lisa67

Hi
We'll be visiting Vancouver in the summer for a few days with an 11 year old and 13 year old. We've been for a long weekend before without the kids. We're thinking of taking a trip to Vancouver Island for 1 or 2 nights. Is it feasible to get the ferry from downtown Vanouver if we don't have a car with us and then pick up a car on the Island for a couple of days. My kids want to do the forest zip line adventure thing...any thoughts/advice would be much appreciated.

bazzz

But of course:

http://www.pacificcoach.com/

assuming you're going to Victoria. If you're going to Nanaimo, it's a bus (250 or 257 from West Georgia Street) or taxi ride.

If you're some sort of flash poseur you could get a floatplane (seaplane) from Coal Harbour.

JonboyE

Pacific Coach is your best bet.

I thought the forest zip line was near Whistler, not on the island, unless I'm thinking of something else?

lisa67

Thanks Bazzz. we were thinking of going to Nanaimo but we're open to suggestions.

lisa67

There is Wild play elements park 15 mins south of Nanaimo...that's what we were thinking of tackling

JonboyE

I think the direct passenger ferry from Nanaimo to downtown Vancouver went out of business a few years ago. If you want to get there you will need to get the bus to Horseshoe bay as bazzz suggests.

You shouldn't have a problem renting a car once you get there. Budget, for example, has an office within walking distance of the ferry terminal.

JonboyE

I see. I didn't know about that one.

lisa67

Thanks for the info. I'll look into it.

bananahammock

This is the place they want to visit ...... It's at the south end of Nanaimo, on Valentines day if you bungy jump naked it's free!!

http://www.wildplayparks.com/

bananahammock

From Vancouver you could jump on the 250 or 257 to Horseshoe Bay, take the ferry to Departure Bay & take a short cab ride to Budget or National (Budget is closer) to pick up a car ........ if you fancy something different, get a floatplane from downtown Van to Nanaimo harbour ....... Budget will come & pick you up (they did for me anyway )

Surrey Expat

Harbour Air
http://www.harbour-air.com/

edinburgh

hi

we have kids the same age couple of things they thought were cool

swimming at kitsilano open air pool followed by a meal at the watermark bistro on the beach.
float plane trip ,its another option to get to the island.
grouse mountain to see the grizzly bears and the logging show was good value too
try and get to a ball game at the stadium, we made a basketball game and the atmosphere was electric
bicycle round Stanley park.

have fun
gordon

lisa67

Thanks all for info. I've thought about the float plane option as we would love it...my OH has his PPL and spent our last trip to Vancouver watching them land and take off..really romantic !!
Don't think I want to bungy jump in the nude....especially in February
so we'll continue with our original plan of visiting in July (renewing visas )

maddhobs

Budget do a pick-up and drop-off service from Departure Bay. Hope you enjoy your time on the Island

live to ski

And they have curteosy phones in the ferry arrivals terminal area, but during the busy aeason they just send a mini-bus everytime a ferry comes in regardless of reservations.

There is also ZipTrek near Whistler but becareful of the whiplash.