Vancouver Island is a prime destination for road trips, boasting scenic coastal highways, charming towns, and stunning natural landscapes. A popular Vancouver Island road trip route is the Pacific Rim Highway, which stretches along the west coast of the island, offering breathtaking ocean views and access to Pacific Rim National Park. Another must-see is the Cowichan Valley, known for its wineries, cideries, and artisanal food scene. The island also has plenty of outdoor activities, such as hiking in Strathcona Provincial Park, surfing in Tofino, and whale watching in Victoria. With diverse attractions and stunning scenery, Vancouver Island road trips offer something for everyone.
Tips for a Road Trip to Vancouver Island
How to get to Vancouver Island
There are several ways to get to Vancouver Island. This is an island with no bridges, so you can either take a seaplane, commercial airplane, private boat or a ferry. The ferry is the most popular option and is an extension of the highway system in British Columbia. Likely you will use the ferry if you are bringing a car. If you are flying to the island, you can also get a rental car on arrival (make sure to book ahead).
Here are the most popular ways to get to Vancouver Island:
- Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay (Victoria)
- Tsawwassen to Duke’s Point (Nanaimo)
- Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay (Nanaimo)
- Port Angeles (WA) to Victoria
- Anacortes (WA) to Sidney (Victoria)
How long should you spend on Vancouver Island
This all depends on how much time you have. A short Vancouver Island road trip can be done in a long weekend. To really explore the island, you will want at least a week. The island is 456 kilometers (283 miles) long and 100 kilometers (62 miles) wide. To drive from the bottom to the top (or vise versa) it would take about eight hours without stopping.
When is the best time to visit Vancouver Island?
The best time to visit Vancouver Island depends on what you plan to do. Summer is peak time to visit just about anywhere in British Columbia with families on summer break and international visitors. Victoria sees cruise ship passengers who are headed on an Alaska cruise as well as many international visitors who are exploring British Columbia’s capital. The rest of the island sees plenty of locals who are taking weekend trips from Vancouver. British Columbians love to camp and explore the beautiful province in the summertime.
Vancouver Island really can be visited all year round as long as you are prepared for the weather.
Do I need a Car
The easiest way to explore Vancouver Island is by car. Whether you bring your own or rent one, it will make it much easier to explore. There is a limited bus service on Vancouver Island that you can book, but it is not the easiest way to see the island.
What to Pack for Vancouver Island
Packing for a road trip adds a few more things than a normal packing list. I do have some complete packing lists for places like Tofino. So have a read of that list as well so you are prepared for the West Coast.
- Car Phone Charger or Battery Pack
- Sim card for Canada
- Cooler for snacks and drinks
- refillable water bottles and coffee cups
- sunglasses
- rain jacket and waterproof shoes
Popular Stops on your Vancouver Island Road Trip
- Victoria (Read about Victoria with kids, Victoria with teens, Victoria at Christmas, and Victoria in 3 days)
- Nanaimo
- Ucluelet
- Tofino (Read about Tofino restaurants, best places for breakfast, Where to stay)
- Port Alberni
- Courtenay
- Campbell River
- Parksville
- Qualicum Beach
- Port Hardy
Sample Vancouver Island Road Trip Itineraries
6 Days
- Vancouver to Parksville (via Nanaimo)
- Parksville to Tofino (via Port Alberni and Ucluelet)
- Tofino
- Tofino to Victoria
- Victoria
- Victoria to Vancouver
6 days from Washington
- Washinton to Parksville (via Tsawassen Ferry Terminal)
- Parksville to Tofino (via Port Alberni and Ucluelet)
- Tofino
- Tofino to Victoria
- Victoria
- Victoria to Port Angeles
7 days from Vancouver
- Vancouver to Parksville (via Nanaimo)
- Parksville to Tofino (via Port Alberni)
- Tofino
- Pacific Rim National Park and Ucluelet
- Tofino to Victoria
- Victoria
- Victoria to Vancouver
7 days from Washington
- Vancouver to Parksville (via Nanaimo Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal)
- Parksville to Tofino (via Port Alberni)
- Tofino
- Pacific Rim National Park and Ucluelet
- Tofino to Victoria
- Victoria
- Victoria to Port Angeles
8 Days from Vancouver
- Arrive in Vancouver
- Vancouver
- Vancouver to Parksville (via BC Ferries)
- Parksville to Tofino (part of the Nanaimo to Tofino road trip route)
- Tofino and Pacific Rim National Park
- Ucluelet
- Tofino to Victoria
- Victoria to Vancouver (via BC ferries)
5 Day Circle Route from Victoria
- Arrive in Victoria via BC Ferries, WA Ferries or Air drive to Sooke
- Sooke to Port Renfrew
- Port Renfrew to Cowichan Bay
- Cowichan Bay to Victoria
- Depart Victoria
6 Day Circle Route from Victoria
- Arrive in Victoria via BC Ferries, WA Ferries or Air
- Victoria to Sooke
- Sooke to Port Renfrew
- Port Renfrew to Cowichan Bay
- Cowichan Bay to Victoria
- Depart Victoria
8 Days Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island
- Arrive in Vancouver
- Vancouver to Sechelt vit Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal
- Explore Sechelt
- Sechelt to Powell River
- Powell River to Tofino
- Tofino
- Pacific Rim National Park to Victoria
- Depart Victoria via Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal
5 Days Victoria Express to Powell River
- Victoria
- Victoria to Cowichan Bay
- Cowichan Bay to Sechelt (via BC ferries)
- Sechelt to Powell River
- Powell River to Vancouver (via BC ferries in Sechelt)
Northern Vancouver Island 8 Days
- Arrive Vancouver
- Vancouver to Tofino (via BC ferries)
- Tofino
- Tofino to Parksville
- Parksville to Campbell River
- Campbell River to Port Hardy
- Port Hardy to Vancouver (via BC ferries in Nanaimo)
Lindsay Nieminen is the creator of UncoveringBC.com. She grew up and still lives in the suburbs of Vancouver with her family. She aims to inspire inform, and educate others about traveling in her home province of British Columbia. She is also the creator of carpediemourway.com which aims to show parents how to seek out adventure at home or abroad, with their children in tow!
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