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Coastal Wonders: 7‑Day Vancouver Island Road Loop

7 Daysroad trip

Coastal Wonders: 7‑Day Vancouver Island Road Loop

to Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, Victoria, BC, Canada to Cowichan Bay, BC, Canada to Nanaimo, BC, Canada to Parksville, BC, Canada to Tofino, BC, Canada to Campbell River, BC, Canada to Vancouver, BC, Canada

Drive, ferry, and hike your way around Vancouver Island’s most scenic coastal towns, rain‑forest trails and ocean‑front lodgings. Each day blends iconic sights with cozy meals and comfortable stays for a balanced adventure.

Days

7

Stops

7

Style

road trip

Coastal Wonders: 7‑Day Vancouver Island Road Loop

About this Trip

Embark on a 7-day road trip from Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal through Cowichan Bay, Nanaimo, Parksville to Vancouver and 2 more stops.

This itinerary is designed for couples, with a mid-range budget, so you can feel like you're travelling with a local rather than following a tour bus timetable. You'll move at a comfortable pace, with travel days that stay manageable and plenty of time in each stop for unhurried walks, viewpoints, and slow meals that actually let you taste the place.

Think of this as a ready-made framework rather than a script: each day suggests a clear path and one or two anchor experiences, but always leaves room for spontaneous detours, extra coffee stops, and the kind of small discoveries that make trips feel personal.

1d

Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, Victoria, BC, Canada

Day 1
Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, Victoria, BC, Canada
5 restaurants
•
1 activity
1d

Cowichan Bay, BC, Canada

Day 2
Cowichan Bay, BC, Canada
5 restaurants
•
2 activities
1d

Nanaimo, BC, Canada

Day 3
Nanaimo, BC, Canada
6 restaurants
•
3 activities
1d

Parksville, BC, Canada

Day 4
Parksville, BC, Canada
5 restaurants
•
2 activities
1d

Tofino, BC, Canada

Day 5
Tofino, BC, Canada
5 restaurants
•
2 activities
1d

Campbell River, BC, Canada

Day 6
Campbell River, BC, Canada
6 restaurants
•
2 activities
1d

Vancouver, BC, Canada

Day 7
Vancouver, BC, Canada
6 restaurants
•
1 activity
1d

Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, Victoria, BC, Canada

Day 1
Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, Victoria, BC, Canada
5 restaurants
•
1 activity

Restaurants

  • •Jam Café
  • •Jam Café
  • •Red Fish Blue Fish
  • •Red Fish Blue Fish
  • •The Fish Store (Victoria)

Activities

  • •Beacon Hill Park

Did you know?

Arrival & Victoria Highlights

1d

Nanaimo, BC, Canada

Day 3
Nanaimo, BC, Canada
6 restaurants
•
3 activities

Restaurants

  • •The Cowichan Bay Bakery
  • •The Cowichan Bay Bakery
  • •Duncan Brew Co.
  • •The Nest Bistro
  • •The Nest Bistro
  • •Bubby's Kitchen

Activities

  • •Duncan Farmers' Market
  • •Mount Benson Trailhead
  • •Newcastle Island Provincial Park

Did you know?

Nanaimo & Island Exploration

1d

Tofino, BC, Canada

Day 5
Tofino, BC, Canada
5 restaurants
•
2 activities

Restaurants

  • •Parksville Community Centre Café
  • •Parksville Community Centre Café
  • •Picnic at Little Qualicum Falls
  • •Wolf in the Fog
  • •Wolf in the Fog

Activities

  • •Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park
  • •Long Beach (Pacific Rim National Park Reserve)

Did you know?

From Parksville to Tofino

1d

Vancouver, BC, Canada

Day 7
Vancouver, BC, Canada
6 restaurants
•
1 activity

Restaurants

  • •The Boathouse Restaurant
  • •The Boathouse Restaurant
  • •BC Ferries Café (onboard)
  • •BC Ferries Café (onboard)
  • •Miku
  • •Miku

Activities

  • •Discovery Pier

Did you know?

Return to Vancouver via Ferry

1d

Cowichan Bay, BC, Canada

Day 2
Cowichan Bay, BC, Canada
5 restaurants
•
2 activities

Restaurants

  • •The Ruby Café
  • •The Ruby Café
  • •Sooke Harbour House
  • •Sooke Harbour House
  • •The Cowichan Bay Inn Restaurant

Activities

  • •Mount Work Regional Park
  • •Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre

Did you know?

Coastal Charms: Sooke & Cowichan Bay

1d

Parksville, BC, Canada

Day 4
Parksville, BC, Canada
5 restaurants
•
2 activities

Restaurants

  • •Café Coco
  • •Café Coco
  • •Picnic at Rathtrevor Beach
  • •The Blue Grotto
  • •The Blue Grotto

Activities

  • •Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park
  • •Cathedral Grove

Did you know?

Parksville Beaches & Cathedral Grove

1d

Campbell River, BC, Canada

Day 6
Campbell River, BC, Canada
6 restaurants
•
2 activities

Restaurants

  • •Tacofino
  • •Tacofino
  • •The Viewpoint Café
  • •The Viewpoint Café
  • •Moby's Seafood Bar
  • •Moby's Seafood Bar

Activities

  • •Rainforest Trail (Pacific Rim NP)
  • •Ucluelet Aquarium

Did you know?

Tofino to Campbell River via Ucluelet

Trip Summary

Duration
7 Days
Best For
road trip
Stops
7 Locations

Essential Info

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Create your own travel guide from this public trip.

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Where to Stay

Find the perfect accommodation in Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, Victoria, BC, Canada to Cowichan Bay, BC, Canada to Nanaimo, BC, Canada to Parksville, BC, Canada to Tofino, BC, Canada to Campbell River, BC, Canada to Vancouver, BC, Canada

Hotels & Resorts

Booking.com

Vacation Rentals

Airbnb

Budget Tip

Book 2-3 months in advance for best rates.

Some booking links may be affiliate links when partner tracking is configured, at no extra cost to you.

Getting There

Find the best transportation options to Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, Victoria, BC, Canada to Cowichan Bay, BC, Canada to Nanaimo, BC, Canada to Parksville, BC, Canada to Tofino, BC, Canada to Campbell River, BC, Canada to Vancouver, BC, Canada

Flights

Skyscanner

Trains & Buses

Omio

Car Rentals

RentalCars.com

Transport links are direct booking searches unless a partner integration is configured.

Things to Do

Discover amazing tours and experiences in Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, Victoria, BC, Canada to Cowichan Bay, BC, Canada to Nanaimo, BC, Canada to Parksville, BC, Canada to Tofino, BC, Canada to Campbell River, BC, Canada to Vancouver, BC, Canada

Tours & Activities

GetYourGuide

Experiences

Viator

Pro Tip

Book popular activities in advance to secure your spot!

Some booking links may be affiliate links when partner tracking is configured, at no extra cost to you.