Vancouver Island Family Travel Guide

Family Destinations Near Vancouver Island

Canada Family States/Provinces

Capilano Suspension Bridge, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Vancouver Island, Canada at dusk. (ThinkStock/Karl Weatherly)

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Vancouver Island Photo Gallery

Vancouver Island Family Travel Tips

By Sue Lebrecht

For most visitors, Vancouver Island presents a medley of new and novel experiences that are not just eye-opening but profoundly touching—for all ages. Indulge, and do go out of your way to reach intriguing attractions farther afield. And don't let wet weather stop you and your family from enjoying the outdoors. Prepare for rain—pack boots, rain gear, and an umbrella.
Join the celebration of the gray whale migration on the island's west coast. Each March, the communities of Ucluelet and Tofino, along with Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, present the annual Pacific Rim Whale Festival with a host of family activities.
West of Parksville, Cathedral Grove has gigantic, 800-year-old Douglas firs that'll leave a lasting impression. Bring a camera and snap the classic big-tree-little-kid photo. The largest trunks can be found on the 0.6-mile (1 kilometer) south loop.
Bring a guidebook on intertidal life to the tide pools of Botanical Beach in Juan de Fuca Provincial Park. The natural saltwater aquariums offer an enthralling game of creature identification. Be sure to explore only during low tide, and remember: Never turn your back on the sea. Also, this wilderness area is home to black bears and cougars; keep children close by.
Bring the kids down under for an adventure of spelunking. Vancouver Island boasts more than a thousand caves carved from limestone bedrock by water. Among the developed locations is Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park, which offers guided and self-guided family tours. Minimum age is five.

Travel Overview: Vancouver Island

By Sue Lebrecht

Geographically, Vancouver Island—the largest of more than 200 islands off the mainland of British Columbia—has a split personality. With a mountainous spine running down its length, its west side is wet and rugged, with long mountain fjords cutting deeply into a flank of wilderness. Its east side is drier and more rolling, with clusters of major settlements along the coast, including Victoria, British Columbia's capital city, on the southeast tip. For visitors, it provides an intriguing mix of city and country, coast and interior, popular and obscure, urban and wild. Read More

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Airports

Major Airports near Vancouver Island

	Distance (mi.)
Vancouver International Airport	87.6 map
Seattle/Tacoma International Airport	186.2 map
Portland International Airport	288.7 map

Other Smaller Airports near Vancouver Island

	Distance (mi.)
Tofino Airport	37.6 map
Nanaimo Airport	54.9 map
Vancouver Coal Harbour Airport	90.9 map

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Flight Deals to Vancouver Island

Originating	From
Las Vegas (LAS) to Vancouver (YVR)	$281
Los Angeles (LAX) to Vancouver (YVR)	$281
San Diego (SAN) to Vancouver (YVR)	$373
Atlanta (ATL) to Vancouver (YVR)	$464
New York City (NYC) to Vancouver (YVR)	$546