Things to do on Vancouver Island: a campervan road trip from Victoria to Nanaimo

For a classic campervan road trip, late spring to early autumn is a great time to visit Vancouver Island. The summer months bring the warmest and driest conditions, making them ideal for hiking, kayaking and days at the beach.

It's also a great destination for whale watching. Grey whales migrate along the west coast of North America, while humpbacks and sometimes orcas can also be spotted on wildlife tours around the island. The exact species you're likely to see depends on when and where you travel.

Unsurprisingly, summer is also the busiest time of year. If you're visiting between June and August, reserve popular campgrounds on Vancouver Island well in advance rather than relying on finding a pitch when you arrive.

Canada and camping go hand in hand, and you'll find everything from simple forest campsites to fully equipped motorhome resorts on Vancouver Island.

However, the rules around camping outside official campgrounds are more complicated than the original idea of simply finding a quiet spot in the wilderness. National parks, provincial parks, municipalities and other public lands can all have their own regulations, and private land requires the owner's permission.

If you're travelling in summer, booking official campsites is usually the easiest option. Vancouver Island has plenty of them, but the most popular locations can fill up quickly.

You'll find suggestions for places to stay on Vancouver Island throughout this route, including campsites close to Victoria, Tofino and Campbell River.

You could technically see many of Vancouver Island's highlights in four days, but we'd recommend slowing things down. With around a week, you'll have more time for hiking, wildlife watching or simply spending an afternoon at the beach.

So, how to get to Vancouver Island from Vancouver with your campervan? Fortunately, it's straightforward: BC Ferries operates vehicle ferries between the mainland and Vancouver Island.

For this particular route, there are two especially useful connections. You can travel from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay, just north of Victoria, or from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay in Nanaimo. This makes it easy to arrive at one end of the island and return from the other rather than retracing the entire route.

The Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay crossing takes around 1 hour 35 minutes, while the Horseshoe Bay–Departure Bay crossing takes around 1 hour 40 minutes. Motorhomes and campervans can travel on both routes.

Fares depend on the number of passengers and the length and height of your vehicle. Especially during peak summer periods, reserving a place for your campervan in advance is a good idea: vehicle space can sell out on popular sailings.

Your Vancouver Island road trip begins in Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. Its waterfront setting and historic architecture give it a very different feel from Vancouver across the water.

Start around the Inner Harbour, where you'll find two of Victoria's most recognisable buildings: the British Columbia Parliament Buildings and the Fairmont Empress. From here, you can explore the city by bike or on foot.

Don't miss Fisherman's Wharf with its colourful floating homes, then head towards Canada's oldest Chinatown and wander through its narrow streets.

Victoria is a great first answer to the question of what to do on Vancouver Island before heading into the island's wilder landscapes.

Where to stay

If you're looking for places to stay on Vancouver Island without giving up the comforts of a campervan-friendly campground, Victoria has several options in and around the city. Staying near the waterfront puts you within easy reach of the main sights, although you'll usually find more choice as you head away from the centre.

From Victoria, it's time to head west towards one of Vancouver Island's greatest natural highlights: Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

The reserve consists of three distinct areas: the Long Beach Unit, the Broken Group Islands and the West Coast Trail. Expect temperate rainforest, wild beaches and plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife.

One of the most famous adventures here is the West Coast Trail, but this multi-day backcountry hike is aimed at experienced hikers and requires significantly more planning than a spontaneous walk from your campervan.

For something more accessible, head to Ucluelet and explore the Wild Pacific Trail. The coastal route takes you through rainforest and along the rugged shoreline, with plenty of viewpoints along the way. Keep an eye on the ocean – grey whales migrate along this coast, travelling between Mexico and their northern feeding grounds.

Distance from Victoria to Ucluelet: approx. 290 kilometres

Campgrounds near Ucluelet

There are several camping options around Ucluelet, making it a useful base for exploring the southern part of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

Another great option is Green Point Campground in the Long Beach Unit. It's the only frontcountry campground in the Long Beach area and offers drive-in sites among the forest, roughly halfway between Ucluelet and Tofino. In 2026, the campground is open from May until mid-October. Reservations are strongly recommended.

If your idea of cool places to stay on Vancouver Island involves waking up between rainforest and the Pacific Ocean, this part of the island should be high on your list.

