This winter, slow down and connect with the wild heart of Vancouver Island North. While others hibernate, the ocean comes alive, delivering thrilling storms showcasing the sheer power of the Pacific.
On Vancouver Island, winter isn’t a season to endure—it’s a time to embrace the elements. It’s a primal draw: a fascination with the unpredictable, awesome brute strength of Mother Nature. Locals don’t hide from the coastal rain; they gear up and head outside to breathe deeply of the crisp, invigorating air.
There’s an inexplicable joy in the ritual: the exhilarating feeling of being out in the infamous sideways rain of the west coast, followed by the deep, satisfying comfort of warming up afterward. This contrast—the wildness outside versus the cozy refuge within—is a core part of the Island experience, creating a profound sense of well-being and connection to the rugged environment.
We invite you to experience the beauty of our winter season with a difference. Our Give Back Getaways combine the cozy luxury of a winter staycation with the rewarding action of shoreline stewardship.
About the wild pledge
The Wild Pledge is a promise to practice responsible tourism and journey with care when visiting Vancouver Island communities, businesses, Indigenous communities, forests and oceans. By taking The Wild Pledge, you are making a commitment to be a more sustainable traveller by doing the following:
- Leave no trace when exploring our beaches, forests and land.
- Encourage the celebration of local cultures, traditions, and heritages.
- Observe and not disturb our local wildlife and natural habitats.
- Support local lives by eating, staying, and shopping locally.
- Prepare for any experience in our trails, mountains, and waters.
- Share the trails, roads, routes, and parking areas.
Vancouver Island North Tourism, in partnership with the Ocean Legacy Foundation, has created the Live the Wild Pledge Beach Clean Up Initiative. This program is an extension of our commitment to the Wild Pledge, aiming to educate visitors about marine plastic pollution and equip them with effective solutions to protect our valuable coastlines, and participate in tourism that gives back to the local community.
Embark on an eco-adventure that combines environmental stewardship with exploration. By participating in the #LiveTheWildPledge beach clean-up initiative, you’ll not only help clean our beaches but also enjoy exclusive rewards and discounts from our community partners.
Storm watching & Stewardship packages
This winter, we’ve partnered with local accommodations to offer bespoke packages that make it easy to combine storm-watching and giving back.
Storm Watching & Stewardship Packages Include:
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- Cozy Accommodations: Settle into a warm haven at partners like Hotel 19, Alder Bay Resort, the Oceanfront Hotel in Sointula, the Kwa’lilas Hotel, or Port Alice B&Bs.
- Clean the Coast Welcome Kit: Each booking made that references the Storm Watching & Stewardship package will receive a welcome kit featuring a Live the Wild Pledge tote for beach clean ups, a pair of gloves, a Wild Pledge branded powerbank, and a thoughtful gift from a local artisan.
- Discounts to Local Businesses: Enjoy discounts at Naxi’d’ pub, McWilkies Food Truck, Scarlet Ibis Pub, Devil’s Bath Brewing, Port Hardy Museum, U’mista Cultural Centre, Essentials Refillery, Timberland Sports Centre, and more.
Featured promotion: one night free for the sea
Book two nights at a participating location and take part in a beach clean-up, and you’ll receive a third night free!
Mention “One Night Free for the Sea” at the time of booking, participate in a beach clean up, share a photo on social media, and show your post to a staff member at a participating location to receive a discount. This is being offered at the following accommodations:
Alder Bay Resort
Book two nights, get a third night free and a bundle of firewood and smores kit, perfect for cozying up on the beach!
The Kwa’lilas Hotel
Book two nights, get a third night free and a discount at Nax’id’ Pub.
The Oceanfront Hotel
The Oceanfront Hotel in Sointula is offering four nights for the price of two!
How the Beach Clean Up’s Work
- Grab your clean coast welcome kit, and use the gloves and tote bag to pick up and store marine debris.
- Enjoy the beauty of our shorelines and trail systems while collecting marine debris along the way.
- Share photos of the marine debris you’ve collected with us by emailing info@vancouverislandnorth.ca, or DM’ing us on social media. Even better, upload a post and use #LiveTheWildPledge!
- Return your collected debris to one of our approved drop-off points for recycling.
- Receive incentives and rewards, like discounts to local businesses, as a thank you for your effort.
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Be safe and know before you go
Vancouver Island North in the winter is wild and beautiful, but preparedness is essential.
- Road Conditions: Check Drive BC for road incidents or closures before you head out.
- Winter Tires: Mandatory on most major routes from October 1 to April 30. Please ensure your vehicle is equipped.
- Storm Safety: Winter waves can be rogue and unpredictable. Never turn your back on the ocean. Maintain a safe distance from the water’s edge, especially during a storm.
- Limited Service: Many remote areas, including some cleanup sites, have limited to no cell service. Plan your routes and check-in times in advance.
- What to Pack: Dress in warm, waterproof layers! Rain gear, sturdy boots, a headlamp, and your LTWP gloves are a must.
- Need a Guide? Enhance your adventure with an optional guided trip with North Island Overland to access more remote, beautiful locations safely.
Visit our Know Before You Go page to learn more.
About marine debris and the ocean legacy foundation
Our oceans are increasingly polluted with items that do not belong there. Every day, large quantities of consumer plastics, metals, rubber, paper, textiles, derelict fishing gear, and lost vessels enter the marine environment. This influx of marine debris has become one of the most widespread pollution problems facing the world’s oceans and waterways.
Ocean Legacy Foundation (OLF) is a Canadian‑based nonprofit initiated in 2013 with a clear mission: to eliminate plastic pollution.
As a recognized global leader in plastic‑pollution response, OLF launched EPIC: Plastic Pollution Emergency Response™—a rapid‑response framework that tackles urgent plastic crises with scalable, community‑driven solutions designed to advance the circular economy.
Today, EPIC unites four integrated pillars—Education & Research through our EPIC Academy, Policy & Advocacy which works to bridge mitigative policy and grassroots engagement, Infrastructure Development with our collection depots and recycling facility, and Cleanup & Restoration through plastic pollution cleanups—alongside Legacy Plastic™, the feedstock produced to create durable products and decarbonize our supply chain to spark global action toward plastic‑free lands and seas.
Join the EPIC movement to drive plastic management capacity to prevent pollution at its source—ensuring healthier coastlines, resilient economies, and thriving marine ecosystems for generations to come.
Beyond the beach
Looking for more to do in the rain? Explore the vibrant arts and culture of the North Island:
- Visit local galleries and artisan shops.
- Take the Self-Guided Art Tour.
- Go canyoning down Alice Falls with the Western Canyoning Collective.
- Find unique, zero-waste supplies at places like the Essentials Refillery.
- Discover local history at our museums and cultural centres.
- Check the local events calendar for fall/winter community happenings.
Ready to make your next getaway count?
Choose a cozy stay, watch the wild weather, and leave the coast better than you found it.
Terms & Conditions
- Guests must mention the “One Night Free for the Sea” package at the time of booking. Bookings cannot be discounted retroactively.
- To qualify for incentives, including a complimentary night with the “One Night Free for the Sea” package, guests are required to participate in a beach cleanup.
- Take a picture of your beach clean up and post it on social media, tagging @vancouverislandnorth and using the hashtag #LiveTheWildPledge.
- Show your post to a staff member at a participating location and receive a discount.