Vancouver Island by Road: From Victoria to Tofino
A short ferry ride from Vancouver takes you to an island of rainforest, harbour towns and surf beaches. Here is a route that shows its many sides.
Getting there
BC Ferries sails from Tsawwassen, south of Vancouver, to Swartz Bay near Victoria. The crossing winds through the Gulf Islands and is a scenic part of the journey itself. Reservations are wise in summer.
Victoria: gardens and harbour life
British Columbia’s capital is compact and walkable. Explore the Inner Harbour and the Parliament Buildings, take afternoon tea, and spend a few hours at the Butchart Gardens just outside town.
The road west
Heading up the island, stop at Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park, where towering Douglas firs have stood for centuries. The highway then climbs through mountains before descending to the coast.
Tofino and the Pacific Rim
Tofino sits at the edge of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, with long sandy beaches, rainforest boardwalks and some of Canada’s best-known surf. In winter, visitors come for storm watching, as Pacific waves crash against the shore.
Suggested pace
- Victoria: 2 nights
- The drive west with stops: 1 day
- Tofino and Ucluelet: 2 to 3 nights
Plan it with Canusa
Every trip we arrange is built around your dates, your group and your pace. Tell us when you would like to travel and what you hope to see, and we will send you a tailored itinerary and quote.
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