Mixter603

Trying to decide between the two for a vacation next summer. I've been told that Alaska gets a lot of rain but now I'm being told that Vancouver Island does also. Opinions?

Also, do you think the wildlife sighting is better in Alaska versus Vancouver? We are two couples in our 50's, adventurous, and we like to hike and kayak. Kayaking in the Johnstone Straits with the orcas and humpbacks really appeals to me. Does anyone know if the kayaking in Alaska is similar?

Thanks for any help and suggestions.

Gardyloo

In my view they're not really comparable; Alaska is much, much bigger and much more diverse. Vancouver Island gets a lot of rain on the west (Pacific) coast, but there are parts, for example around Victoria and the southeastern part of the island (as well as the smaller Gulf islands between Vancouver Island and the mainland) that live in something of a "rain shadow" and are less prone to heavy rains - and in fact can be surprisingly dry and warm while the west coast is soggy.

The southeastern "Panhandle" of Alaska is similar to the west side of Vancouver Island - very heavy annual precipitation - but way, way bigger and more complex.

However, that's only one of the numerous different climate and geographic zones that make up Alaska. Farther north, around Prince William Sound and south-central Alaska (e.g. Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula) it's not nearly as wet as Southeast; farther north yet, around Fairbanks and interior Alaska, the summers can be quite dry and warm (even hot) since the sun sets very late, or, beyond the Arctic Circle, not at all. Southwest Alaska - the Aleutians and Kodiak - are different yet (stormy, windy) and the Arctic different again... the weather is all over the map.

Rather than "being told" about a place, now is a fine time to do some research on your own to see what would suit you. You can easily combine Vancouver Island with a visit to mainland British Columbia - Vancouver, Whistler, etc.) or with Seattle and the Puget Sound country in the US. With Alaska, the size of the place will tend to limit your ability to see more than one or two of those many regions at one time - the distances are too great and the roads too few.

You could hit the west coast of Vancouver Island where there's some stunning wilderness country, or you could go kayaking around Prince William Sound in Alaska. You could drive up to the top of Vancouver Island, take a BC ferry to Prince Rupert BC, then take the Alaska ferry up to Juneau or Skagway to see something of the Inside Passage and the great history of SE Alaska. Or you could cruise from Vancouver BC up to Seward or Whittier on Prince William Sound and see glaciers, gold rush towns, probably some marine wildlife en route, or fly to Anchorage and head to Denali NP for more wildlife (not much of it swimming)... the list is too long.

So hit the books.

Orlando_Vic

I think part of the answer depends on how much time you have and what are your vacation goals? Obviously Alaska is much bigger and perhaps more expensive. What do you want to do?

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

Mixter603

Gardyloo, thank you so much for such in depth information. I've been doing so much research that I'm beginning to get confused. That's why I decided to post this question.

Orlando_Vic, from all the research I've been doing, they are both going to cost about the same. Alaska probably a bit more but not enough to make it prohibitive.

NorthwestMale

For heaven's sake... if you've not been to either... go to ALASKA.

The simple AWE you'll have over all of the mountains there (to say nothing of the water and the wildlife) is plainly enough to make Alaska a more sensible destination than is Vancouver Island.

I recall having driven to Alaska and back, before detouring through the Canadian Rockies... and everybody raves about the Canadian Rockies which, while spectacular on their own, are greatly reduced in significance when one has just seen Alaska.

Two couples need only drive around the state to appreciate the significance of Alaska's terrain, not to mention some of the unique way of life known to those who live remotely through harsh winter conditions.

I saw a picture/postcard some years back which presented "Alaska (as seen) from outer space"... and, well, here, it was much like this:

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/254...31166148exTqWl


Those mountains are major!

CindyW

We spent several days on Vancouver Island last summer. Though our hosts often see bears, we didn't see any. The beaches there are beautiful, and the hike at the end of the island, I can't remember the name, is very nice. But I wasn't just blown away by it all. I'd say that if you can choose between the two, go to Alaska.

Mixter603

Thanks NorthwestMale and CindyW. I appreciate your input.