Vancouver Island Road Trip
Ferry to Victoria, then wild coast all the way to Tofino.
Take the BC Ferries sailing from Vancouver to Nanaimo or Victoria, then drive the island end to end — from the genteel capital through the old-growth of Cathedral Grove to the surf town of Tofino on the Pacific coast. This is some of the most varied landscape in Canada packed onto one island.
Flying in? This route starts in Vancouver — pick up wheels at the airport.
Rent a Car in VancouverBest Time to Drive
May to October for warm coast; storm watching is epic November to March.
How Many Days
3-4 days with overnights in Victoria and Tofino.
Where to Stay
Victoria one night, a Pacific-rim cabin or Tofino lodge for two more.
Drive this route
A rental car, stops to sleep and roadside cover.
The route, stop by stop
- 1
Victoria
Ferry + 0 kmInner Harbour, the Royal BC Museum and afternoon tea at the Empress.
- 2
Chemainus & murals
80 kmA mill town reborn as an open-air mural gallery on the island's east coast.
- 3
Cathedral Grove (MacMillan Park)
160 kmWalk among 800-year-old Douglas firs just off the highway — a quick, essential stop.
- 4
Port Alberni
195 kmA mill town in a mountain valley and the gateway to the Pacific coast.
- 5
Pacific Rim National Park
290 kmRainforest boardwalks and Long Beach's sweeping sand.
- 6
Tofino
320 kmSurf town on the Pacific — hot springs, storm watching and incredible seafood.
