Island Vacations With a Twist: Unique Destinations From Vancouver Island to Tasmania
For most people, an island vacation conjures images of swaying palm trees, silky white sand, icy fruity cocktails with little umbrellas. I love those getaways where you practically live in a swimsuit and flip flops. But, I am not talking about that kind of island travel. I am talking about the kind of islands where you should probably pack a warm layer and a raincoat. The kind with foggy mornings that may turn into sunny afternoons, but could just as possibly turn into an all day rain. The kind with so many shades of green - from the great variety of trees and plants to the moss growing on the tree trunks. The kind with cozy coffee shops that smell of homemade scones and a corner shelf with well-loved books. Some of my favorite trips have been to these kinds of islands which I will share with you now.
Vancouver Island, British Columbia: Rainforest Adventure Meets Relaxation
Located right across the strait from the city of Vancouver, many visitors choose to hop on a ferry to travel to Vancouver Island. The reasonably priced ferry (under $120 for a family of 4 plus their vehicle) takes just over 1 ½ hours to make the crossing. Others opt to fly into the airport in the town of Sidney, about 20 miles north of Victoria, the capital city of British Columbia. Either way you plan to arrive, you are likely to encounter the city of Victoria first and you will feel like you were transported to an English town with its British colonial architecture. You can wander through the Butchart Gardens and have afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel.
Victoria Parliament Building
Our time on Vancouver Island was predominantly spent on the west coast in the remote and laid back town of Tofino. Tofino sits on the edge of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and is known as the surf capital of Canada. We were not there to surf, however, we were there for the sea kayaking. We joined a small group of travelers to kayak out to a rustic house on Vargas Island. My husband and I spent a few days on our honeymoon in Clayoquot Sound kayaking around, admiring starfish and bald eagles, and eating fresh seafood every night.
Sea kayaking honeymoon in Tofino
San Juan Islands, Washington: Outdoor Family Fun in the Pacific Northwest
About 150 miles to the south of Vancouver Island, and very similar in climate, are the San Juan Islands. The San Juans are accessible by ferry from Anacortes, Washington or you can hop on a flight from Seattle to San Juan Island and the town of Friday Harbor. When we visited the San Juans, we took the ferry from Anacortes to Orcas Island. Our friends were working as innkeepers on that island and we camped next to their home on wheels in a little spot they called Sunset Ridge. Our children were quite young so we took turns sea kayaking. As a family, we hiked down fern-lined trails and even got out on the bay for some fishing. One day we hopped on the ferry with our bikes (and the bike trailer) and ferried over to Lopez Island which is much friendlier (i.e. flatter) for a family biking adventure. We cruised around the island, stopping to play on the beaches and pick wild blackberries along the roadsides. Even though there are over 170 named islands in the San Juans, many of the small to medium-sized islands are privately owned.
Tasmania, Australia: Nature, History, and Island Exploration
Prior to starting our family, my husband and I lived in Melbourne, Australia for a year while I was on a teacher exchange. Melbourne is the closest city to Tasmania which made it a good choice for one of our first holidays. We booked a spot for our car on the 9 ½ hour ferry ride to Devonport, Tasmania where we spent the next nearly 2 weeks touring around. We had big plans to explore all Tasmania (Tassie to the locals) had to offer - from climbing mountains to hanging out on the beach to learning about the history of Port Arthur, Australia’s prison settlement. We headed to Cradle Mountain first and were delivered a dose of Tassie’s autumn weather. It rained non-stop for 2 days and we hunkered down in the common shelter (typical of most Australian campgrounds). Just when we had decided to move on, we woke up to a beautiful sunny day and were able to get on top of Cradle Mountain before traveling southwest towards Hobart, the capital of Tasmania.
Hobart is a lovely small city with one of the best markets in the country - the Salamanca Market. We timed our Hobart visit well and were able to wander through the artsy stands and fresh food tables.
Next stop was a fascinating historical tour of Port Arthur, a former penal colony and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As far as I am concerned, this is a “must see” if you are ever in Tasmania. Strolling through the prison site, hearing stories of times gone by was the most memorable part of the trip. We enjoyed it so much, we signed up for the ghost tour of Port Arthur that night. I didn’t sleep very well that night.
Our last notable stop was to Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park on the east coast. This beautiful hike led us up to a vantage point where we could see how Wineglass Bay got its name. We continued down to the white sandy beach in the bay and enjoyed some sunny warm beach time.
Wadden Islands, Netherlands: Northern Europe’s Hidden Island Getaway
Off the northwest coast of the Netherlands lies a string of islands known as the Wadden Islands, also called Frisian Islands. According to one source, there are roughly 50 islands in this group, but five of them get most of the attention and are easily accessed via ferry. These five islands are Texel, Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland, and Schiermonnikoog (the guy at the reception where we stayed spent 5-10 minutes teaching me how to pronounce the last one - I can give you a lesson if you ask). And, just to be clear, the Frisian Islands are considered to be a beach holiday to many in the Netherlands. They do warm up in the summer months, but I think most of us would not compare them to the Caribbean.
Our family only visited two of them, Texel and Schiermonnikoog. Texel is the largest and most developed of the Waddens, with seven small villages that will make you feel like you stepped (or rode) right into a fairy tale. We rented bikes as soon as we stepped off the ferry and spent the next few hours riding around the island on the well-maintained paths. The paths turned to cobblestone once we reached some of the villages. We found a lovely outdoor street cafe in the center of the islands for a bite to eat and a beer from the Texel Brewery.
Schiermonnikoog is one of the least developed of the five featured islands. Again, we rented bikes right at the ferry landing and cruised around, this time on sandy paths. We picked up some delicious Dutch cheese and other snacks in Leeuwarden before hopping on the ferry and picnicked once we reached the North Sea. We played around in the cold salty water, admiring jellyfish and other sea creatures.
Whether you're dreaming of a cozy, rain-soaked retreat in the Pacific Northwest or an off-the-beaten-path adventure across the globe, there's an island out there that’s perfect for you and I’d love to help you find it. From planning ferry routes to uncovering the best local eats and activities, I take care of the details so you can focus on making memories. Ready to plan your next unforgettable island escape? Let’s get started! I’m just a message away.
