Vancouver Island

[joenali]

We just booked a short stay on Vancouver island for next week. We would love to spend some time in Tofino. What do you recommend? Or anything else to do, besides Victoria, in Vancouver island? We we will be staying on Lake Cowichan. We will also have to be on standby for the ferry, since this was a last minute trip.

[sakoro]

I went there is June- loved loved loved Tofino! Great hiking in Ucluelet and did a bear tour (by boat). Along the way you should definitely stop at Cathedral Grove.

I also went up north to Campbell river and Telegraph Cove on a kayaking trip. Also stopped at mount Washington for the views.

I liked Victoria a lot— tons of culture and good eats. I was there two weeks and wished I could have stayed longer.

[nellgirl]

Depending on your time, Tofino has great boat tours to hot springs and another to Meares Island. There are a tonne of great restaurants in Tofino. The Tacofino truck is amazing (but be prepared to wait), and we loved Wolf in the Fog. Long Beach is a great spot to explore- gorgeous sandy beach, as is Chesterman. .
Other recommendations depend a bit on what your interests are. Victoria is lovely, and the main harbour area has lots to do. We have found free self- guided walking tours to give us focus, but really, Victoria is nice to just explore.
Other great spots on the Island are Botanical Beach at low tide to explore the tidal pools and Juan de Fuca Provincial Park.
We’re heading to Parksville tomorrow for a week and a bit, and always love exploring the beaches in Parksville/Qualicum Beach. They’re much calmer and warmer than the west coast of the Island.

[joenali]

Thanks! We’ve been to Victoria a few times already, but we haven’t explored any other part of the island. I’m really excited for our little adventure!

[ESF]

I loved the Kinsol Trestle. It's an hour outside of Victoria, on the way to Tofino. It's just so cool. I wanted to stop at Cathedral Grove on the drive from Victoria to Tofino, but there was a storm and it was closed due to falling trees. That's also why we couldn't do the hot springs near Tofino, but if you have the chance to do them, they look awesome.

Wolf in the Fog in Tofino is ridiculously good. I was only able to do the downstairs, casual part, but I did it twice because that's how good it was.

Even if you aren't staying at the Wick, you should try to get brunch there.

I also really liked the bog hike around there. The landscape was otherworldly and it was an easy, flat hike.

[sakoro]

I third the recommendation for Wolf in the Fog in Tofino! Get a reservation, though.

[joenali]

So we ended up being about 4.5 hours from Tofino and didn’t go. Next time! But, we loved the lake we were at, Lake Cowichan. We took a day trip to Port Renfrew which was beautiful! We will definitely be back to that area at some point! I highly recommend a trip to Vancouver island!

We explored Botanical beach which was stunning! Those tide pools in the sandstone were incredible !