Can Vancouver Island get any prettier? Tofino certainly makes a strong case.

This laid-back town on the island's west coast is surrounded by beaches, forest and ocean. Small shops, cafés and the harbour make the town itself worth exploring, but the surrounding nature is the real reason to visit.

Whale-watching tours offer the chance to see marine wildlife such as grey whales, humpbacks, orcas, sea lions, sea otters and eagles, although sightings naturally vary throughout the year.

Tofino is also one of Canada's best-known surf destinations. Whether you're an experienced surfer or trying it for the first time, you'll find surf schools and rental shops around town.

Another memorable excursion is Hot Springs Cove, reached by boat or seaplane from Tofino. Combine the journey with wildlife watching and you've got a full day out in the Clayoquot Sound area.

Distance from Ucluelet to Tofino: approx. 40 kilometres

A cool place to stay near Tofino

If beachside camping sounds like your kind of overnight stop, the Tofino area has some of the coolest places to stay on Vancouver Island. Several campgrounds put you within walking distance of the Pacific, making it easy to swap the driver's seat for a surfboard.

The original route recommends Surf Grove at Cox Bay, where pitches are close to one of Tofino's best-known surf beaches. It's exactly the kind of campground that makes travelling Vancouver Island by campervan so appealing.

From Tofino, cross the island towards Campbell River on the east coast. Known as the "Salmon Capital of the World", this is a great area for fishing, wildlife watching and kayaking.

Another highlight is Elk Falls Provincial Park. A suspension bridge provides impressive views across the canyon and towards the waterfall, while a network of trails makes it an easy nature stop during your road trip.

Distance from Tofino to Campbell River: approx. 270 kilometres

Where to stay

You'll find several campgrounds around Campbell River. The original route recommends Thunderbird RV Park, where waterfront pitches put you close to the coast and within easy reach of Campbell River's activities.

On your way south towards Nanaimo, make time for Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park.

The short trails lead through old-growth forest with giant Douglas firs, some of which are more than 800 years old. On the southern side of the highway you'll find the largest trees, including one measuring more than nine metres around its trunk.

It's an easy stop between Campbell River and Nanaimo, but take care when parking and crossing Highway 4 – the area gets very busy, particularly during the summer. BC Parks specifically warns visitors to use caution around the road and parking areas.

Your final stop is Nanaimo, where you can catch the ferry back to Horseshoe Bay on the mainland.

But don't leave Vancouver Island too quickly. WildPlay Nanaimo, just south of the city, offers aerial adventure courses, ziplining and other activities among the trees – a suitably adventurous way to finish your road trip.

If you'd prefer something slower, spend your final hours exploring Nanaimo's waterfront before boarding the ferry.

Distance from Campbell River to Nanaimo: approx. 155 kilometres

From Departure Bay, the ferry takes you back to Horseshoe Bay near Vancouver in roughly 1 hour 40 minutes, completing a road trip that takes in cities, rainforest, surf beaches and some of the island's best wildlife experiences.

One of the best things about travelling by campervan is that your accommodation moves with you. And when it comes to places to stay on Vancouver Island, you can choose between simple forest campgrounds, beachside pitches and fully equipped motorhome parks.

For this route, good areas to base yourself include Victoria for city sightseeing, Ucluelet or Green Point for Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Tofino for beaches and surfing, and Campbell River for wildlife and outdoor activities.

If you're searching specifically for cool places to stay on Vancouver Island, we'd prioritise the west coast. Waking up among the rainforest or within walking distance of the Pacific is difficult to beat.

During July and August, however, don't leave your accommodation entirely to chance. The most popular campgrounds on Vancouver Island can fill up well in advance, so book your must-have stops early and leave the spontaneity for the days in between.

Still wondering what to do on Vancouver Island? The best advice is not to cram too much into your itinerary.

Victoria, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Ucluelet, Tofino, Campbell River, Cathedral Grove and Nanaimo already give you a varied road trip. Add a whale-watching trip, a rainforest hike, a surf lesson or a kayaking tour and four days can suddenly feel very short.

If your schedule allows it, give yourself closer to a week. Vancouver Island isn't a place you need to rush through – and with your campervan waiting at the end of the trail, there's really no reason to.

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