This sixteen night fly and drive takes two people from Vancouver across to Vancouver Island by ferry, travelling the length of the island from Victoria in the south to Campbell River in the north before looping back to finish in Nanaimo and Victoria. With direct flights from Dublin, 16 days car hire and a guided tour of Grouse Mountain and Capilano Suspension Bridge included, the route covers some of British Columbia's most varied and spectacular scenery.
The trip begins in Vancouver, where three nights at the Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront put you right on the water with the mountains behind the city skyline. On the first full day, a guided tour takes you up to Grouse Mountain and across the Capilano Suspension Bridge, a walkway strung 70 metres above the canyon floor with the forest stretching out below. The rest of your time in the city is yours to explore Stanley Park, Granville Island and the waterfront at your own pace.
From Tsawwassen on the mainland, the BC Ferries crossing takes you to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island and from there it is a short drive south into Victoria, the island's capital. One night at the Fairmont Empress puts you right on the Inner Harbour, one of the most photographed spots in Canada. The grand Edwardian building has been here since 1908 and the location, with float planes landing on the water and the Parliament Buildings lit up across the harbour in the evening, is hard to match.
From Victoria the drive north takes you up the eastern side of the island to Parksville, a quieter stretch of coast known for its beaches and calm waters. Two nights at Tigh Na Mara Resort give you time to slow down after the city, with ocean views and easy access to the beach and the town.
Crossing to the west coast of the island takes you into different territory entirely. Ucluelet sits on the edge of the Pacific, where the ocean hits rugged headland and the rainforest runs right to the shoreline. Three nights at Waters Edge Shoreside Suites put you in a two bedroom suite with a harbour view, outdoor tub and full kitchen. The Wild Pacific Trail runs from the town along the clifftops and the whale watching in this part of the island is some of the best on the coast.
Continuing north, Campbell River is known as the salmon fishing capital of the world and sits at the point where Discovery Passage narrows between the island and the mainland. Two nights at Painter's Lodge, one of British Columbia's most well known fishing lodges, puts you right on the water. Even if fishing is not on the agenda, the setting and the wildlife around the lodge make it worth the stop.
On the drive back south, Courtenay sits in the Comox Valley between the mountains and the sea, one of the quieter stretches of the island. Two nights at the Old House Hotel give you time to explore the valley, walk along the Courtenay River and visit the nearby town of Comox before heading further south.
The final stretch brings you back down to Nanaimo for two nights at the Coast Bastion Hotel, perched above the harbour with views across to the mainland. From here the ferry returns you to the mainland for the final night back at the Fairmont Empress in Victoria before the drive to the airport the following morning.
Return flights from Dublin with Air Canada, 16 days car hire from Vancouver International Airport with inclusive insurance and GPS, BC Ferries crossing from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay, Grouse Mountain and Capilano Suspension Bridge guided tour for 2 adults, BC Ferries crossing from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen, and accommodation throughout as follows: 3 nights at Pinnacle Hotel Vancouver Harbourfront (room only), 1 night at Fairmont Empress Victoria (room only), 2 nights at Tigh Na Mara Resort Parksville (room only), 3 nights at Waters Edge Shoreside Suites Ucluelet (room only), 2 nights at Painter's Lodge Campbell River (room only), 2 nights at Old House Hotel Courtenay (room only), 2 nights at Coast Bastion Hotel Nanaimo (room only), 1 night at Fairmont Empress Victoria (room only). Flights depart Dublin on 04 September 2026. Price is correct at the time of posting (16 April 2026). Offers are subject to change.
Price from €4,900 per person
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