Thank you! We will probably ferry from Vancouver to Victoria via BC ferry and try to rent a car in Victoria.
I haven't yet investigated car rentals but will soon do it.

Big big question - We are American citizens and residents.
We are considering Victoria (Canada) to Seattle (USA) with the one ferry company; even with $100 ferry cost, it's cheaper overall.

how is customs process when traveling via ferry?

its cheaper to return home sea-SFO compared to Yvr-SFO and I prefer to avoid SFO intl terminal.

There is no ferry to Tofino, unfortunately. And you really do need a car for pretty much everything surrounding Vancouver and on Vancouver Island, except right in the city centre, especially with family in tow. As for flying, YVR has US CBP preclearance which means you will clear customs and immigration at YVR. You will arrive into SFO as a domestic flight. I would fly out of YVR if it was me.

How long can customs take for the Victoria - Seattle ferry?
for flying out of SEA, there are several airlines to SFO and good pricing. For Yvr it's ual or AC and I prefer neither. Plus we can enjoy a bit of Seattle. But it's great to know that we can avoid SFO intl. I live in SF so only fly to SFO. I'm a very fussy baby!

I only went to Canada in 2001 for Area One (at UBC) for the New Order concert, then left to get dinner, so only spent 2 partial days there! Canada is all new for me - I am super clueless about the joys of Canada! And I'm very excited but must plan our trip!

If you are planning to take the ferry from Seattle Harbor to Victoria Harbour, then it sounds like you are thinking about going on the Victoria Clipper. I've used the Victoria Clipper a few times and customs is pretty easy and doesn't take long.

Here's a suggested itinerary.

• Fly into Seattle and spend a day or two
• Take the ferry from Seattle to Victoria and rent a car. Spend a day or two in Victoria.
• Drive from Victoria to Tofino making stops at Coombs, Cathedral Grove, and Port Alberni if you want.
• Spend a day or two in Tofino and consider going to Ucluelet as well.
• Drive to Nanaimo and take the ferry to west Vancouver.
• From West Vancouver, drive up to Whistler and spend some time there.
• From Whistler, then drive to Vancouver and spend some time there.
• Take the BC Ferry from Vancouver to Victoria and return the rental car.
• Take the Clipper back to Seattle and fly home to SFO.

You can also do it in reverse by taking the ferry to Vancouver first and finish in Tofino.

Word of caution, the highway between Port Alberni and Tofino is 2 lanes of mountain driving. That's one lane in each direction. I recommend driving it during the day in good condition and take it easy. Also keep in mind that an accident can shutdown the highway for hours or a whole day, so don't make too tight of a schedule going and coming there.

As you can guess, I'm very familiar with Vancouver Island and Vancouver so feel free to ask any questions.

Love the itinerary - one change is that we start in Vancouver and then stay there for 4 nights. Then depart our Airbnb on a Friday. Is it logical to do both Vancouver island AND Whistler between a 8-day Friday to Saturday?
I know I mentioned taking ferry Victoria to Seattle but now considering using ual miles to fly Yvr-SFO, esp now that I understand that we clear USA customs in Canada.

8 days is plenty to cover both Whistler and Vancouver Island. The decision will be if you want to head to Victoria or Whistler first? I suggest seeing if there are any particular activities or better pricing to start in either direction.

This is what I would do.

• Check-out AirBNB at 11 AM on Friday and drive to Whistler. It's less than a 2 hour drive. I recommend a glacier helicopter tour, ziplining, ATVing, hanging out in the village, hiking, and etc.
• Spend 2-3 nights at Whistler and drive out early morning to Horseshoe Bay terminal to catch a ferry to Nanaimo's Departure Bay terminal. Whistler to Tofino is about a 7 hour drive including ferry and that's not stopping to sight-see. I did that route last year, so it's definitely a whole day thing with stops.
• I recommend 2-3 nights in Tofino/Ucluelet. Even though they are small villages and you can see most in a day, excursions can use up a whole day. I recommend kayaking and whale watching. Have dinner at the Wick's Inn in Tofino. It's on the upscale side, but the food is great and the scenery is beautiful especially if you can get a table by the window.
• Leave Tofino early because driving to Victoria will take you 5 hours non-stop, so expect using a whole day with stops. Visit Cathedral Grove and Coombs.
• Spend 2-3 nights in Victoria. Butchart Gardens is a must especially when they do a fireworks show at night. Have English Afternoon Tea. I like having it at the Empress hotel, but that's me. Sight-see.
• Then take the ferry from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen to return to YVR on Saturday morning.

The scenery is beautiful up there so try to take it easy and relax. Adjust your schedule to your liking but keep in mind that 2 of those 8 days will be used up for driving. And if you like it up there, then you can always come back. I have gotten several people hooked over the years.