There’s something about Vancouver Island that feels a little different from the rest of Canada. Maybe it’s the mix of rugged coastline, small coastal towns, and the fact that you don’t have to go very far before it starts to feel wild. One day you’re walking around the harbour in Victoria, and the next you’re standing on a beach in Tofino watching the waves roll in with nothing but ocean in front of you.
What I liked most about traveling around the island is how easy it is to turn it into a road trip with a few standout experiences built in. You can head out on the water to see orcas and humpbacks, drive through towering old-growth forests, and, if you time it right, even see grizzly bears in the wild near Campbell River.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best things to do on Vancouver Island from the must-see highlights to the experiences so you can put together a trip that really makes the most of your time here.
Map of Vancouver Island Attractions
Best Things to Do on Vancouver Island (Top Experiences)
Go Whale Watching in Victoria
Read about my experiences on a half-day whale watching tour from Victoria with Eagle Wing Tours. During my half-day voyage, I saw lots of humpback whales, a family of orcas, and sea lions. It was an amazing day on the water, departing from Fisherman’s Wharf. These whale watching tours fill up quickly, so book early.
Butchart Gardens, Victoria
Butchart Gardens, located just outside Victoria, has more than 900 varieties of plants on 55 acres. The Sunken Gardens are perhaps the most impressive, but there is a Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, Italian Garden, and Mediterranean Garden.
You can take a photo by the main entrance display, enjoy a gelato, and there is a nice restaurant and a huge gift shop. The various colours of flowers in the gardens is amazing. Butchart Gardens is considered the number one attraction in Victoria.
Explore Victoria’s Inner Harbour
The Inner Harbour is the center of Victoria and is very walkable. On one side is Fisherman’s Wharf, horse-drawn carriages, and BC Parliament Buildings. There is a Victoria walking tour which includes snacks and a short ferry ride.
In the center is the BC Museum and a park with totem poles next door. The place of honour is the Fairmont Empress Hotel, where you can enjoy a traditional English Tea. Some of the whale watching tours depart from here.
Next is pedestrian-only Government Street with plenty of shops and restaurants. A bit further is Fan Tan Alley in Chinatown. I found it hard to find availability in the restaurants during my September visit, so reservations are recommended.
If staying in Victoria, there are some interesting day tours for a better visit.
Malahat Tower
The Malahat Skywalk is located just to the north of Victoria. Your introduction is an elevated walkway through the forest. You then reach the Skywalk, which is a winding and gradual circular ramp rising 250 meters above sea level.
The Skyweb at the top has superb views of the Gulf Islands and, depending on conditions, Mount Baker in Washington State. Getting down is easy if you take the spiral slide, or you can just walk down.
At the base is a short nature walk, washrooms, an ice cream stand and a cafe. This is a must-do for the views. Malahat Skywalk Skip the Line tickets.
See Grizzly Bears in Bute Inlet, from Campbell River
This is a bucket-list wildlife experience and, for me, a highlight of my Vancouver Island visit. You can read more about my Grizzly Bear tour to Bute Inlet from Campbell River, during which I saw humpback whales, seals, bald eagles, salmon, and those Grizzly Bears.
Highlights were the 3-hour boat cruise from Campbell River, during which we stopped to see some humpback whales (not part of our tour, but they were close to our boat), lunch and snacks with Indigenous guides, 3 hours in remote wilderness viewing the wildlife, and finally a 3-hour return boat ride stopping to view seals playing around in some rapids.
Explore the Beaches of Tofino
Many people visit the resort town of Tofino for the beaches – Long Beach, Chesterman Beach, and Cox Bay.
But there is far more, with tours for whale watching from Tofino, hot springs, kayaking (local and remote), hiking trails, including one on nearby Meade Island.
Cruise through Clayoquot Sound to Hot Springs Cove, where you hike through old-growth rainforest and soak in natural geothermal pools with ocean views. During the boat ride, you may see whales and other wildlife.
There is limited local bus service and car lift services, so use your car. Many people also rent bicycles as the bicycle route goes right through town and continues to the Pacific Rim and Ucluelet.
You can fly right into Tofino by seaplane and even use one for an area tour
Try Surfing in Tofino
One of the reasons many visit Tofino is the great surfing. You can rent the gear and take lessons if you are a novice.
There are several locations, including Cox Bay for all levels of surfers, Chesterman Beach, which is a bit more sheltered for beginners and intermediate level, and Long Beach for more advanced surfers.
Visit Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
Pacific Rim National Reserve is spread over 3 sections. The Broken Islands, which can only be reached by boat. The West Coast Trail is a multi-day backpacking trip which requires a lot of planning and permits.
More visitors will be exploring the Long Beach section, which lies between Tofino and Ucluelet. There is an information centre where Highway 4 meets the T-junction heading to either of the two towns.
The Kwisitis Visitor Centre at the south end of Wickaninnish Beach offers an information desk, exhibits, and a perched patio with a superb view. Of course, there is Long Beach, appreciated by surfers.
