We need suggestions for rounding out our trip on Vancouver island in the first week of September. We are Seattleites and will be taking the ferry to Nanaimo and will camp at Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park on the east side of the island for a night or two to help break up the long trip from Seattle to Tofino. (we plan to do some camping, and a few nights in a lodge on this trip) After Rathtrevor, we'll spend approximately four nights in Tofino. That leaves us with 2-3 nights to spend somewhere else in the area before returning to Seattle. We enjoy hiking and being outdoors, but have no experience kayaking. We considered the grizzly viewing tours from the north part of Vancouver island, but at least one of the two main companies is already booked solid through September. Any suggestions for our last few nights on Vancouver island?

Well, IMO you can never go wrong with spending more time in Tofino, but if you do want a different location and the grizzly viewing doesn't work out, consider Strathcona Park near Campbell River for hiking.

Hi what are the ages of your group? We used to camp every year at rathtrevor. Our kids loved it. We would go to Coombs for a day(on the way to Tofino) Hike along Qualicum falls. Visit the art galleries and stores in Qualicum beach. When in Tofino. Go out to Chesterman beach at low tide, walk to the left around the point and you will find some cool sea caves with lots of tidal pools and sea creatures.We would sit on the rocks and watch the sun set and watch people Kayak surf.Truely beautiful. The Zodiac trip up clayquot sound to hot springs cove was fantastic. Saw bears fishing on the rivers inlets, sea caves, hiked for 25 min along board walks to the hotsprings that flow into the ocean. soaked and had lunch. There is a campsite called coldstream 40 min North of Victoria on the Malahat highway. It offers easy access into the city where you can go to the wax museum, fish and chips at Barb's at fishermans wharf, or just walk around the inner harbour. When in rathtrevor if you don't feel like cooking you can have pizza or sushi delivered to your campsite. My kind of camping. Also just north of parksville there is a lake called horn lake that has a campground and caves that you can go into with a guide

The campsite outside Victoria is actually called Goldstream not coldstream.

Thanks for all the tips, everyone! It seems that we will have plenty to keep us busy. Sushi delivery to our campsite? That sounds too good to pass up! ;-)