Visiting BC, need travel advise

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Ken C

Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2019
Messages
16
Location
USA
Vessel Name
Tambourine
Vessel Make
2006 Sea Ray 320 DA
Hello PNW and BC residents and frequent visitors. We, two couples, are vacationing in and around Vancouver Island this summer and I thought I would reach out to a non-traditional source for some travel advice. We've never been past the Rockies in that direction, and given size of this grand old world and our limited years to see it all, we may never get a chance to return. Ideally, I would charter a boat, obtain adequate training and experience, and cruise the area all summer. Unfortunately, neither time, financial resources, nor my companions will allow for such a wonderful solution. So it's pretty much fly out for 10 days or so, rent a car, site-see and relax.

I've enlisted TF specifically to get ideas about enjoyable ways of getting on the water. I know we will be on ferries at least a couple of times so beyond just taking the ones suggested by Google maps, are there some routes that are worth driving further to take strictly for the scenery or experience? I'm not even opposed to an out and back route for the day. Those big, cram-packed, whale watching excursions don't look very enticing, but maybe someone here is aware of an excursion that is a little more like taking my own little Sundancer for a cruise.

We expect to be in the Tofino and Victoria areas in June. If no specific advice, feel free to just weigh in on the beauty and enjoyment of cruising in that neck of the woods. Thanks
 
I would not discount whale watching tours. With the right outfit on the right boat it's well worth the time. In the Tofino area there are numerous operators. I recommend the short drive from Tofnino to Ucluelet where you'll find Sub Tidal Adventures. A small outfit run by a true expert. Try to get on with the owner Brian.
 
Ferry rides are a great way to go boating. You could run from Sydney to Salts Spring Island and then exit via Vesuvius Bay on your way to Tofino.
 
A bit longer drive, but go up to Campbell River and across the island to Gold River, if you want unspoiled, low population density sites. If time permits, go further from Gold River, to Tahsis. You need a good 4WD for the last part only. Or press on northward to Port McNeil and Port Hardy. Both are worthwhile, especially if you are travelling in June when the sunset is late. A side trip to Sointula or Alert Bay could be your bit of boating.
In the opposite direction, a loop around from Victoria to Port Renfrew and back via Lake Cowichan to Victoria is another low traffic, highly scenic trip.
Have fun!
 
Hello PNW and BC residents and frequent visitors. We, two couples, are vacationing in and around Vancouver Island this summer and I thought I would reach out to a non-traditional source for some travel advice. We've never been past the Rockies in that direction, and given size of this grand old world and our limited years to see it all, we may never get a chance to return. Ideally, I would charter a boat, obtain adequate training and experience, and cruise the area all summer. Unfortunately, neither time, financial resources, nor my companions will allow for such a wonderful solution. So it's pretty much fly out for 10 days or so, rent a car, site-see and relax.

I've enlisted TF specifically to get ideas about enjoyable ways of getting on the water. I know we will be on ferries at least a couple of times so beyond just taking the ones suggested by Google maps, are there some routes that are worth driving further to take strictly for the scenery or experience? I'm not even opposed to an out and back route for the day. Those big, cram-packed, whale watching excursions don't look very enticing, but maybe someone here is aware of an excursion that is a little more like taking my own little Sundancer for a cruise.

We expect to be in the Tofino and Victoria areas in June. If no specific advice, feel free to just weigh in on the beauty and enjoyment of cruising in that neck of the woods. Thanks
I second traveling up to Campbell River. I am sure you would find a local whale watching/sightseeing operator that would be like taking your own boat out for the day but with a local, knowledgeable guide/operator that know the local waters. These are not the large group whale watching tour boats, although there are those as well. You can cover a lot of distance to see the sights in our area in a day trip. Well worth the 4 hour drive up from the Victoria area. You could easily do Victoria to Tofino up to Campbell River and back to Victoria or Nanaimo depending on which ferry you return to the mainland on. Enjoy your trip.
 
