The Best of Vancouver Island: A Family-Friendly Road Trip Itinerary You’ll Love
I’ve shared many of my favourite Vancouver Island destinations over the years – from tucked-away beaches to cozy island cafés to the places my family returns to over and over again. And after a friend recently asked for “the ultimate Vancouver Island itinerary,” I finally sat down and mapped it all out.
This 10–14 day loop starts and ends in Victoria, touches multiple coastlines, crosses to small islands, and highlights the beaches, forests, ocean views, sunsets, and good food that make this island home. You’ll find local favourites, easy family hikes, stunning viewpoints, and places that feel a little magical no matter the season.
Every day includes distance, drive time, my favourite stops, and suggestions for where to stay and eat (plus links to travel guides for each of the areas). Whether you’re travelling with kids, teens, grandparents, friends, or doing a couples’ getaway, this route is flexible, scenic, and unforgettable.
And the best part? This trip works beautifully year-round. Winter storms are spectacular on the West Coast, spring blooms are magic, summer has endless beach days, and fall brings quieter trails and warm ocean sunsets.
Let’s go.
Day 1 – Victoria ? Sooke ? Port Renfrew
Distance: ~114 km
Approx. drive time: 2 hrs 10 min (without stops)
Make your way west from Victoria toward Sooke and Port Renfrew — and leave time for a few of our favourite stops.
Favourite Stops Along the Way
- Sooke Beaches – Choose between Whiffin Spit, Ella Beach, or Gordons Beach for a beautiful stroll.
- Shirley Delicious – A local favourite for the best coffee, baked treats, and sandwiches.
- Stoked Wood-Fired Pizzeria – Fantastic pizza in the forest, great for families (closed in the winter),
- Sandcut Beach – Hike in for the waterfall right on the beach (40 min round trip).
- French Beach Provincial Park – Easier option with a short walk directly to the shoreline, playground and washrooms (also a great camping spot).
End the Day in Port Renfrew
Check in at Wild Renfrew (cabins right on the water).
Dinner at the pub (fresh seafood + a view that hits different at sunset).
Day 2 – Explore Port Renfrew ? Maple Bay (Cowichan Valley)
Distance: ~102 km
Approx. drive time: 2 hrs 5 min
Grab breakfast and head out early to Botanical Beach — one of the best low-tide tidepooling spots in BC.
When leaving Port Renfrew, don’t miss: Fairy Lake Bonsai Tree Stop – one of the most photographed spots on the island. Or stop by the Gnarliest Tree in Canada.
Head Toward the Cowichan Valley: Set off late morning and drive the Pacific Marine Circle Route to Cowichan.
Camp in Lake Cowichan or continue to Maple Bay for the night — closer to vineyards, dining, and some of the best views in the region.
Things to Do in Maple Bay & Cowichan Valley
- Visit local vineyards.
- Hike Stoney Hill Regional Park — short, stunning views of Sansum Narrows.
- Visit The Raptors — an incredible educational raptor centre with eagles, owls, and hawks. (Kids and teens love this one.)
Where to Stay
Find a local vacation rental or campground (Gordon Bay Provincial Park in Honeymoon Bay or the Living Forest near Nanaimo)
Dinner options: Maple Bay Marina or Craig Street Brew Pub.
Day 3 – Maple Bay ? Nanaimo ? Gabriola Island
Distance: ~57 km + ferry
Approx. drive time: 1 hr 10 min + 20-min ferry
Start the morning slow, then head toward Nanaimo to catch the ferry to Gabriola Island.
Things to Do on Gabriola
- Explore the sandstone formations at Malaspina Galleries
- Enjoy fresh seafood
- Wander local artist studios (especially in summer)
- Walk one of the island’s many forest or shoreline trails
Where to Stay
Pages Resort & Marina — a beautiful, quiet spot with ocean views and easy access to trails. A peaceful, slower-paced night.
Day 4 – 5 Gabriola ? Coombs ? Little Qualicum Falls ? Cathedral Grove ? Ucluelet
Distance: ~183 km + ferry
Approx. drive time: 2 hr 40 min + 20-min ferry
Take the ferry back to Nanaimo and head towards Ucluelet.
Favourite Stops Along the Way (or way back)
- Coombs: Goats on the Roof – A classic Island stop, especially fun for kids. Check out the General Store, stop for ice cream or a doughnut.
- Little Qualicum Falls – Walk the loop trail and enjoy the falls.
- Cathedral Grove MacMillan Provincial Park) – A must-see. Walk among giant ancient Douglas firs — some over 800 years old.
