vanisland.life

vanisland.life We're more than a team β€” we're a family. And every reader is a respected guest here. The heart of it all is a deep love for our home - Vancouver Island.

Our goal is to offer a trusted and immersive online destination for both islanders and visitors.

πŸ‰This Saturday the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival brought together athletes, spectators, and teams from across the region...
06/21/2026

πŸ‰This Saturday the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival brought together athletes, spectators, and teams from across the region for a day of fast-paced racing, community spirit, and unforgettable harbour views.

πŸ“Έ See the full story and more photos on VanIsland.life website
πŸ’› Follow .life to support what we do β€” this non-profit project is all about people, stories, and the Island we call home.

06/17/2026

Summer is hitting early, which means it’s officially beach season. 🌊

If you want to skip the rocks and find actual sand, we’ve rounded up 10 of the absolute best sandy spots around Greater Victoria to help you cool off.

How many of these have you been to? Drop your favorite below! πŸ‘‡

πŸŽ₯ Watch the reel for the tour, the full guide and map you can find on vanisland.life website

Enjoy!

β˜•πŸš“ Oak Bay Tea Party & Mayor’s Floating Tea Cup Race 2026The 64th annual Oak Bay Tea Party wrapped up with one of its mo...
06/08/2026

β˜•πŸš“ Oak Bay Tea Party & Mayor’s Floating Tea Cup Race 2026

The 64th annual Oak Bay Tea Party wrapped up with one of its most beloved traditions β€” the Mayor’s Floating Tea Cup Race.

With skydivers overhead, Oak Bay Sea Rescue on the water, and hundreds watching from Willows Beach, Mayor Kevin Murdoch successfully escaped pursuing police officers in oversized floating teacups to claim victory and ring the bell.

A fun-filled finale to another fantastic Oak Bay Tea Party weekend!

πŸ“ Willows Beach, Oak Bay
πŸ“Έ .ca
Oak Bay Tea Party

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πŸ’› Follow vanisland.life to support what we do - this non-profit project is all about local storytelling, people, places, and events that make Vancouver Island so special.


Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue - Station Oak Bay
Oak Bay Tourism
Willows Beach Tea Room
Freezeframe
The District of Oak Bay

🐈 Fernwood Cat WalkAll hail the true rulers of Fernwood! πŸ‘‘πŸˆWhat began as a charming community idea in 2025 has quickly e...
06/01/2026

🐈 Fernwood Cat Walk
All hail the true rulers of Fernwood! πŸ‘‘πŸˆ

What began as a charming community idea in 2025 has quickly evolved into a full-scale feline takeover. By 2026, the Fernwood Cat Walk had once again united cat lovers, local businesses, artists, and animal welfare organizations under the watchful gaze of neighbourhood cats who graciously allowed humans to attend.

A huge thank you to the organizers, cat owners, volunteers, and β€” most importantly β€” the cats, who generously interrupted their busy schedules of napping, judging strangers, and demanding treats to make this year's event possible. We eagerly await next year!

πŸ“ Fernwood, Victoria
πŸ“Έ .ca


Find more pics on vanisland.life

πŸ’› Follow VanIsland.life to support local storytelling, and the people, places, and events that make Vancouver Island so special.

🏺 What happens when some of BC's best-known ceramic artists gather in Metchosin?Fired Up! β€” one of Canada's longest-runn...
05/31/2026

🏺 What happens when some of BC's best-known ceramic artists gather in Metchosin?

Fired Up! β€” one of Canada's longest-running ceramic exhibitions β€” returned this weekend with Ebb and Flow, a show celebrating the rhythms of creativity and the ever-changing nature of clay.
From functional pottery to contemporary sculptural works, visitors explored pieces by 15 ceramic artists whose work reflects decades of craftsmanship, experimentation, and artistic evolution.

You still have a chance to visit the event today!
Stop by, meet the artists, and discover unique handcrafted ceramics before the show closes.

πŸ“ Metchosin Hall
πŸ“Έ MonaVira Photography

Fired Up! Contemporary Works in Clay


sjr


Cathi Jefferson Pottery

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πŸ’› follow .life to support what we do β€” this non-profit project is all about people, stories, and the Island we call home.

