JohnQ
Port Angeles, Wa., (Freshwater Bay)
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Full disclosure, we live in the Port Angeles, Wa., area. The Coho Ferry is an alternative to Victoria. Either coming or going (in the area), just west of Port Angeles (US101 & St Hwy 112) about 12 miles is a Clallam County Park, Salt Creek with RV sites. It is the very best view of the Strait & ship traffic. Somebody mentioned West Bay in the Victoria Harbor, great park. Be sure to take advantage of the little taxi tugs. Be sure to visit the Provincial Museum (a must see), Hight Tea at the Empress (coat & tie required), and Parliment (very amusing). The real beauty of Vancouver Island is either the west coast (Tofino/Ucluelet), or north of Campbell River, specifically the Port McNeil Area (Telegraph Cove Road off of the Island Hwy). Our very favorite and what I think is the best RV Value on the Island is Alder Bay RV & Marina Resort. Another must do is a whale watching cruise on the TS Juan (Seasmoke Charters out of Alert Bay). Then there is U'Mista, Native Heritage Centre, even better than the Provincial Museum in Victoria. Finally, you can catch a BC Ferry out of Port Hardy (just south of) to Prince Rupert, BC and the Yellow Jacket Hwy on the mainland, or interconnect to the Alaskan Marine Ferry to Points north. Best time, July/August, but be aware that is "High Season" when rates are HIGH and demand is also, i.e., better have reservations. Last tip, the Provincial Liquior stores are probably Canada's very best ambassadors, always friendly with directions & tips, plus they will give you that hours exchange rate without any fees, and you do not even have to buy the Hooch.
And from a BC Customs Inspector (JOKE) -- He asked me if I knew what BC stood for???? Dummy me sez British Columbia. And he laughs and sez "Bring Cash" and have a pleasent Vacation.
1997 Safari Serengeti M-4040 Cat 300 &
2002 Jetti TDI Toad
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paulj
Seattle
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Joined: 06/11/2007
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I can think of 3 approaches to visiting Vancouver Island as part of an Alaska trip:
- drive its length as part of the Alaska trip; From the north end (Port Hardy) ferries go to Bella Coola and Price Rupert. You get the Bella Coola from Wiliams Lake via a highway that is as challenging (and scenic) as anything further north. You get to Prince Rupert via the Alaska ferries, or the Cassier Hwy.
- a Sunshine coast loop - Vancouver Horseshoe Bay to Powell River (2 ferries), another to Comox, and then south to Victoria. One time when I took this route, I bypassed Vancouver by crossing the mountains via Lillooet and Whistler (some more scenic mountain driving)
- to and from the south end of the Island. There several choices, 2 boats from the USA, a couple more from the Vancouver area.
As for travel on Vancouver Island, there is a fast divided highway all the way north to Campbell River, and good 2 lane highway to Port Hardy. There are several routes to the outer coast, which can be mountainous, curvy, narrow, and much wilder. And many logging roads if you want more adventure.
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buzzard616
Medicine Hat, Ab, Canada
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Joined: 04/11/2001
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Living Forest Campground is an absolute GOTTA in Nanaimo; about two hours or so North of Victoria. Most beautiful place we have ever stayed.
Stu
Stu & Jackie Metcalfe
2000 Salem 27FKSS
2008 Sierra 2500 HD gasser
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Jaida_Bling
Canada
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Joined: 03/09/2009
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There are many great suggestions about what to do and see on Vancouver Island and I agree with all of them. We plan to do most of our camping this year on VI (since we live here). Note - we have taken both the BC ferries and the Anacortes ferry to the mainland many times and didn't find a huge difference in the cost. It is expensive to get off and on the island but it's just the cost of "doing business".... to get over to a beautiful area.
