Vancouver Island App

The Vancouver Island (HeartBeatz) app is a simple, fast and engaging guide to Vancouver Island’s hidden gems, top notch establishments, and its’ most happening events. Plan your travel using the app to access the communities, local businesses, parks, gardens, trails, festivities, and other fun or interesting events that will provide enjoyment or entertainment such as whale watching, bear or wildlife tours, adventurous activities such as zip-lines, bungee jumping, or indoor rock wall climbing. Outdoor activities such as disc golf, golf, bike rentals, bicycle or walking tours, trails, hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, fishing, horseback riding, skydiving, or surfing, hiking, camping, cycling, paddling, canoeing, caving, kayaking, natural parks, gardens, beaches and forest walks are other recreational activities you may find. Also, Farmer’s Markets, farm stands, local produce! To assist you in planning your itinerary, the island has been divided into 4 sections. Expand the app and position the toggle at the lower right-hand corner to the right to highlight the communities. Touch the i symbol to read information about them. The South Island includes Chemainus, Colwood, Duncan, Esquimalt, Lady Smith, lake Cowichan, Langford, Metchosin, Mill Bay, Oak Bay, Port Renfrew, Saanich, Sydney, Sook, Victoria, and View Royal. The central West Island includes Bamfield, Lantzville, Nanaimo, Parksville, Port Alberni, Qualicum Beach, Tofino, and Ucluelet. The Central East of Vancouver Island includes Campbell River, Comox, Courtney, Cumberland, Gold River, and Tahsis. The North Island includes Holberg, Port Alice, Port Hardy, Port McNeill, Sayward, Telegraph Cove, Woss and Zeballos. Visit each community and scan at least one Vancouver Island HeartBeatz QR code at a participating business the i symbol will become a checkmark. To view only the businesses, locations, festivals, and other places and events, slide the toggle to the left-hand position. Locate the community that you would like to explore and expand the map. The numbers you see represent the number of pins located in that area. Expand the map and touch on each pin to read about the business, event, festival, or other point of interest. The colourful pins represent businesses that will display a Vancouver Island HeartBeatz logo where you can scan to earn points. On the lower screen next to the home screen, you will see a symbol for the QR code scanner. Ensure your phone is set to permission. Use the scan function to scan the Vancouver Island HeartBeatz QR codes displayed at participating businesses. If your scan was successful, you will receive notification and you will be able to view your accumulated points on the next screen. These points will be important for the event there is a contest where you can win a prize. Contests will be appropriately announced and will be made available in the Rewards Milestone notifications. Businesses will award up to 5 points! It is the opinion of Vancouver Island HeartBeatz that a 5-Point Rating hands down beats a typical 5-star rating. Each point represents an action the business has taken towards sustainable and carbon-friendly options. Production – prioritize recycled or renewable materials, evaluate suppliers for environmental practices, collaborate with suppliers on sustainable initiatives. Processing – waste reduction strategies, integrate renewable energy sources, utilize green materials. Transportation – using electric vehicles, use and promote public transportation, cyclist friendly (ride to work program, bicycle parking). Distribution – purchase from local producers, use shipping/receiving companies with electric vehicles. Consumption – energy efficient lighting, improvements made for efficient heating/cooling, no aerosols, no foam/plastic packaging, donations are made to projects such as tree planting, Certification – certifications such as Island Good, Biosphere Ceritified, BC Green Business certification, Synergy Verified, 4Good Verified.