Maritime Centre

Vancouver Island


A lovely pier-length attraction aimed at anyone with more than a passing interest in salty history, this folksy facility is lined with intricate models, seafaring displays and usually at least one or two locals working on some kind of boat-building or repairing project. It's all wonderfully sprawling and random.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Vancouver Island attractions

1. Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre

0.25 MILES

This small and mildly interesting interpretive center overlooks the water and illuminates the area's flora and fauna. Nip inside the shed-like facility…

2. Cherry Point Vineyards

3.3 MILES

One of the Cowichan Valley's original wineries is now on its third owners, Colombians who have added a bit of Latin panache to wines such as the crisp,…

3. Cowichan Valley Museum

4.61 MILES

There’s plenty of history lovingly stuffed into this museum in the town’s former train station. Closely packed exhibits cover the favorite BC topics:…

4. Merridale Estate Cidery

5.59 MILES

One of BC's earliest exponents of craft cider-making, Merridale has since gone from strength to strength. The rustic-chic cidery site is lined with trees…

5. BC Forest Discovery Centre

5.99 MILES

This expansive, mostly outdoor heritage attraction includes a menagerie of pioneer-era buildings and hulking old logging machinery. But the main…

6. Salt Spring Island Ales

6.09 MILES

Colonizing a rustic, cedar-built shack in the woods, this microbrewery's standing-room-only tasting room offers a roster of all-organic brews, from…

7. Averill Creek

8.16 MILES

An upmarket glass-fronted winery that’s popular with tour groups, Averill is cradled by mountains guarding terrain that’s ideal for producing the vineyard…

8. Westholme Tea Farm

8.56 MILES

Thought tea was a tropical plant? Not always. Hidden in bucolic farmland 8km north of Duncan, the improbably located Westholme grows its own tea plants…