Including all of the best outdoor attractions and adventures around Vancouver [1] is impossible in one week, so I’ve put together an itinerary that includes the most unique and varied experiences. As a nature lover, I assume you’re an early riser. You’ll need to be, because this is a full week’s worth of fun—with a special treat to wind up the trip.
After checking into your Vancouver accommodation, rent a bike to explore Stanley Park [2]. Ride around the seawall and time your tour to end with dinner at one of the many restaurants along Denman Street.
Cross Lions Gate Bridge and take a morning stroll through North Shore [3]. Choose between the Grouse Mountain Skyride [4] and a hike in Cypress Provincial Park [5] before heading for Whistler [6]. Go canoeing on Alta Lake [7], and then enjoy dinner and a drink in Whistler Village [8].
Rent skis or a snowboard (yes, even in summer) and make a few turns on the Horstman Glacier via lift access up Blackcomb Mountain [9]. After a late lunch, drive down to Horseshoe Bay and catch a ferry to Nanaimo [10].
Tell the experts at Ocean Explorers Diving in Nanaimo [11] that you want to try a wreck dive, and let them choose a dive site that best suits your experience. After drying off, head west, stopping at the Old Country Market in Coombs [12] for a healthy lunch, and then at He-tin-kis Park [13] to admire the colossal old-growth forest. Choose a Tofino accommodation such as Pacific Sands [14], where you can boil up crab purchased from the dock.
Live to Surf [15] will outfit you with a wetsuit and surfboard for a morning of fun in the breakers of Chesterman Beach [16]. Take a lesson if you’ve never surfed before. Head into town for an afternoon whale-watching tour [15]. Spend the night in Port Alberni [17].
If you leave Port Alberni early, you’ll arrive in Victoria [18] well before lunch. View downtown from sea level by renting a kayak [19], and then paddle over to Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub [20]. Spend your last night lapping up the luxurious surroundings of the Brentwood Bay Lodge & Spa [21], enjoying a signature Essence of Life massage for the full effect.
Finally, you get to sleep in before taking the ferry back to Vancouver [1] and catching your flight home.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/sights/stanley-park
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/sights/north-shore
[4] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/sights/north-shore/grouse-mountain
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/sights/north-shore/cypress-provincial-park
[6] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/whistler
[7] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/whistler/recreation/water-sports
[8] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/whistler/food
[9] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/whistler/recreation/winter-recreation
[10] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/nanaimo
[11] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/nanaimo/recreation
[12] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/nanaimo/food
[13] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/west-coast/ucluelet
[14] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/west-coast/tofino/accommodations
[15] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/west-coast/tofino/recreation
[16] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/west-coast/tofino/sights
[17] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/west-coast/port-alberni
[18] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria
[19] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/recreation
[20] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/arts-and-entertainment/nightlife
[21] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/accommodations/over-300