Vancouver Island, nestled off Canada's Pacific Coast, is a diverse paradise offering everything from pristine beaches and ancient rainforests to charming cities and quaint fishing villages. After spending two months exploring this incredible island, I've crafted the perfect one-week itinerary to help you experience the island's highlights while balancing adventure with relaxation.
Spanning 460 kilometers north to south, the island is much larger than many visitors realize—roughly the size of the Netherlands. This itinerary focuses on the southern and western portions, where most of the island's iconic experiences are concentrated.
When to Visit Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island enjoys Canada's mildest climate, making it a year-round destination. However, each season offers a distinct experience:
- Summer (June-August): Peak season with warm temperatures (18-24°C/65-75°F), minimal rainfall, and ideal conditions for outdoor activities. Reservations are essential.
- Fall (September-October): My personal favorite time to visit. Fewer crowds, comfortable temperatures, vibrant foliage, and the beginning of storm-watching season on the west coast.
- Winter (November-February): Mild but rainy along the coast, with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing. Perfect for storm watching in Tofino and skiing at Mount Washington.
- Spring (March-May): Gradually warming temperatures, blooming gardens, and the return of wildlife, including migrating whales.
This itinerary works year-round but is especially well-suited for the May to October period when outdoor activities are at their best.
How to Get to Vancouver Island
By Ferry
The most common way to reach Vancouver Island is via BC Ferries, which operates routes from:
- Tsawwassen (Vancouver) to Swartz Bay (Victoria) - 1 hour 35 minutes
- Tsawwassen (Vancouver) to Duke Point (Nanaimo) - 2 hours
- Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver) to Departure Bay (Nanaimo) - 1 hour 40 minutes
Reservations are recommended, especially in summer. This itinerary assumes you'll arrive via the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route and begin in Victoria.
By Air
Several airlines operate flights to Victoria International Airport (YYJ) and Nanaimo Airport (YCD) from Vancouver, Seattle, and other major cities. Seaplane services also connect downtown Vancouver to Victoria's Inner Harbour and Nanaimo in approximately 30 minutes—a scenic and convenient option.
Getting Around
While public buses connect major centers, renting a car is highly recommended for exploring the island's diverse regions at your own pace. For this itinerary, a car is essential to reach remote beaches, trailheads, and viewpoints.
7-Day Vancouver Island Itinerary
Day 1-2: Victoria and Southern Vancouver Island
Begin your adventure in Victoria, the provincial capital known for its British colonial architecture, beautiful gardens, and vibrant cultural scene.
Day 1: Victoria Highlights
- Morning: Start with a walking tour of the Inner Harbour, admiring the iconic Parliament Buildings and the historic Empress Hotel. For breakfast, try The Blue Fox Café, known for its creative egg benedicts and exceptional coffee.
- Mid-morning: Explore the Royal BC Museum to learn about the province's natural and human history. Don't miss the immersive First Peoples Gallery, showcasing Indigenous cultures and art.
- Afternoon: Visit the world-famous Butchart Gardens, a 55-acre floral paradise created from a former limestone quarry. Allow at least 2-3 hours to explore the various themed gardens, including the stunning Sunken Garden and serene Japanese Garden.
- Evening: Return to Victoria for dinner at Il Terrazzo, an atmospheric Italian restaurant tucked away in Waddington Alley, or Red Fish Blue Fish, a waterfront institution serving sustainable seafood from a converted shipping container on the pier.
Where to Stay: The Magnolia Hotel & Spa offers boutique luxury in the heart of downtown, while the Oswego Hotel provides excellent value with apartment-style accommodation a short walk from the Inner Harbour.
Day 2: Southern Vancouver Island Exploration
- Morning: Take a guided kayaking tour in the Oak Bay area with South Island Kayak. Keep your eyes peeled for harbor seals, river otters, and even orcas if you're lucky. For a less strenuous option, book a zodiac wildlife tour with Eagle Wing Tours.
- Afternoon: Drive the scenic Marine Circle Route through Sooke and Port Renfrew. Key stops include:
- East Sooke Regional Park for coastal hiking with stunning ocean views
- Sooke Potholes Provincial Park to see unique river formations
- Botanical Beach in Port Renfrew for exceptional tidepooling (check tide schedules for optimal viewing)
- Evening: Return to Victoria for a sunset stroll along Dallas Road and Beacon Hill Park, then enjoy fresh seafood at Fishhook, which blends Indian and French culinary traditions.
Day 3: Gulf Islands
The Southern Gulf Islands offer a laid-back, artsy atmosphere and beautiful coastal landscapes. While there are many islands to choose from, Salt Spring Island is the most accessible for a day trip.
- Morning: Take an early BC Ferries sailing from Swartz Bay to Fulford Harbour on Salt Spring Island (35 minutes). Begin at the Salt Spring Island Cheese Company to sample artisanal cheeses and watch the production process.
- Mid-morning: Visit the Saturday Market in Ganges if your trip coincides (April to October). This renowned market features over 140 vendors selling locally produced food, art, and crafts under a strict "make it, bake it, grow it" policy.
- Afternoon: Hike to the summit of Mount Erskine (2.5 km round trip) for panoramic views of the surrounding islands. Look for the whimsical fairy doors hidden along the trail. Alternatively, visit Ruckle Provincial Park for coastal trails and picnic spots.
- Evening: Return to Victoria or, if you prefer to extend your stay, spend the night at Hastings House Country House Hotel, a luxury Relais & Châteaux property in a converted farmhouse.
Day 4: Journey to Tofino via Cathedral Grove
Today involves a scenic drive across the island to the wild west coast, with several worthwhile stops along the way.
