Vancouver Island in Canada is a place full of magnificent nature and beautiful sights. The best route to take on this island is from Nanaimo to Tofino. Along the way, you’ll pass vast forests filled with wildlife, pristine coastlines and experience the relaxed atmosphere that prevails on the island. Around Vancouver Island, you also have an incredibly good chance of seeing whales and orcas. As far as we are concerned, Vancouver Island should definitely not be skipped during a tour of Canada! Here you can read what the best stops are on this beautiful island driving from Nanaimo to Tofino.
Where is Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is located off the southwest coast of Canada and belongs to the state of British Colombia. The island is as big as Belgium, so there is a lot to see! We lived there ourselves for 3 months and completely lost our hearts to this little slice of paradise in Canada.
Vancouver Island can be reached in two ways: by plane or by ferry. From Vancouver or Calgary, where you have an international airport, you can fly on to the city of Victoria on Vancouver Island. A second option, which we did ourselves, is to take the car ferry from Vancouver (Horsehoe Bay) to Nainamo (Departure Bay). The ferry sails several times a day and the trip takes 1h40min. Do book these in time to ensure a spot!
How to get around
The easiest way to explore Vancouver Island is by car or camper. If you travel around in Canada you probably will begin or end your itinerary in Vancouver. There you can rent a car and then take the ferry up to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. If you land on the city of Victoria, you can also rent a car there to explore the island. The route from Nanaimo to Tofino is 207 km long and the total driving time without stops is about 3 hours.
TRAVEL TIP: From May to October, you can take public transportation, the Vancouver Island Connector. This bus runs from Nanaimo to Tofino, but does make only a limited number of stops.
The best stops from Nanaimo to Tofino
Time to explore this beautiful part of Canada! This 207 km route takes you along Highway 4 from one part of Vancouver Island to the other and is a very scenic drive. You start and end in Nanaimo where you take the ferry back to the mainland. You can do this route perfectly in 2 or 3 days staying overnight in Tofino. We recommend that you divide the various stops between the outward and return trip. If you have a little more time, we recommend adding Victoria to your itinerary. From here you can also take the car ferry back towards Vancouver.
1) Little Mountain Lookout
Once you arrive in Nanaimo, drive straight to the first stop: Little Mountain Lookout! Here you will immediately get a good impression of the beautiful nature that Vancouver Island has to offer. You can leave your car at the bottom and hike the 4.2 km to the top or drive all the way to the top. There you have several vantage points on the ridge where, on a clear day, you can see far across the island. A great place to start your day!
2) Goats on the Roof & Old Country Market
You read it right, but this stop includes goats on the roof! The Old Country Market is a cozy indoor market where you can buy all kinds of local products. Be sure to try the smoked Sockeye salmon! You also have a restaurant where you can get something to eat or drink. Be sure to sit outside, where you can watch the goats walk across the roof. The roof is littered with grass, and the owners decided to put goats on it so the grass doesn’t begin to overgrow. Now “Goats on the Roof” is a true icon on Vancouver Island!
3) Little Qualiqum Falls
The next stop on your self drive from Nanaimo to Tofino are Little Qualicum Falls. And despite the name, these waterfalls are definitely worth seeing! The Little Qualiqum Falls plunge into a moss-covered gorge where the water is a beautiful turquoise color. A 2.9-km rocky hiking trail takes you along from the lower to the higher waterfalls and back, always offering great views of the churning water in the gorge.
4) Cameron Lake
Just past Little Qualiqum Falls, you come to the expansive Cameron Lake. Surrounded by Vancouver Island’s many pine trees and green hills, this is a nice stop for a picnic. The best place along the lake for this is the Beaufort Picnic Site, right on the water and with plenty of shade. On a hot summer day, you can take a refreshing dip in the crystal clear water here!
5) Cathedral Grove
Cathedral Grove is located in MacMillan Provincial Park and was our favorite stop during our trip from Nanaimo to Tofino! The highway goes right through this area, and you can stop here on both the way there and back. Here you’ll find the largest and oldest trees in all of Canada. The Douglas Fir in particular is very impressive to see, with the largest in Cathedral Grove being a whopping 76 meters! You can walk through the trees on a small 1 km loop. Be sure to take your time here, as it is truly beautiful!
6) Port Alberni
This small harbor town is the last town you will encounter before continuing on toward Tofino. Here you can refuel one last time or get some food for the next part of this self drive. Port Alberni is known as the “salmon capital” of the world, so if there’s one thing you should try here it’s smoked salmon! Furthermore, you can go from here to take a look at the photogenic “Hole in the Wall. A short 2-km round trip hike takes you to an oval hole in a rock through which a waterfall flows.