Pacific Rim also includes numerous coastal and old forest hiking trails and the bike trail from Tofino to Ucluelet. Bike rentals are available in Tofino, and during my visit, the route was very busy.
Ucluelet
The Ucluelet Aquarium lies right on the waterfront and has a catch-and-release policy, so the sealife displays can change with each visit. I particularly liked that in some of the tanks, you can gently touch some of the sea life, and the starfish in the main tank were interesting. Worth the visit.
Ucluelet is a good location for kayakers.
You can also walk the Wild Pacific Trail along the coast with a number of loops ranging from 2.6 to 5 km, and one includes a lighthouse. The trails offer free guided tours, and our guide was extremely knowledgeable about the area.
Walk Through Cathedral Grove
Cathedral Grove along Highway 4 between Tofino and Port Alberni is one of the most accessible forests with giant old-growth trees, and is one of those stops you want to visit. Some of the massive Douglas Firs are over 800 years old.
There are two easy and short trails: The Big Tree Trail with the largest of the Douglas Firs, and the Cedar Loop, which is slightly quieter, with a dense forest.
Goats on the Roof
The Coombs Market is famous for Goats on the Roof, which has been featured in many television programs. Although it is a bit touristy, it is worth a brief stop to check out the market, see the goats, and perhaps enjoy the great ice cream as I did.
There are a number of shops located here, and many people headed over to the specialty donut shop, which had a lineup during my visit.
Coombs is located on Highway 4A just off the Inland Island Highway (Hwy 19) and makes for a good stop going to or from Tofino.
Take a Vancouver Island Road Trip
I was on a one-week road trip of Vancouver Island, which covered the places mentioned in this post. I loved the scenic drive with the rugged wilderness and the opportunity to hike and see the wildlife. There is a lot of flexibility on how you plan your own tour.
| Distances | Km | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Butchart Gardens to Victoria | 21.9 | 13.7 |
| Victoria to Tofino | 317 | 197 |
| Tofino to Ucluelet | 40 | 25 |
| Tofino to Campbell River | 270 | 168 |
| Campbell River to Nanaimo | 155 | 96 |
| Nanaimo to Victoria | 111 | 69 |
Best Places to Visit on Vancouver Island
Victoria
The capital of British Columbia has a lot to offer visitors, with the famous Butchart Gardens, Cider Houses, Whale Watching tours, and the very walkable Inner Harbour. And the Malahat Skywalk is nearby, and there are many cycling paths.
Tofino & Ucluelet
Many visitors come for the beaches and surfing, but the area has so much to offer, with Whale Watching tours, the Pacific Rim National Reserve, an aquarium, lots of hiking trails, and the cycling path.
Campbell River
A wildlife hub with the opportunity to see whales and grizzly bears. But there are also hiking trails and a suspension bridge at Elk Falls. If you are a golfer, there is a great course as well.
Nanaimo
This is where you can catch the ferry to Vancouver. But the waterfront is worth a walk, and be sure to try the famous Nanaimo Bars.
Where to Stay on Vancouver Island
For hotels, motels, and cottages, booking.com offers suggestions.
- Victoria – stay in the Inner Harbour area, which is central and convenient to shopping, restaurants, and tour departures.
- Tofino – coastal stays are best if you are a surfer or are looking for a beach holiday. There are some more inexpensive options a little further away. Ucluelet also has some accommodation options. Book in advance, as it can be difficult to get availability from June to September.
- Campbell River – many of the best hotel options are not in the centre but just outside with easy access to the marina for the Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear tours.
Best Time to Visit Vancouver Island
Summer: has the best weather, but also can be very crowded and difficult to find accommodation and restaurants. Whale watching is likely to be more successful.
Shoulder season: fewer people, but still warm; September can be busy. The Grizzly Bear tours run from mid-August to mid-October, and you can still see the whales.
Spring/Fall: fewer people and fewer tours are operating. Some of the whale watching companies switch to bird watching the wild life tours, but you still might see some whales. Easier to find accommodation.
Tips for Visiting Vancouver Island
Ferry planning: if coming from or to Vancouver, be sure to reserve with BC Ferries in advance, as some ferries sell out. The voyage through the Gulf Islands is very scenic.
Driving distances: there are some longer drives if heading to Campbell River or Tofino, which can take longer. Highway 4 into Tofino can be slow at times due to traffic volume, with a very hilly and winding road. Be sure you have enough gas before starting out.
Book tours early: during my September visit, many of the tours were sold out, so book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Pack in layers: even in the summer, it can be much colder on the water.
Final Thoughts about Things to Do on Vancouver Island
Breathtaking natural scenery and wildlife brought me to Vancouver Island. I was not disappointed seeing the whales, grizzly bears, bald eagles, and more.
The scenic drives on this unforgettable trip made it worth it, and I met a lot of people from all around the world. I encourage you to plan and book in advance, as there is limited availability.