- Hole in the Wall (Port Alberni) – A short walk to a unique rock arch — a perfect leg stretch.
Optional Summer Camping:
If you’re travelling in summer and looking to camp and add an extra night, Little Qualicum Falls Campground is one of our favourites — old-growth forest, waterfalls, and quiet sites.
Where to Stay (Ucluelet)
- Black Rock Oceanfront Resort
- The Nami Project (adults only perfect for a couple’s getaway)
- Wya Point Beachside Camping
Spend the next day exploring Ucluelet and enjoying a few local specialties.
What to Do in Ucluelet
- Walk the Ancient Cedars Loop
- Lighthouse Loop on the Wild Pacific Trail
- Watch for whales and sea lions from the viewpoints
- Visit the Aquarium
Where to Eat
Check out these local Ucluelet favourites. You really can’t go wrong.
Day 6 – 7 Ucluelet ? Tofino
Distance: ~42 km
Approx. drive time: 40 min
A short but stunning drive brings you to Tofino.
Where to Stay
- Green Point Campground (if you’re lucky to get a reservation)
- Pacific Sands Beach Resort
Things to Do
- Surf lessons or bike on the beach
- Stroll Cox Bay (or hike the Cox Bay Trail)
- Visit Incinerator Rock
- Sunset on the sand (Pettinger Point is a great spot to see the sunset over the ocean)
- Kwistis Visitor Centre
- Head out on a whale watching tour
- Walk the rainforest boardwalks
- Eat your way through town (don’t miss dinner at Shelter)
Day 8 – 9 Tofino ? Parksville
Distance: 173 km
Approx. drive time: 2 hrs 15 min
Begin the return journey east hitting any stops you didn’t have time for on the way out.
Where to Stay in Parksville
What to Do
- Enjoy the Parksville Community Park
- If visiting in summer: Sandcastle Competition
- Splash in the warm shallows at low tide and walk the beach that goes on forever
- Treat yourself to the spa at Tigh-Na-Mara
- Mini Golf at Riptide Lagoon or Paradise Mini Golf
Day 10 – Parksville ? Victoria
Distance: ~149 km
Approx. drive time: 2 hrs 15 min (not including stops)
Your final day includes some of the Island’s best stops.
Favourite Stops on Along the Way
- Ladysmith: Transfer Beach – Great place to stretch your legs.
- Old Town Bakery (Ladysmith) – Famous cinnamon buns.
- Cowichan Station Creamery – A cheese stop needs no explanation, they even have a cheese vending machine.
- Merridale Cidery – A stroll and a flight.
- Drifters Creamery – An ice cream stop on route.
- Bridgeman’s Bistro (Mill Bay) – Lunch on the water and an optional way home via the Mill Bay – Brentwood Bay Ferry.
- Malahat Skywalk – Beautiful lookout on a clear day with a fun slide down and boardwalk to enjoy the forest on your way out (plan for an hour and a half if you are going to stop).
- Goldstream Park – Short walk to the waterfall.
Then make your way back to Victoria — sandy shoes, camera full of sunsets, and a heart full of West Coast memories.
Optional Detour Instead of the West Coast: Hornby Island (Days 4-7)
If you’d rather not face the drive out to Ucluelet + Tofino, take this alternate route:
Coombs ? Denman Island ? Hornby Island
Spend a few days soaking up laid-back island life at some of our favourite spots:
- Helliwell Provincial Park — bluff walk with ocean views
- Grassy Point — the best sunsets on the island
- Whaling Station Beach — summer swimming paradise
- Hunt for fossils at Fossil Beach
- Roadside stands + the farmers market (in summer)
- Pizza and great food in the Ringside Market
- Art studios and local makers
- Beaches everywhere
Each time we have stayed on Hornby Island we have rented a local home through Airbnb or a rental agency.
Why This Road Trip Works for Families (and Anyone Who Loves the Outdoors)
- Short drive days
- Beaches everywhere
- Forest walks for all levels
- Great food, fresh local ingredients
- Hidden gems + gorgeous sunsets
- Easy to adjust to your pace
- Works in any season
No matter where you go on Vancouver Island, a few things are guaranteed: beaches, ocean air, forest walks, great food, and the best sunsets. This road trip blends all of it – from rugged coastline to small islands to local favourites and hidden gems – and can be done in 10 days or savoured at a more relaxed pace in 14.
It’s the ultimate loop of the island I’m lucky to call home — and the one I’d share with anyone asking where to go first. For more Vancouver Island favourites see these posts:
