Destination Canada: From British Columbia to Alberta - Part 1: Formalities and Vancouver Island
- Fanny HARDY
- 7 days ago
- 7 min read
Western Canada is a destination that appeals to lovers of nature, adventure, and the great outdoors. This region of Canada is full of wonders that promise an unforgettable journey. With its unspoiled nature, endless spaces, and clean air, Western Canada is an ideal destination to recharge your batteries, surpass yourself, and reconnect with the raw beauty of our planet.
"Canada is often wrongly equated with the province of Quebec..."
We must separate the two!
I. When to leave?
Is there a best season to go?
II. What to think about?
III. Useful links
IV. The itinerary day by day
WHEN TO LEAVE?
The climate in Canada varies enormously by region and season, due to its vast size.
Western Canada : In the Rockies, winters are cold and snowy, while summers are mild. On the coast (British Columbia), the climate is oceanic, with wet winters and temperate summers.
Center : The Prairies (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) have a continental climate: very cold winters and hot, often dry summers.
East : Provinces like Quebec and Ontario also have a continental climate, with cold, snowy winters and hot, humid summers.
North : In the Arctic, winters are extremely cold and long, while summers are very short and cool.
HIGH SEASON : from June to August
Ideal for camping
Visit the Great North
Warm and sunny weather
More expensive accommodation (+30% on average)
More people, more tourists
Reservations are essential for activities
Strong presence of mosquitoes
See whales, orcas, ...
INTERSEASONS : in May, September-October
Drop in attendance
Decrease in population/tourists
Price drop
Always pleasant weather
Reduction in opening hours of tourist sites
Quieter atmosphere
Possible closure of tourist attractions or for maintenance
autumn with Indian summer and the incredible colors of the forests
See whales, orcas, ...
LOW SEASON : November-April
Shorter, colder days
Closures of remote sites
Winter tourist activities
Presence of northern lights
Rainy season then snow
In my opinion, traveling to Western Canada is a year-round experience. It depends on your expectations and what you want to see.
WHAT TO THINK ABOUT?
Organizing your own trip can be stressful and often complicated to manage.
It's up to you to decide how you want to travel: hotels, camper van, train ride, car or other.
The only advice I can give you is to plan ahead with your reservations and travel planning.
USEFUL LINKS
Planes :
Comparators are benchmarks, such as " Skyscanner.com ", " Kayak.com ", etc.
Hotel :
You can have a wide choice of offers and very interesting loyalty programs if you travel a lot, like with " hôtel.com " and the program 10 nights purchased = 1 night free.
You can always look on booking.com , airbnb.com , etc...
My advice is to also look at reviews on GOOGLE... to avoid any mishaps.
Administrative documents :
The sites you absolutely must visit are:
From your airline
THE ROUTE
The 4-week course...
PART 1: VANCOUVER ISLAND
The arrival:
As soon as we arrived at Vancouver airport, we decided to take the ferry straight away to Vancouver Island .
The ferry departs hourly from BC Ferries Tsawwassen Terminal to Swartz Bay, and the crossing costs between CA$68 and CA$120 depending on the time of day. Reservations are highly recommended, but you can always try to secure a spot at the last minute.
The crossing takes approximately 2 hours and you can either stay in your vehicle or take the ferry.
From the very first moment on the boat, we saw seals. The adventure already seemed promising.
Victoria:
We took advantage of being in Victoria to fulfill a dream: to see orcas .
So we went on a 4-hour Zodiac excursion with "Prince of Whales Whale & Marine Wildlife Adventures" . There were 12 of us and it was an incredible experience! Don't expect to see killer whales jumping like in "Free Willy" - it's still exceptional. If this happens to you, you're very lucky.
The city of Victoria, capital of British Columbia, is renowned for its historic architecture, marked by elegant colonial buildings . By preserving this heritage, it offers an authentic charm that recalls its rich past. Victoria has also adapted to its natural environment by favoring sustainable means of transportation, such as cycling and eco-friendly ferries, while maintaining the Canadian myth with its exceptional seaplanes . This harmony between tradition and modernity makes it a unique destination that respects its natural setting.
The magic of the night is incredible. Many restaurants are located on the marina so you can enjoy the view while staying warm...
To get to our next stop, we stopped to explore a fjord. To get a better view, we climbed up. Welcome to the "Malahat Skywall" .
Ucluelet :
We chose to go to Ucluetet for our few days on the west shore of the island. Hotels in Tofino are extremely expensive and crowded with tourists. We wanted a place off the beaten path and on a human scale. So we opted for an " AirBnB " and we were not disappointed!!
