Vancouver island vs Vancouver

[AnotherBreakfast]

Planning trip of a lifetime for this summer - flights are booked and heading to Vancouver.
Plan so far is 3 nights Vancouver, 3 nights Tofino, 4 nights whistler, 4 nights Vancouver.
But after looking at Tofino a bit more, should we do an extra night in Tofino??? And reduce last Vancouver leg? Our kids are 9 and 12 - we don’t like to be on the go all the time, so will be doing a mix of activities and relaxing but looking to tick off the main BC items like seeing bears, whales watching. Am looking at surfing for one of our days in Tofino. Also I think once our kids have seen a couple of mountains they’ll probably get over quite quickly so atm Whistler will probably cover us 😂
looking for any hints and tips from folks who’ve done this with kids

I’d lose Whistler and do more on VI. Whistler nice enough and we did some nice stuff there, but it felt very manufactured.

Sounds like a great itinerary and we loved Whistler. I do think 7 nights in total in Vancouver is too much. I would increase Tofino to 4 nights and up Whistler as well as there’s loads of outdoor stuff to do.
We have been to Vancouver twice and last time - about 10 years ago - it felt a bit more dangerous than the time before as there’s a bit of a drug problem. There are still things to see and do, but unless there’s a particular reason that’s a long time in that destination.

Agree that 3 nights is enough for Vancouver. I’d definitely do VI

alternatively, have you considered an Alaska cruise that does a round trip from Vancouver? That might be easier with your kids ages. You could do a day or two in Vancouver before, 7 day inside passage cruise and then get the ferry or seaplane to VI before you fly home?

Ive done this trip a few times. We always fly into Vancouver and spend just 1 night there, pick up hire car and drive over to VI, heading initially for Victoria for 2 nights. Then drive over to the west coast - Tofino is nice but mega expensive! We spent 1 week in a cabin just outside Souke, did whale watching and spent time on the beach. Then sail back to Vancouver driving straight to Whistler for a few nights. There’s lots to do there in summer. Finally, 3 nights in the city, handing the car back first.

Definitely reduce the time in Vancouver. It is a lovely city in parts, but as PP said there is a significant drug issue that makes certain parts of the city absolutely horrific - genuinely shocking and distressing. Mostly avoidable if you know where not to go but it does spill out into the rest of the city.

I would do more time on Vancouver Island, you can do great tours from Tofino (we liked the hot springs by boat, we saw lots of wildlife on the way), hire bikes, surfing etc. Whistler is great for hiking, there are some lovely swimming lakes and of course bears!

I was in Vancouver in July 2023 and agree about the drug issue. Downtown east I think was the main area for it, almost like a mini skid row. As a
Social worker it takes a lot to shock me but I found it distressing. Avoid that part with kids. Rest of the city is lovely but yes 3 nights is enough.

I live on the island. 7 nights total in Vancouver is far too long! 3 nights at the start and 1 final night before your flight will be plenty.

4 nights in Whistler is also too much. Honestly I wouldn’t go for more than 2.

I’d do 3 nights Vancouver, 3 nights Tofino, 4-5 nights elsewhere on the island, 2 nights Whistler and 1 night Vancouver. I know it’s a lot more moving around but you’re missing a huge amount on the island, and your current plan doesn’t actually sound very interesting.

Dear god don't spend seven days in Vancouver. Loads of nicer places to go. Maybe two days in Vancouver? At most.

Substitute some more VI for Van. Victoria, or a nicer, less touristy part of the island than Tofino. Parksville or Botanical or French Beach.

Tofino is the best place we have ever been. We had (i think) 4 nights in Vancouver and 5 in Tofino. We went whale watching in Vancouver and bear watching in Tofino. The fish taco van is worth a visit on Vancouver Island. Our kids were 9 and 7 and loved it. The ferry across to the island is really cheap and doesnt need to be booked. Dont worry about the longish drive to Tofino - the scenery is amazing. We stayed at a B&B called Meares retreat which was wonderful. The guy (Charlie) who runs it was lovely and great with the kids. We had a hot tub and the most amazing view.

In Vancouver we spent a lot of time in Stanley park. There is a great aquarium there and a lovely big outdoor pool. (Although between us we did pick up impetigo and veruccas there!).

We went last year - had a night in Vancouver either end of a two week trip and TBH that was more than enough. We're used to scuzzy (we are Brighton people) but the drug use and general sketchiness was really depressing in some areas. Vancouver Island however, was amazing. Genuinely wonderful, in the literal sense of the world. We stayed in Jordan River on the wild west coast and hiked to different beaches every day. Watched Wales, swam in rivers, drank incredible coffee... If I could afford it, I would go every year.

We also had a week in the Rockies in an RV which was literally the trip of a lifetime. Not cheap, but unforgettable.

Canada is the best!

