Parksville – Skylite Motel
November 12, 2008
Submitted on November 12th, 2008 by Brian
After getting off the ferry at Departure Bay on Vancouver Island, I traveled north along highway 19 to exit 46, then on 19A (the Oceanside Route) until I reached the centre of Parksville. I arrived at the Skylite Motel, where I was greeted by my hosts, Hugh and Juliann. I was led to a small room with a queen-sized bed, a kitchenette, and a small colour tv. I asked them about things to do in Parksville, and they recommended going mountain biking along the Top Bridge Mountain Bike Park, which has a series of moderately difficult, well-developed trails for cyclists like myself.
Two days later, I went to Nanoose Bay and spent the day scuba diving and windsurfing. There are plenty of local outfitters there who will provide lessons and equipment at an affordable price. I saw others kayaking in the water; some were by themselves, and others were tourists on guided tours. While scuba diving, I went down about 50 feet and saw wolf eels and Pacific octopi. Truly an amazing experience.
For the final day of my trip, I went spelunking at Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park, which contains a vast underground network full of crystal formations and ancient fossils. It was somewhat intimidating walking through the darkness with nothing but a headlamp and a flashlight, but my guides seemed like they knew what they were doing. We explored awe-inspiring caves full of colorful stalactites, stalagmites, and other formations. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Parksville.
Submitted on February 25th by Dave
I booked the Skylite Motel for two nights while on business. While being shown around, I was told the rooms had undergone a lot of renovating over the last five years. The bed was comfortable, and the kitchenette was large enough to suit my needs. The internet connection felt a little slow, but I was able to check my e-mails, and that’s all I needed. The complimentary breakfast was good too.
