, chowder and sauces, just to name a few.

St Jean’s was founded by Armand St. Jean, a young man from Quebec that made his way out to Vancouver Island with his family in the 1950’s. In the smoke house he built himself, Armand would often smoke oysters using techniques he learned back east. He would then package the oysters and sell them at local bars to hungry patrons. It didn’t take long for this small enterprise to grow into a proper cannery.

Armand St. Jean

Armand continued to run the business alongside his sons, and after a showcasing their products at Expo ’86, the family was able to open a larger facility. St. Jean’s also expanded their depots on the mainland and made connections with the sport fishing lodges along the coast. After purchasing Raincoast Trading, a brand dedicated to sustainable fishing practices, the majority shares in St. Jean’s were purchased by a group of five West Coast Nations. The Nuu-chah-nulth Nations have always played a dual role as both stewards and participants in Vancouver Island’s seafood economy, and their values of sustainability were shared by St. Jean’s, leading to a fruitful partnership.

Cheers to a new partnership

Today St. Jean’s continues to build upon their reputation for sustainable, quality seafood. On their website you can purchase frozen or canned seafood products that are guaranteed hand-packed. However, their facility in south Nanaimo is well-worth the visit. The Smokehouse gift shop provides their full range of products, including a host of gift options. If you’re lucky, you might get a sample or two!

Thinking about visiting St. Jean’s? Why not try our Taste of Nanaimo tour?

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WildPlay Elements Park

For those seeking a thrill, it doesn’t get much better than WildPlay! Beginning in March of 2006, the company took over operations of North America’s first bungee jumping bridge, located south of Nanaimo over the Nanaimo river. It’s estimated that over 250,000 people have bungee jumped off of the bridge without incident, making it a popular and well-known attraction. WildPlay soon expanded their park to include what’s known as the Primal Swing which involves being flung from the bungee bridge through the canyon on a harness swing.

the primal swing

For those looking for more controlled adventures, the canyon also plays host to their zipline tour of the Nanaimo river, which includes two flights of 300ft and 600ft, and remains the only zipline of its kind on Vancouver Island. The aerial adventure course takes place in the trees and includes multiple levels, each one reaching higher than the last. These obstacle courses allow the participants the thrill of risk-taking while in the security of a safety harness, and include ropes swings, smaller zip lines, climbing obstacles, swaying footholds, and a host of other challenges that add to the thrill.

aerial adventures await

While WildPlay is known for it’s fun and challenging aerial elements, it’s also well-known for its charity work. The bungee bridge has long been host to a fundraising bungee known as the Naked Bungee for BCSS. The purpose of this one-day event is to increase awareness for those living with schizophrenia and psychosis while reducing the stigma. This fundraiser has partnered with the Victoria branch of the BC Schizophrenia Society for the past eleven years to provide this fun and educational event.

With so many attractions for all ages and skill levels it’s no wonder they’ve found success in so many different markets. Since their opening twelve years ago, WildPlay has expanded their locations to Victoria, Kelowna, Maple Ridge, Niagara Falls and New York state. If you find yourself in any of these areas, why not stop by and get in touch with your wild side?

bungee jumping at wildplay elements park

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Horne Lake Caves

Most people, even Vancouver Island residents themselves, would be surprised to learn that the Island is roughly the same size in km2 as Taiwan. Formed hundreds of million years ago, this large and ancient piece of land holds many exciting secrets beneath the surface. With more limestone caves located on the Island than all of the Canadian provinces combined, Vancouver Island holds the highest concentration of caves in North America (over 1,000 discovered so far).

Horne Lake Cave trail

These caves are the hosts of delicate ecosystems, preserved over millennia. Unfortunately, due to a lack of education on the importance of these underground systems, industrial activities such as mining and logging have put these systems in jeopardy. Further degradation occurred in the early days of the 20th century from tourists visiting the caves without understanding the impact their presence could have. Because of this, a community effort was made to protect the Horne Lake area from further degradation. In the 1970’s the Horne Lake area was granted provincial park status, entrusting it with protection from industrial activity. In the 1980’s a management plan was created to further protect the caves from vandalism.

Guided cave tour

Today, Horne Lake Caves is well-known as one of Vancouver Island’s best eco-tourism sites. Emphasis is placed on environmental stewardship, education and personal challenge. There are guided options for a variety of ages and abilities within the many caves. From a quick one hour tour down Canada’s only cave slide, to a five hour tour of the Riverbend cave ending in a seven storey rappel down the Rainbarrel waterfall.

Limestone cave formations

In addition to the caving activities, the community of Horne Lake is also host to a variety of other outdoor activities including hiking, rock rappelling, swimming, and fishing to name a few. Interested in checking out Horne Lake Caves for yourself? Why not try our Caves, Waterfalls & Old Growth Forests.

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My Place – Brendan Muehlenberg

Everyone has a special place, a place where you have memories, where you can find peace and harmony. A place where you know you are just happy being there. For some it’s a quiet place, for others it’s a noisy place. But all of these places have one thing in common; they are places where you think of first when asked “Where is Your Place?”.

1. Who are you and how long have you lived on Vancouver Island?

My name is Brendan Muehlenberg and I was born and raised in Port Alberni, BC… well, Sproat Lake to be more specific. My dad bought 4 lakefront properties back in the late 70’s when lakefront property was the same price as a 2018 Toyota Prius. Growing up in a family with 3 brothers and 1 sister, no TV and an endless natural playground outside our front door made me into the nature enthusiast I am today. I grew up hiking, exploring and camping on the trails and mountains near Sproat Lake and Strathcona Provincial Park. We also had a 28ft Bayliner which we’d take up the Alberni Inlet into Barkley Sound, specifically the Broken Group National Park. We spent the entire time camping, fishing and exploring, which I think has translated into my love for the West Coast which is where I reside today here in Ucluelet, BC. I made the outdoors my best friend at an early age and I thank my parents every day for their decision to raise us in such an epic place (Vancouver Island).
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Soren – Exploring the West Coast

Vancouver Island is a place to visit for people of all ages. Join Soren as he tells us about some of his amazing adventures right here on Vancouver Island!

IMG_6501In the summer my family went for a long, windy car ride to BIG beaches on the west coast!  We saw lots of things on the way, BIG trees, birds, cows, lakes, nice people, more trees and then the OCEAN.  When we got out of the car I headed straight for the water.  Waves crashing, big waves, little waves and sand everywhere. We climbed on rocks, we dug big holes, and found funny little animals scurrying across the sand.  I love the sand in my toes, no shoes here just soft sand and LOTS of space to run. I didn’t want to go but mommy said I had to have a nap. I’m a big boy now so I don’t think I need I naps, but mommy disagrees.IMG_6612  I would like to live at the beach, I think that would be a good idea.

The next day we went on walks.  I can walk really far, daddy only had to carry me a couple of times to keep up with mommy and baby.   Everywhere we go there’s new things to see and touch.  My favourite Read More…