4 days in Vancouver Island
 

After visiting the Canadian Rockies we plan to visit Vancouver Island for 4 days in late August/early September.

We will be hiring a car.

The plan is to reach by air to Comox or take the ferry from Vancouver to Nainomo.

Would like to visit Telegraph cove/Port Mcneill ,Campbell river.

I am aware of the distances and wanted to know if its possible to cover Tofino and fly out from there.We are interested in scenery and plan to do whale watching.

Would welcome any other suggestions.

ih, I am topping for you but am not so sure about your plan. If I had 4 days, I would feel I had enough time to take the ferry to Nanaimo, go to Tofino, and return. Maybe a visit to Victoria, but that would shortchange Nanaimo and that's where we've done our whale watching.

Have tried the drive up towards Campbell river, but haven't found it as nice a drive.. so - how about flying up there, assuming you are thinking bear watching? There are a couple lodges that include that (don't have reference offhand, maybe somebody can chip in here).

Timewise, it takes a full day for the ferry to Nanaimo and then the drive to Tofino. If you go that route, you probably should only do Tofino or Port McNeil, given your time.

Thanks.
Not keen on bear watching as we have done it in Alaska.Have done whale watching in Juneau(humpbacks) and Seward(orcas),Norway. hence was keen to go to telegraph cove for the orcas.
How was the whale watching at Nainomo?
I was told the drive to Tofino is very scenic.

Ah - well, if it's Orcas you would like to see, then Telegraph Cove beats Tofino. (Won't see Orcas in Tofino.) But in Tofino, we enjoy taking a zodiac tour out and have always seen plenty of whales and other critteres.

Here is a link you might find helpful: http://gonorthisland.com/

My plans are now finalised.
We will reach Vancouver on Sept. 7th late night and stay the at the Holiday Inn. Tried to book a car with one way drop off( vancouver Intl airport and drop off at comox) but no company was willing to rent out. We are booked for 3 nights at Home away from Home cottages near Telegraph Cove.Our main purpose is to see the marine life and specifically the Orcas.

8th-leave for Horsehoe Bay to take the 10.40 ferry Other than taxi is there any other way to reach the ferry terminal?

12.20 Arrival at Nanaimo( budget has organised pick up). Leave in the afternoon for TC.

9th-Tour with Mackay whales in the morning and explore the area

10th-Tour with Sea Smoke charters and explore the area.

11th -leave in the morning for campbell river.Spend a couple of hours and reach comox airport at 6.30pm for our flight to calgary.

Please suggest any changes as my plans are flexible.

Hi there.

May I suggest you confirm your flight from Comox to Calgary the day before flying. We had our flight time from Victoria to Vancouver changed on us without notification, and it was just sheer fluke I did check about 4 hours before we were due to fly back. (I was assured there would be no need to confirm return flight.)
Enjoy your tours. Sounds great.

Check w/the desk @ Holiday Inn about catching a BC Transit "Bluebus" from downtown to Horseshoe Bay & make sure you ask for the EXPRESS bus - if you catch a regular bus it will take forever to get there but the Express takes 30-35 mins & is inexpensive - maybe $3-4 pp. Taxi will set you back $50-75 for the ride.
The busses have a very clear sign on the front as to whether it is an Express or not. If unsure, ask. Vancouverites are more than happy to help you.