RVing Trip to Vancouver Island
Take the ferry from mainland British Columbia to the mild-climate, mountainous and rainforest filled island of Vancouver Island. Here you will find British Columbia’s bustling capital of Victoria, mountains and thick rainforest throughout the island, a little surf town with the best tacos and an incredible experience all while exploring Vancouver Island.
Victoria
Beautiful British Columbia’s capital city, Victoria, has so much to offer. Situated on the southern end of Vancouver Island where you can see both mountain and ocean views around every corner. This incredible historic city has so much to do and you could easily spend a few days here exploring it is.
A visit to Victoria is not complete without a stop to Butchart Gardens. Located 20 minutes outside the city, Butchart Gardens, is visited by over a million visitors each year and it is very easy to see why it is a must visit stop. With 55 arces of gardens you can wander through the beautiful flower and plants that reflect the season you are visiting in. On your way back to Victoria make sure to stop in at Beacon Hill Park. This beautiful 200 acre park is home to a petting zoo, the world’s fourth largest totem pole, many hiking trails and sits right on the Straight of Juan de Fuca offering views of the Olympic Mountains in Washington state.
Wandering around the downtown you are certain to walk past the grand parliament buildings. Here you can take a free guided tour of the buildings or a self guided tour. Continue along to the inner hour where you will find majestic boats sitting in the water and the Fairmont Empress dominating the views of one side of the harbour. The Victoria harbour is one of the few world’s natural harbours.
Nanaimo
Home to legendary Nanaimo bar’s this cozy town is a must stop to curb your sweet tooth. The Nanaimo Bar trail is where you head out for a day of tasting these sweet treats. If you don’t have time for a day of snacking on these delicious bars pop into to a coffee or pastry shop to grab one for the road.
Offering one of the longest shorelines in Canada and paired with thick forested mountain backdrop Nanaimo is the perfect place to get both wilderness and city next to each other. Explore the beautiful Harbourfront walkway where you can really take in the beauty of the town. The walkway is suspended above the shore and ocean in some areas while other spots take you through parks and green space.
You can take seaplane tours over the straight of Georgia with views of the Sunshine Coast. If you want to get adventurous Nanimo offers snorkelling with seals that live on the rocks and along the coast. This unique experience is not something to be missed.
Coombs
Coombs is a must stop destination while road tripping through Vancouver Island. Imagine driving along the highway passing through this quaint town filled with little homes and market shops and suddenly you pass a market place with a roof covered in grass and goats jumping around and eating on this roof. This is definitely something that will make you stop in your tracks. This is the world famous Coombs Old Country Market or better known as the home to the Goats on the Roof.
Located in the small town of Coombs about 40 minutes from Nanimo and half way to Tofino this is the perfect place to stop for a great photo op and the opportunity to get some food for the road. The country market has a wide variety of groceries as well as hot and cold food to order and eat in or take out. You could easily sit outside the market and watch these energetic goats jump around the roof for quite a while.
Tofino
Sitting on the Pacific Ocean Tofino is well known for its surfing, natural scenery including an ancient rainforest and sandy beaches. Tofino is the perfect place to come and try your hand at surfing or relax on the beach and watch seasoned pros take on the waves. The beaches stretch on forever and are a piece of charm of the area. Tofino is home to part of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve which you could easily spend days exploring the national park on its own.
Make sure not to miss walking the Tonquin Trail where you will get the best of everything Tofino has to offer for scenery with both the old grown forest, stunning look outs of the Pafcific Ocean and the opportunity to walk right along the sandy beach it is easy to see why this is such a popular tourist destination.
Tacofino
Home to the famous Tacofino this incredibly popular taco truck is a must stop place and get some tacos while on your visit to this surf town. Inspired by the bold flavours and back alley BBQs from various surf destinations Tacofino brings together the most delicious taco.
Crystal Cove Beach Resort
Crystal Cove Beach Resort is the perfect place to call home base while exploring Tofino. Nestled into the rainforest along the edge of the Pacific Ocean this resort offers private camping spots, beautiful log cabins and its own private beach to watch some of the most magnificent sunrises and sunsets you will ever see. The resort has complimentary DVD rentals, books to borrow as well as board games. You can also come into the main office and use their complimentary computer, telephone and big screen TV. The resort is a premiere Tofino RV park that offers year round campinig with each site offering 30 amp power, sewer and water hook up as well as a picnic table, free wi-fi and a fire pit.
https://gorving.ca/campgrounds/Crystal-Cove-Beach-Resort