7) Wally Creek
This stop along the highway gives a nice view of Vancouver Island’s rugged landscape. The river makes its way over the many boulders while in the background you can see the mountainous landscape filled with pine trees. A perfect stop to take some pictures, and with any luck you may see a black bear along the river yourself! Parking is easy on the right side of the road, so it’s best to make this stop as you drive toward Tofino.
8) Thornton Creek Hatchery
Are you in Canada and dying to see bears? Then this is where you need to be! We were tipped off by a local to go take a look at Thornton Creek Hatchery. This is a salmon farm on the river, and where there is salmon, there are bears! You can walk on a wooden path at a safe distance along the river and search the banks for a black bear. Admission is free, but it is appreciated if you leave a small donation for this non-profit organization. Furthermore, they are also happy to explain more about salmon farming.
9) Ucluelet
Before you reach Tofino, we suggest taking a detour towards the town of Ucluelet. Here you’ll find the Wild Pacific Trail, an 8-mile-long hiking trail along Vancouver Island’s rugged coastline. Along the way, you always have breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. If you have less time, you can hike the 2.6 km Lighthouse Loop which is part of the Wild Pacific Trail. In Ucluelet you also have some amazing restaurants such as Heartwoord Kitchen and Yayu Cafe. If you’re here on a Sunday, you have to check out Ucluelet Sunday Market where local artists sell their products and crafts.
TRAVEL TIP: Ucluelet is just a 40-minute drive from Tofino and often has more affordable accommodations. We stayed at the award-winning boutique hotel The Francis Boutique Inn and can highly recommend it!
10) Rainforest Hiking Trail (Pacific Rim National Park)
The Rainforest Hiking Trail is located halfway between Ucluelet and Tofino and is something not to be missed when you are here! This easy and beautiful hike takes you through the green, lush rainforest on Vancouver Island. There are two loops, called A and B, that you can follow along either side of the highway. Both trails are 1-2 km long and are over a well-maintained boardwalk. Fancy some more hiking? If so, be sure to do the Ancient Cedars Trail near Ucluelet as well.
The Rainforest Hiking Trail is located in Pacific Rim National Park. As with all national parks in Canada, you need a valid Parks Canada Pass for this. When road tripping in Canada, you can buy one online in advance or at one of the kiosks of the national parks.
11) Long Beach
Long Beach is, not surprisingly, the longest beach in Pacific Rim National Park with a distance of 16 km. This is also well worth a stop during your road trip from Nanaimo to Tofino! Stroll along the beach and admire the many surfers braving the rough waves of the Pacific Ocean. Tofino and the surrounding area is known for its laid-back atmosphere with surfers getting slowly through their day. Soon enough you’ll catch this relaxed vibe as well. Another beach to visit is Cox Bay, where you can hike via a short walk to a higher viewpoint called Cox Bay Lookout.
12) Tofino
Tofino is the final destination of this itinerary. Stroll through this cozy surfer town and browse the many quaint boutiques. Or join a whale watching tour! In fact, Vancouver Island and Tofino are some of the best places in Canada to spot whales as well as orcas, sea otters and seals. Between May and November, the great whale migration passes here and you have a very good chance of seeing them! Finally, don’t leave Tofino without sampling one of the famous tacos at Tacofino!
Where to stay on Vancouver Island
This itinerary begins and ends in Nanaiamo. Depending on when you take the ferry, it may be convenient to spend a night here. At Buccaneer Inn or Coast Bastion Hotel you can get a good rest before starting this amazing trip!
In Tofino you have plenty of great accommodations overlooking the sea. The Middle Beach Lodge, Pacific Sands Beach Resort and Long Beach Lodge Resort are some that will only add to your Vancouver Island experience! Or stay in the nearby town of Ucluelet. Here you will often find more affordable accommodations such as The Francis Boutique Inn or Liahona Guest House.
Best time to visit
Vancouver Island is one of the warmest places in Canada and has a milder climate than Banff or Jasper. The best travel time for Vancouver Island is from March through October with warm and sunny summers. Starting in May, it is also whale season, so ideally you will be here then! Starting in October, many restaurants and boutiques close for the winter and there is not much to do in and around Tofino.
Still have questions about traveling to Canada? Let us know in a comment below! Looking for more information about your next trip? Please do not hesitate to contact us contact or send an email to snoezelsontheroad@gmail.com
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