There’s not a lot in Vancouver. I bet it’s a very nice and livable city… but actual tourist attractions are thin on the ground. You’re flying all the way for the great outdoors, if you want cities, stay in Europe!

thanks all - you’ve kinda confirmed what I thought which was Vancouver not worth that much time! I’ve cut down to just 2 night initially - so one full day to see the city before we head to Tofino then 3 nights there or extend hotel there by a night. And then do a couple of nights somewhere else on the island? I think we’re going to stick with whistler and book some activities whilst we’re there, head to lake garibaldi etc. We did consider Banff and jasper at one point but we don’t want to do lots of long travelling as doesn’t work with our kids hence the smaller geographical spread.

We loved Vancouver, we went to Stanley Park and the aquarium, Grouse mountain, an ice hockey match, Granville Island, The Flyover Experience, Capilano suspension bridge, used the water taxis, day trip to Whistler by coach, whale watching.

Avoid China town, we have never seen anything like it, people living on the streets, laying on the pavements everywhere, truly shocking to see.

I live on the island and though Tofino is beautiful but imo once you've seen one rugged west coast they're all pretty similar. I would spend 2 nights In Tofino. Vancouver is great so much to Science world,. Stanley park,. Granville Island the big PNE fair in the summer and all the night markets. I would shave of some Whistler time,.2 nights would be enough for me I use them extra mainland days to go to Cultus lake ( water park and mini theme park) or Harrison hot springs.
You definitely have to book the ferry guessing you'll do Tswassen - Nanaimo its about $350 CAD return and gets very busy if you don't reserve you could find yourself in for a multiple sail wait.

I live in VI, Vancouver is a dump, 7 days too long to spend, i'd spend no more than 4. Spend more time on the island, Victoria, Port Renfrew, Parksville, Tofino or Ucluelet. OR after Tofino go to Lake Cowichan and get an airbnb on the lake and have a fab lake vacation.

Good Tofino Hotel

I did a kayaking/camping trip from VI and it was amazing. We caught fish and ate them, saw whales, just fabulous.

I LOVE Vancouver and the Island but 7 nights city it too much. Also if you want to reduce driving times, Vancouver Island is huge. Driving from the ferry port in Victoria to Tofino is the best part of a day with a nice stop.

I would do 3 nights city, Granville Island, Stanley Park, Capilano, we also loved the bird conservatory and university campus. I’d consider Grouse Mountain for a day trip for mountain views.
Tsswassen to Victoria ferry.
2 nights Victoria for whale watching/float plane tours.
3/4 nights Tofino, we LOVED it here, Tin Wis Resort was gorgeous.
3/4 nights somewhere else on the island, depending on whether you want more coast, lakes etc.
Back to Vancouver for final night before flight home.

If you're going to do float plnes, might as well get the harbourto harbour! Not ona windy day though.

Definately too much time in the city for that trip. Will the youngest be over 10? You could go up to Campbell River and do a bear watching trip if it's in late August. Check out Campbell River tours.
The East side of the island is actually great for that age, the tide comes out so you can walk in the sand for miles and the water is calm whereas the pacific side is really wild. We stayed at an apartment in Parksville - Ocean Sands beach resort was lovely, or Tigh-ni-mara has spa facilities. Kids can go zip lining nearby.
So I would spend 2 nights Van, grab your car, head to Grouse Mountain (lumberjack show is great for the kids!) and the Capitano Bridge then cross at Horseshoe bay - Nanaimo and go to Parksville. Then split the time between the east and west side of the island, and Campbell River if you fancy it.

Whistler is worth a stop I think, for sure, the drive out there is wonderful and the gondola between the two mountains is a pretty amazing trip in its own right. Enjoy!

I agree with @timbitstimbytes the west coast of the island is spectacular but it’s all quite similar to
Tofino. The east coast is great too and there is more variety and amenities for kids and families. You can also do a day trip, or even a night, to one of the Gulf Islands, which is again a totally different vibe.

I spent a week on VI and did a little circuit. Can't remember exactly but included Ucluelet and across the trip I saw black bears, grey whales, ancient massive trees, orcas, a bald eagle, sea otters, puffins, temperate rainforest (Pacific Rim NR?), tiny part of the west coast trail...

I don't think I saw any of Vancouver except the airport in transit and I've never regretted that. I flew to VI to claw back time to be able to fit in my multi stop itinerary and then picked up a hire car there.

I really liked Whistler, we went when DS was 8 and there was loads to do, plus accommodation was cheaper than elsewhere as winter is their peak season.

You are wise to avoid driving to the Rockies. The scenery is beautiful but DS was a bit underwhelmed by it and it’s such a long drive.

Take a sea plane from Tofino to Hot Springs Cove for the day - amazing place and the walk from the jetty to the hot springs is beautiful (apparently what inspired the writer of Avatar in the description of the alien planet??). Also paddling the River of Golden Dreams in Whistler was incredible - two of our highlights from our trip to Canada a few years back.