Direct answer

You can cover Vancouver + Squamish + Whistler in 4–6 days. To add Victoria (Vancouver Island) reliably, add 2–3 days (so 6–9 days total). If you have only one trip and must choose, do Vancouver + Victoria OR Vancouver + Whistler — avoid trying all three in under 6 days.

Recommended trip lengths (minimum & comfortable)

• Quick Vancouver-only: 3 days (highlights only)
• Vancouver + Squamish + Whistler: 4–6 days (comfortable: 5–6)
• Vancouver + Victoria (via ferry/Seaplane): 5–7 days (comfortable: 6)
• Vancouver + Whistler + Victoria: 7–9+ days (recommended 8–10)

Which itinerary to choose (guidance)

• If you love city culture, food, markets, parks and gardens: prioritize Vancouver + Victoria.
• If you want mountain activities (hiking, gondolas, alpine village, zipline): prioritize Whistler + Squamish with Vancouver as base.
• If limited to one multi-destination trip and must pick: Vancouver + Whistler is logistically easiest for mountain/adventure focus; Vancouver + Victoria is best for culture/parks/gardens and whale watching.

Priorities: Must-do vs Skip (for first trip)

Must-do in Vancouver area (highest value):

• Stanley Park Seawall & Totem Poles (walking or biking)
• Granville Island & False Creek water taxi
• Gastown (steam clock) and Waterfront/Canada Place
• Capilano Suspension Bridge OR Lynn Canyon (Capilano is iconic, paid; Lynn is free/natural)
• Queen Elizabeth Park (views) or English Bay/Kitsilano Beach (depending on weather)
• Vancouver Aquarium (if interested in marine life)

Squamish / Sea-to-Sky (half-day to full-day):

• Shannon Falls (quick stop)
• Sea to Sky Gondola (great views & short hikes)
• Optional: hike Quarry Rock or Deep Cove if you prefer easy scenic hikes

Whistler (1–2 days recommended):

• Whistler Village (stroll)
• Peak 2 Peak Gondola (spectacular)
• Optional: zipline, mountain biking, alpine hikes depending on season

Victoria (Vancouver Island, 1–3 days):

• Inner Harbour & Parliament (must-see)
• Butchart Gardens (iconic)
• Whale watching (half- to full-day tour)
• Beacon Hill Park and Fisherman’s Wharf

Lower-priority / Skip on a short trip:

• Robson Street shopping (skip if short on time)
• Multiple paid suspension bridges—pick one (Capilano OR Lynn Canyon)
• Both Capilano + Lynn + Grouse if short; pick 1–2 experiences
• Lighthouse Park + Deep Cove + Quarry Rock all in one short trip — pick one or two
• Hatley Castle (nice but out of the way if pressed for time)

Sample itineraries

A. Best for first-time mix (5 days) — Vancouver + Squamish + Whistler (no Vancouver Island)

• Day 1: Downtown, Waterfront/Canada Place, Gastown, Robson
• Day 2: Stanley Park Seawall, Aquarium, English Bay/Kits Beach, Granville Island evening
• Day 3: Drive/drive-to Squamish: Sea-to-Sky Gondola, Shannon Falls; overnight Whistler
• Day 4: Whistler Village, Peak 2 Peak, short hike or zipline
• Day 5: Return to Vancouver; cap off any missed spots

B. Best for culture + island (6 days) — Vancouver + Victoria

• Day 1: Waterfront, Gastown, Canada Place, FlyOver Canada, Robson
• Day 2: Stanley Park, Granville Island, Kits Beach
• Day 3: Ferry/Seaplane to Victoria; Inner Harbour, Parliament, Chinatown
• Day 4: Butchart Gardens + Beacon Hill Park or whale watching
• Day 5: Optional Hatley Castle / Fisherman’s Wharf, return to Vancouver
• Day 6: Buffer / travel day

C. Short city focus (3 days) — Vancouver only

• Day 1: Waterfront, Gastown, FlyOver Canada, Robson
• Day 2: Stanley Park Seawall, Aquarium, English Bay, Kits
• Day 3: Granville Island, Queen Elizabeth Park, Capilano OR Lynn Canyon

Activity selection tips

• Book Peak 2 Peak, Sea-to-Sky Gondola and Capilano in advance during summer/holidays.
• Choose one major paid nature attraction (Capilano or Sea-to-Sky). Use free alternatives (Lynn Canyon, Quarry Rock) to save time/money.
• Whale-watching needs a half to full day and good weather — reserve ahead.
• If you want beaches and casual city life, prioritize Kits and English Bay. If alpine views/adrenaline are the draw, prioritize Whistler.

Practical tips

• Travel times: Vancouver ↔ Squamish ~45–60 min; Squamish ↔ Whistler ~45 min; Vancouver ↔ Victoria ferry ~4–5 hrs (vehicle) or 35 min (seaplane) plus transfers.
• Allow buffer time for ferries, traffic (Sea-to-Sky Highway congestion) and mountain weather.
• If maximizing sites, plan geography-based clusters each day to avoid backtracking.

If you tell me how many total days you have and your top 3 interests (city culture/food, beaches/relaxation, mountains/adventure, gardens/wildlife), I’ll give a day-by-day plan optimized to your timeframe.