Canada · British Columbia
Vancouver Island travel guide
Whales, rainforest and wild Pacific surf
The beach at Tofino. Photo: Olivier Lévy, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Vancouver Island has rainforest, wild beaches and some of the best whale watching in the world. Victoria, the pretty capital, has a British feel and the famous Butchart Gardens.
On the west coast, Tofino is a surf town on the edge of Pacific Rim National Park, with storm watching in winter and bears on the shore.
What Vancouver Island is known for
- Orcas
Whale watching trips.
- Tofino
Surf and storm watching.
- Rainforest
Giant cedars.
- Victoria
A garden city.
Top things to do in Vancouver Island
Where to stay in Vancouver Island
Best time to visit Vancouver Island
Best value: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. May to September for whales and hiking.
- Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
- PeakBusiest, highest prices
- QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
Getting there and around
About 10h from London to YYJ, and flights from most UK airports. How long is the flight from your airport?
Ferries or seaplanes from Vancouver. A car is best on the island.
Car hire in Vancouver Island Airport transfer to Vancouver Island
Good to know
- Book ferries ahead in summer.
- Tofino is four to five hours' drive from Victoria.
- Pack waterproofs year round.
Vancouver Island FAQ
How long on Vancouver Island?
Four or five days.
When is whale season?
May to October.
More places in Canada
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