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A Three-Day Vancouver Island Coast, Forest & Food Escape

This source-based plan follows the creator’s three-day Tofino–Ucluelet itinerary, with the Highway 4 stops grouped on the way west. Ucluelet is the recommended base: the video describes it as quieter and more affordable…

3 daysUpdated 21 highlights
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Travel inspiration for A Three-Day Vancouver Island Coast, Forest & Food Escape

Source videos

Travel inspiration behind this plan

Tofino & Ucluelet Travel Guide 2026 | Best Things To Do in 3 Days Watch on YouTube

Plan notes

Useful context before you go

This source-based plan follows the creator’s three-day Tofino–Ucluelet itinerary, with the Highway 4 stops grouped on the way west. Ucluelet is the recommended base: the video describes it as quieter and more affordable than Tofino, with about a 20-minute drive between the two; Tofino is the suggested choice for surfers. Bring rain-ready layers for the region’s wet weather, and allow extra time on trails where frequent photo stops are tempting. The quoted BC Ferry fare was $120 one way, with dynamic pricing; check current fares before travel. Period cost ranges are approximate per traveler in USD and vary with lodging and transport choices.

Itinerary highlights

What is in this plan

Day 1 — Highway 4 Ferry Crossing, Coombs & Cathedral Grove

Cross from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo, then continue west on Highway 4. The video describes the ferry ride as about an hour and a half and mentions a restaurant onboard. Leave time for the Coombs and Cathedral Grove stops before continuing toward Port Alberni and Ucluelet.

  1. Horseshoe Bay Ferry TerminalHorseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal, West Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Begin with the BC Ferry crossing from Horseshoe Bay toward Nanaimo. The video quoted $120 one way and noted that fares use dynamic pricing, so verify the current price and sailing details before departure.

  2. Departure Bay Ferry TerminalDeparture Bay Ferry Terminal, Nanaimo, BC, Canada

    Arrive in Nanaimo and continue west on Highway 4. The ferry journey is described as roughly 1.5 hours; allow time for the road trip and planned stops before reaching Ucluelet.

  3. The Old Country MarketThe Old Country Market, Coombs, BC, Canada

    Stop at the market in Coombs to see the grass-covered roof and its goats, which are usually on the roof. Treat this as a relaxed break on the Highway 4 drive.

  4. Butterfly WorldButterfly World, Coombs, BC, Canada

    Allow about an hour to explore the butterfly garden; the creators found it more worthwhile than its modest appearance from the parking area might suggest.

  5. Cathedral GroveCathedral Grove, MacMillan Provincial Park, BC, Canada

    Walk one of the two loops through the grove to see the old-growth Douglas firs, including trees described as more than 800 years old and around 75 metres tall. Budget extra time for photo stops even though the walk is short.

  6. J & L Drive-InJ & L Drive-In, Port Alberni, BC, Canada

    Make this the old-school drive-in dinner stop near Port Alberni on the way toward Ucluelet. The supplied place list identifies it as J & L Drive-In.

Day 2 — Ucluelet Aquarium, Pacific Rim Rainforest & Tofino Eats

Use the rainy-day sequence for indoor stops and rainforest scenery. At the aquarium, the video describes locally collected marine life and a catch-and-release program. South Beach is beside the Kwisitis Visitor Centre; the Rainforest Trail is a 2-kilometre boardwalk loop. The video’s Long Beach pass price was $12.25 per person per day, so confirm current fees.

  1. Heartwood KitchenHeartwood Kitchen, Ucluelet, BC, Canada

    Start with breakfast at Heartwood Kitchen before visiting the aquarium. The creators chose it as their rainy-day breakfast stop.

  2. Ucluelet AquariumUcluelet Aquarium, Ucluelet, BC, Canada

    This is a strong rain-or-shine stop. The aquarium focuses on local marine species; the video describes animals collected within a five-kilometre radius and a catch-and-release program. The creators also praised the staff’s explanations.

  3. Ucluelet WharfUcluelet Wharf, Ucluelet, BC, Canada

    After the aquarium, check the adjacent wharf; the creators saw sea lions there. Keep an eye on the water while visiting.

  4. South BeachSouth Beach, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, BC, Canada

    Pause at South Beach in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. The creators stopped for ocean views and visited the nearby Kwisitis Visitor Centre to learn more about the area.

  5. Kwisitis Visitor CentreKwisitis Visitor Centre, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, BC, Canada

    Stop at the visitor centre beside South Beach for views and information about the area, as the creators did.

  6. Rainforest TrailRainforest Trail, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, BC, Canada

    Walk the 2-kilometre loop, which runs on both sides of the road. The boardwalk makes this a practical rainforest stop in wet weather; the creators particularly enjoyed the rain-soaked forest atmosphere.

  7. TacofinoTacofino, Tofino, BC, Canada

    Finish the day in Tofino with the pork or fish burrito and pink lemonade mentioned by the creators. They encountered a long line even in stormy weather, so expect this popular stop to be busy.

Day 3 — Ucluelet Shoreline & Tofino Beach Stops

Start with Ucluelet’s Lighthouse Loop, then continue toward Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and Tofino’s beaches. Long Beach parking lots fill quickly in summer, and the creators noted paid parking at Chesterman and Cox Bay. Allow time for the viewpoints and beach stops rather than treating them as quick drive-bys.

  1. Lighthouse LoopLighthouse Loop, Wild Pacific Trail, Ucluelet, BC, Canada

    Walk the roughly 3-kilometre Lighthouse Loop along the water. The creators recommend going at low tide, allow extra time for the many viewpoints, and describe it as a promising place to look for whales. They also drove up to the lighthouse for sunset.

  2. Big BeachBig Beach, Ucluelet, BC, Canada

    Make this an easy beach stop: the creators highlighted its proximity to the parking lot and described it as a worthwhile quick visit.

  3. Long BeachLong Beach, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, BC, Canada

    Explore this long Pacific Rim National Park Reserve beach and watch the surfers. The video quoted a park pass of $12.25 per person per day; verify current fees. Summer parking lots can fill quickly.

  4. Radar HillRadar Hill, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, BC, Canada

    Take the short hike to the viewpoint for views over Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

  5. Savary Island Pie CompanySavary Island Pie Company, Tofino, BC, Canada

    Pick up a slice of pie after the morning’s walks; the creators planned to take theirs to eat by the water.

  6. Chesterman BeachChesterman Beach, Tofino, BC, Canada

    Explore the beach and its rock face; the creators climbed onto the rock for beach views and found this stop quieter than some of the other beaches. They noted that parking is paid.

  7. Cox Bay BeachCox Bay Beach, Tofino, BC, Canada

    End the beach sequence at this bay, which the creators described as surrounded by rocks and close to nearby trails. They noted that parking is paid.

  8. Ucluelet AquariumUcluelet Aquarium, Ucluelet, BC, Canada

    The creators singled out the fish and chips here for dinner after their beach stops. The supplied place list identifies the restaurant as Jiggers Fish & Chips.