Vancouver Island Travel Forum

My wife and I are coming to VI next week and hiring an RV near Victoria. I have booked a pitch for the first night, but not for any of the other 6 we will be there.

How necessary is it to book ahead at this time of the year (August) in order to be sure of a pitch ?

We intend to travel up the main highway from Victoria via Campbell River to Telegraph Cove and stopping at places along the way.

How many gravel roads am I likely to encounter as my RV rental excludes the vehicles use on them ?
Finally I have been seeing references to RV Parks and RV Resorts. There seems to be a difference - what is it ?

Does anyone know of a super nice chill place to go camping at on the island? I want to choose the nicest place on the island and am not sure on where to go. Any ideas? My dad is coming from poland and i want to take him somewhere quiet, relaxing and with that beautiful BC feeling....?
Thanks

Yanni

Hi there,

My mates and I are visiting Vancouver Island in mid July and one of main activities will be whale watching in the Pacific Rim National park, Telegraph Cove or Johnstone Strait and/or Southern Gulf Islands. July is a peak season and probably most tours will be busy, but are there any less touristy, eco and marine friendly tours good for whale watching.

I know the best ecofriendly option will be kayaking but most tours are for three days and cost too much.

I have found the Seasmoke Whale watching tour Johnstone Strait in Northern Island http://www.seaorca.com/index.htm

Any recommedations will be appreciated.

Brgds,
BF

I shall be coming to VI for 2 weeks at the end of May. I have looked at several web sites explaining places to visit. However, is there anyone who could give me some tips on places/things to do that we may not find on the 'official' tourist brochures i.e. where do the locals go?. We are in a car, so flexible in getting around.
Thanks for the input, Caroline

Hi. I am a bit stumped on where to go for a 40th b-day trip for my husband. Our parents/family will be joining us and my hope is to find an area that has an abundance of outdoor activities in close proximity (sea kayaking, freshwater & ocean fishing, hiking, nice beaches, whale watching, boating etc) with good availability of rental homes and a nice little town area that we could hit a pub/good restaurant if anyone wanted. I am tossing around Quadra Island or Tofino. Any suggestions on these or other areas? Thanks!

Our family will be visiting the Vancouver Victoria area for 2 1/2 weeks in early June. We will be traveling in a rented RV and plan on stopping in Victoria, then the Pacific Rim area then Nanaimo then to Vancouver. I really need some input regarding campground in the Long Beach, Ucluelet, Tofino area and the other ares as well. I have been trying to find reviews of campgrounds in the area and the only one was for Bella Pacifica in Tofino. It wasn't a good recommendation. I need some input from locals if possible or someone who has stayed there or recommendations of other places that you have had pleasant experiences with.
Thanks for any help you can give me.

We'll be coming to Vancouver Island next August intending to drive to Port Albini in a Dually Pickup pulling a 24' boat that is 12' 7" tall, on the trailer, & 8 1/2 feet wide. It seems the Coho ferry can accomodate us okay but I'm curious about the drive from Victoria to Port Alberni. Any feedback will be appreciated.

Hi All,

I plan to drive to Tofino from Nanaimo in the first weekend of December (ahem..thats comin weekend !). I was wondering how safe it is to drive all the way for 3 long hours. With the snow, is it dangerous ? Also is there a risk of cougars or anythng else ?

Thanks.

I'm going to be roaming around VI, and I'd like to know.. should I spend more time in Tofino or Ucluelet, or spend equal time in each city? Or is there another city I must see, as well?

Whale watching will be on the list too.

we are going to van island in may 07, with a view of emigrating. Where do we stay thats not only beautiful and suitable for two young kids, but also central enough in order for us to see as much of the island as poss. We really like the look of sooke but could anyone tell us if this is out on a limb, we dont fancy being in the car for hours. Can anyone give us some tips?? it all looks lovely!! help us, its hard to choose on the internet!!

Hi all,

Myself and my grilfriend are planning to spend a year in Canada as of jan 2007. We don't know too much about Canada but we are gradually being lured towards Vancouver Island at the moment. I've been reading up on VI through VT but still have questions I hope some of you could shine some light on..