- Morning: Depart Victoria early and head north on Highway 1 toward Nanaimo. After about 1.5 hours, make your first stop at the Cowichan Bay Village, a charming waterfront community known for its artisanal food scene. Pick up provisions for a picnic lunch at True Grain Bread or the Cowichan Bay Seafood.
- Mid-day: Continue to Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park, about an hour from Cowichan Bay. Walk among ancient Douglas fir trees, some over 800 years old and 75 meters tall. The 30-minute loop trail is accessible for most fitness levels.
- Afternoon: Drive to Port Alberni for a quick stop at the Harbor Quay, then continue along the spectacular Highway 4 through the mountains to the Pacific Rim. The final stretch winds through the mountains of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, offering glimpses of pristine lakes and old-growth forests.
- Evening: Arrive in Tofino in time for dinner at Wolf in the Fog, consistently rated among Canada's best restaurants for its locally-sourced ingredients and creative Pacific Northwest cuisine.
Where to Stay in Tofino: The oceanfront Pacific Sands Beach Resort offers spectacular views and direct beach access. For luxury, try the Wickaninnish Inn, perched on a rocky point with panoramic ocean vistas. Budget travelers should consider the Tofino Hostel (HI-Tofino), which offers both dormitory and private rooms.
Day 5-6: Tofino and Pacific Rim National Park
The small surf town of Tofino is the crown jewel of Vancouver Island's west coast, offering world-class beaches, rainforest trails, wildlife watching, and a surprising culinary scene.
Day 5: Beaches and Surfing
- Morning: Start with breakfast at The Common Loaf Bake Shop, then head to Chesterman Beach for a surf lesson with Surf Sister, a pioneering female-founded surf school. No experience is necessary, and all equipment is provided.
- Afternoon: Explore more of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, starting with the easy Rainforest Trail (2 km loop). Next, visit Long Beach, the park's iconic 16 km stretch of pristine sand, perfect for beachcombing and photography.
- Evening: Enjoy casual dining at Tacofino, which began as a food truck in Tofino before expanding across British Columbia. Their original location still serves the best fish tacos and freshly-made margaritas.
Day 6: Wildlife and Coastal Exploration
- Morning: Take a wildlife watching tour to see black bears foraging along the shoreline during low tide (May-October with Remote Passages Marine Excursions or Jamie's Whaling Station). Alternatively, join a whale watching tour to spot gray and humpback whales.
- Afternoon: Visit the village of Ucluelet, 30 minutes south of Tofino. Hike the spectacular Wild Pacific Trail, a relatively easy 8 km path offering dramatic ocean vistas. Don't miss the Amphitrite Lighthouse section for the most impressive views.
- Evening: Experience fine dining at the Pointe Restaurant at the Wickaninnish Inn, where floor-to-ceiling windows showcase crashing waves while you enjoy locally sourced cuisine.
Day 7: Return to Victoria via Qualicum Beach and Coombs
Begin your journey back to Victoria, taking a different route to experience some of the island's east coast communities.
- Morning: Depart Tofino early and head toward Qualicum Beach. Stop at Cathedral Grove again if you'd like more time among the ancient trees.
- Mid-morning: Visit the quirky village of Coombs, famous for the Old Country Market with its goats grazing on the grass-covered roof. Browse local crafts and pick up lunch from the market's international food section.
- Afternoon: Continue to Qualicum Beach to explore the shoreline or take a quick detour to Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park for an easy hike to see the cascading waterfalls.
- Late afternoon: Drive south to Victoria (approximately 2.5 hours) to complete your Vancouver Island loop. If time permits, stop at the charming seaside town of Sidney, just north of Victoria.
- Evening: Conclude your Vancouver Island adventure with dinner at Olo Restaurant in Victoria, which showcases island-grown ingredients with innovative farm-to-table cuisine.
Extending Your Trip
If you have more time, consider these worthy additions:
- Cowichan Valley Wine Tour: Spend a day exploring the wineries of the Cowichan Valley, known for excellent Pinot Noir, Ortega, and other cool-climate varieties.
- Campbell River and North Island: Extend your trip northward to Campbell River for world-class salmon fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities. The more adventurous can continue to Port Hardy and the remote communities of the North Island.
- Multi-day Kayaking: Book a guided kayaking expedition in the Broken Group Islands or around Spring Island for an immersive wilderness experience.
- West Coast Trail: Serious hikers can tackle the legendary 75 km West Coast Trail in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve (advance reservations required).
Practical Tips for Vancouver Island
- Weather Preparedness: Even in summer, bring layers and rain gear. The west coast particularly can experience sudden weather changes.
- Reservations: Book accommodations, car rentals, and ferry crossings well in advance, especially for summer visits.
- Wildlife Safety: Vancouver Island has a significant black bear population. Maintain a safe distance and never feed wildlife. Store food securely when camping.
- Tide Awareness: Check tide tables when beach walking, especially in areas like the west coast where high tides can cut off beach access routes.
- Indigenous Lands: Vancouver Island is the traditional territory of several First Nations. Respect cultural sites and consider taking Indigenous-led tours to learn about the island's original stewards.
Final Thoughts
Vancouver Island offers a remarkable diversity of experiences within a relatively compact area. This seven-day itinerary provides a balanced introduction to the island's highlights, but like many destinations, the more time you can spare, the deeper your appreciation will be.
What makes Vancouver Island truly special is not just the stunning landscapes but the laid-back island culture that permeates even its cities. From Victoria's British charm to Tofino's surf vibe, the island invites visitors to slow down and connect with both nature and community in a way that feels increasingly rare in our fast-paced world.
Whether you're surfing the Pacific waves, hiking through ancient forests, or simply enjoying locally-harvested seafood with island-grown wines, Vancouver Island represents the essence of west coast Canadian living—wild, sophisticated, and utterly unforgettable.