Vancouver Island or Nova Scotia

<p>Hi all,</p>

<p>I am beginning to plan a vacation for my husband and I for either the last 10 days of June or first 10 days of July 2013. We both enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, whale watching, plus wineries and touring. He wants to golf and I want to do some photography. After looking at all our options we've narrowed it down to Vancouver Island or Nova Scotia. Photography wise (and for the above activities too), which would be better?</p>

<p>Any advice or opinion would be most welcome.</p>

<p>Thanks,<br>

Zvia</p>

 

<p>Both great choices (I'm from Vancouver, have visited the Maritimes a couple of times). Vancouver Island is more "wild" than Nova Scotia; and Nova Scotia has more history for tours and such. Photography-wise, I'd lean toward Nova Scotia I think because it's a little more compact and there's more in the way of fishing villages and historical locations. </p>

<p>Thanks David. I always thought Vancouver Island was tamer than Nova Scotia, but that's probably due to Victoria, where we'd really only spend a couple of days. Thanks for your input.</p>

<p>I haven't been to Vancouver Island, but I can recommend Nova Scotia for its scenery and villages. The coast is more interesting than inland IMO. Not sure how many wineries there are there, and I've never played golf there, though frankly there are golf courses pretty much anywhere where there's a decent sized community. In ten days you're going to have to choose between a circuit of the regions south and west of Halifax, and heading east to Cape Breton and maybe PEI. I've done and photographed both, but would recommend the first of these aoptions more highly. I do feel that Cape Breton is somewhat overrated, though its good in autumn colour. </p>

<p>Having said all that, given your desired activities, I'd prioritise the Oregon Coast ahead of both. Great coastline; I've seen whales close up from the shore, wonderful beach walking , and excellent vineyards not too far inland. </p>

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<p>I have been to both (and lived on Vancouver Island for 3 years) and honestly Zvia, you can't go wrong with either, although I'm a bit bias for the west coast. Each province has a great tourism website and you could also look here - <a href="http://www.vancouverislandoutdoor.com">www.vancouverislandoutdoor.com</a>, or here - <a href="http://www.novascotia.com/en/home/default.aspx">www.novascotia.com</a>.</p>

<p>Personally, nothing beats the wildlife and scenery (with mountains!) that they have on Vancouver Island. I enjoy kayaking and that is very popular there as well. You mentioned whale watching, I would just confirm the migration dates of each area but it can be a great experience. </p>

<p>Tough choice, but I think you'll have fun either way.<br>

Regards, James.</p>

<p>Thank you David and James. I have just ordered a couple of books on each area. I think it will be a toss up also. No mind, I'll do the other one next year. I live in Florida, where we have no mountains, no quaint fishing villages and no whale watching! I love Canada. This past fall, we toured Yoho, Jasper and Banff and I almost cried when we had to leave :( </p><div></div>

<p>Hey Zvia,</p>

<p>That's a nice photo...and nice memory, I'm sure. I haven't been to that area since '87. Here is a danger...you go over the mountains and then via Sunshine Coast...and you can grab the ferry to jump over from Powell River...and onto Vancouver Island. The danger is that you may not get to the island...he he. You'll have to bring horse blinders with you and just plow straight to Nanaimo. </p>

<p>If the truth be known, I'm actually gathering info on NS myself, since I'm thinking about exploring that area for couple of months...most likely in 2014. Essentially, and I can easily presume, that both places have lots to offer in visual terms. At this point I'm sort of partial to the island, since I've been on it many times + spend a week on it more recently. Not sure which whale watching you are referring to, but if it's the one from Telegraph Cove (at No. end), I could easily say it would have been worth twice what I paid for it. Picture this, <br />you leave the cove and you can barely make out the trees that are 100 feet from you on the coast (pea soup), the capt slices through the <em>wall</em> and 1/2hr later you start seeing various parts of land and water around you. Suddenly you're immersed in sun....and moments later 5-6 dolphins appear and adopt the dead space near the front of the boat...so they can cruise effortlessly. Out of the water they jump... one, two, three...they are all happy and create smiles on the boat. At least near 100 were there. There were so many dolphin jumps, that even if your camera had no motor drive, you'd still catch the shot. Eventually we got to where the orcas were. Magical.</p>

<p>That said, there are many attractions on the other side of the continent, but I think I'd go there after everyone had their vacation, if you get my drift.</p>

<p>Here is a little sliver of what you may or may not see....just North of Sechelt, BC...Trout Lake. Good luck deciding.</p>

<p>Les</p>

<p>Just think</p>

<p> </p><div></div>

<p>Pardon, that little thing after my name was unintentional. No idea what I was trying to say.</p>

<p>Les</p>

You might get an estimate as to which would have the best weather when you want to go. Fog and rain can be picturesque or a hindrance, depending on the subject.

