The Best Things to See, Do, & Eat on Vancouver Island with Your Family
Are you looking for a year-round, beautiful vacation destination with many outdoor activities? Vancouver Island could be the perfect place for your future family vacation. Gina Woods from The Driftwoods Family and Driftwoods Photography lives on Vancouver Island and join Lisa to share her family’s favorite things to see and do in this outdoor paradise.
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Where is Vancouver Island & What is the best way to get there?
It is an Island off the west coast of British Columbia
You can fly into a commercial airport
Ferries from Canada and Washington State go to Vancouver Island. . Clipper Ferry from Seattle.
You can bring your car along on the ferries.
You can book the ferries ahead of time or just show up.
When is the best time of year to visit Vancouver Island?
This is a great year-round destination.
Summer is a beautiful time to visit. It can be sunny and warm. It is a busy time of year.
The shoulder seasons of spring and fall and wonderful.
There is also a lot to do in the winter. You can go storm-watching on the west coast of the island. There is also snow skiing.
How many days would you recommend that a family plans to explore Vancouver Island?
Gina recommends that you stay on the island for at least a week. You could easily fill two weeks.
What is the island like?
It is about the size of Belgium. There are several gravel roads that you need to take to travel east to west on the island. There are not many roads that go north to south.
Victoria is in the southern part of the island. This is the capital city of British Columbia.
The next city north of Victoria is Nanaimo which has an airport and two ferry terminals.
As you go north, that are other scattered smaller communities.
The island has a population of 900,000.
Plan in time to get around the island. There are not a lot of direct roads
Coombs is a small community that has Goats on the Roof. Markets, shops, ice cream, artisans. The country market has a grass roof with shacks on the roof where goats live. Something unique to stop in and see.
Go north of the Campbell River. It’s rugged, wild, and remote. The coastline is stunning. There is so much wildlife. Bears and whales are abundant in the area. There are many places that offer tours in this area.
The west coast is also amazing. You take logging roads to get there. The coaster areas are stunning.
Come prepared for weather changes. Dress in layers.
Plan to get outside and enjoy lots of time in nature while visiting the island.
Where should you stay when visiting Vancouver Island?
Gina recommends staying in 2 - 3 different places so you can move around and enjoy other places on the island. Spend a couple of days in Victoria, then the Port Remfru area on the west coast for a couple of days. Do some coastal hiking and surfing (advanced).
Do you recommend renting a car on the island or before taking the ferry over?
Things to think about: If you bring a car on the ferry, there is an additional cost to bring a car on the ferry. Most rental car places do not have offices at the ferry stations. If you want to rent a car after arriving on the island, then plan to taxi to get a ride to the rental car center.
Gina’s daughter enjoying Vancouver Island Paradise
What are your favorite outdoor activities on Vancouver Island?
This is an outdoor lovers’ paradise. Hiking is a huge thing to do. Hike on coastal trails, rainforests, waterfalls, mountain peaks, and multi-day alpine treks.
Amazing coastline. People come to be on the water.
Surfing is big on the west coast.
Kayaking. Self-guided or join a tour.
Wildlife tours
Sailing
Getting out on the water is a big activity
Fishing. Chartered fishing tours.
Snow skiing. There are two ski resorts. Mount Washington and Mount Cane. Mount Washington is the largest and most accessible
Gina’s family enjoying a hike on Vancouver Island. Photo from Gina Woods
Any favorite indoor activities families would love?
In Victoria, Royal BC Museum
Nanaimo:: History museums and art galleries
Malahat Skywalk: Cone-shaped spiral staircase you climb to get an amazing view. You can either walk down or take a giant slide down.
Favorite Restaurants
Wherever you go on the island, you need to try seafood. Ask the restaurant if it is locally sourced. Prawns, mussels, calms, oysters. Enjoy a seafood feast!
Drip Coffee Social. Coffee, locally brewed beer, plus snacks. Sit on the beach and enjoy.
Volk Cafe
Mahle House. Old history home in gardens with tables scattered in the garden.
Bigfoot Doughnuts in Courtenay
Rhino Coffee House in Tofino