Need help with 7 days on Vancouver Island the middle 2 weeks of September.
Jun 15th, 2014, 05:49 PM
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Need help with 7 days on Vancouver Island the middle 2 weeks of September.
After dithering for the last 3 months, I think that we are going to Vancouver and Vancouver Island for 2 weeks the middle 2 of September.
We are both in our late 60's . I'm fit, but my husband has slight mobility problems. He was diagnosed with a muscle disease and has problems with a lot of stairs.
I have planned to fly into Vancouver , rent a car at the airport and take the ferry to Victoria.
We like to "stop and smell the roses" so I thought at least 3 nights in Victoria and surrounds , 2 nights in Port McNeil for the wildlife tours.
I'm not sure where to stop in between. We live on the Gulf Coast, so beaches don't thrill me as much as mountains.
Also, where do we take the ferry to get back to Vancouver after our time on the island?
Do we need to go all the way back to Victoria?
I have researched until I can't see the forest for the trees.
Thanks for any suggestions you can give.
Tee
We are both in our late 60's . I'm fit, but my husband has slight mobility problems. He was diagnosed with a muscle disease and has problems with a lot of stairs.
I have planned to fly into Vancouver , rent a car at the airport and take the ferry to Victoria.
We like to "stop and smell the roses" so I thought at least 3 nights in Victoria and surrounds , 2 nights in Port McNeil for the wildlife tours.
I'm not sure where to stop in between. We live on the Gulf Coast, so beaches don't thrill me as much as mountains.
Also, where do we take the ferry to get back to Vancouver after our time on the island?
Do we need to go all the way back to Victoria?
I have researched until I can't see the forest for the trees.
Thanks for any suggestions you can give.
Tee
Jun 16th, 2014, 11:58 AM
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If you are driving to Port McNeil the best option coming back to Vancouver would be the ferry from Naniamo. It is a shorter ride to the mainland and leaves you considerably closer to downtown Vancouver then taking the ferry back to Tsawwassen.
A couple of places I would recommend would be Strathcona Park, Desolation Sound which is across the strait from Campbell River and Tofino.
I would recommend you to choose one of these places as the drive from Victoria to Port McNeil is about 5.5hrs, less time in the car more time enjoying the land.
Happy travels
A couple of places I would recommend would be Strathcona Park, Desolation Sound which is across the strait from Campbell River and Tofino.
I would recommend you to choose one of these places as the drive from Victoria to Port McNeil is about 5.5hrs, less time in the car more time enjoying the land.
Happy travels
Jun 16th, 2014, 12:05 PM
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Just wanted to add some more info for you.
The ferry from Vancouver (Tsawwassen) to Vancouver Island drops you off in Sidney which is about a half hour drive to Victoria.
As well another option on the return leg would be to take a ferry from Comox to Powell River and drive down the Sunshine Coast back to Vancouver. This would entail 3 ferry rides...
1. Comox--Powell River
2. Earl's Cove--Saltery Bay
3. Gibson's--Horseshoe Bay
Beautiful drive but more time consuming.
The ferry from Vancouver (Tsawwassen) to Vancouver Island drops you off in Sidney which is about a half hour drive to Victoria.
As well another option on the return leg would be to take a ferry from Comox to Powell River and drive down the Sunshine Coast back to Vancouver. This would entail 3 ferry rides...
1. Comox--Powell River
2. Earl's Cove--Saltery Bay
3. Gibson's--Horseshoe Bay
Beautiful drive but more time consuming.
Jun 16th, 2014, 02:02 PM
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Trizzy,
Thanks for replying.
Are you saying to break the drive up by spending a night around Tofino or Campbell River.
When we were in Banff and Jasper, we spent all day driving the ice-fields parkway. There was a view or something every 10 minutes that I wanted to pull off the road and see.
Just as an extra question, do you think Port McNeil is worth the effort of getting there or would someplace else be just as nice for wildlife tours?
Many Thanks,
Tee
Thanks for replying.
Are you saying to break the drive up by spending a night around Tofino or Campbell River.
When we were in Banff and Jasper, we spent all day driving the ice-fields parkway. There was a view or something every 10 minutes that I wanted to pull off the road and see.
Just as an extra question, do you think Port McNeil is worth the effort of getting there or would someplace else be just as nice for wildlife tours?
Many Thanks,
Tee
Jun 16th, 2014, 03:29 PM
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Vancouver Island has so many hidden gems it is hard to suggest just 1 or 2 places to visit.
It would not be necessary to break up the drive I was just offering up some nice scenic spots for you to look into.
Yes it is definitely worth the effort of getting there, the caves, karst and lakes are stunning in that area, fantastic fishing as well.
I don't know if in your research you have come across this site but it is fairly informative and breaks up Vancouver Island into regions to research.
http://www.hellobc.com/vancouver-isl...lar-areas.aspx
Happy to help
It would not be necessary to break up the drive I was just offering up some nice scenic spots for you to look into.
Yes it is definitely worth the effort of getting there, the caves, karst and lakes are stunning in that area, fantastic fishing as well.
I don't know if in your research you have come across this site but it is fairly informative and breaks up Vancouver Island into regions to research.
http://www.hellobc.com/vancouver-isl...lar-areas.aspx
Happy to help
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