How We Travelled from Kona to Vancouver Island: Flights, Ferries, and Travel Tips
(This post is part of our wildlife photography expedition to Canada – links to other parts of the trip will be added once we finish them)
Flying from Kona to Vancouver via Honolulu on Westjet
Flying out of Kona meant retracing our steps. With separate tickets, we left a buffer and did the reverse of our arrival: collected our bags, walked over to the international terminal, and checked in for our WestJet flight. Only difference was that WestJet was tucked away at the far end of the airport, so there was a bit of a hike. Honolulu Airport has a great online interactive map if you are a planner.
Tip: If you don’t want to pay for a cart, look where passengers abandon them (outside near the curb or after baggage drop and before security).
The desk wasn’t open yet, so we waited about half an hour. Travelling on a Qantas frequent flyer ticket, we assumed we would have lounge access. Wrong. The Qantas lounge was closed, the American Airlines lounge turned us away, and we ended up at a random restaurant instead. No spam musubi unfortunately, but it did the job.
The direct WestJet flight to Vancouver was basic but fine. We booked window seats on either side of the plane, hoping for sleep. Andy got lucky with an empty row. I did not, and sleep never came, though the legroom was better than expected.
Arriving at Vancouver Airport: Immigration and First Impressions
Vancouver Airport turned out to be one of the loveliest airports we have ever passed through. Nature sounds piped in, displays like a mini natural history museum, and, best of all, no queues at immigration. Most passengers were connecting elsewhere, so we were first in line.
We were apprehensive about using our US passports, given Canadians have been a little frosty about Americans lately. The officer glanced at them and asked, “What brings you to Canada?” In my sleep-deprived state, I almost answered “WestJet” or “a 737,” but managed, “We’re here to photograph bears.” He smirked, said “Good luck with that,” asked us if we had any bananas, and then waved us through.
Bags collected, we reluctantly headed to the Avis counter. This time we were pleasantly surprised. The agent was friendly, the car was clean(er), and we were finally on our way to Vancouver Island.
Taking the BC Ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo
Rush hour traffic in Vancouver slowed us a little as we crossed the city and over the bridge to Horseshoe Bay, but it was a beautiful drive in perfect weather. We had pre-booked the 1:25pm BC Ferry to Nanaimo, though we tried our luck for an earlier sailing. Sold out. The agent suggested wandering into the village while we waited.
So we did. We spotted some Canada Geese (or Canadian Geese, depending on who you ask), had a hearty breakfast at Troll’s, and strolled through the village before joining the ferry queue. Andy napped in the car while I debated buying fruit from a roadside vendor but passed, knowing we were only headed as far as Nanaimo.
The crossing was stunning: blue skies, calm water, and even a few whales. At one hour and 45 minutes, it felt more like a scenic cruise than transport.
Where to Stay and Eat in Nanaimo
A short drive brought us to the Courtyard Nanaimo. We were upgraded to a room with a view of the car park and the back of a casino, glamour at its finest.
Dinner was a win, though. Tripadvisor pointed us to a nearby Greek restaurant where we scored a table without a booking. The vibe was great, and the whipped feta with blackberry ouzo was a standout.
On the way back we wandered through an outdoor summer market, complete with food trucks, vendors, and live music. Among the stalls we spotted a handmade orca mug. At first we hesitated, not wanting to lug it around for a month. But we have been burned before (the wave mug that got away in New Zealand). Lesson learned: buy the thing when you see it. So now we own an orca mug.
Driving from Nanaimo to Port McNeill: The Journey Begins
Tomorrow the real wildlife adventure begins as we drive north to Port McNeill, gateway to whales, seabirds, and bears.
We’re Andy and Jennifer—two former corporate executives who chose long ago to prioritise experiences over stuff while pursuing our passions for travel and photography. From the Arctic to Antarctica, and most places in between, we’ve captured the world through our lenses and love sharing those stories. Our careers gave us the means, but our purpose is inspiring others to explore and helping people create images they’re proud of.
