BY LIZ FLEMING, for NorthernLife.ca
If whale-watching is your thing, Port Sidney, a tiny town just 25 km north of Victoria on Vancouver Island, is an ideal choice. The experts at SeaQuest, a popular whale-watching cruise line will be happy to take you out on the waves for a day of fin-spotting, combined with visits to the rookeries of sea lions draped over the rocks.
Prefer to keep your watery adventures closer to shore? Rent a sea kayak and spend a day paddling and enjoying some of the most beautiful scenery in the Gulf Islands. It’s the perfect option for those who like to keep their encounters with nature up-close, but manageable.
Beach bum? Hop on the passenger ferry to Sidney Spit where you’ll find gorgeous, and largely empty, white sand beaches just waiting for you to leave your footprints. Robinson Crusoe would be impressed.
Maybe you’re a fan of interactive museums. If so, Port Sidney will knock your socks off with the new Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre, where the displays introduce you to the wonders of the Pacific in ways you’ve never seen before. Even more impressive, in their own way, are the volunteer docents who are incredibly eager to explain everything.
Thinking you might like to sample some of the ocean’s bounty? Wander down to the docks and visit the fish market, where you’ll find seafood that has just leapt out of the waves, ready to make its way to your plate.
But what, you’re wondering, if the weather turns cold or windy. There’s nothing that can kill a holiday vibe deader.
But not if you’re staying at the Sidney Pier Hotel and Spa. They’ve thought of alternatives for the worst weather days.
If the day is cool, it might be perfect for a walk and the hotel is ready to provide you with a companion. Dave, a black lab who flunked out of guide dog school for being too friendly, is always keen to go for a walk with hotel guests. Just ask. One word of caution – Dave is a vegetarian, so don’t let his big brown eyes seduce you into sharing a hamburger en route. The digestive consequences will see Dave banned from the lobby for days.
If the skies turn grey, retreat to the in-house Haven Spa, where you can enjoy a delectable array of treatments, many based on marine and fruit ingredients. You’ll feel so wonderful, you’ll forget all about the weather.
But what if the heavens open and you have to retreat to your suite? That’s when you’ll really appreciate the hospitality of Sidney Pier’s management.
Just call the desk and ask for the book lover’s special. Because Port Sidney is known as Canada’s book town and boasts nine bookstores on its tiny main street, the Sidney Pier has jumped on the bandwagon to celebrate. Guests at the hotel can order a tray delivered to their room that will come complete with tea, cookies and a new book of their choice.
What could be better than that on a rainy afternoon?
