Discovering Canada's Marine Province in 15 Days

  • Day 1: Vancouver Harbour
    10 minutes (5.5 kilometers) from Vancouver International Airport

    Start your trip in the heart of Vancouver's downtown area on the stunning waterfront. Visit the Vancouver Aquarium or take in the views from the Seawall Promenade.

  • Day 2: Victoria
    3.5 hours (114.9 kilometers) from Vancouver Harbour

    Take a ferry from Vancouver to Victoria and experience this beautiful, quaint city. Visit the Butchart Gardens known for its stunning floral displays, and the Royal BC Museum to learn about the history of British Columbia.

  • Day 3: Tofino
    5.5 hours (317 kilometers) from Victoria

    Make your way to Tofino on Vancouver Island's west coast. Take in the scenic drive, and the beautiful Pacific Rim National Park. In Tofino, visit the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, go surfing or kayaking or take a whale watching tour.

  • Day 4: Nanaimo
    4.5 hours (282 kilometers) from Tofino

    Visit Nanaimo, a charming coastal town, and home to the world-famous Nanaimo Bars. Walk the Nanaimo Harbourfront Walkway, and take in the views of the harbour.

  • Day 5: Sunshine Coast
    2 hours (88 kilometers) from Nanaimo

    Take a ferry to the Sunshine Coast, and visit the charming towns of Gibsons and Sechelt. Take a hike or kayak through inlets and outcrops in Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park.

  • Day 6: Powell River
    1 hour (50 kilometers) from Sechelt

    Make your way to Powell River and visit the Historic Townsite, a National Historic Site of Canada. Alternatively, hike the Sunshine Coast Trail, which spans over 180 kilometers.

  • Day 7: Vancouver Island
    2.5 hours (267 kilometers) from Powell River

    Make your way back to Vancouver Island, and visit the Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park. Take a challenging hike to see some of the oldest and tallest trees in the world. Stop at Port Renfrew's Botanical Beach to see the amazing tidal pools.

  • Day 8: Gulf Islands
    2 hours (72 kilometers) from Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park

    Visit the beautiful Gulf Islands known for their beaches, artisanal foods, and wineries. Take in the quaint island charm and don't miss Sidney's Shaw Center for the Salish Sea showcasing the local marine life.

  • Day 9: Whistler
    4.5 hours (281 kilometers) from Sidney

    Make your way to Whistler, a popular winter sports destination. Ride gondolas to the Whistler Blackcomb Mountains and experience the serenity of nature. Alternatively, walk along the Whistler Village Stroll and take in the sights and sounds of this charming, pedestrian-friendly village.

  • Day 10: Kamloops
    3 hours (220 kilometers) from Whistler

    Drive to Kamloops and hike through John Tod Provincial Park or visit the B.C. Wildlife Park to see local animals.

  • Day 11: Kelowna
    2.5 hours (172 kilometers) from Kamloops

    Visit Kelowna, known for its renowned wineries and orchards. Hike through Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park, or rent a bike along the Myra Canyon Trestles Trail, a scenic route atop rail bridges over canyons.

  • Day 12: Revelstoke
    2 hours (194 kilometers) from Kelowna

    Make your way to Revelstoke and hike through the Mount Revelstoke National Park. Take a ride up to the Revelstoke Mountain Resort gondola for stunning views of Columbia River Valley.

  • Day 13: Yoho National Park
    2.5 hours (170 kilometers) from Revelstoke

    Visit the picturesque Yoho National Park. Hike through aged forests to the stunning Wapta Falls, or climb the series of ladders to the Takakkaw Falls.

  • Day 14: Banff
    1.5 hours (127 kilometers) from Yoho National Park

    Make your way to Banff National Park and hike to Lake Louise. Experience the stunning views of the turquoise blue water and surrounding mountain range. Alternatively, experience the thrill of walking on the Glass Glacier Skywalk.

  • Day 15: Jasper National Park
    3.5 hours (288 kilometers) from Banff

    Visit Jasper National Park and hike the Maligne Canyon Trail, where you will walk over bridges and waterfalls. Also, experience the beauty of the Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield Skywalk.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Vancouver Aquarium (2 hours, CAD 30)
  • Butchart Gardens (3 hours, CAD 35)
  • Royal BC Museum (2.5 hours, CAD 20)
  • Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (5 hours, CAD 125)
  • Historic Townsite (2 hours, CAD 25)
  • Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park (5 hours, Free)
  • Whistler Village Stroll (2 hours, Free)
  • B.C. Wildlife Park (2 hours, CAD 20)
  • Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park (4 hours, Free)
  • Revelstoke Mountain Resort gondola (1.5 hours, CAD 50)
  • Takakkaw Falls (3 hours, Free)
  • Glass Glacier Skywalk (2 hours, CAD 30)
  • Athabasca Glacier (1 hour, CAD 75)
Total Estimated Costs: CAD 475

Transportation

You can fly to Vancouver International Airport and rent a car for the entirety of the trip. All travel times are approximate driving times. Be sure to check ferry schedules ahead of time and give yourself plenty of time to catch a ferry. Gas is approximately CAD 1.47 per liter. Total travel time is approximately 39 hours of driving over 15 days. Total driving distance is approximately 2200 kilometers.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider spending an extra day at each location, or visiting more of the gulf islands. Alternatively, if you have less time, choose only a few of the destinations you are most interested in visiting.

Airports

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is the major airport in the area, located 12 kilometers south of Vancouver's downtown area. Victoria International Airport (YYJ) is located 25 kilometers north of Victoria's downtown, and Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is located 11 kilometers northeast of Kelowna's city center.

0