Whether you’re the adventurous type, an explorer or a camper, for everyone, there’s something to do on Vancouver Island. From Wineries & Cideries to waterfalls, age-old trees in the rainforest, rugged coasts and the charming harbors. Vancouver Island is the ideal destination to start or end your road trip through Canada.
Vancouver Island tips
In deze blog delen wij een handige route en Vancouver Island tips. We hebben de beste Vancouver highlights gebundeld en geven je advies over waar te slapen en waar je moet zijn.
The ferry from Vancouver: There are 2 popular mainland ports from which most travelers arrive: Via Nanaimo (from the mainland via Horseshoe Bay) or from the mainland via Tsawassen. You can also get on the ferry with your vehicle, but you have to pay extra for the vehicle depending on the size of your vehicle. Don’t have a car or camper? Then you can choose to get on the island byGreyhound bus. For example, you can buy a bus / ferry combination ticket. You can buy tickets for the ferry with means of transport from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo via the BCFerries website Most travelers skip Nanaimo or drive directly to Tofino or Victoria after one night. A shame, because Nanaimo also has a lot to offer. In any case, set aside 2 nights for Nanaimo or use it as a base for a day trip to Victoria (only 1 / 1.5 hour drive) and north of Vancouver Island. We slept at the Brennan Lake campsite and at Living Forest. Do you want to sleep at the sea and do you like lively campsite? Then I would opt for the latter. Do you want larger camping spots in the woods? Then the former is a better choice. Prices are quite the same, but the Living Forest sunrise cannot compete with the forests of Brennan Lake. The winding road to Tofino goes past lakes, beautiful forests, and rocks. There are several places where you can make a stop. Tofino is a small surfers village with a chill vibe. You will find nice coffee shops and trendy restaurants with a surfer’s vibe here. Tofino is also the place to spot bears and whales and you can make beautiful hikes through ancient rain forests. If you travel with a camper or tent, go camping at Long Beach. We slept on the edge of the ocean at the Green Point Campground – Long Beach Unit campsite. A simple, affordable site on the edge of Long Beach between the beach and Pacific Rim Highway. The camping spots are spacious and there are normal toilets, rangers, there is a shower and you are exactly in between Tofino and Ucluelet (ideal!) Ucluelet feels like Tofino, but less touristy. It is a little less cramped. This was our base after we camped in the rain. We booked a motel (West Coast motel) with good reviews near the port of Ucluet. Our room had its own bedroom and living room with a kitchen and like in every motel; a parking space in front of the door. Ideal for us to dry the tent in the bathroom. Victoria Harbor seems to be one of the most beautiful harbors. And although Victoria seemed like a nice, cozy city, we mainly came to Canada for nature. After a short stop at Fisherman’s Wharf in Victoria, we drove on to a nearby town for thrift shopping (unplanned) on the way to the Merridale Cidery & Distillery. Fisherman’s Wharf is a nice place to score a coffee or food. The wharf is surrounded by colorful houses of locals and cafes, it’s very cozy. On the way back: drive to the Merridale Cidery & Distillery for a taster with four ciders. For $ 5 excl. Taxes you can try both dry and sweet ciders and they are tasty. The cidery is nicely decorated (choose a table with a view over the orchard!). You can also do a short self-guided tour through the orchards or the distillery, we absolutely loved it! Getting on Vancouver Island
Route Vancouver Island
Start in Nanaimo or Victoria Island
Camping in Nanaimo
Day trip from Nanaimo?
The road to Tofino: where to stop
Tofino
Camping in Pacific Rim National Park
Trails in Tofino and surroundings: where to hike?
Ucluelet
Tips in Ucluet
Hikes around Ucluet
Victoria Harbour and Merridale Cidery & Distillery