Our relaxed, early morning travel style is something we love, so much so, we wrote a blog and 2 free downloadable travel guides on it, “Your Daily Slow Travel Planner + Bonus Slow Morning Blueprint” request your free copies at the top of the page or through one of our pop ups.
For more information on this beautiful destination, checkout our other blogs, “Top Things to do from Nanaimo to Tofino, Vancouver Island, Canada: Beaches, Forests, & Hidden Gems”, and “7-Day Vancouver Island Itinerary: The Nanaimo to Tofino Road Trip”. For flights, stays, & car rentals we use Expedia and for any tours or activities, we use Get Your Guide or Viator. Take a look and explore these sites to see what options and deals you can get. If you register with Expedia every time you book you earn travel dollars to go towards you next trip, it sure can help.
Always check open and closing hours and days for restaurants and shops before you go, we’ve added links to all of our restaurant recommendations for your convenience.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you choose to make a booking or purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend places, experiences, and products that we have personally used or genuinely believe add value to a trip.
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Where to stay in Nanaimo
- Where to eat in Nanaimo
- Where to stay in Parksville
- Where to eat in the Parksville & Qualicum Beach area
- Where to stay in Tofino & Ucluelet
- Where to eat in Tofino & Ucluelet
- Essential Vancouver Island local & general travel tips
- References
- The Wrap up
Views from the Best Western Plus Tin Wis Resort
1. Introduction:
There is something special about a Vancouver Island Road Trip. Mornings begin with quiet walks along the shoreline, afternoons are spent exploring forests and coastal towns, and evenings end with watching the sun sink into the Pacific Ocean.
One of the most popular routes on Vancouver Island takes visitors from Nanaimo on the east coast to Tofino and Ucluelet on the rugged west coast. Along the way you’ll discover sandy beaches, towering old-growth forests, charming communities, local restaurants, and some of the most spectacular scenery in British Columbia.
This guide covers where to stay, where to eat, and essential travel tips to help you plan a smooth and memorable journey from Nanaimo to Tofino.
When travelling, it can depend on how long you’re staying in each location and how many people you’re travelling with, Airbnb or VRBO, might be a great option for you. They are great for groups or families as there is usually more space, with room to relax as a group and a kitchen. When looking for accommodations we always check out the reviews, price, and location. We also use these trusted travel sites Expedia and Hotels.com. Here are some suggestions to see if any pique your interest, but there are a lot of accommodations along this road trip to choose from, so have some fun with it, if you start early there is no stress, just excitement in the process! Check out these below, they are some of the places we’ve stayed or have come highly recommended.
When looking at where to eat, we typically don’t make reservations, unless there’s an activity included with the food, like a Show or a food tour or there is something really special about the food or location. We find that if you make reservations, it dictates the pace of your day. We like stopping when we’re hungry or when we see a place that piques our interest. That said, here are a few suggestions of what Vancouver Island has to offer, some we enjoyed, and some come highly recommend! We do read reviews as well, we think it’s important, especially the negative ones to see what people are complaining about, but we’ve learned over the years to “take them with a grain of salt” not every restaurant can be perfect every time and some people just like to complain. We like to make sure there are more good reviews then bad and read what the issues are, sometimes it might be something that doesn’t concern us.
We do suggest making reservations at Cuckoo Italian Restaurant, it is worth it.
Hotels and Restaurants along the water in Nanaimo
2. Where to Stay in Nanaimo:
Nanaimo is the perfect place to begin your Vancouver Island adventure. Whether you’re arriving by ferry or from another part of the island, spending some time exploring the harbourfront is a great way to start this road trip, and these hotels provide convenient access to the city’s attractions.
Located in downtown Nanaimo overlooking the harbour, the Best Western Dorchester Hotel is one of the city’s most recognizable accommodations. Guests enjoy easy access to the waterfront walkway, restaurants, and departure points for local excursions.
