Coastal RVing on Vancouver Island

From Sidney to Tofino, Canada’s westernmost destination can be enjoyed any time of the year.

by

Story and Photos by Larry MacDonald 

As full-time RVers who spend our summers on Vancouver Island, my wife Sandy and I have explored the various communities. Occasionally, fellow RVers ask what are our favourite destinations and RV Parks.  

The Island is divided into three geographical areas; the south end, central area, and north end. For each region, we highlight a few of the destinations that we always like to visit and places to stay. What’s special about the majority of these areas are the unique shops, galleries, and whale and bear-watching charters. 

Additionally, fishing, kayaking, hiking, biking, and scuba diving are popular activities. Trails and farmer’s markets are as abundant as the unique craft breweries, wineries, and local pubs. Golf, tennis, pickleball, and lawn bowling are also available in some of the communities and many of the RV parks.  

A lot of the campgrounds we stay at are well-maintained, big-rig friendly, and offer full services with decent WiFi. Some even have ocean views. Our 12 m (38 ft) fifth wheel is right at home at all of them.

Travelling to Vancouver Island by RV requires boarding a ferry either from Port Angeles, WA, to Victoria or from the BC mainland to Sidney, Nanaimo, or Comox.  Ferry fees for larger RVs can be expensive, so it’s best to plan longer trips and make the most of your island time. 

A lot of RVers who come from the mainland BC arrive in Sidney. This is a great community to start your journey. 

Vancouver Island’s South End

Sidney by the Sea 

Sidney is a picturesque community and one of the first destinations after arriving at the Victoria (Swartz Bay) BC Ferries’ terminal. The community has many attractions including an insightful museum, family-friendly aquarium, and scenic waterfront walkway with intriguing statues.

Approximately 6 km (4 mi) south of the BC Ferries’ terminal is Oceanside RV Resort, just off Hwy 17. This is a Parkbridge Lifestyle Communities property and open all year with modern facilities, full-service sites, and maintained grounds. With everything you need for a great stay, a multi-use sports court was introduced in 2023 for badminton, pickleball and other activities. 

Victoria 

Approximately 25 km (16 mi) south of Sidney is Victoria, the largest city on the island that is known for its popular chateau-style Fairmont Empress hotel, the Royal BC Museum, majestic Parliament buildings, and vibrant city culture. A short drive west is Fort Victoria RV Park where we spend most of our summers.

Chemainus

An hour drive north on Hwy 1 (about 80 km (50 mi)), Chemainus is Canada’s Mural Capital. To appreciate the 60-plus amazing works of art and various sculptures, stop at the community visitor centre to pick up a brochure that details the artwork. 

Some of the murals have hidden images and optical illusions. A popular one is #12, titled ‘Native Heritage.’ It's based on figures of Native culture from the past to the present. 

Another attraction is the Chemainus Theatre, which presents live productions all year. Reservations are usually required in the summer for the theatre and its Playbill Dining Room. 

Just off the highway and five minutes south is Country Maples RV Resort. It's open all year and offers full services along the Chemainus River. With 175 full and partial RV sites (including 8 pull-throughs), there’s 15-, 30- and 50-amp power and shaded and open locations. A general store, playgrounds, laundry facilities, and heated swimming pool are some of the amenities. Long-term stays (28-day sites) are available from October 1 to the spring.

Central Vancouver Island 

Nanaimo

Further north on Hwy 1 is Nanaimo, known as ‘Harbour City.’ Brannen Lake RV Resort is only 12 km (7.5 mi) from downtown and serves as a gateway to the area.   

The Tourism Nanaimo Visitor Centre has a list of ‘top 10 things to do in this city.’ Placed at number one is the Nanaimo Bar Trail. More than 40 stops on this trail serve some variation of the famed Nanaimo Bar. All are sweet, decadent, and delicious.

Another attraction is the Nanaimo Museum with exhibits about the coal mining, logging, and fishing industries, which helped shape the city. Be sure to check out the Old City Quarter with its cobbled-stone walkways between century-old buildings.  

Nanaimo’s harbour - or Port of Nanaimo - is a sheltered waterway with busy docks and popular anchorages for recreational boaters. Be sure to stroll along the Harbourfront Walkway or take a short ferry to the Dinghy Dock Pub, one of Canada’s only floating restaurants and bars.

Tofino

From Nanaimo and Hwy 1, take Hwy 19 approximately 20 minutes north to Hwy 4, which bisects the Island and leads to its west coast. This highway can be curvy and narrow, so keep both eyes on the road. Passengers, however, can admire crystal-clear streams, lush meadows, and dense forests.  

We typically spend a month each summer at Bella Pacific RV Park just south of Tofino. This friendly West Coast town is full of youthful energy with upscale resorts, spas, and award-winning restaurants.  

A popular activity is strolling and surfing from one of the many sand beaches.  

T'ashii Paddle School, a First Nations ecotourism company, offers guided dugout canoe trips to the Big Tree Trail on Meares Island, which has some of the largest and oldest trees on the coast. 

Parksville

Driving back east on Hwy 4 leads to Surfside RV Resort, which has an extensive beach and estuary frontage. Don’t be surprised to see deer wandering the immediate area. 

Surfside is within easy walking distance to downtown (about 10-15 minutes). Popular attractions during July and August are a Sand Sculpting Exhibition during the Parksville Beach Festival and the Summer Concert Series on Parksville Beach.

If you like dairy foods, visit Morningstar Farm, which is home to Little Qualicum Cheeseworks. There are self-guided tours about the operation of the farm, a café, petting zoo, and Canada’s first “milk on tap” dispenser. 

North Vancouver Island 

Comox

An 80 km (50 mi) drive north on Hwy 19A leads to the Comox Valley. Cape Lazo RV Resort is minutes from downtown and a few steps from a pebbled beach on the Strait of Georgia. Goose Spit, a narrow peninsula, is popular among recreational boaters with its calm waters and sand beaches.

Mount Washington is a mecca for hikers and bikers. The chairlift leads up to the summit and offers spectacular views of the Beaufort Range, the Strait of Georgia, and Mt. Baker in northern Washington. The area also hosts many festivals and events. Be sure to visit www.experiencecomoxvalley.ca for all of the details. 

Campbell River

This is a city ‘nestled in nature.’ Thunderbird RV Park and Resort is located on a spit at the north edge of the town. Bald eagles are frequent visitors and nature lovers will appreciate the area’s ocean vistas, rushing rivers, and breathtaking Elk Falls, which can be viewed from a massive suspension bridge.

Port McNeill

Port McNeill, 195 km (121 mi) north of Campbell River on Highway 19, is an excellent area to take in this part of the island. Just before arriving here, you’ll see the exit for Adler Bay RV Park, a terraced campground overlooking a marina and Johnstone Strait. 

A short ferry ride to Alert Bay is where you can experience First Nations culture. Popular attractions include tribal dancing at the Namgis Traditional Big House, the renowned U’mista Cultural Centre, and multiple totem poles on sacred burial grounds. 

Just south of Alder Bay is Telegraph Cove, a picturesque waterfront village with only 20 residents. The Whale Interpretive Centre provides information about local marine life.  

One of the best parts of travelling across Vancouver Island is the return trip south to visit other communities and relax at several other RV parks.  With so much to explore, Vancouver Island is a popular Canadian destination that can be enjoyed every year. 

Larry MacDonald is a freelance journalist from Victoria, BC. He writes about his RVing adventures on various destinations.  His website www.landyachting.ca provides information about these destinations as well as tips, books, and links for RVers.