I would suggest a trip to one of the Gulf Islands. Salt Spring and Pender would be first choices. Both are easily accessible on a short ferry ride from Swartz Bay (Victoria). Salt Spring is the larger of the two. Lots of things to see and do on both islands.
Theres’s also a small passenger only ferry from Sidney out to the Sidney Spit. It’s a great spot. Big sandy beach, trails around the island etc. Easy day trip from Victoria. Sidney also has interesting shops, good restaurants and a great bakery!
 
If we can exclude kayak, SUP, peddle boat and those Hot Tub BBQ doughnut boat rental locations, bare powerboat hourly or daily rental opportunities around here are getting slim. Perhaps it's a liability issue.

In Victoria, Pedder Bay RV Resort and Marina has some, but be careful that's big water for a 17'r out there.

Sidney, 20 miles North of Victoria has, for those who want bugs in their teeth u-drive jets ski tours including one that has a stop for dinner. Wear your Tux, it's a hoot. Look up Gnarly Coastal Excursions.

To the West, Brentwood Bay Resorts may still have their 13' inflatables available by the hour. No bimini. Go for a cruise from 9:00 am until 1, then spend the afternoon at Butchart Gardens.

Over here in the Vancouver area, Sewells in West Van just announced that they are quitting the boat rentals after at least 60 years.
That leaves Granville Island Boat Rentals with a bunch of 17'+/- runabouts and Deep Cove Marina if they still have their pontoon boats around.
Of the 2, I would do the Granville Island one as their allowable territory was bigger. You will see a lot in the 5-7 hours from Granville Island to Granite Falls and back. Plus the water except on rare occasions will be flat.
If you have one, bring your handheld VHF so you can listen to Vessel Traffic Services while you are in Vancouver Harbour.

I have no idea what if anything is available in Tofino. I doubt it as again, big water is close.

There are lots of small tour boats that you can hire to take you out into the Gulf Islands from Sidney. A few years ago I had a great time on Sea King Adventures.

As this was all from memory, I'm sure I missed some.

Have a great time on the West Coast of Canada.
 
Ferry wise from Vancouver - The ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay is a load of fun, especially as you go through Active Pass, often encountering other vessels (a tight squeeze!). Bring your camera as it's gorgeous - you may even see some whales on the way! You can always do the loop and arrive back via Departure Bay > Horseshoe Bay.

Not much available in Tofino in terms of rent-your-own boat type stuff. The waters there can also be challenging with some real rippin' currents to contend with and plenty of mud flats to get stuck on (thank goodness for shallow draft!). I have spent some time kayaking there and taking our boat up the inlets. The local operators are very knowledgeable and be your best bet for viewing wildlife as they all coordinate with one another. It's hard to not see some whales when out with them. I prefer to get out on the 20-ish ft zodiacs n such as you get a little closer to the fun, with less people. Last time we went out with them we encountered numerous grey whales, eagles, sea lions...

Oh and Sea Planes - It's kinda like a boat, but can fly? If you want to get a pretty awesome look at the coast, this is hard to beat. You can do tours out of Tofino that can even land you at the Hot Springs.

If you have not found a place to stay there, the Shoreline Resort is part owned by family of mine and is super cute. Great spot with views of the inner harbour / mountains, which I prefer as there is more happening and more wildlife in general.. also a short walk to the crab dock and downtown.

Around Campbell River, I have friends (Alex & Pete) who run the Funship, which is a small charter outfit specializing in bespoke adventuring and fishing. Jet boating, whale watching.. you name it. Good people and good times.

Outside of Tofino and the Island, Sunshine Coast is also great. Pender Harbour Resort & Marina has amazing waterfront cabins and rents out boats there, by the hour. We are actually staying there in a few weeks and will be bringing our dinghy to go play with during the day and hopefully catch some dinner.

If around Vancouver, be sure to take the public transit Sea Bus to the North Shore to experience the Quay / Lower Lonsdale, which has great dining. Strathcona Brewing just recently opened a new tap house there too.
 
Y'all are the best! Precisely the kind of information I was hoping for.
 