Highlights
- Waterfront location
- Walking distance to downtown attractions
- Pet-friendly rooms available
- Harbour views from select rooms
- Laundry facilities
Address
70 Church Street, Nanaimo, BC
The Coast Bastion Hotel offers one of the best waterfront locations in Nanaimo. Many rooms feature ocean views, and the hotel sits just steps from the Harbourfront Walkway and downtown dining.
Highlights
- Stunning ocean views
- Modern rooms
- Downtown waterfront location
- Excellent choice for couples and business travellers
Address
11 Bastion Street, Nanaimo, BC
The Quality Inn is a practical option for travellers looking for comfortable accommodations with easy highway access.
Highlights
- Affordable pricing
- Complimentary breakfast
- Convenient location near the Old City Quarter
- Family-friendly
Address
440 Selby St.
One of Nanaimo’s newer hotels, the Courtyard by Marriott offers modern rooms and amenities in a central downtown location near the harbour. Guests enjoy an indoor pool, fitness centre, and easy access to restaurants and attractions.
Highlights
- Modern design
- Indoor pool and hot tub
- Downtown location
- Great option for Marriott Bonvoy members
Address
100 Gordon Street, Nanaimo, BC
Nanaimo Bar & Tea at Red’s Bakery
Red’s Bakery on the Nanaimo Bar Trail
3. Where to Eat in Nanaimo:
Cuisine
Authentic Greek
Why Visit
Known for generous portions, traditional Greek dishes, great reviews and a welcoming atmosphere.
Cuisine
West Coast Canadian
Why Visit
As the name suggests, the views are the star here. It’s an excellent spot for seafood and sunset dining.
Cuisine
Pub Fare and Seafood
Why Visit
Casual waterfront dining with harbour views and local favourites. We really enjoyed our meals, service and views from this restaurant. I had the fish tacos and for research purposes I did try one of their Nanaimo bars too, and it was very good.
Cuisine
Bakery and Café
Why Visit
A favourite local stop for fresh pastries, sandwiches, meat pies, Nanaimo bars, coffee, and more before hitting the road. We loved it here.
The Beach Club Resort
4. Where to Stay in Parksville:
The Parksville and Qualicum Beach region is known for sandy beaches, relaxed coastal vibes, and easy access to attractions like Coombs and the Cathedral Grove.
Hotel Feng, BW Signature Collection
This hotel is part of the Best Western family and is only a few minutes’ walk to the beach with some rooms having ocean views and some having mountain views.
Highlights
- Modern rooms
- Convenient location
- Comfortable base for exploring the mid-island region
- Walkable to the beach
- Pool and fitness centre
Address
424 Island Hwy W.
The Coast Parksville is also a few minutes to the beach with ocean or mountain views, it has free mini-golf and courtyard BBQs.
Highlights
- Central location
- Family-friendly accommodations
- Close to the beach
- Pets welcome
Address
374 Island Hwy W
Bayside Resort, an Ascend Hotel Collection Property
This hotel is located right on the beach, with an outdoor pool, amazing views, on-site restaurant, great for couples or some family fun.
Highlights
- Oceanfront location
- Beautiful views of the Strait of Georgia
- On-site dining
- Pool
- Pets welcome
Address
240 Dogwood St.
The Beach Club Resort is also located right on the beach, and right along the Parksville Beach Boardwalk. They have a pool, hot tub, fitness centre, and spa.
Highlights
- One of the most popular waterfront resorts in Parksville
- Direct beach & boardwalk access
- Excellent sunset views
- Pool and hot tub
- Fitness centre & spa
Address
181 Beachside Dr.
Cuckoo Italian Restaurant
Fountain on back patio of Cuckoo Italian Restaurant
Rod & Gun Bar and Grill
5. Where to Eat in the Parksville & Qualicum Beach Area:
Cuisine
Pub Fare
Why Visit
This local institution has been serving the public here since 1898 and is known for comfort food and a welcoming atmosphere. They also have a cute courtyard with a fountain and outdoor seating. We’ve been here multiple times and have always enjoyed it.
