Day 1

After catching a ferry across Georgia Strait from Vancouver, spend your first day exploring Victoria. Fans of flowers won’t want to miss Butchart Gardens, and history buffs should spend an hour or so in the Royal BC Museum. Either way, head to Oak Bay for a traditional afternoon tea.

Day 2

Drive north to Nanaimo. Walk along the harborfront, book an afternoon dive at one of the local wrecks, or go bungee jumping. Leave Nanaimo behind by late afternoon, heading for the west coast. Stop at He-tin-kis Park to admire the old-growth forest. Stay in Tofino tonight.

Day 3

Juggle your schedule to include both a whale-watching trip in Clayoquot Sound and a hike in Pacific Rim National Park. Spend another night in Tofino, or mix it up and move down the coast to Ucluelet.

Day 4

Drive to Port Alberni and take a cruise aboard the MV Frances Barkley. After returning to port, families may want to book a night at one of Parksville’s many beachside resorts, while anglers could continue on to Campbell River.

Day 5

Telegraph Cove will be a highlight of your time on Vancouver Island—even if you don’t take a whale-watching trip.

Day 6

Head south to Crofton Bay and catch the ferry to Salt Spring Island. Spend the night on the largest of the Southern Gulf Islands, or continue to pretty Galiano Island.

Day 7

Go kayaking, take a hike, or spend a relaxing morning soaking up island life—just read the timetable carefully to ensure the direct ferry back to Vancouver will arrive well before your scheduled departure home.

© Andrew Hempstead, from Moon Western Canada, 3rd Edition