I would add that it would be best to take the Ocean Route (known too us as the Old Island Highway) as it's much more scenic and isn't at all too remote or twisty etc. I second the suggestions to go to Telegraph Cove (that's the place to go whale watching out of) and to Alert Bay but I would suggest that you just go as a walk-on passenger for the day. Park in Part MacNeil and walk over on the 35 car ferry. The ferry ride is short and everything in Alert Bay is easily within walking distance (by "everything" I mean the museum, shops, native graveyard with totems). Alert Bay isn't very touristy and is very pretty.
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paulj
Seattle
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Joined: 06/11/2007
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An alternative ferry ride from Port McNeil is Malcom Island. No touristy things, but a pleasant community campground on the north side, various pocket beaches, and some trails with hand painted signs. We visited there on the way to Prince Rupert, with car and tent. It might not be as nice in a big RV.
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Jaida_Bling
Canada
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The ferry to Malcolm Island (town of Sointula) is the very same ferry as to Alert Bay. It makes a triangle between those two and Port MacNeil. Personally, I wouldn't take a big RV but would walk over and explore both of the towns on foot and make a day of it (with a lunch at the pub on the water in Alert Bay). There is more to see in Alert Bay than Sointula and it has a genuine native presence. If you do take your rig over on the ferry there will be nice camping on either island. I would suggest asking the rates and schedules at the ferry booth in Port MacNeil (as well as checking out the loads - this is a 35 car ferry I believe - which could mean long waits if driving on the ferry).
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Grey Mountain
On the rez somewhere in Indian Country
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Joined: 08/25/2002
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We have taken the ferry from Tsawassan to Nanaimo (both ways), from Port Angeles to Victoria (both ways, and from Sidney to Anacortes. Last year, the Anacortes ferry had a special on for about half the normal fare. We've only taken that one once, but will check it out in the future.
We raid Vancouver Island every year, staying at the Salmon Point RV Resort and Marina near Campbell River, then at West Bay Marina in Victoria. There isn't a lot north of Campbell River - the road takes you inland, but we did go to Port Hardy for a few days a couple of years ago.
GM
Discovery 39S Tin Teepee
Honda CR-V Toad
Jeep Cherokee Toad
Enrolled member of the Comanche Tribe
English Bride
Bichon Frise bear killers:
Lord Shonefeld von Reginald-Friese IV.
Lady Annabelle von Lichenstein-Friese III.
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JohnQ
Port Angeles, Wa., (Freshwater Bay)
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Grey Mountain wrote:We have taken the ferry from Tsawassan to Nanaimo (both ways), from Port Angeles to Victoria (both ways, and from Sidney to Anacortes. Last year, the Anacortes ferry had a special on for about half the normal fare. We've only taken that one once, but will check it out in the future.
We raid Vancouver Island every year, staying at the Salmon Point RV Resort and Marina near Campbell River, then at West Bay Marina in Victoria. There isn't a lot north of Campbell River - the road takes you inland, but we did go to Port Hardy for a few days a couple of years ago.
GM
Leave it to a "Lost Commanche" to miss Telegraph Cove Road (hehehehehe). I guess next summer we'll all be safe with the Circle Smug Pot Wagons all circled up at Alder Bay.
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Jaida_Bling
Canada
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I agree that Salmon Point RV Resort is a great place to stay (right on the ocean)... also, check out Cluxewe Resort near Port MacNeil. It is also right on the ocean with a beautiful view across the water to Alert Bay. If you google their number and call ahead to book you could reserve a spot with power and water right next to the beach.
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paulj
Seattle
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Joined: 06/11/2007
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There's no doubt that the Island north of Campbell River is quite different from the Georgia Strait shoreline to the south. The highway is 2 lane, well inland, and actually crosses a low pass. The economy is based on logging and mining, and to a lesser degree fishing. Many of the best sights are miles down gravel roads. Besides a night on Malcolm Island on the way to the ferry at Port Hardy, I've been to Kyuquot Sound with a small sailboat, and Cape Scott for some backpacking. Apart from a few fishing oriented RV parks on the coast, and a few provincial parks, most of the camping options are rec sites (rustic versions of the US Forest Service campgrounds). Even the provincial parks tend to be remote , many with only backcountry camping.
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