I'm Irish (24) and been working as a civil engineer (looking for outdorr type work to get me away from computer) and my girlfriend is english (23) and been working in a Bank as has experience with childcare and music teaching. We would like to try spending sometime on VI and hopefully get jobs we both enjoy with a decent wage..

Can enyone tell us what the climate is like... the local industries... would we enjoy it... or should we be thinking of somewhere completely different in Canada... I was lured towards VI because its got so much coastline, mountains, forestry and cities.. A mixed bag.. am i right??

thanks to you all

I have an opportunity to visit VI after a meeting in the city. What sort of weather should I expect at the end of October? Could someone suggest an inexpensive place to stay for a single traveller on a careful budget for a few days.I am interested in the Pacific Rim Park and accessbility to other natural areas. I'm betting it's too wet to camp?

Thanks for any help.

hi there
I'm planning a vacation to Vancouver Island and suroundings.
I have 8th and two years old boys,
can you please send me a list of places where my kids will have fun,
like kid amusement places.
I heard of dinosours park in Vancouver or somewhere close by,
is there any place like that?
please send me information
Thank you

This is one beautiful place to go,40 miles from vancouver by sea or air.
Victoria bc is a city,from the past and in the present.
I dont think there is anywhere better or safer with better food and breath taking beautiful scenery.

Its real hard to beat.

See you there ?

Hi all,

I live in Ladysmith and I am looking for a good travel agent. I have only had bad experiences so I tend to do most travel planning myself however I need some help with a trip I am planning to germany and italy and would love some assistance. My main concern is that the travel agent focuses on the cheapest most budget options.

Thanks

Hi Folks,
I've been reading loads of advice on the VT pages and have found the information a great help. Thanks.
I'm arriving in Vancouver before flying to Port Hardy for 5 days diving (can't wait). I fly out of Victoria on August 31st to Calgary and am trying to decide how best to get down the island.... I leave Port hardy on 27th (Am) and have 4 days to get to Victoria. I would welcome some advice on places I ought to visit on the way down.

Would love to do some day hikes, kayaking and maybe even another days diving.. So much to see and do :-) Will be depending on public transport so not sure how limiting that will be. Heading to the Rockies for 10days after this so not sure if a visit to Strathcona Park would offer anything different?
Any advice is welcome
thanks
Brendan

as an adjunct to my previous question, whats the drive from victoria to tofino like and how long does it take? We are getting into complex logistics and cant do exactly the trip we would like (we cant fly float plane from tofino to vancouver), so am contemplating driving to tofino and back again. I'm guessing it is pretty scenic. Is it a big benefit having a car in tofino?

sometimes I think the old way of just turning up and doing stuff is better, internet allows complex planning but it starts to do my head in! :)

hi, does anyone know whether there is a car rental company in victoria that will allow me to drop off the car in tofino? It seems that driving is the only feasible way of getting to tofino on the day we want, but I dont really want to drive back again, I'd rather fly direct from tofino to vancouver (which I think is possible by float plane ...)

Hi,

I (male, German, 36) want to do the Juan de Fuca trail between May 8th to 12th (preferred) or 15th to 19th. I know the location a bit, have done the northern part last year. Excellent season, nobody there except for some wildlife. Should be doable with 2 or 3 overnight camps. Tent & car can be arranged.

Hi folks,
I’m planning to visit Vancouver Island for about 11 days in September. I was hoping to get a flight to Tofino and spend some time there and in Bamfield (total of 4 days). Are these good places to scuba dive?
Next I plan to make my way via Port Alberni using the Lady rose marine service and onto Nanaimo, where I expect to spend a day. Was thinking of travelling to either Hornby Island or Cortes Island for some more diving and wilflie watching? Any reasons why I should choose one over the other? Then perhaps paying Campbell River a visit and finally onto Victoria for a restful day before flying onto the Rockies.
I'm planning to rely on public tranport.
Was hoping for some ideas on how to plan the travelling aspects of the trip and any suggestions on where the great places to scuba dive are? All advice welcome,
Thanks
Brendan

Hello all, I'm trying to plan a trip for my mother and me. She's always wanted to see some whales in the flesh, and i wondering if July/August would be too late to see them as i heard the main migration period is in April. Any advice on the best place to go?
Thanking you in advance.