Cuisine
Greek and Mediterranean
Why Visit
Popular for seafood and Mediterranean fare and located within walking distance to the waterfront. Accessible and great for kids. Only open for dinner.
Cuisine
Wood-fired Pizza
Why Visit
Wood-fired pizzas made with quality ingredients. These were delicious, highly recommend! There is a very small seating area, so a good option here would be to call to order ahead of time and do take out, you could either bring them down to the beach and have a picnic by the water or simply bring the pizza back to your accommodations and relax. They also have Gelato! Good after a long day of exploring. Salt is located about a 7 mins drive from Parksville down the Island Highway towards Qualicum Beach.
Cuisine
Seafood
Why Visit
Fresh local seafood with a coastal atmosphere. Located in the middle of town, within walking distance to the beach.
Cuckoo Trattoria & Pizzeria (Coombs)
Cuisine
Italian
Why Visit
One of the most famous restaurants in the region, featuring beautiful gardens and authentic Italian dishes. It’s about a 10 mins drive from Parksville on the Alberni Hwy in Coombs. We loved our delicious meals here as well as the atmosphere, flowers and staff, one of our favourites.
Cuisine
West Coast Dining
Why Visit
Oceanfront dining with spectacular views, located in Qualicum Beach. Great fish and chips and fish tacos.
Cuisine
Seafood and Pub Fare
Why Visit
Located on the waterfront in Qualicum Beach with excellent sunset views. Can do take out or eat in, and they serve brunch on the weekends. They also have a liquor store attached.
Duffin Cove Oceanfront Lodging
Best Western Plus Tin Wis Resort
6. Where to Stay in Tofino & Ucluelet:
The west coast of Vancouver Island offers some of Canada’s most spectacular scenery, and these accommodations place you close to beaches, trails, and ocean views.
Best Western Plus Tin Wis Resort
We stayed here on one of our trips to Tofino and really liked it, the room was clean and modern, and the views were spectacular. We really enjoyed their on-site restaurant Browns Socialhouse and their included breakfast. This hotel is located directly on the quiet and rugged MacKenzie Beach and only a 6 mins drive into Tofino. It is also just across the highway from a grocery store, bakery/gelato shop and the famous Tacofino food truck.
Highlights
- Direct beach access
- Oceanfront rooms
- Excellent sunset views
- Only 6 mins from Tofino
- On-site restaurant
Address
1119 Pacific Rim Hwy.
Duffin Cove Oceanfront Lodging
These accommodations are located at the very end of the main street going through Tofino, making them very walkable all through town, to restaurants, cafes, shops, parks, the harbour, and waterfront. They have hotel style rooms with balconies, cabins, and condo style options.
Highlights
- Boutique waterfront experience
- Incredible views
- Quiet atmosphere
- Great location
Address
215 Campbell St.
These are apartment style accommodations featuring studio, one or two-bedrooms with a kitchenette or full kitchen, gas fireplace, spa-inspired bathrooms, and furnished balconies. Set in a spectacular, rugged, and rocky oceanfront spot, and surrounded by old-growth forests.
Highlights
- Luxury accommodations
- Dramatic coastal setting
- Dining options
- Swimming Pool
- Spa
- Fitness Center
- Pet welcome
Address
596 Marine Dr. Ucluelet
These apartment style accommodations are located in Ucluelet right on the harbour with stunning views and within walking distance to shops and restaurants.
Highlights
- Waterfront suites
- Ideal for families
- Beautiful harbour views
- Spa and hot tub
Address
1971 Harbour Cres. Ucluelet
Chocolate Tofino, Chocolate & Gelato Shop near Tacofino
Savary Island Pie Company
Tacofino Food Truck
7. Where to Eat in Tofino & Ucluelet:
Cuisine
Casual Canadian
Why Visit
Located within the Best Western Plus Tin Wis Resort, has indoor/outdoor seating, lots of great options on the menu, relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff, and amazing views of MacKenzie Beach.
