Favourite Experiences:
- Learning about Victoria’s history and culinary scene on the ‘Taste of Victoria’ Food Tour
- Hiking along the Wild Pacific Trail in Uclulet
- Enjoying a flight of Salt Spring Island’s local ciders at Salt Spring Wild Cider House
In June I travelled back to Vancouver Island – one of my absolute favourite places in Canada. My partner and I rented a car and visited Victoria, Tofino and Salt Spring Island. We spent a few nights visiting family in Victoria and exploring the downtown area, and then drove 4.5 hours north west of the city to the surf town of Tofino. We ended our trip by taking the ferry over to Salt Spring Island for an evening and enjoying the island’s popular Saturday Morning Market.
Arriving to Victoria Airport, we picked up our rental car and drove to Oak Bay, our base in Victoria. Driving on Vancouver Island is very easy and convenient, I definitely recommend a car rental if you’re interested in visiting a few different destinations on the island. One of the highlights of our visit to Victoria was the food walking and history tour we took with A Taste of Victoria Food Tours. The owner and tour guide, Andy, is an excellent ambassador to the city and the food tastings were delicious!
I spent 3 nights in Tofino at the amazing Ocean Village Resort. I can’t recommend this ocean-front hotel enough! It features self-catering cabins with amazing views of MacKenzie beach. Tofino is a great place to relax, unwind, and get in touch with nature. The town of Tofino has a growing culinary scene focusing on fresh local seafood and produce.
Lastly, we took the car ferry over to the gulf island of Salt Spring. Salt Spring Island has amazing local and organic produce, from wine and ciders, to cheese and dairy, to soap and lavender – this place has it all in a gorgeous setting! We enjoyed visits and shopping at the island’s popular Saturday Market, as well as Salt Spring Wilder Cider House, Salt Spring Island Cheese Company and Sacred Mountain Lavender Farm.
You can bet I’ll be back to Vancouver Island soon! Below are some of my favourite photos from my trip to Vancouver Island:
Cattle Point in Oak Bay, Victoria
Fan Tan Alley in Downtown Victoria – the narrowest street in the country and a side door to Canada’s oldest Chinatown
The harbour in downtown Victoria
I’m with Andy, the owner and tour guide of A Taste of Victoria Food Tours – highly recommended!
Trafalgar Park, Oak Bay, Victoria
En Route to Tofino! This is Malahat Lookout along the Trans-Canada Highway
Cathedral Grove, located in MacMillan Provincial Park, is one of the most accessible stands of giant Douglas fir trees on Vancouver Island
Hugging a Douglas Fir in Cathedral Grove
Cameron Lake outside of Port Alberni
Made it to Tofino! Taking a stroll along Chesterman Beach
Storm watching at Chesterman Beach
Welcome to Tofino! In the Haahuulthii of the Tla-O-Qui-Aht Hawiih
Driftwood along Tofino’s Long Beach
Sunny skies peaking through at Long Beach, Tofino
Mackenzie Beach, Tofino
Conquering the Lighthouse Loop hike along the Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet
The Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet
The Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet
The Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet
The Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet
The Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet
The sunset over Ocean Village Resort in Tofino
Crofton Harbour
Between The Covers B&B on Salt Spring Island
Enjoying Charcuterie at Salt Spring Wild Cider House
The popular Salt Spring Island Saturday Market
The view from above Ganges Harbour on Salt Spring Island
Sacred Mountain Lavender Farm on Salt Spring Island
Sacred Mountain Lavender Farm on Salt Spring Island
Katie Everywhere 