Vancouver Island Travel Forum

Hello all :)

I am getting married in the summer, and for our honeymoon my wife-to-be and I are wanting to go to Canada. We are going for 3 weeks, and pretty much have an itinerary sorted (at-least in our heads)

The only thing we cant seem to find is he perfect accommodation/location on Vancouver island. Obviously as its honeymoon we want somewhere as nice as possible, as near some beaches and other sites/things to do but (and this is the bit we are struggling with) we cant seem to find anywhere which is in easy walking distance to restaurants and bars. We really dont want to rent a car on the island as we are doing this on another leg of the journey. So if anybody has any good ideas or recommendations that would be fantastic

Thanks

I will be in the Vancouver/Vancouver Island area for about two weeks in June 2012. The main focus of my trip is hiking (day hikes). Any suggestions would be most welcome!

Hi there VT members
We'll be travelling to YVR island (again)in May 2012. We're looking for a recommended B&B for 2-3 nights, hopefully on a farm or ranch, and ideally in the central/north of the island. We'll be travelling back to Vancouver from a weeks stay in Tofino and would like to see the eastern coast of the island.

We have four days to spend in Vancouver Island in early September and are wondering how best to spend our time. We have two small children aged 1 and 3 years, so we don't want to be too ambitious in terms of long drives etc, but would love to see as much as possible. We will be coming from Vancouver, so can take the ferry to Victoria or Nanaimo, or go to/from each one to reduce the time we are in the car. Any suggestions are very welcome! Thanks.

My husband and I are leaving for a 2-week trip around Vancouver Island in a couple of weeks.

We enjoy getting off the main highways when we travel by car, and would like to be able to explore some of the gravel roads, etc on the island.

Is it advisable to rent a 4-wheel SUV or will a standard car do just as well on VI? If anyone has experience touring the island off the beaten path, we'd love your advice.

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

this July 2 friends of mine and me are travelling to BC/Alberta for 3 weeks and would like to visit Vancouver Island for 4 days (unfortunately, we're on quite a tight schedule and cannot stay longer than that).
Therefore, I would like to ask your advice whether our travel itinerary is manageable and every bit of suggestion for a nice alteration or nice places to stay over is warmly welcome!

We had planned to go by ferry from Vancouver to Victoria, stay there the day (and night?), then drive northwards to Port Alberni (stay there the night on a campground? Advice?), and continue to Ucluelet. As I understood, Ucluelet is a good place to access the Pacific Rim NP - is that correct?.
The 4th day, we were thinking of driving back eastwards to Nanaimo, take a mid-day ferry back to Horseshoe bay and start driving on the 99 towards East/ Rocky mountains.

Have you any suggestions concerning campground, activities, walks, trails? I don't really have a good concept about the driving distances and road features on the island...
our focus would be on scenery and wildlife (we have to try to see some whales, that's for sure)

Cheers for your help,
Julia

we are a family of 4, with a four year old and a 1 year old baby... we would love to go to Vancouver Island or one of the gulf islands during our stay in Canada in April... but we don't drive! Can anyone suggest a lovely quiet place to go to that is accessible by public transport and taxi if necessary. We really don't want to restrict ourselves to a city, but equally don't want a journey from hell to get somewhere! Any suggestions? Thanks

My husband and I are planning a trip to Vancouver Island duringthe last 2 weeks of May. We'll be flying into Victoria, renting a car, and taking it from there. Some must-stops for us are Tofino, Ucluelet and Campbell River (with a trip to Mt. Washington).

We're also considering going further north to Port McNeil, but not sure how long to stay in each place and the best route.

Do we start by staying on the east coast and driving north, leaving the west coast to the end? Do we veer over to Ucluelet and Tofino first?

Are there other destinations that we shouldn't miss?

All and any advice would be fabulously welcome!

where are good places to see bears on vancouver island in early october? Also, I have read there is a good chance of seeing elk around gold river. Any tips on exactly where to see them?

