B.C. destinations that capture the summer magic of Every Year After

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Packed with atmospheric scenes featuring opal-blue water, mountain-lined coastal backdrops and lush winding roads, Amazon Prime Video’s bingeable new series Every Year After makes summer in Western Canada look like an absolute dream. 

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Based on the bestselling 2022 novel which unfolds in the lakeside Ontario town of Barry’s Bay — author Carley Fortune’s hometown — the TV adaptation swaps Ontario cottage country for British Columbia’s rugged West Coast landscape.

Over the course of six episodes, the coming-of-age romance follows the evolving love story between Percy Fraser (Sadie Soverall) and Sam Florek (Matt Cornett) over six memorable summers in Barry’s Bay. Alongside that love story, the series paints B.C. as a must-visit summer destination, showcasing everything from refreshing lake swims and canoe rides to ice cream on the pier and evenings spent around the campfire.

If the show has you craving a West Coast summer getaway inspired by Percy, Sam and the gang, there are a few specific destinations to consider. 

On the coast 

For the closest real-life version of the show’s Barry’s Bay, Bowen Island is a great place to start, as the TV adaptation was largely filmed here. Just a 20-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver, Bowen offers quiet coves and beaches, forested walking trails and a quaint marina that feels worlds away from city life. It also features key Every Year After filming locations, including Doc Morgan’s Pub & Restaurant, which doubled as The Tavern, the family-owned restaurant Percy would frequent for a hearty helping of perogies. 

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Viewers drawn to the close-knit community feel that’s at the heart of the show will also find a similar atmosphere on Salt Spring Island, an hour and 30 minutes by ferry from Tsawwassen just south of Vancouver. In addition to Percy-approved swimming spots like Beddis Beach and Booth Bay, the Southern Gulf Island is also home to local farms, waterfront cafés and a cosy small-town atmosphere that mirrors the charm of Barry’s Bay. 

Back on the mainland, B.C.’s Sunshine Coast captures the slower pace of a classic Canadian summer. Accessible only by ferry or plane, the Sunshine Coast is where you’ll find friendly seaside communities, quiet beaches and waterfront cabins. 

Lakeside oasis

For those in search of a more classic lakeside vacation, Christina Lake is hard to beat. Located in the Kootenay Boundary region of B.C., the crystal-clear lake is known for being one of the warmest in Canada (second after Osoyoos Lake in the Okanagan), making it the perfect destination for swimming lovers like Percy and Sam. Complete with lakefront cabins, calm beaches and even a Lakeview Hotel reminiscent of the show’s Barry’s Bay Motel, it offers a similar small-town vibe to what’s portrayed in Every Year After.

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Sproat Lake, near Port Alberni on Vancouver Island, is a great option, too. Surrounded by lush mountain views, the lake is loved for its quiet coves and relaxed atmosphere — a peaceful escape from the busier coastal holiday spots on the island.

The real Barry’s Bay 

Fans hoping to visit the real-life Barry’s Bay that inspired Fortune’s original novel can find it in Ontario’s Madawaska Valley. Located just a few hours outside of Ottawa, the small town is situated on the picturesque Kamaniskeg Lake and has everything one might need for a classic Canadian summer in Ontario cottage country: secret swimming spots, floating docks and small local businesses — including, of course, Wilno Tavern Restaurant, the real-life Polish restaurant that inspired The Tavern.

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