Activities + Day Trips

The primary goal of our Cultural Connections Activities & Day Trips is to enhance the student experience at VIU. We seek to do this by providing opportunities for students to engage with the local community and experience cultural events, while exploring nature and connecting with peers.

Being connected, active, and engaged in the local environment is healthy. It can help with the cultural adjustment process for students who are new to Canada or new to the community.

For more information contact: 

CONTACT

Robin Lemmens – Activity Program Coordinator
Robin.Lemmens@viu.ca
C: 250-618-2549 

Office: 250-740-2228

Victoria & Butchart Gardens

About Victoria and Butchart Gardens

The capital city of British Columbia, Victoria is home to historic Buildings, great shopping and some of the best museums in Western Canada. Established in 1843 as a fort for the Hudson’s Bay Trading Company, you can still see many British legacies such as double decker buses, horse drawn carriages, and original Buildings. Though rich in history, Victoria is now a busy city with entertainment and a wide range of street festivals & activities.

Bear Watching in Tofino

About Bear Watching out of Tofino

The covered-panoramic view cruiser - named the Stellar Sea - was specially designed for viewing bears out in the West Coast of Vancouver Island. It is equipped with large panoramic windows that fully open, as well as a thoughtfully designed seating layout, offering great views for everyone onboard. The Stellar Sea has indoor heated seating keeping you warm for the ride to and from the bears’ habitat. 

Vancouver Shopping Trip

Trip Information

Tsawwassen Mills is a destination shopping experience like none other, providing you access to stores not available on Vancouver Island, and a real shopping experience. All just a ferry ride and shuttle away! Enjoy shopping such stores as The Outlet by Harry Rosen, Michael Kors Outlet, Lululemon Outlet, Bass Pro Shops, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, Pro Hockey Life, Ever New, Bowring, KIX, Saje Natural Wellness, Lucky Brand....and many, many more.

Caving & Coombs Market

Trip Information

Join us for a day of exploring central Vancouver Island and discovering the fascinating underground world of our local caves.

Heading north of Nanaimo, we will make our way to Horne Lake Caves, located within a Provincial Park. Once there, we will get instruction from the staff as well as some safety gear. It is dark in the caves, so they will provide us with helmets and headlamps. Then we head out for a guided hike where we'll learn about the unique geography of Vancouver Island and go underground!

Botanical Beach Hike with Outdoor Rec

About Botanical Beach Hike

This program is a guided hike into Botanical Beach Provincial Park with VIU Outdoor Recreation. This trip explores a section of the trail that has big beaches, rugged west coast sites, fossils and massive old growth forests. Botanical Beach is famous for its tide pools so lots of the day will spent exploring the inter tidal zone. This hike is suitable for beginners and intermediate hiker.
 

Mount Washington Ski Trip

About Mount Washington Ski Trip

Join us as we make our way 2 hours north of Nanaimo to visit Mount Washington Alpine Resort where we will spend the day skiing/snowboarding/tubing. The Mountain has a wide variety of downhill terrain ranging from beginner to expert.