Hi, We have planned to stay in Sointula on Malcolm island for a few days in August. I cant find any reviews about the place we have chosen and am beginning to get cold feet, particularly as we are taking a guest with us. Has anyone stayed at Rainbeaus End? or can anyone recommend a good place to stay on the island?
Many thanks

HI Guys, I'd love to find a secluded cabin anywhere south of Campbell River and possibly even in Tofino for this coming weekend. My boyfriend and I are going ot jump on the Harley and have an impromtu weekend away...any suggestion? Private cabins are key, oceanfront even better. Budget isn't an issue.
Thanks for your help!

Hi! We are trying to plan a week-long honeymoon on the island in mid July, and are pretty overwhelmed. We're from Portland, OR and will be driving.

Ideally we'd like to spend a couple of days in Victoria and then find a beautiful place, with a cute town to relax, hike and enjoy the ocean (maybe Kayak...would love to see an Orca). We'd also enjoy visiting wineries and/or local farms.

We've been reading about the Gulf Islands, Tofino, the central part of the island and the North part of the Island and they all sound amazing, but we don't want to rush around and try to squeeze a million things in. Would rather relax in one place. So, how does one decide?

Any suggestions or tips would be much appreciated.

Also looking for affordable accommodations (Anything from a rustic cabin to a B&B).

Thanks!
Lesley and Brent

Hi we are planning to visit Canada late August. We have been to Vancouver Island twice before (2000 and 2005)for a brief visit with relatives nr Courtney and to travel around and see some of the island. We have really enjoyed the relaxed feel of the island and everyone is so friendly - that's why we are coming back! Most of our trip this time will be visiting relatives but we would like to get out for three or four days but where to? We have been whale watching from Tofino and also Port MacNeil, spent a few days on SaltSpring Island and Quadra Island, spent a few days in Victoria, had a days drive around Sooke, driven down the east coast through Qualicum bay and Chemainus . We have been looking at the possibility of Gold River and a trip out for the day on the MV Uchuck. Is Gold river worth a couple of nights stay? If so can anyone recommend a good B&B.

I have been told there is a home on the Island that is on a turntable and rotates. How can I find it and see it? Thanks, Dennis

1)Where should one buy Souvenirs/small gifts in Vancouver, Victoria, Tofino, etc, at most economical rates?

2) Have they started selling Winter Olympics merchandise, where to buy them from ?

Has anybody stayed at Tree tops suite at Ucluelet ? Invite reviews for a family's stay there.

Hi, just wondering what this area is like to live in, I am considering moving from the UK and this area really appeals to me! What is it like travelling to the main cities, and what are house prices like? Also from searching on the internet i have not noticed many companies renting properties, is this uncommon? thanks!!

Has anybody stayed at Tsunami guest house at Port Alberni ? Invite reviews for a family's stay there.

We are planning to buy the 4 days BC Ferries sail pass (vehicle + 6 passengers) for the trip from Vancouver to Sunshine coast & Vancouver Island.

Plan to split the trips to Victoria, Sunshine coast & Nanaimo/Tofino.
Day 1 : Tsawassen to Swartz bay/Vicoria & return by night
Day 2 : Horseshoe Bay to Sunshine coast & return by night
Day 3 : Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo, parksville, Qulaicum beach, overnight at Qulicum beach
Day 4 : Qualicum beach to Tofino & return to Nanaimo/Horseshoe bay by night

As above we are skipping the drive from Victoria to Nanaimo

request members to comment on the plan & advice changes

How much driving time should we assign for a drive from Nanaimo to Qualicum Beach & Tofino, at a leisurely pace ?

Found out that the nearest ferry point is Crofton (on VI) to Vesuvious (salt spring island). Does BC Ferry ply between them, if not then what is the option to ferry across with car?

Are there places you get Indian Vegetarian food? Not that we despise western food but being strict vegetarians & on a long trip would relish having a taste of home food wherever there is a choice.

We are a family of 4, planning to ferry to the island pick up a rental car & drive around Vancouver Island in mid Aug.

We are yet to firm up our dates & routing. Would like to take a circular routing so as to cover most to the island in 5- 7 days.

Plan to ferry across to Nanaimo or Victoria & return from the other. Plan to cover Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Port Alberni, Mount Arrowsmith, Tofino, Ucluelet, port Renfrew, Sooke, Victoria, etc.

