My husband and I plus the dog plan to spend next summer in Alaska and Western Canada (it will be our 7th time). We are considering options that are different. We have never been to Vancouver Island and are considering taking ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria then spending 4 days (?) going up the island and taking ferry from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert.Normally we drive both ways but in 2012 took ferry from Juneau (after doing Haines to Juneau and camping a week in Juneau) to Prince Rupert stopping over at several places along the way. We are not enamored with ferry travel primarily but not solely because of the dog. We prefer sleeping in our own rig, etc. etc.We drive a 34’ Class A and tow a full size SUV (this year will be towing a Yukon Denali). I am a little taken aback by the price estimates based on this year’s fares but we are still wanting to do Vancouver Island and going up the Inside Passage (we did a small boat in 1993 from Juneau to Seattle and loved it).Taking the ferry will save us some miles and camping fees and days of driving but it will still be a pricey alternative. In fact depending on how long we stay on the island it may save us neither time nor camping fees.Looking for some feedback on those who have done something similar in the past. Is it worth it? Our primary interests are scenery and animals. We don’t fish but we sure love seafood. I know there is at least one Canadian NP and several Provincial Parks. I have not checked on size limitations or facilities but this is the sort of camping we prefer.Thanks for your advice and suggestions.DiannP.S. All 3 of us are old (82, 73 and 10)

We caught the ferry out of Anacortes on a ferry trip to Alaska it was much easier than traveling into Canada. We also caught one out of Port Hardy on one occasion. Both trips were fantastic but then again we like traveling on the ferry systems. When crossing the boarder it is a bit of a hassle. Not because of the Canadians mind you. But because of our tightening of the boarder. Just becomes a pain in the butt. I would say the price is well worth the experience. On the trip out of Anacortis to Ketchican the first leg is the longest. Its 18 hours. The rest of the jaunts are just in the 8 hour variety. We went from Anacortes to Ketchican stayed a week in Ketchican then on to Sitka spent a week there then on to ST Petersburg spent a week there then back to Anicortes Great trip very costly like you said but well worth it in my opinion. Nothing better to get the adrenaline pumping than backing your rig down a ramp in the pouring rain in total darkness into a spot where you have inches on both sides of the rig. The folks that help you are tremendous to a person. You wont be sorry you did it. This year we are headed for Newfoundland that should be interesting. We are leaving on the 11th of September.

I may be in error on this, but I think that it is cheaper to separate the vehicles for the ferry trip. When hooked up the oversize per foot rate includes the towed.Art.

The ferry from Anacortes to Sidney Vancouver Island has had a special for RV's. The special rates are half the Port Angeles/Victoria run. Entering Canada via this ferry is usually quick and friendly. Every Sat night, during the summer. the Butchart Gardens has a fire works display second to none in the world. Check it out. Diesel and gas is usually 3 cents a liter cheaper on the North/ West side of the Malahat. Vancouver Island has recently beat out many tourist Islands for the best accommodation, things to do, and places to dine, esp seafood. The West Coast of the Island is quite accessible with the toad doing day trips with circle routes in some cases.Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia.It is a wonderful place with ocean parks (pedestrian) the legislative buildings, the down town waterfront, high tea at the Empress Hotel...Cruise ships tie up at Ogden Point and are frequent during the summer.Four days on the Island is minimal for a foretraveler. Tom

If you have time check out Elk Falls Provincial Park on the island. It has trees second only to the giant redwoods in California. While in Campbell River, look at taking a salmon fishing trip. It used to be known as the salmon capital of the world. Look at Mt. Washington, in the Comox Valley, in winter it is a ski resort, but has added summer activities.For a taste of the high end, the Empress Hotel in Victoria has high tea in the afternoon. I think it is at 3:00. There is minimum dress code for this.

A few ides for sight seeing follow. The Island is rich in things to see and do. Four days is really a short time. Buchart Gardens is a day itself for sure. The inner harbour area in Victoria is also easily a day. The comment regarding separating the towed is accurate. The ferry fee is based on overall length with the longer "units" being charged a premium. Just did the Blackball Ferry numbers. 303$ hooked and 269$ separated. My parents lived in Duncan.http://findyourelement.ca/?gclid=CI-A8pOK4s4CFYQCaQodPTIPMQhttps://www.google.ca/#q=duncan+bc+totems Duncan totemshttp://muraltown.com/ Chemainus muralshttp://www.fairmont.com/empress-victoria/?cmpid=google_emp_search-branded-canada_empress-e-revsh&gclid=CMDI0Y-J4s4CFQYxaQodkq4BkQEmpress Victoriahttp://www.butchartgardens.com/

Vancouver Island Ideas | Good Sam Community

robanddi
Explorer
Aug 27, 2016
Thanks to all. I did calculate both towed and de-toaded and it is cheaper separately. I will now check Anacortes rates!