My husband and I will be arriving in Campbell River in August and staying overnight before going on a orca kayaking trip for a few days. Does any one have any suggestions of reasonable B&B accomodation. We are not that bothered about good views etc as that's what the kayak trip is for and it is just one night so we dont want to pay over the odds for somwhere we'll onyl be for a night.ive looked on the net but there dont seem that many to choose from

many thanks

We planning a trip to Ucluelet in Sept. 06, and are particularly interested in tidal pools - the fauna and flora, short hikes, and good seafood. Any tips will be appreciated!

On 27th of may, I will start my West Coast Trail, can anyone help me find th best and cheapest way to arrive to pachena bay. If someone is gonna leave that day please let me know..

We are planning a two week tour of Vancouver Island in June. We have a pretty good idea of the lay of the land using Google Earth and have been using BC's superb tourist web sites to get information. However, we do need some info about road conditions that only locals can provide. The question on all the routes below is, assuming typical June weather, is; can we take these routes in a rental sedan or do we need to rent a 4WD? We live on dirt roads in Vermont and know enough not to drive them in really bad weather but we are assuming that mud season, if you have one, is over by then.

1. Port Renfrew to Bamfield via either the Gordon River Route to Cowichan Lake and then back down to Bamfield or the Harris River Route to Cowichan Lake and then down to Bamfield. The Harris River route looks to be the "main" route on the map but is longer, the Harris River route appears to be a bit shorter but if the road is rougher it could take longer. Opinions?

2. Bamfield to Port Alberni and then down to Ucluelet on Rt 4. The road runs up the east side of the Alberni Inlet.

3. Port Hardy to Winter Harbour

Are these routes really doable with a rental sedan? We have the "Backroad Mapbook" for the island and have read the cautions about driving on logging roads but these all seem to be main routes between towns.

Thanks in advance for your advice,

Werner

The West Coast Trail is a 77-kilometre hiking trail on the Pacific coast of Vancouver Island in BC, Canada. It stretches between Bamfield and Port Renfrew, but obviously shouldn't be listed under either one of those. Unfortunately the trail's not listed as a location in and of itself. Any suggestions for how to post the WCT for people to read?

Jason in Vancouver

When I look at the maps - it doesn't seem that the Departure Bay and/or Swartz Bay ferry terminals and the National car rental locations for Nanaimo and Sydney are all that close to each other. I'm wondering what is the best way to get from one to the other - are there shuttles or must one take a cab or a local bus?

We'll be coming across from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo on July 19 and (probably) leaving from Swartz bay on July 25. We have B&B reservations for 4 nights in Tofino and then 2 nights near Victoria.

My twenty year old daughter is taking a sailing course in Ucluelet. What is the best way to get there from Vancouver that a college kid could afford? Can you get there from Seattle? The airfare to Seattle is much cheaper. Any help is appreciated. She is leaving on August 22/23.

HI! Im wondering of anyone can help me. I want to do some whale watching and perhaps go to the hot springs in tofino. I was just wondering if it was necessary to book these activites before hand as we would much rather get to tofino and see what is on offer first before we decide what we want to do. We are arriving in the middle of july but if there are enough spaces on trips, i would rather not book. If you do think we have to book, how soon in advance should we book. Also, does anyone recommedn any companies that to go whale watching with? Thanks. Amit

Hi all

I will be in Vancouver and V. Island in less than two weeks!

I wouldn't suspect there would be a lot of biting bugs out in the wilderness because of the climate but I don't know.

I'll be in Vancouver, Squamish and Garibaldi Provincial Park, Tofino, and Victoria. also Salt Spring Island.

will I be eaten alive? or is the mosquito pop pretty small.

thanks!