Victoria Highland Games🏴󠁧󠁒󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Drums, pipes, kilts, and centuries of tradition β€” the 163rd Victoria Highland Games & Cel...
05/18/2026

Victoria Highland Games

🏴󠁧󠁒󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Drums, pipes, kilts, and centuries of tradition β€” the 163rd Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival once again transformed Topaz Park into a gathering place for Celtic culture and community.

Visitors traveled from across Canada and beyond to celebrate Scottish heritage through Highland dancing, pipe bands, clan gatherings, Celtic music, artisan markets, and world-class athletics.

One of the biggest highlights this year: Canada hosted the Scottish Highland Games Women’s World Championship for the very first time. πŸ’ͺπŸ”₯

πŸ“ Topaz Park, Victoria, BC
πŸ“Έ MonaVira Photography

Read the full story on vanisland.life

πŸ’› follow VanIsland.lifelife to support what we do β€” this non-profit project is all about people, stories, and the Island we call home.



Company of the Blue Dragon Community
BC Pipers' Association
Greighlan Crossing Pipe Band
Hounds of Cuchulain

✨ A portal to parallel worlds opened last Friday.. ✨On the edge of Saanich and Highlands, tucked against Mount Work at J...
05/17/2026

✨ A portal to parallel worlds opened last Friday.. ✨

On the edge of Saanich and Highlands, tucked against Mount Work at Junction Orchard & Cidery, the Beltane Ball came alive under circling eagles and a rainbow bridge. πŸŒˆπŸ¦…

The community stepped through the threshold into a Gaelic celebration of Beltane, shedding the everyday fabric of life through spellbinding performances.

But beyond the magic, the evening served a higher purpose, raising funds for Let’s Talk Access β€”a initiative dedicated to improving mental health education, storytelling, and care support. πŸ§ πŸ’š

πŸ“ Junction Orchard & Cidery
πŸ“Έ MonaVira Photography

Read the full story on vanisland.life

πŸ’› follow VanIsland.life to support what we do β€” this non-profit project is all about people, stories, and the Island we call home.

Salty Hearts Festival Bamfield, Vancouver IslandThis is the end of the road β€” and exactly where everything begins.Magic ...
05/06/2026

Salty Hearts Festival

Bamfield, Vancouver Island
This is the end of the road β€” and exactly where everything begins.
Magic in the air.
Fire. Music. Art.
Shadows moving like something out of a dream. It’s perfect.

We’re heading out β€” but the salty hearts stay here forever.
Farewell, Bamfield. We’ll be back.

πŸ“ Pachena Bay / Bamfield, BC
🌿
πŸ“Έ .ca

Read the full story on vanisland.life

πŸ’› follow .life to support what we do β€” this non-profit project is all about people, stories, and the Island we call home.

04/26/2026

Must visit right now - moments like this don’t last long! 🌸

Beautiful blossom tree right in front of Hatley Castle β€” spring at its absolute peak on Vancouver Island ✨

Follow .life for more Island beauty 🌿



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Yesterday was all about local connections 🀝Sookarama took over Sooke - not as a festival, but as the town’s biggest comm...
04/19/2026

Yesterday was all about local connections 🀝

Sookarama took over Sooke - not as a festival, but as the town’s biggest community trade show, bringing together 80+ local businesses, organizations, and groups under one roof at SEAPARC.

From small businesses and artists to nonprofits and community services, it was a full snapshot of what makes Sooke tick. Booth after booth, conversations, ideas, and people building something local β€” all in one place.

Live entertainment, door prizes, and that steady flow of neighbours stopping to connect made it feel less like an event… and more like a community in motion.

This is Sooke in real life β€” not flashy, but real, local, and built by the people who live here.

Were you there? πŸ‘‡

πŸ’› follow VanIsland.life to support what we do β€” this non-profit project is all about people, stories, and the Island we call home

πŸ“Έ photo credit MonaVira Photography for VanIsland.life

πŸ† featured in photos: Home Hardware, Building Centre & Furniture Stores .rebellionhub lionsclubsooke .me.creations

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