Dian
cruiserjs
Explorer
Aug 27, 2016
From Pt. hardy, at the northern end(almost) of the Island take the quick ferry over to Alert Bay and check out the local history at the Museum, "U'Mista" for history of the local "Namgis"
vic46
Explorer
Aug 27, 2016
A few ides for sight seeing follow. The Island is rich in things to see and do. Four days is really a short time. Buchart Gardens is a day itself for sure. The inner harbour area in Victoria is also easily a day. The comment regarding separating the towed is accurate. The ferry fee is based on overall length with the longer "units" being charged a premium. Just did the Blackball Ferry numbers. 303$ hooked and 269$ separated. My parents lived in Duncan.

http://findyourelement.ca/?gclid=CI-A8pOK4s4CFYQCaQodPTIPMQ

https://www.google.ca/#q=duncan+bc+totems Duncan totems

http://muraltown.com/ Chemainus murals

http://www.fairmont.com/empress-victoria/?cmpid=google_emp_search-branded-canada_empress-e-revsh&gclid=CMDI0Y-J4s4CFQYxaQodkq4BkQ
Empress
Victoria

http://www.butchartgardens.com/
trailerbikecamp
Explorer
Aug 27, 2016
If you have time check out Elk Falls Provincial Park on the island. It has trees second only to the giant redwoods in California. While in Campbell River, look at taking a salmon fishing trip. It used to be known as the salmon capital of the world.

Look at Mt. Washington, in the Comox Valley, in winter it is a ski resort, but has added summer activities.

For a taste of the high end, the Empress Hotel in Victoria has high tea in the afternoon. I think it is at 3:00. There is minimum dress code for this.
cross_country
Explorer
Aug 27, 2016
The ferry from Anacortes to Sidney Vancouver Island has had a special for RV's. The special rates are half the Port Angeles/Victoria run. Entering Canada via this ferry is usually quick and friendly.

Every Sat night, during the summer. the Butchart Gardens has a fire works display second to none in the world. Check it out.

Diesel and gas is usually 3 cents a liter cheaper on the North/ West side of the Malahat.

Vancouver Island has recently beat out many tourist Islands for the best accommodation, things to do, and places to dine, esp seafood.

The West Coast of the Island is quite accessible with the toad doing day trips with circle routes in some cases.

Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia.It is a wonderful place with ocean parks (pedestrian) the legislative buildings, the down town waterfront, high tea at the Empress Hotel...Cruise ships tie up at Ogden Point and are frequent during the summer.

Four days on the Island is minimal for a foretraveler. Tom
Rvpapa
Explorer
Aug 27, 2016
I may be in error on this, but I think that it is cheaper to separate the vehicles for the ferry trip. When hooked up the oversize per foot rate includes the towed.
Art.
diazr2
Explorer
Aug 27, 2016
We caught the ferry out of Anacortes on a ferry trip to Alaska it was much easier than traveling into Canada. We also caught one out of Port Hardy on one occasion. Both trips were fantastic but then again we like traveling on the ferry systems. When crossing the boarder it is a bit of a hassle. Not because of the Canadians mind you. But because of our tightening of the boarder. Just becomes a pain in the butt.

I would say the price is well worth the experience. On the trip out of Anacortis to Ketchican the first leg is the longest. Its 18 hours. The rest of the jaunts are just in the 8 hour variety. We went from Anacortes to Ketchican stayed a week in Ketchican then on to Sitka spent a week there then on to ST Petersburg spent a week there then back to Anicortes Great trip very costly like you said but well worth it in my opinion. Nothing better to get the adrenaline pumping than backing your rig down a ramp in the pouring rain in total darkness into a spot where you have inches on both sides of the rig. The folks that help you are tremendous to a person. You wont be sorry you did it. This year we are headed for Newfoundland that should be interesting. We are leaving on the 11th of September.

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