Ucluelet has a soul. The place is quiet, charming, lost in nature, typical with its surfers, but it also has a soul. I don't know how to define/describe it, and I don't know if it's related to the presence of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nation, but there is an "aura," an ambiance, a feeling/sensation that immediately made me feel safe, protected, as if wrapped in a cocoon.
Ucluelet will remain one of the wonders discovered during this trip.
What to do in Ucluelet:
The Aquarium : The plants and animals in the aquarium are representative of the species found in the west of the island. They are then released into their native environment. The approach is primarily educational.
The Wild Pacific Trail : A hike around a lighthouse, it's easy. The loop is about 3 km long and takes about 1 hour. The main feature, and therefore the lighthouse, is "Amphitrite Point Lighthouse."
Little Beach : Located off the Wild Pacific Trail, this small beach offers a good overview of what you can see while hiking. It's also ideal for picnics and the most beautiful sunsets.
Pacific Rim National Park :
For the rest of the trip, we set off to explore Pacific Rim . It's a magical place. As its name suggests, the park borders the Pacific Ocean and many places are ideal for different activities.
If you plan to visit several national parks (up to 80 unlimited), you can buy the annual pass , it will be more cost-effective. In any case, remember to go and buy your ticket for the park, because the controls are very regular and believe me, people are very often fined.
Individual pass:
$11 CA / adult
Free/minor
Parks Canada Discovery Pass:
$75.25 / adult
$151.25 / vehicle including up to 7 adults
(Indicative price in 2024 – more information here )
To purchase your pass or annual pass:
Pacific Rim Visitor Center - Tourism Ucluelet
2791 Pacific Rim Hwy, Ucluelet, BC V0R 3A0, Canada
What to do in Pacific Rim:
Long Beach : We had planned to do the Wickaninnish Trail and the Schooner Trail , which can all be done in less than an hour, but a First Nations ceremony was taking place, which prevented us from discovering more about these places.
Radar Hill : the site of the radar station during World War II is a walk of about 200 m. Despite the encounter with a small reptile which awakened my phobia, the view is breathtaking .
Rainforest Trail : The rainforest includes two trails . Ideally, you should allow 1 hour for about 2.5 km. You will find that it can be very crowded, as the walk is classified as easy, but you will discover a lush environment.
Frank Island , Cox Bay and many more...
Tofino :
Our last stop to discover the West Island, we visited Tofino . Tofino is described as the place to go. You can go floatplaning , boating , paddleboarding , biking and cruise , see whales, orcas and many other animals.
And at the turn of a street ...
On the road to the east coast :
For the rest of our journey, we made a few stops during the day to be able to reach the town of Port Hardy late in the evening (yes, it bears my pet name and that will not be the only surprise of the journey ...)
Fanny Bay :
On the way, we stopped at the lovely bay of " Fanny Bay ." The scenery is incredible, and if you have time, enjoy a small meal to enjoy the famous oysters , which are the most renowned on the island.
Comox :
In Comox, we decided to visit the Comox Air Force Museum. The museum operates on a donation basis ; in fact, you give what you want. The museum is definitely worth a visit. It's very well done, and the history of the Canadian military is very interesting.
Port Hardy:
Port Hardy is often a transit point to be able to take the ferry to go north.
If this is you, the ferries leave very early and the hotels adapt well by offering breakfasts to go. The walk along the waterfront is very beautiful. We saw a bald eagle for the first time here. In addition, we had the opportunity to see the Canadian Navy preparing for departure, which was a very intimidating moment.
Telegraph Cove :
One of the must-see stops on the island's east coast is Telegraph Cove . It's a former fishing village . It currently has about twenty inhabitants, but during the high season, the village is overrun with tourists. Also, if your budget allows, you can rent one of these charming little houses and go discover the marine animals that surround the island.
Nanaimo:
The next day, we left Port Hardy and headed back to Telegraph Cove , with another chance to explore this charming village. Along the way, we made several stops to admire the beauty of the surrounding lakes, including the magnificent Nimpkish Lake . Our journey then continued to Nanaimo for the night.
As for the restaurant, I recommend the " FIREHOUSE GRILL " , the dishes are presented with great care and the food is of very good quality.
Address:
75 Front St, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5H9, Canada
Maps: Google maps
Waking up the next day was a rude awakening because we had to take the ferry "very" early to return to the mainland. We boarded the ferry to Horseshoe Bay Ferries. Once back on dry land, we headed for Whistler.
This first glimpse of our adventure in Western Canada and on Vancouver Island ends here.
To discover the rest of our journey, stay tuned, a new article is coming very soon!
Do you like travel stories, practical advice and dreamy photos?
My blog is here to share unique moments and inspiring destinations.
Follow me to explore the world... one adventure at a time! 🌍✨
"The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he came to see."
Quote from Gilbert Keith Chesterton, English writer.
Comentários