Vancouver Island Is Unapologetically Canadian (And You'll Be Sorry If You Don't Enter Their Contest)

Black Ball Ferry Line's MV Coho in Victoria's Inner Harbour. Photo by Sue Frause.

Vancouver Island is sorry! And they're apologizing all over the place in their clever tourism campaign. Here are a few of the things they're sorry about on their website:

• We're sorry that we've kept our best places secret so long (Nanaimo-Tofino-Sooke)

• We're sorry that you had to take a cruise to get here

• We're sorry if you've never had a Nanaimo Bar in Nanaimo

• We're sorry if you get a little wet in Tofino

• We're sorry the locals are a little "crabby" in Sooke

• But we won't apologize for the best vacation you ever had! 

Not only is it a fun and interactive website (www.youwontbesorry.com), but you can enter to win some very cool getaways. Unfortunately, I'm a bit late to the game in posting about it, and the first two prizes have already been awarded (Grant C. from Portland, OR won the Sooke Getaway and Elaine F. from Seattle won the Nanaimo Getaway). Here are the final two getaway prizes:

Tofino is located on the west side of Vancouver Island at the southern end of Clayoquot Sound
Photo by Sue Frause

Prize 3 | Tofino Getaway (Drawing August 1)

• Two-night stay at Ocean Village beach Resort
• Dinner for two at Jack's Waterfront Pub
• Marine Adventure for two with Jamie's Whaling Station
• Round-trip ferry fare for standard vehicle/driver + one adult from Black Ball Ferry Line
• $50 gas card 

Sooke Harbour House in Sooke, BC on Vancouver Island. Photo by Sue Frause.

Grand Prize | Ultimate Vancouver Island Getaway | Sooke - Nanaimo - Tofino (Drawing Aug. 31)

• Three-night stay at Sooke Harbour House
• Two adult passes for Adrena Line Zipline Adventure Tours (Sooke)
• Guided tour for two adults from Rainforest Tours (Sooke)
• Two-night stay at Coast Bastion Inn (Nanaimo)
• Dinner for two at Modern Cafe (Nanaimo)
• Two adult passes for Wild Play Elements Park (Nanaimo)
• Samples along Nanaimo Bar Trail
• Two-night stay at Ocean Village Beach Resort (Tofino)
• Dinner for two at Shelter Restaurant (Tofino)
• Marine Adventure with Ocean Outfitters (Tofino)
• Round-trip ferry fare for standard vehicle/driver + one adult from Black Ball Ferry Lines
• $100 gas card

To enter, you must be 18 years of age or older and a resident of Canada (excluding Quebec) or the United States. The contest is a joint promotion between Black Ball Ferry Line, Tourism Nanaimo, Tourism Tofino and Sooke Tourism.

Nanaimo Bar in Nanaimo, BC. Photo by Sue Frause.