Our business would be over mid-day on a Friday in April, then we'd have to get back to Seattle for our flight home Sunday afternoon. Looks like Victoria is a couple hour ferry ride from Seattle? We would want a car on the island I know, would it make sense to not have the car in Seattle, then rent one in Victoria?

Is this enough time for a nice little visit? I may post another question on the Washington forum to see if we should visit the Olympic Peninsula instead, but Vancouver Island looks very nice.

We will be desperate for nature and hiking, we aren't city lovers, but should we spend our 2 nights in Victoria because our time is so limited? Roughly how much time should we allow to get back to SEA on Sunday?

Thanks!

Oy vey! Are the only ferry options the Victoria Clipper which leaves Victoria on Sunday at 6 p.m. and gets back to Seattle at 8:45?!? That won't work...

Gigib,

Yes, I'm afraid so... while if you type a July Sunday date, there are more ferries a day (three per day), sadly in April on a Sunday, there's just the 1 ride per day Seattle-Victoria. Given the early Clipper departure out of Seattle in the morning, I think if you want to do the Victoria Clipper, you're limited to a day trip on the Saturday if you really want to do this...

While Victoria IS gorgeous (and even just renting a pedal bike, I felt far removed the (small, charming) city pretty quickly), I think your plan of the Olympic Peninsula or other near-Seattle-in-Washington-State activities makes more sense giving the timing and your interest in hiking/nature. I love that part of the world...and am excited for you just thinking about your opportunity!

Best wishes, DANIEL

I agree, head out to the Peninsula instead. You don't have enough time to really explore Vancouver Island outside of Victoria with just 2 nights/1 full day.

It's about a 2-2.5 hour ferry trip and drive out to the Port Angeles area, which makes a good base for exploring ONP. If you like B&Bs, Colette's near PA is great.

With only 2 nights I would just stay in Victoria. Can you take a sea plane from Seattle to Victoria. Faster and very scenic, but more expensive. You wouldn't need a car in Victoria.
Or rent a car in Seattle, and explore Whidbey Island.

OP,

I've lived in Seattle for decades, with Victoria a mere 85 miles from mid-town here, and I've been to Victoria exactly twice.

Depending upon where you are coming from, you could do a million times better with other options.

We don't know whether you've been to Seattle before, or from how far away you are traveling to get here.

Vancouver Island is about the size of Ireland. Would you really want to opt for a loooooooong ferry ride each way, to spend much less than 48 hours in Ireland?

Look into other options to maximize your time.