On a time-limited trip to the Vancouver area, which would you recommend: Whistler, Tofino, or the Port McNeill area?
Thanks!

Should've mentioned, trip is in July.

Port McNeill is an excelent base of wildlife-viewing. You can do a 5 hrs tour for whale-whatching (orcas) or you can join one of the tours into the inlets at the cost for grizzly-bear-viewing (9 hrs). There is also a tour to a remote village Zeballos at the westcost of vancouver Island to view black bears and sea-otters possible.

Whistler and Tofino are much more touristic than Port McNeill. The wildlife-viewing tours are more expensive and shorter. And you will not see Grizzy-bears or orcas in Tofino (humpback/grey whales/black bears) or Whistler (blackbears). The advantage for you might be, that you can reach Whistler with less travel time (if you have limited time).

Some excellent ideas from Tom-this link leads to some options in the area-a notably '<i>untouristed</i>' place.

http://www.villageisland.com/

Guess I should've clarify my intents a little. But from what I gather at this point, it sounds like the Port McNeill area is my best bet (as I suspected), even tho it stretches my schedule the most.

b.t.w. Sam, have you actually taken a villageisland tour?

- I'd prefer a place that is less touristy, where I can experience some of the true spirit of the region (naturally as well as culturally).

- I'm more of a hiking/walking type person than a boating or wildlife-chasing type person (altho I enjoy those too).

- I've lived in Colorado for some years, and live in New England currently, so big mountains per se and the ocean per se aren't novel to me. I'd like to experience some uniquely British Columbian aspects of nature, e.g., Canadian rainforests, or places where the sea and land interact in a unique way.

- I'm open to suggestions other than the three in the title of this thread.

Thanks!

Maybe zeballos is a good choice for you. Take a look at www.zeballos.com
Acc. to their webpage extended wilderness hiking is possible.

Port McNeill gives also access to Sointula &amp; Alert Bay (small villages located on Islands close to Port McNeill).

Good hiking is also possible within the Strathcona Provincial Park.

Regards Tom

I haven't taken a tour with that company No-I rarely do tours of any description.
A small boat/tank of gas/fishing rods/compass/lunch and I'm good to go-that's how I know the general area.