Hiking on the Edge of the Pacific – A Road Trip Around Vancouver Island’s Wild Coastline

Granted, if there is one thing Vancouver Island has in true abundance, it just has to be its untamed natural beauty and forest-fringed coastlines, with the added promise of a once-in-a-lifetime adventure unfolding around every turn.

Proving that there’s more to Vancouver Island beyond the wonderful city of Victoria, for those of you who enjoy discovering majestic waterfalls or taking long beach strolls with the Pacific Ocean breeze in your hair, then we’ve got just the road trip itinerary for you. Stretching from coast to coast, join us as we uncover five fantastic reasons to drive across Canada’s irresistible West Coast gem.

Discover The Colourful Streets Of Chemainus, British Columbia.

We kick-start our tour of Vancouver Island by heading up the East Coast from Victoria to “Mural Town,” also known as Chemainus, British Columbia, one of the island’s most colorful and creative getaways. Once a logging town, its spectacular streets feel more like an open-air art gallery these days, featuring more than 60 amazing murals, sculptures, and art installations that bring the town’s local history and backstories to life across its storefronts and unexpected corners.

Nevertheless, remarkably, some of Chemainus’ most unusual sights aren’t found on its colorful streets – instead, they can be found beneath the waves of the Salish Sea, as the Chemainus coastline is littered with shipwrecks and artificial reefs that make this diving hotspot entirely unique. Undoubtedly, the biggest draw for divers to Chemainus is the chance to explore the famous decommissioned Boeing 737, which was intentionally sunk offshore in 2006 and has since transformed into an underwater habitat teeming with marine life, and is well worth a visit.

Wander among Chemainus’ larger-than-life murals by day, before putting your feet up every night of your stay at the Best Western Plus Chemainus Inn.

Escape To The Sandy Shores Of Parksville, British Columbia.

Continuing north along Vancouver Island’s East Coast, our next stop is the seaside city of Parksville and nearby Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, renowned for its sweeping sandy beaches, enormous tidal flats, and picture-perfect coastal scenery. Here, you can wander along the seemingly endless stretches of sand at low tide, explore tide pools, and stroll beneath the towering Douglas-firs, and for summertime visitors, there’s a chance to marvel at the marvelous sand sculpture creations which take center stage during the annual Parksville Beachfest celebrations.

Don’t be fooled; while Parksville is best known for its beachside exploits, beyond the shoreline the city also happens to be surrounded by verdant forests with plenty of scenic hiking trails, not to mention the chance for some very memorable wildlife encounters. However, our top tip for things to do in Parksville is to head across to Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park for an afternoon of limestone cave exploration, which is laden with dazzling crystal formations, ancient, embedded fossils, and several subterranean waterfalls that will keep the whole family entertained.

Let Rathtrevor’s shifting shoreline set the pace of your inspiring Vancouver Island road trip before savoring a great night’s sleep at the Hotel Feng, BW Signature Collection in the heart of Parksville.

Experience The Wild Side Of Campbell River, British Columbia.

Our next stage sees us heading to the most northerly stop on our Vancouver Island road trip as we pay a visit to Campbell River, perhaps better known as the “Salmon Capital of the World.” Having put Campbell River firmly on the map for its prized Pacific salmon, our first recommended expedition is to join the superb crew of Coastal Wilderness Adventures for an unforgettable guided Salmon, Trout, and Steelhead fishing trip off the coast of this picturesque city.

Interestingly, not only is Campbell River world-famous for its legendary salmon reserves, but it is also surrounded by forested mountain trails and an endless network of rivers and streams found within nearby Elk Falls Park. With countless hiking trails to explore, for us, the highlight of this lush provincial park has to be the mighty Elk Falls Suspension Bridge, which you can walk across to capture the best views of the iconic Elk Falls waterfall itself.

Enjoy your time fishing and hiking while visiting Campbell River before retreating for a cozy oceanfront stay every night at the Anchor Inn & Suites, BW Signature Collection.

Taste, Explore, And Unwind in Port Alberni, British Columbia.

We weave our way back south briefly before heading inland to the enchanting, forested mountain retreat that can be found at the end of Vancouver Island’s longest marine inlet, better known as the city of Port Alberni. As one of Vancouver Island’s earliest industrial hubs, Port Alberni has since reinvented itself as an idyllic tourist haven, bookmarked by Alberni Harbor Quay, which offers visitors a colorful promenade of locally owned shops, galleries and restaurants that reveal captivating vistas across its scenic bay.

Nonetheless, perhaps one of Port Alberni’s greatest exports these days is the award-winning, locally crafted beers of Twin City Brewing Company. Blessed with a contemporary and characterful taproom, here you can enjoy their extensive range of IPAs, pilsners, and ales, while also chowing down on their freshly made hand-stretched pizzas and smoked meat sandwiches,

Firmly established as one of Vancouver Island’s favorite tourist destinations, be sure to spend your time savoring the sights, sounds, and flavors of Port Alberni when you book your stay at the Best Western Plus Barclay Hotel.

Follow The Road West To Canada’s Ultimate Hidden Gem of Tofino, British Columbia.

Our final port of call on our epic road trip across Vancouver Island sees us heading to Tofino on the westerly edge of Canada, where its rugged and breathtaking coastline meets the great Pacific Ocean. Despite being a relatively small Canadian coastal town, Tofino comes with a big reputation for those who love surfing, beach hikes, storm watching, and some truly bucket-list marine wildlife encounters in and around the UNESCO Biosphere Region of Clayoquot Sound.

Amazingly, throughout the year you can spot different native and migrating grey and humpback whales on a whale watching tour with the team at The Whale Centre, along with occasional sightings of its local orca and sea lion populations. However, if you’re a fan of golfing with a view, then we highly recommend bookending your fantastic Vancouver Island road trip with a round of golf at the family-friendly Long Beach Golf Course, surrounded by unspoiled forests and world-class mountain backdrops.

End the drive where rainforest meets surf in Tofino with a front-row seat to the Pacific Ocean every evening when you book your stay at the Best Western Plus Tin Wis Resort.