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Itinerary · British Columbia
West Coast Discovery
Nine days from Vancouver to Tofino and the Sea-to-Sky.
- Duration
- 9 days
- Pace
- Moderate
- Best months
- June – September
- Suggested cadence
- 3 bases
Trip overview
Pacific rainforest, urban architecture, and surf-pummeled shores of Vancouver Island, plus the Sea-to-Sky to Whistler. The west coast at its most lush and elemental.
- Route summary
- Vancouver → Tofino (float plane or ferry) → Vancouver → Sea-to-Sky → Whistler.
- Ideal traveller
- Foodies, beach walkers, mild-adventure couples.
- Recommended season
- June–September; November–February for storm-watching in Tofino.
- Distance
- ≈ 700 km driving + short float plane
- Provinces covered
- British Columbia
- Major stops
- Vancouver · Tofino · Squamish · Whistler
Day by day
The full itinerary.
Day
01
Overnight
Arrive Vancouver
Canada Line from YVR to downtown. Settle into the Fairmont Pacific Rim or the Loden.
Day
02
Overnight
Vancouver, day one
Stanley Park sea wall by bike, lunch on Granville Island, sunset at Kits Beach.
Day
03
Overnight
Vancouver, day two
Capilano Suspension Bridge or Grouse Mountain, then dinner at St. Lawrence in Railtown.
Day
04
Vancouver → Tofino
Float plane to Tofino in 50 min, or ferry + drive (6 hr). Stay at the Wickaninnish Inn.
Day
05
Overnight
Tofino in full
Surf lesson at Cox Bay, lunch at Picnic Charcuterie, sunset paddle at Chesterman Beach.
Wildlife: Grey whales offshore, eagles overheadDay
06
Overnight
Tofino → Vancouver
Return ferry day. Quiet dinner at Anh & Chi.
Day
07
Sea-to-Sky to Whistler
Drive Highway 99 — Shannon Falls, Sea-to-Sky Gondola, arrive Whistler for dinner.
Day
08
Overnight
Whistler
Peak 2 Peak Gondola, paddle on Alta Lake, dinner at Araxi.
Day
09
Overnight
Whistler → Vancouver → home
Morning drive back to YVR. Direct flights to most North American hubs.
Featured destinations
Places included in this trip.
Experiences
What you'll do along the way.
Adventure
Surf lesson at Cox Bay
Wildlife
Grey whale watching
Food
Granville Island food crawl
Camping
Sleep under Canadian skies.
Travel planning
Everything you need before you go.
Best time to go
June–September. November–February for dramatic storm-watching.
Weather
Mild and damp. Tofino sees 3,000 mm of rain a year — always carry a shell.
Packing
Rain shell, quick-dry layers, swimsuit, hiking shoes, sunglasses.
Driving notes
Sea-to-Sky is a stunning paved drive. Vancouver Island ferry needs reservations.
Reservations
Wickaninnish Inn, Long Beach Lodge: 6+ months ahead for July/August.
Budget
CAD $300–$600 per person per day.
Family
Great for kids 6+ — beaches, gondolas, gentle hikes.
Accessibility
Most major boardwalks (Long Beach, Stanley Park) are accessible.
Pack smart
What to bring.
- 01
Waterproof shell — Tofino is a rainforest
- 02
Sandals and runners
- 03
Reservations at Wickaninnish months ahead
- 04
A book for the float plane delays
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