We just did the multi-cave tour, and there were some optional places to climb or squeeze through. Our guide claimed some very large people had made it on these sections, and it’s far more about how adventurous you are and willing to squish yourself than anything else. As long as you’re in reasonable shape, the trail up to the caves is definitely a moderate (though not long) climb and you need to be strong enough to get around rocks with an overhang, doing a bit of a crab walk in a few places. It’s never for long, and there’s lots of spots to rest and look at formations. Try the 1 hour tour, see if you like it!

My husband an I did the three hour visit. It involves a vigorous uphill hike to get to the caves and then about 2 1/2 hours inside. There were no children on our tour. There were many places that I had to squat/crab walk on uneven ground, wary of hitting my head. (Thank goodness for the helmet that was provided.) There are a lot of loose rocks underfoot for much of the experience. Even though I exercise daily, I found my legs to be a bit wobbly at the end of the excursion. The three hour hike involves some climbing (maybe 10 feet?? high with good hand holds in a short waterfall). Also, there are no toilet facilities available on the tour if that is an issue. Overall, I found the tour to be very enjoyable, educational, and a highlight of our trip. But it was fairly vigorous.

Unfortunately there is nothing organized for really young children. There are trails you can walk for free. Not sure if that would hold their interest, it would depend on the 3 year old.

It's very tight in places. But they told me the two hour tour was more open although I did the one hour which I assumed would be easy and it was NOT! Crouching, squeezing, climbing....barely enough room to get through in spots. I loved it but you need to be fit, agile and definitely ok with tight spaces. Ask them about the two hour tour though, they are very approachable and will give you an honest review.

No if you do not want to

Yes the road is a publicly-maintained gravel road. No problem for cars just take it easy on the speed. As summer is peak time around the lake, watch out for oncoming traffic - everything from ATV's to logging trucks share this road. Drive slow with headlights on and be ready to pull over and stop if necessary.

They don't mention anything about an upper age limit, but you need to be somewhat fit and sure footed. We were on the 90 minute Family tour and there was a woman there with her 80 year old mother...she managed the hike up to the cave entrance but when she got inside she had second thoughts about the decent into the cave. I believe the 3 hour tour is much more physically challenging.

From Downtown Vancouver, you would take the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay (Nanaimo). The ferry ride is 1 hr, 35 min (sailing time), then by car it would be about 45 minutes north of Nanaimo. As previously stated in the other reply, I would think you would need to have a car, as the caves are actually about 15/20 minutes off the hiway near a little town called Bowser. Take the clothing recommendations on the tour seriously as well unless you want to get wet. It is really cool. One of those things that I cant believe I have lived on the island most of my life, but waited a long time to see.