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Know Before You Go

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Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet | Tourism Vancouver Island/Ben Giesbrecht

Updated: September 28, 2023, at 10:43 am

IMPORTANT UPDATES

Provincial

    • Planning on travelling in BC? Plan ahead so you can explore BC safely and responsibly— always monitor official information sources (detailed below) regularly, before and during your trip.
    • While this summer brought immeasurable challenges to some areas of BC, most are open for travel and ready to welcome guests.
    • Visitors are encouraged to download and allow notifications from Alertable, an emergency notification app with customizable settings, to receive the latest local alerts, such as road closures and evacuation information, straight to your mobile device.

Highway 97

 

  • For more information on trip planning, such as maps, links to visitor centres around the province, and accessible travel, please visit our Need To Know page.

 

Key Resources

Wildfires, Floods, and Other Weather Events

WILDFIRES

Wildfires can occur during sustained periods of hot, dry weather. Conditions can change rapidly across the province, so we encourage you to check the latest information before and during your trip. If you are currently visiting BC or planning a trip, you can find on-the-ground information and support by visiting or calling a Visitor Centre in the area you are travelling. Check Drive BC for information on road closures, the BC Wildfire Service for an interactive map, and Emergency Info BC for alerts. During your travels, make sure you follow the necessary protocols to prevent and report wildfires.

 

FLOODING

Flooding can occur during season shifts in various areas of BC due to high temperatures and melting snow. Conditions can change rapidly across the province, so we encourage you to check the latest information before and during your trip. If you are currently visiting BC or planning a trip, you can find on-the-ground information and support by visiting or calling a Visitor Centre in the area you are travelling. For the latest flooding information, check Emergency Info BC for alerts and the River Forecast Centre for an interactive map with warnings and advisories.

 

Roads and Driving

Driving Conditions

Always check DriveBC before heading out on the road to learn about the current conditions along your planned route, including webcams, closures, construction delays, or detours.

Please visit Emergency Info BC for updated details on emergencies including evacuation orders and alerts.

Between October 1 and April 30, many BC highways require winter tires.

Highway Closures & Construction

  • Construction on the Highway #1 Kicking Horse Canyon Project has begun, and the anticipated completion date is in winter of 2024.
    • Currently the highway is open during the day at the Kicking Horse Canyon with possible delays of up to 30 minutes, and full closures overnight. View the full closures schedule here.
    • Please use alternate routes Highways 93S and 95.

BC Ferries

Find all you need to know about travelling with BC Ferries at bcferries.com.

Reservations are highly recommended. If you have questions about travel with BC Ferries, you can contact 1-888-BC Ferry, or www.bcferries.com/contact-us.

Cruises

Find everything you need to know regarding travelling on cruise ships including health protocols, boarding, and disembarkation here.

TRAVEL ADVISORIES

There are no current travel advisories.

Where To Get A COVID-19 Test In BC

For information on where to find rapid antigen tests, PCR tests and private testing clinics, please click here.

If you are a tourism industry partner seeking updates about emergency preparedness, please visit Destination BC’s corporate website.