Cuisine
Mexican-inspired Street Food
Why Visit
A Vancouver Island icon known for delicious fish tacos and burritos and more, a must-try while in the area, but try not to go during peak mealtimes to avoid long lines. They now have 2 locations in this area, the original truck at 1184 Pacific Rim Hwy. and in town at 450 Campbell St. the main street going through Tofino.
Cuisine
Seafood
Why Visit
A Tofino favourite serving fresh seafood, pasta, salads, soups and more for decades, located right in town on the main Campbell St.
Cuisine
West Coast Contemporary
Why Visit
One of the region’s most celebrated dining experiences. Here they fish and forage for their ingredients to create their delicious dishes. Located at 150 Fourth St. in Tofino.
Cuisine
Poke Bowls
Why Visit
Choose from fresh ingredients and healthy options, to create your own bowl, with options like grains, protein, salad, sauces, mix ins like red onion salsa, pico de gallo, jalapenos, crispy garlic, corn, cucumber and more. So much to choose from. Located on the Pacific Rim Hwy across from the Visitors Centre.
Cuisine
Seafood and Grill
Why Visit
Beautiful harbour views from this restaurant on the water in Ucluelet. Specializing in seafood, steaks and BBQ ribs and their award-winning seafood chowder.
Cuisine
Coffee and Café
Why Visit
Excellent coffee and famous delicious doughnuts. Located on Campbell Street in Tofino, can get quite busy, but worth it. Great for breakfast or a mid-day treat.
Cuisine
Bakery and Café
Why Visit
Locally loved for fresh baked goods and pies. Located down by the harbour on Main St. This is another place that is worth a peek inside for their delicious, sweet treats.
Nanaimo Sign in Maffeo Sutton Park
Tofino Sign
The old Railroad Water Tower and Parksville Sign
8. Essential Vancouver Island Local & General Travel Tips:
- Ferry Information –
Most visitors arrive via the BC Ferries or the newer Hullo Ferry from Vancouver.
Popular routes include:
- Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay (Nanaimo)
- Tsawwassen to Duke Point (Nanaimo)
- Downtown Vancouver to Nanaimo (by the Hullo Ferry)
Reserve sailings during peak travel periods, especially between May and September.
- Car Rentals –
A vehicle is needed for this itinerary. Rental cars are available at a few places depending on where you’re arriving from:
- Nanaimo Airport
- Departure Bay Ferry Terminal
- Downtown Nanaimo
We use Expedia for all our car rentals, they have great options as far as car rental company, size of vehicle, and price.
Book early, especially during summer months.
- Driving Tips –
- Allow approximately 2.5 hours to drive from Parksville to Tofino without stops.
- Add extra time for Cathedral Grove and other scenic viewpoints.
- Watch for wildlife, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Fuel up in Port Alberni before continuing west.
- Best Time to Visit –
Spring (March–May)
Wildflowers, less crowds, mild temperatures.
Summer (June–September)
Best weather and longest daylight hours, but more travellers.
Fall (September–November)
Beautiful colours, storm season begins, and less crowds.
Winter (November–February)
Ideal for storm watching along the west coast, cooler, and less crowds.
- Sunrise and Sunset Times –
Check daily sunrise and sunset times before your trip to help you plan your days, especially for great lighting for photography, beach walks and in the summer, better temperatures. Check it out here!
- Using Points:
Whether it’s Airmiles, Aeroplan, hotel chains, or credit card points, collect them religiously and use them for travel!! We have stayed in some amazing places using points, some we normally wouldn’t have even looked at because of the price, we’ve used points for flights and rental cars too. They are so satisfying to use, but you have to get to know what is a good value and what isn’t. For example, if you’re using Airmiles for flights, the points cover the flight cost and you pay the taxes, so generally the taxes cost us in the range of $200/$300, which is reasonable, but if we fly to Europe from Canada, the taxes were over $700, (we were told this was because their airport taxes were higher) we were shocked, it didn’t make sense to use the points for that, so you have to get to know how to best work you’re points, but once you do, you’ll be hooked!
