Vancouver Island Wildlife Tour Canada

Itinerary Highlights

Spend a leisurely morning strolling through the stunning and fragrant floral displays
Sail Vancouver Island's west coast in search of gray whales or humpback whales, you may even be lucky enough to spot orcas
Spend three-nights at Farewell Harbour Lodge on a bear watching adventure
Take a scenic flight on a floatplane from Victoria to Vancouver, across the Gulf Islands and Vancouver's spectacular skyline
Best time to travel MAY - OCT

What's Included

Accommodation Throughout
Car Hire
International Flights

14 nights from £4,699 per person

Sophie

Travel Specialist

01244 433 057

I'm here to tailor-make your perfect North America holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.

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Vancouver Island is worth being the main event on a Canada holiday; often visited as a short side trip from Vancouver, the island is packed with adventures and wildlife experiences, so just a few days is never enough. Our 14-night flexible fly-drive holiday takes in many of the island’s highlights including the historic Victoria waterfront and the spectacular floral displays of Butchart Gardens. Wander through 800-year-old forests at Cathedral Grove and along the Wild Pacific Trail. Embark on bear and whale watching experiences in Tofino and off-shore at Farewell Harbour Lodge, where you will spend four days in the pristine wilderness of Broughton Archipelago Marine Park and the Great Bear Rainforest.

Itinerary

Day 1 UK - Victoria

On arrival at Victoria International Airport on Vancouver Island you will be transferred to your downtown hotel. We recommend a pre-dinner cocktail at the Q Bar at Fairmont Empress Hotel.

Staying at

Catalano Restaurant & Bar at Magnolia Hotel & Spa

Day 2 Victoria and Butchart Gardens

Depart from Victoria’s picturesque harbour on a morning tour to the fragrant and pretty Butchart Gardens. Formerly a limestone quarry, the site was transformed by Jennie Butchart into a spectacular floral display called the ‘Sunken Garden’. This afternoon, explore Victoria’s Harbour; we recommend the 45-minute Harbour Ferry Tour. Hop off at Fisherman’s Wharf for fish & chips and an ice cream before returning to Empress Dock.

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Day 3 Victoria - Ucluelet/Tofino (190 miles)

Tofino

Collect your hire vehicle in Victoria and begin your drive. You will pass through Duncan ‘The City of Totems’, and Chermainus, renowned for its giant murals. Pass through Cathedral Grove and admire the 800-year old Douglas Fir and Cedar trees. Drive over the majestic Sutton Pass and Sawtooth Range before arriving in Ucluelet where you will stay for three nights. Alternatively continue up the coast and stay in Tofino.

Staying at

Horseshoe Building At Black Rock Oceanfront Resort

Fetch Restaurant At Black Rock Oceanfront Resort

Day 4 Tofino Whale or Coastal Bear Watching

Tofino

Drive north to Tofino, popular with surfers and those seeking outdoor adventure. Included in today’s itinerary is a choice of either a whale watching cruise or a coastal bear watching tour (both approximately 2.5 hours). Tofino is a charming seaside town with an array of boutiques, galleries, craft shops and cafés. You can surf, hike or take in the spectacular scenery on a floatplane tour.

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Day 5 Ucluelet

Tofino

Your Ucluelet hotel is on the Wild Pacific Trail, a network of walks through dense rainforest and along the rugged Pacific coastline. Ucluelet is a quaint little town with an attractive marina, and is the departure point for many scenic wildlife cruises around the rugged beauty of the Barkley Sound and Broken Group Islands.

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Day 6 Tofino - Port Hardy (290 miles)

Port Hardy

Today you will be back on the road. Head back over Sutton Pass to the east coast of Vancouver Island, before taking the road to almost the northern tip of the island. You will enjoy glimpses of the Strait of Georgia and islands along the way. At Campbell River you will wind your way through forests and mountains until you reach Port Hardy.

Staying at

Harbour Near Quarterdeck Inn and Marina Resort

Bedroom at Quarterdeck Inn and Marina Resort

Lounge area at Quarterdeck Inn and Marina Resort

Day 7 Farewell Harbour Lodge

Great Bear Rainforest

The start of your three-night bear and whale watching adventure at Farewell Harbour Lodge. A 25-minute taxi boat transfer takes you through the Broughton Archipelago Marine Park to Berry Island. After settling in to your accommodation you will head out on to the waters of Johnstone Strait and visit the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve in search of marine wildlife such as seals, sea lions and whales.

Staying at

Terrace overlooking the river at Farewell Harbour Lodge

Day 8 Bear Watching

Head deep into the river systems in search of black and grizzly bears. The experience differs depending on the time of year; some of the best viewing opportunities are in May, September and October. At Farewell Harbour Lodge, there are no purpose-built viewing platforms, so you get a truly natural experience. Enjoy wildlife spotting on foot in the rainforest and from the waters on board your boat.

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Day 9 Whale Watching

Enjoy a choice of activities today; either head out in search of bears again or explore the waters of Johnstone Strait more extensively in search of marine life. Orcas are normally present in these waters from mid-July, while Humpback whales can be seen in May and June.

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Day 10 Port Hardy - Campbell River (145 miles)

Campbell River

Enjoy a short morning kayak excursion or a guided rainforest hike before your water taxi transfer back to Port Hardy. You will then continue your self-drive back along the east coast of Vancouver Island and stop at Campbell River for two nights.

Staying at

Exterior at Night of Painter’s Lodge British Columbia

Restaurant at Painter’s Lodge British Columbia

Balcony off Room at Painter’s Lodge British Columbia

Day 11 Campbell River

Campbell River

Campbell River is renowned for its eco-tourism and wildlife adventures as well as claiming to be the ‘Salmon Capital of the World’. There are several wildlife excursions that operate out of Campbell River, including whale and bear watching experiences, which our team can pre-book for you. If you are looking for something a little different, we recommend our Guided Salmon Fishing tour.

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Day 12 Campbell River - Victoria (165 miles), Floatplane to Vancouver

Make the most of your last day on beautiful Vancouver Island. Continue your drive south to Victoria where you will return your rental vehicle and board a scenic 35-minute float plane flight over the Gulf Islands, landing in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour for the last stage of your Canada holiday. (Alternatively take the B.C. Ferry from Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay and drive to Vancouver).

Staying at

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Deluxe King Room at The Loden, Vancouver

Day 13 Vancouver

A full day to explore Vancouver, using the Hop-On Hop-Off bus service to explore the city at your leisure. Board the free shuttle bus from Canada Place to Capilano Suspension Bridge; here you can walk across the bridge that hangs 70 metres above the Capilano River. Other activities include the treetops walk and a cliff walk where a glass walkway is suspended from the side of the cliff above the valley floor below.

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Day 14 Vancouver

Another full day to explore this vibrant city. Why not rent bicycles for a ride through Stanley Park, or take an optional tour to Whistler - Canada’s premier ski resort - which is also an adventurers’ playground in the summer.

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Day 15 Vancouver - UK

Today you will take a private transfer to Vancouver Airport for your flight back to the UK. If you are hoping to pick up some last-minute bargains before flying home, take the free rail shuttle from the airport to Templeton Station and pop in to McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, where several fashion brands offer discounts of up to 70%.