tofino itinerary advice, please
 

Hi everyone. I’ve looked through the postings on Tofino and have gotten some ideas, but I still need some help. I'm taking my mother on a trip for her 60th birthday in August. She loves hiking/beachcombing and really wants to go to the Tofino area, but I'm wondering which way is the best way to get there. Here are my ideas, what do you think?

Plan #1
Fly into Victoria, stay 2 nights
Drive by car to Tofino, stay 4 nights
Drive back to Victoria, crash for a night and then fly home.

Plan #2
Fly into Vancouver, stay 2 nights
Take ferry to Nanaimo, rent car and drive to Tofino, stay 4 nights
Drive back to Nanaimo, take ferry back to Vancouver for return home.

Also, I’m assuming that driving to Tofino is the best way. I did see some fairly reasonable flights to/from Victoria and Vancouver on Craig Air, but that would leave us without a car. Any thoughts???

Plan #1

The answer depends on:
1) Do you like Vancouver better than Victoria?

2) How good are the air conections to Vancouver vs Victoria from your origin?

3) Economics.

It may be possible to rent a car in Tofino if you wish to avoid some driving. I would feel a bit stranded in Tofino without a car.

i enjoyed the drive from victoria to tofino so i'd do that. tofino is lovely and you'll enjoy it. be sure to go to the town of ucluelet for waunder. i didn't make it there but harrison's hot springs is suppose to be a good day trip.

Is it possible to fly into Victoria and out of Vancouver? Ideally I would stay 2 nights Victoria, 3 nights Tofino and 2 nights Vancouver. This would allow you to take the ferry from either Duke Point South of Naniamo to Tsawassen, or Nanaimo to Horseshoe bay. The ferry ride is beautiful on a nice day and you may even see orca whales. There are some great walks along the boardwalks through the rainforest near long beach.

Thanks for the suggestions. I think we are going to save Vancouver for another trip. Glad to hear the drive to/from Tofino is enjoyable. We plan to take the whole day and make stops at scenic points along the way.