I'm looking for suggestions for our route from Tofino to Seattle.

We're taking a RT cruise from Seattle to Alaska, Sun May 18-Sun May 25th. We'll have 2 1/2 days to visit friends and tour Seattle before the cruise. I've finally scored a red-eye leaving 11:40 PM on Thu with my FF miles giving us almost 5 full days to get to Tofino and back after the cruise.

We will be picking up a rental car at the pier Sun AM and heading to Tsawwasswn to visit a friend, ferrying over to Nanaimo, then staying at Middle Beach Lodge Sun night through Tue night.

This is where I need help. We can take a late ferry to Tsawwassen Wed eve, giving us most of Wed in Tofino, spend the night at our friend's house in Tsawwaassen and then head to Seattle Thu morning and find something to do Thu after we clear the border crossing.

-OR-

We can drive 5 hours to Victoria Wed AM, take the 5:15 PM CoHo ferry to Port Angeles, spend the night somewhere in that area (ideas for simple lodging?) and then check out Olympic National Park Thu before our redeye at 11:40 PM.

This all assumes no problems with the ferries on Wed.

We're into hiking and activities, not shopping and dining. So...my question is, would you recommend retracing our drive but having an extra day in Tofino or taking a different route back to Seattle and seeing part of the Olympic Peninsula?

How's the drive between Tofino and Victoria nice? Are there things to see/do along the way to break up the drive? I'm sure we could do something in Victoria but our cruise ship is stopping there for a few hours our last night so we be able to see some of it. I was planning to walk down to the Inner Harbor. We're not into shopping or tea at a fancy hotel so I figured that would make do if that's all we got to see of Victoria.

If we went to Olympic National Park, when should we plan on leaving in order to get to SEATAC in time to drop off the car (at SEATAC) and make our flight?

If we stayed in Tofino longer and returned through Tsawwassen, are there any recommendations for things to do Thu? A few weeks back I ran across a popular post with a scenic route to Vancouver that took about 5 hours but I can't find it now. Anyone know what post I'm talking about and have a link?

I'd love to wait and see how we like Tofino but since we have to get off the island to make our flight, I'm afraid to go without ferry reservations.

More time in Tofino is *always* better! With 2 full days there, you'll just be scratching the surface.

That said, there's more that's worth seeing and doing via the Coho route out on the Olympic Peninsula than via Tsawwassen and coming down I-5 to Seattle. But if you choose to spend more time in Tofino on the Wed of your trip, you could make your way back to Seattle via Chucknut Drive south of Bellingham and head over Deception Pass to Whidbey Island, or stop in La Conner on your way to Seattle, getting off the freeway at least.

If you're at all into gardens, you should definitely see Butchart Gardens while you're in Victoria. If you're not, then the Royal BC Museum would be my first choice there.

The drive from Tofino to Victoria is fine--the Malahat stretch is the prettiest once you're over the mountains.

As far as what time to leave the Peninsula if you take the Coho--allow 2.5 hours to get to the airport if you drive around via the Tacoma Narrows bridge, longer if you take the Bainbridge ferry to Seattle. So count back from getting to the airport 2 hours before your flight which will give you time to return the car and check in with plenty of time.

NWWanderer: I think I'm getting buyer's remorse. Given our style of travel, I know we can see a lot more in 2 1/2 or 3 days in Tofino than most people but there is even more that we could potentially see and so much time is spent getting there and back that I'm thinking about going to Olympic National Park for a few days instead if we can still cancel our reservations at Middle Beach.

Given that we really do go full throttle sun up to sun down, can you give me any idea of how many days it would take to see the highlights of Olympic National Park?

Also, we'll be arriving the Sunday morning of Memorial Day weekend. Will it be a zoo then? Do you think we'll have a tough time getting reasonable hotels this late?

Go to Tofino. I love the Peninsula but Tofino is magical.

But if you do decide to change to ONP, 3 full days will give you enough time to see the highlights of the park.

There really aren't any lodgings that are comparable to Middle Beach or what's available in Tofino (another reason to go there) but try Lk Crescent Lodge. Renting a house is another option for 4 nights--try Sequim Vacation Rentals. Hard to say if things are already filled up for that weekend--you'll have a better sense once you start making phone calls.

UGH...this is killing me!!! I had just convinced myself to go to ONP instead! I just called my husband and he said he was alright with the long haul to Tofino so now I'm leaning back to Tofino. I'd say we can hit Tofino in a trip To Vancouver but another trip that way is probably pretty far down my list. Are the ferry rides interesting at least?

No, the ferry from Tsawwassen to Nanaimo isn't particular interesting but it saves a lot of time getting to Tofino over the other (more scenic) route through the Gulf Islands to Swartz Bay. But Tofino is SO worth it!!!

Another factor is that there will still be a lot of snow in the mountains in ONP so you wouldn't be seeing the park at the best time.

Thanks NWW, that's good to know about snow in ONP in May. So is May a decent time to visit Tofino? I hate traveling during the summer peak travel months because of crowds (and expense) but I'd rather move up my flight and go home early if w'ed be missing a lot of what it has to offer going then. I just added it on because I figured it was something we could see while we were already in the NW.

Yes, May is a good time for Tofino. You can do all the things you'd do in the high summer season. The weather is more likely to be cool and rainy in May than in July and August, that's the only real difference I'd say.

I love Tofino in any season--I was there for 5 days at Christmas last year and it was still wonderful.

If we decide to stick with Tofino, once we finally get to Middle Beach Lodge, are we pretty much there for the duration or will we have to drive around a lot to get to the sites?

ONP is closer but it sounds like we'd be doing a lot of driving throughout the trip to see all 3 major sections.

You will have to drive in Tofino but the drives are MUCH shorter than they would be in ONP.

Most of the driving will be from Middle Beach a few miles south to Pacific Rim National Park or the short hop into town for kayaking etc.

While you are in Tofino, drop down to Ucluelet for a visit. Nice little place.

Thanks for the help. We've decided to go for broke and head for Tofino. Hopefully the travel gods will be with us.

You have made a good choice! Tofino & Pacific Rim N'l Park are among my favorite destinations ever. Wish I was going there too!

Any thoughts on whether we should pack our hiking boots for the Tofino area? It doesn't sound like we'll be going anywhere that we'll need them in Alaska. We only bring carry on so I'd rather not bring them if gym shoes will do the trick on the trails there. I think we're kayaking to the Meares Forest and going to Hot Springs Cove.

No, you don't really need boots for the hiking around Tofino. If you have Teva type sandals, those are great for kayaking.

Thanks for all the advice. Off we go!