- Start your off Day Early:
Start your day off early, this will always be our suggestion! When we say early, we’re talking 6:30/7:00am, but we know that’s not for everyone, so just get started as early as you can and always keep in mind open/closing hours and open/closing days for the attractions that you really want to see. If there is something you really want a photo of without people in the shot, start there! For more information on the advantages of getting up early, check out our posts “Three Significant Reasons to Get Up Early, while Travelling” & “How to See More, Avoid Crowds and Capture Better Photos”.
- Speaking the Language:
For some people speaking different languages comes easy and for some, it does not, I’m the latter. Although it’s not easy, we always make an effort to learn at least the pleasantries when we’re travelling. It’s one of our many favourite things to do! We also carry a language pocketbook with us, and we have google translate on our phones! We also like the free language app, Duolingo for some fun!
- Phone service:
When travelling in Europe we use Hippocket Wifi, but they also service Canada and the United States. So, for people travelling to Canada from another country, this could be a good option for you. They are based in France, but you can simply order it online and they ship it directly to you 3-5 days before you leave for your trip. It comes with a small carrying case, charger, (including a car charger if needed) and an addressed, stamped return mailing envelope, so you simply drop it off in the mailbox at the airport/ferry terminal/train station before heading home. The great thing about this is that if you are traveling with other people, you can all use it and share in the cost or if you’re a family you can all use it. You can have up to 8-10 users at the same time. If you have multiple users, I recommend getting the unlimited options, as the 1GB/day option may not be enough. The unlimited works out to be approximately 7.00 to 9.00 euros per day, including all shipping, (because they are based in France, they charge you in euros). It’s a great option, check it out here!
These visitor centres are perfect if you need road maps, island activities brochures or have any questions for the helpful staff. Most of the visitor centres also have washrooms, which can come in handy along the drive.
East Coast,
Nanaimo, 101 Gordon St.
Parksville, 1275 East Island Hwy.
Qualicum Beach, 2711 West Island Hwy.
Pacific Rim,
Port Alberni, 2533 Port Alberni Hwy.
Ucluelet, 2791 Pacific Rim Hwy.
Tofino, 1426 Pacific Rim Hwy.
**Any pricing, opening/closing hours and days listed here are as of June 2026 and are subject to change, so be sure to check before you go. I like this website: for all your current information, vancouverisland.travel.
Plan. Travel. Capture.
9. References:
For our Vancouver Island, Nanaimo to Tofino Travel Series, we created our top things to do, itinerary, and tips and recommendations from our own experiences, as well, we leaned on a mix of trusted guidebooks, including DK Eyewitness Top 10 Vancouver & Vancouver Island, and Moon Victoria & Vancouver Island, which helped shape our adventure. In addition to the books, it’s helpful to reference official tourism websites, (vancouverisland.travel) attraction sites, public transportation resources (like the buses, and ferries), and a few local food blogs to see what local foods piques your interest. Google Maps for driving and walking distances, and tour apps for the activities, like Get Your Guide, Viator and Expedia. We hope you find these tips & recommendations helpful when you plan your own adventure to this beautiful west coast region.
Cuckoo Italian Restaurant
Billy G’s Doughnut Shop
10. The Wrap Up:
A road trip from Nanaimo to Tofino combines everything that makes Vancouver Island special: charming coastal towns, towering forests, sandy beaches, incredible wildlife, and unforgettable ocean views.
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a full week of exploration, taking your time along this route is the best way to experience the island. Stop often, watch the sunrise whenever you can, and leave room in your itinerary for unexpected discoveries. Some of the best moments on Vancouver Island happen when you slow down and simply enjoy where the road takes you.
Our relaxed, early morning travel style is something we love, so much so, we wrote a blog and 2 free downloadable travel guides on it, “Your Daily Slow Travel Planner + Bonus Slow Morning Blueprint” request your free copies at the top of the page or through one of our pop ups.
Plan Better. Travel Slower. Capture More.
Thank you,
Beth
Beth de Verteuil
Wild Meadow Studio
Plan. Travel. Capture.