Living in Vancouver, there are so many wonderful destinations right on our doorstep, and Vancouver Island is one of my favourites.

Located to the west of Vancouver, the Island is just a hop, skip and ferry ride from the city and there are endless places to explore. The Island is huge - bigger than all of the Hawaiian Islands combined, in fact - and it's such a lovely part of British Columbia. You've got everything from cool cities like Victoria, to remote coastal communities and secluded surf towns like Tofino, as well as incredible trails like the Juan de Fuca and some of the best cold water diving in the world, so there's really something for everyone.

I love visiting in both the summer and winter time. The summers are warmer and there's an abundance of outdoor activities you can do, whereas the winter is obviously a lot colder, but also a lot quieter than the summer months. You can surf year-round (yep, even in the winter!) and the waves are actually a lot bigger in the winter time. Storm watching is huge in the winter too and there's nothing nicer than cosying up indoors by the fire after an afternoon of storm watching or surfing in the cold!

Whale watching tours run from March-October, and you'll find such an amazing variety of marine life, everything from orcas to humpbacks and sea lions, to sea otters and dolphins. Around 20,000 Gray whales pass by the coast every year too! You can do bear watching tours from April to October, and if you're lucky you might even catch sight of the coastal wolves on Vargas or Meares Island. You can also visit Hot Springs Cove in Maquinna Park (it's a full day trip and you get there by floatplane or boat).

Aside from its picturesque surroundings, it also has an amazing foodie scene and there are some gorgeous places to stay. My favourite resort is the Pacific Sands which is on Cox Bay Beach, and you can surf right on your doorstep. Their beach houses and the Edgewater Suite with the hot tub are very cool (pictured below) and they have a range of beachfront accommodations. Aside from more luxury beach resorts, there's also a range of cabins, campsites, smaller hotels and holiday homes. Check out my 3-day guide to Tofino for more info.

Port Renfrew

If you're looking to spend a couple of days completely cut off from the world, Port Renfrew is the place to go. Situated on the southwest coast of Vancouver Island, 2 hours from Victoria and 2 hours from Nanaimo, Port Renfrew is a beautiful escape.

With a population of around 200 people, the town is teeny tiny and it's kind of like a time warp. It has 1 pub, 1 small shop, 1 small gas station and a few cute cabin-style accommodations, and cellphone reception is pretty non-existent too. However, that's what makes this such an appealing place to explore. Very rarely do you come across places like this but it has everything you need for a quintessential West Coast getaway. 

Port Renfrew is nestled between two of the most well-known and beautiful coastal trails in the world - the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail (47km) and the West Coast Trail (75km). It also has incredible beaches, forests, a range of hiking trails, rivers, lakes, camp spots, wildlife, and mountain views. 

Must-visit spots include Avatar Grove, Botanical Beach and Pacheedaht Beach (which is where this pic was taken). We stayed at Soule Creek Lodge, which is perched on the San Juan Ridge with incredible views of the Pacific Ocean and mountains. They have cute wooden cabins and yurts and it's about a 10-minute drive from the town. If you want something right by the ocean, check out Wild Renfrew's seaside cottages. The Renfrew Pub is also a great lunch/dinner spot (and also one of the only food spots in the town too!). It closes early, around 7/8pm most nights, so keep that in mind. 

Port Renfrew is also on the Pacific Marine Circle Route, which is a popular West Coast road trip route which takes you through all the key spots in the Southern part of Vancouver Island. Make sure to check out China Beach, Sandcut Beach, Sombrio Beach, Jordan River and French Beach on the drive to/from Victoria.

Ucluelet

Another very beautiful Island destination is Ucluelet. Located on the West Coast, Ucluelet sits 30-minutes south of Tofino and it's very similar in terms of the landscapes and rugged coastline but with its own unique charm and vibe. Ucluelet is home to the incredible Wild Pacific Trail (pictured below) and so much raw beauty, and the sunsets are unbelievable.

It has a number of cute coffee shops and restaurants (I love Zoe's Bakery!), as well as cabins and campgrounds, and during the winter months, storm-watching is very popular especially as Ucluelet experiences dramatic swells and storms. 

If you're visiting Tofino, I'd highly recommend making a stop in Ucluelet for at least an afternoon to experience what it's like. It's definitely less well-known than Tofino, and there are pros and cons to staying here as opposed to staying in Tofino as well.

One huge pro is that it is more affordable than Tofino for accommodation, and a lot less busy especially in the summertime. However, Ucluelet doesn't have the same kind of sandy beaches (the beaches are more rugged and rocky), so you'll have to head up to Tofino for the beachy vibe and surfing, so it really depends what you're looking for. Either way, whether you stay here or explore for the day, Ucluelet is a stunning place and the setting is so picturesque.

Between Ucluelet and Tofino, you'll also find Long Beach, which is a sandy beach that stretches all the way up to Tofino and it's the longest beach on the west coast of the Island. You can surf, paddle board, kayak, swim, build sand castles, bring the dog, build a beach fire and do whatever else you love to do at the beach!

How To Get To Vancouver Island

One of the things I like most about Vancouver Island is that it's so easy to get there. The most affordable and flexible option is to take the BC Ferries ferry and you can go from either Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to Nanaimo (1h 40), or from Tsawwassen to Victoria (1h 35). The ferry is super easy and especially if you want the luxury of having your vehicle, it's a great option. It costs roughly $100 for 2 people and a vehicle, each way. 

You don't necessarily have to have a reservation to travel on the ferry and you can purchase a ticket at the terminal. However, if you need to catch a specific ferry or if you're travelling on a long weekend or holiday, I would recommend making a reservation in advance, just to make sure that you do secure a spot. You also need to arrive at the terminal at least 30-minutes prior to your departure. Learn more about bookings here.

Since we don't own a car, we usually take a Modo carshare. I've used this service for about 3 years and it's brilliant, and we haven't had to buy a car of our own because of it. It's 2-way car sharing, so essentially you pick up and drop off the vehicle at the same location, and treat it as your own for the duration of the trip. Fuel and insurance are included in the daily/hourly cost too, as well as 250km included per booking.

Modo also has vehicles at the Nanaimo and Victoria ferry terminals, so this is a great option if you live close to the terminals and want to save yourself the car fee on the ferry. You simply travel as a foot passenger and then grab your Modo at the terminal on the other side. If you're new to Modo and want to try it out, you can use my code GOLIVEMODO when signing up and you'll get $50 in driving credit!