I don't know if Port Alberni still has the mail/passenger vessel that goes out to Barkely Sound. I've seen adventerous tourists aboard and believe it is a one day trip. There used to be a similar boat (Uchuck? We called it the Upchuck) that went further afield up to Nootka Sound and may be an overnighter. These vessels used to deliver guests to some of the remote fishing lodges. You don't have to fish. The guides and lodges will be just as happy to take your money for showing you eagles, dolphins, whales and bears even though they advertise as fishing lodges.

The ferry from Vancouver Is. to Alert Bay (Cormorant Is.) is worthwhile because easy walking distance from the Alert Bay ferry terminal is a fantastic First Nations museum. I've now been there three times and would stop again. At the other end of town (about a mile) is the cemetary with "real" memorial posts (aka totem poles).

While the Vancouver Is. back country is interesting, if you go too far afield you will meet up with "logging trucks." Not the highway friendly ones we have in the states. These are off road types that take up 1.5 lanes of a two lane gravel road. There is sometimes a sign telling you to monitor a certain CB channel for traffic info. But if you don't have a CB . . . . . You have been warned.
 
If you’re staying in Victoria, Butchart Gardens is worth a visit. Going by boat is cool, but unnecessary.
Visiting a garden isn’t high on my list of things to do, but having been once, I would definitely go again. I found the terrain and history fascinating. And was amazed by some of the plants there.
And if you go in the evening, they do a fireworks show that is a little different than your traditional fireworks, I loved it and recommend you include it in your plans. (Check their schedule and take a blanket to sit on the lawn)
 
Tofino/Ucluelet beaches and trails are wonderful, great surfing too- but mighty busy for my tastes in mid-summer. Even June is busy there. For a more laid back experience- Denman and Hornby Islands are great fun- with good biking, interesting places to stay and nice walking trails. Hornby can be busy mid summer though. For more laid back island visits- Cortes Island is interesting and the two ferry mandatory travel keeps many people from visiting. I second a suggested visit to Sointula/ Alert Bay- fascinating history there. Texada and Lasqueti Islands are even more out of the way and definitely not on the popular tourist lists so not visited very often by 'outsiders'. These are suggestions should you want to head 'up Island' from the popular Victoria/ Gulf Islands spots. Vancouver Island and surrounding smaller islands are well worth a visit!
 
Get the Waggoner Cruising Guide

 
Ferry rides are a great way to go boating. You could run from Sydney to Salts Spring Island and then exit via Vesuvius Bay on your way to Tofino.
Excellent suggestion. Ganges, on Saltspring, is still one of my favorite ports-of-call. Be sure to time it so you will be there for the Saturday Market, the best I've ever attended. Watch for Raffi.
 
So many great opportunities to be on the water, without feeling like a bus tour of Hollywood Homes. Most of the boats are 12p.

Great suggestion of Campbell River and here are the go-to outfits.
Campbell River Campbell River · Campbell River, BC, Canada
Aboriginal Journeys Home - Aboriginal Journeys » Wildlife and Adventure Tours
Campbell River WW Campbell River Whale Watching and Adventure Tours -
Eagle Eye Campbell River Whale Watching & Wildlife Tours | Eagle Eye Adventures
Homalco Homalco Culture & Wildlife Tours | Campbell River, BC

All four of those Campbell River operators are first class. Though they will almost always see the same animals, throughout the Discovery Islands, each has a different operational asset, that may or may not set them apart. Tons of west coast wildlife, but don’t expect grizzlies in June. Just be aware, most of these tours are at least 4 hours long, some as much as 8 or 9.

Tofino is not a place for whales, but is a great spot for experiencing the true west coast geography and these tours are mostly 2.5 hours. Don’t get sucked into a hot springs tour. Here’s the good ones:
Tofino Tofino · Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0, Canada
The Whale Centre The Whale Centre Tofino | Tofino Whale Watching, Tofino Bear Watching & Tofino Hot Springs Tours
Ahous Adventures Ahous Adventures | Bear, Whale, & Hot Spring Tofino Tours
Adventure Tofino Adventure Tofino Wildlife Tours - Zodiac Tours
Remote Passages Whale watching in Tofino, whale watching at Remote Passages, west coast BC sea kayaking. Accommodation.

