Surfside RV Resort
The Surfside RV Resort in Parkville, BC, has 355 full-service sites across 22 ha (55 ac).
Words by Steve Fennell
Staying at an RV resort on Vancouver Island over the winter isn’t about riding out the cold weather. It’s about spending quality time in a relaxed, social atmosphere with a backdrop of coastal mountains and views of the sparkling Strait of Georgia. It’s also about enjoying all of the amenities, local attractions and outdoor recreation West Coast-style.
Approximately 30 minutes north of Nanaimo, Surfside RV Resort and the local region experience some of the warmest winter temps in Canada and typically attract snowbirds from across BC, Alberta and as far east as Manitoba. They come for the park’s full-service facilities, active lifestyle, and clean grounds. What makes the area so pleasant for guests is the number of ways you can enjoy time here.
Plan to attend a community event among the grounds, enjoy its shoreside green spaces, or contemplate your day’s itinerary over a game of billiards or during a morning coffee at your site. The options are aplenty and there’s always something to do and see.
With 355 full-service sites, a variety of choices are available including oceanfront; along its estuary; or further inside the grounds. All are spacious (up to 214 m (2,300 sq ft)) and pad sizes range from 3 x 12 m and 4 x 13 m (10 X 40 ft and 12 x 44 ft). The rates are also reasonable.
Surfside RV Resort
A variety of RV sites are available - some even oceanside with views of the Strait of Georgia.
“Rather than charge monthly fees for snowbirds who stay for the winter, we offer reduced daily rates based on a nightly basis,” says general manager, Shawn Bennett. “So, if guests stay more than 28 days, the nightly fee is greatly reduced. It’s devised for snowbirds who visit from four to six months over the winter.”
Guests of the RV park can also purchase a membership. Bennett explains it guarantees a select site for a predetermined amount of time under the agreement. It may seem like a commitment for snowbirds who commonly prefer different destinations every year, but it’s a convenient package - especially for those who choose to stay north of the border due to health care concerns and want to avoid the steep fuel prices or added travel costs.
“Our memberships are the closest thing to buying a site or land for an RV,” adds Bennett. “Basically, RVers use a specific space for a predetermined amount of time. Memberships can even be re-sold.”
RV Resort Amenities and Off-Site Attractions
A gated RV park with surveillance cameras, coded entry systems, staffed security, and even siren-activated entry for medical emergency-response teams, Surfside RV Resort is a full-service park with a variety of on-site amenities.
Surfside RV Resort
Pad sizes range from 3 x 12 m and 4 x 13 m (10 X 40 ft and 12 x 44 ft) to fit many types and sizes of RVs.
Three service buildings combine to house laundry, washrooms, and shower facilities, while the oceanfront clubhouse features large-screen TVs, a billiards room, and a communal kitchen, providing space for private and park social functions. An inground pool (seasonal) and an expansive patio (that also overlooks the water) are on the grounds as well. Other outdoor amenities include a hot tub, shuffleboards, tennis, pickleball and volleyball courts, plus horseshoe pits.
If golf is your game, the warmer West Coast weather allows you to hit links pretty much through the winter. Three courses alone are located in Parksville. Another outdoor attraction (where another course is located) is Qualicum Beach where strolls along the shore - as well as hiking and biking trails - are popular. Adventure and whale watching tours are available as well.
In the event of wet or cooler conditions, both Parksville and Qualicum Beach have many commercial services including pharmacies, community centres, grocery stores, movie theatres, and unique shopping opportunities.
“We step up our game as a premier RV resort in the area every season,” says Bennett. “Golfing is very popular with more days available to play than perhaps anywhere else in Canada. Shopping, hiking and biking are also accessible. Plus, with our scheduled social activities and designated classes hosted throughout the winter, guests are provided with a true snowbird experience in the heart of the island.”