Vancouver Island Ideas

[robanddi]

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.

Diann

P.S. All 3 of us are old (82, 73 and 10)

[DownTheAvenue]

Since you are traveling with a dog, be aware that there is an extremely deadly fungus in the northern parts of the island that can infect the dogs brain and causes progressive, debilitating issues that usually necessitate the dog being euthanized. Do your research.

[daveB110]

If you are allowing yourself a treat, by including the Sunshine Coast into your itinerary, one may take two ferries, first from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale, then a second, from Earls cove to Saltery Bay and drive to Powell River. Use the Experience Card to pay, once for the two ferries. These areas have been called the Sunshine Coast because the mountains of Vancouver Island block or divert some of the rain-bearing cloud away. But Once in Powell River you can again use the Experience card to gain access to Vancouver Island at a discounted rate. Returning on another route on a BCFS ferry, you will pay the regular rate. Or if going to Washington state directly, from the Victoria area you may find a more reasonable cost to get to the mainland, or maybe shorten your travel miles.

[GaryKH]

Experience cards are only valid on the lesser routes, to the smaller gulf islands. They don't work on the Vancouver to Vancouver Island route. If you are going to the smaller Islands, then they do save a lot of money.

http://www.bcferries.com/experience_and_coast_card/what_it_is/#Routes

[daveB110]

Vancouver Island can take up considerable time, during the summer, if you let it. Yes, on B.C. Ferries unhooking your towed car and driving it on separately will save some money. As well, the use of a card they offer, called "The Experience Card" can make quite a difference. Enquire beforehand, or even ask right at the pay booth before you pay for the ferry. They can issue you this card on the spot, but you will need to know if it will work for you. Because the BCFS requires the card be topped up to a certain level and any monies left stay with the card until it's used again. For a one-time use this might not work.

The Martin Mars did a fly-around the south B.C. coast this summer from its' base on Sproat Lake, flying over our town as well, after picking up water on a nearby lake and discharging it spectacularly in front of our town. We had seen it first-hand several years ago as it knocked down a fire on a hillside close to town. There were two, then, think one was sold off as they have had no contracts from the B.C. government, other than a one month contract last year when the forest fires were bad. This year fires have been much fewer in our Province.

After the fly- around of some local towns it flew out to Oshkosh,Wisconsin, perhaps to put it up for sale. Believe this plane has very little wood in it and the size of a Mosquito (which is mostly wood) would fall much short of the Mars' girth, although back in 1940 this British airplane was the fastest plane in the world. The Spruce Goose can be found in Oregon, near the town of Mcminnville, in a gigantic hanger/ museum, with dozens of big and small aircraft right there, yes, under the Gooses' wings!

[obgraham]

Tripalot wrote:
We enjoyed a trip to Tofino on the West side of Vancouver Island,...
If I remember, the trip across the Island went through a huge grove of very big cedars and the road was a bit tricky for large rigs - something to check on before doing.
I also remember stopping to see a a large wooden aircraft anchored in a lake on the way. It was either the Howard Hughes Spruce Goose or replica, or similar

Indeed the aircraft is the huge Martin Mars, anchored at Sproat Lake in the middle of the Island. We were there this time last year, and was not fortunate enough to see the airplane fly. Now it was recently damaged again, so who knows when it will fly. Very nice campground at Sproat Lake.

The road to Tofino is winding and at times narrow, but it is doable, and there are plenty of RV's out at the coast. The Hippies are still there, and so are scads of Moms, Pops, and the Kids. Some really lovely beaches there.

[Tripalot]

We enjoyed a trip to Tofino on the West side of Vancouver Island, That was about 12 years ago and at that time it seemed all the Hippies who lived in old Volkswagen Vans resided there. Not sure what it is like now, but it was an interesting place to visit back then.

If I remember, the trip across the Island went through a huge grove of very big
cedars and the road was a bit tricky for large rigs - something to check on before doing.
I also remember stopping to see a a large wooden aircraft anchored in a lake on the way. It was either the Howard Hughes Spruce Goose or replica, or similar - memory is not as sharp as it once was! It was impressive though.

Maybe someone else can help with my suggestions. Also 4 days is not long enough on the Island.

[GaryKH]

It doesn't usually save any time (days) taking the ferry from Pt. Hardy to Pr. Rupert. You have to board at a very early time in PH, so that makes staying overnight a necessity. Then, you get in to PR at a late hour that usually means another nights sleep. I'm talking about going from, say Nanaimo to Kitwanga and onward to the Yukon. If you took the ferry from Nanaimo to Vancouver, & drove up, relaxed, it would take 2-3 days also. You do save a ton of money by not taking the inside passage ferry, but miss out on that scenery.

[GaryKH]

It doesn't usually save any time (days) taking the ferry from Pt. Hardy to Pr. Rupert. You have to board at a very early time in PH, so that makes staying overnight a necessity. Then, you get in to PR at a late hour that usually means another nights sleep. I'm talking about going from, say Nanaimo to Kitwanga and onward to the Yukon. If you took the ferry from Nanaimo to Vancouver, & drove up, relaxed, it would take 2-3 days also. You do save a ton of money by not taking the inside passage ferry, but miss out on that scenery.

[happycamper1942]

I agree you should check out the Anacortes ferry, if they still have their summer deal for RVs you can save a lot of money.
I also agree with all of the suggestions of what to do,but there are so many more.
One of our favourite places is Buttle Lake campground in Strathconna Provincial Park.
Finally,4 days is definitely not enough, a week minimum would be my suggestion if you can do it. Also,if you are here in the summer, campground reservations are recommended, the popular ones fill up pretty quickly.
I'm sure you will enjoy it, it is a beautiful place. We emigrated here from England over 40 years ago and never regretted coming here.

[CA_Traveler]

robanddi wrote:
Thanks to all. I did calculate both towed and de-toaded and it is cheaper separately. I will now check Anacortes rates!

Dian

Post what you find as we may go next summer and Vancouver might work out.

Last time we went out of Port Angeles on Black Ball no problem with separating the toad to save some bucks. No so on the return trip from Victoria (Black Ball again) even though we were early the arrogant person in charge said he could not guarantee both vehicles would be on the same ferry. He was being a as*. So check carefully before you separate.

[robanddi]

Thanks to all. I did calculate both towed and de-toaded and it is cheaper separately. I will now check Anacortes rates!

Dian

[cruiserjs]

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]

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&gcl...
Empress
Victoria

http://www.butchartgardens.com/

[trailerbikecamp]

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.