You can’t beat a cruise to the Broken Group Islands from Ucluelet.
Ucluelet Ucluelet · Ucluelet, BC, Canada
Archipelago Archipelago Cruises - Archipelago Cruises

And working freighter day cruises were mentioned and they are really worth the time.
Lady Rose Marine
Home

In Victoria, Eagle Wing Tours is the number one operator on the coast and a run in one of their three open boats will get the blood flowing.
Eagle Wing Whale Watching Victoria - Eagle Wing Whale & Wildlife Tours
Wild 4 Whales (63p) https://tinyurl.com/43zcpv2w
4 Ever Wild (50p) https://tinyurl.com/2kmd36cf
Wildcat 4 (48p) http://tinyurl.com/ycxve2vx
Goldwing (26p) https://tinyurl.com/bddk3uac
Serengeti (12p) https://tinyurl.com/yuah3v24

tiltrider1, it’s Sidney and Salt Spring.
 
Anchor or pick up buoy in Buchart Cove across from Buchart Gardens. Worth the trip even if you don't go across to the Gardens themselves as it's a major spot for eagles and other wildlife. If you are a hiker there are amazing hikes from there.
 
The great thing about BC is that nature is often right on your doorstep. You just have to look! Campbell river and the Northern Island are teeming with nature and are some of my favourite places, but even a leisurely kayak paddle around Newcastle island (5 min paddle from the dock by the Nanaimo Ferry Terminal) can be fruitful. I particularly love the area around Quadra Island etc. This weekend, we are on the opposite side of the Strait of Georgia in Pender Harbour, staying at the very cozy cabins here overlooking the marina. Hot tub is A1. They do have boat rentals too (19' Kingfisher) which will get you to some fun spots.

We took the dinghy out but didn't see any whales (may try again today), but there was a ton of other marine life, including a huge pod of dolphins in the distance, seals, sea lions and... an aquatic deer making it's way between the islands. The views are also incredible, especially if you hook around to the Agamemnon Channel for a peek of the Tantalus Range.

You are going to love it out here.
 

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Water deer, do not exist in N. America. They are native to China and the Koreas. They were introduced to France and the UK.

What you saw would have been a native to BC Black Tailed Deer. These deer along with most BC land mammals, including cougars, are frequent swimmers, seen crossing between islands.
 
Water deer, do not exist in N. America. They are native to China and the Koreas. They were introduced to France and the UK.

What you saw would have been a native to BC Black Tailed Deer. These deer along with most BC land mammals, including cougars, are frequent swimmers, seen crossing between islands.
Haha yes, obviously just a regular deer. They certainly have no problems swimming to the different islands around here - fun to see when they do.
 
Comox is adorable, and don’t miss having a meal at the Filberg Summer Kitchen!


For a real blowout treat catch a float plane or water taxi out of Campbell River for a few days at Dent Island Lodge. The chef’s tasting menu by the rapids is insanely good, and the guided fishing is all but guaranteed. The jet boat rapids tour is a hoot as well.

Home - Dent Island Lodge
 
We are doing a similar trip in September. Things to consider. Are you flying into Seattle or to Vancouver Island? If going flying to SEA, renting a car and taking a ferry to Vancouver Island, the only car ferry I have found is the Black Ball Ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria (the Washington State car ferries from Seattle or Anacortes don't appear to be running now). The Black Ball Ferry pretty much requires reservations. If your flying into Vancouver Island airport, there are car rentals available there and I believe it is a little ways out of town on the north side. We have visited the island twice before and have really enjoyed each visit. I recommend the trip to Tofino but haven't taken any tours from there. We stayed at the Best Western on the reservation just before town and really enjoyed the stay and restaurant. Remember that speed limits are in KPH and not MPH.
 
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