The Yukon is really nice most times of the year. Just

sayin'.

<p>Well gee thanks Daniel, for throwing in a monkey wrench ;) The Yukon is on my very long list of places to visit during my lifetime, but I think this year it will be Vancouver Island or Nova Scotia. </p>

<p>I took your advice Charles, and of course they're both a little rainy that time of year. If we go to Vancouver Island, it will need to be toward the end of June, and not in July as I'd prefer to avoid the huge crowds if possible. June sees more rain than July there. Nova Scotia seems to get more rain and fog overall, but we may be able to do July there, as I can't imagine it would be as busy as Vancouver Island...but I could be wrong here. </p>

Have you considered Victoria Island off Vancouver?

<p>Oh, Zvia, you make my head hurt! I now live in Victoria, I lived twelve years in Banff, and I remember fondly a bike trip in Nova Scotia years ago. The east and west coasts are so different. The Maritimes got European settlement centuries ago, with towns scaled for walking and for horses. Vancouver Island is a rocky island, about 5% arable land, with bays and preserves (both park-like and fruit-based) aplenty. All I can suggest is that, because of our cooler weather, our schools let out later than yours, so plan your trip to avoid family travel season. You seem to know that our more northerly position means sunrise is earlier and sunset is later than Florida and the golden hour is much longer. Do you know how to flip a coin? Ooooh, my brain hurts.</p>

<p>Been to both and I'd vote for NS but neither will disappoint.</p>

<p>Wouldn't want to cause you anymore headaches Zave, so I flipped a coin.....Nova Scotia it is. Following tentative itinerary:<br>

Day 1: Arrive in Halifax, explore the city, overnight Halifax<br>

Day 2: International Royal Tattoo show, overnight Halifax<br>

Day 3: Drive to Ingonish (6hrs) with stops along the way to explore, overnight Ingonish<br>

Day 4: Husband to golf at Highlands, I will explore, afternoon fishing, overnight Ingonish<br>

Day 5: Hike Skyline Trail, explore and whale watch out of Pleasant Bay, overnight Cheticamp<br>

Day 6: Drive to Parrsboro (4-5 hrs) with stops along the way to explore, overnight Parrsboro<br>

Day 7: Kayak in Bay of Fundy, overnight Parrsboro<br>

Day 8: Hike Chignecto trails in morning, then drive to Annapolis Royal (3-4 hrs), Graveyard tour, overnight Annapolis Royal<br>

Day 9: Husband to golf in Digby, I will visit Historic Gardens and Port Royal Natl' Historic Site, overnight Annapolis Royal<br>

Day 10: Morning Drive to Lunenburg (2 hrs), explore Lunenburg, Chester, Mahone Bay, overnight Lunenburg<br>

Day 11: Kayak Blue Rocks area, evening sail, overnight Lunenburg.<br>

Too much driving and moving around? What would you add? eliminate?</p>

<p>Thanks,<br>

Zvia</p>

 

<p>You can't go wrong with either choice. For photography I suggest looking at Victoria Island rather than Vancouver. The Pacific Rim Park is absolutely gorgeous! Plus there are lots of other areas on Victoria Island that are so neat. Shifting eastward, Nova Scotia is a bit more compact and easily accessible with lot and lots of history. Watching the incoming tide in the Bay of Fundy is fantastic. Perhaps the question is do you want ocean sunrises or ocean sunsets?</p>

<p>Del - that's the second time someone on this thread has misspoke! It's Vancouver Island, where Victoria is located as is Pacific Rim Park. Vancouver is not on Vancouver Island, a fact that drives almost any tourist crazy at some point.</p>