Would appreciate any help on the routing to take. Plus advice of members on the following :

1.How far up the West coast is it worth going ? Is till Qualicum Beach or Courtenay enough ?
2.Has anyone driven from Victoria to Tofino ? Should we drive through the east coast & how are the roads (for a saloon car).
3.Is the time ( 5-7 days enough) ? Night halts only time intend relaxing.

Thanks,

We are a family of 4, planning to rent an apartment in Vancouver & try & cover south east parts of Vancouver Island (Nainamo, Victoria,etc.) by day trips.

Rest of the farther places we plan to cross over by ferry & rent a car & cover the north eastern parts like Tofino, etc.

Appreciate members views on the plan & which are the other places we could cover in a day using Vancuover as the base.

Hello, I'm looking for some feedback regarding where to camp this summer. I am debating between Englishman River Provincial park or Little Qualicum. I have heard good things about both locations, so I'm torn....suggestions anyone???

Thanks,

In between July 3rd and July 13 my wife and myself will be in the Vancouver area. We intend to also go to Vancouver Island for 2 or 3 nights. Is it required to make hotel reservations in advance or will we find enough hotels with vacancies?

I live in California, and am longing to be in rugged mountains, streams, rivers, etc. I really would like to go to Alaska, but it is too expensive to fly our family of 4 there. A friend suggested that we go to Strathcona Provincial Park for our vacation, and it looks quite nice from what I have seen on the internet. Here is the dilemma: I am an avid hiker, and crave being in the mountains. My husband can't sleep in an area above 3000 feet, and can only hike for a few hours up to about 4000 feet, or he becomes very ill. Would this area be viable for us? Would he be able to get some beauty at his elevation needs, and would the rest of us be able to journey higher? Where would you recommend staying, if we go to this area? Many years ago I was at Lake Louise and Banff, and absolutely loved it, but it is too high for him. Are there other areas anyone can recommend in Canada for us, knowing that my 19 and 22 year old daughters and I would also love rugged beauty, hiking, kayaking, white water rafting, hot springs, etc. We are open to anything, as long as we can get reasonable air fare (as opposed to the $900 trips to Alaska), and my husband's elevation needs. I am leaning towards Strathcona, and am wondering if we go there, where to stay that would be surrounded by lakes/rivers/mountains. We will have 4-8 people, and don't think we will camp, as hauling all of our stuff will be a challenge. Thanks!

hello everybody
we have been travelling around canada for past 4 months
and hav the last 3 weeks in july in vancouver islands.we have 5 days booked in victoria and are trying to plan the rest.
any suggestions on how long to spend in each place and is it possible to see everything using public transport or should we rent a car,bearing in mind we are on a budget.
thanks alot

Hi

Gonna be there in early july - which is the best tour/place to see bears and other wildlife

Re: How can I make the best use of 2 days and a bit on Vancouver Island ?
Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 06:04 PM CEST
Re: How can I make the best use of 2 days and a bit on Vancouver Island ?
Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 07:39 PM CEST
Thank you very much for your answer and the useful tips ! I forgot to say that we are taking the ferry back from Victoria on the 6th (the ferry return trip is already booked). All in all, we are hoping (ferry times willing) to stay from mid-morning on the 4th+one full day on the 5th+most of the day on the 6th, 2 nights on the island itself. Do you think it would be too hectic to add to what you suggested say Tofino-Ucluelet (I take it the Southern Gulf islands are "out") and stay the night there, or is it not so interesting (in the hope of seeing whales ) ?
Is it a good idea to rent a car as soon as we hit the ferry terminal in Victoria (we'll have plenty of luggage !), and then drive straightaway to the Butchart Gardens, drive again to spend the night somewhere between Victoria and Tofino (any recommendation for the hotel/motel reasonably priced would be more than welcome); drive the next day to Tofino (any recommendation for the night there would be very welcome - a cabin on a beach would be absolutely ideal-) while stopping at Chemainus and Cathedral Grove of course; and drive the last day back to Victoria to catch the ferry ?