Explore Vancouver Island

Itinerary in brief:

• 2 nights Vancouver 
• 1 night Campbell River
• 2 nights Knight Inlet Lodge
• 2 nights Tofino
• 2 nights Victoria

Day 1: Arrive Vancouver

On arrival in Vancouver, you'll be met at the airport and driven to your hotel in the city, checking in for 2 nights. 

Included: Transfers, 4* hotel 

Day 2: Vancouver 

Vancouver is a fresh, outdoors-y city – no matter the weather you’ll want to get outside and explore. Start in Gastown, where you can roam the historic streets popping into tiny art galleries and boutique shops before moving on to Chinatown where you can introduce the kids to a delicious dim sum lunch. After taking in these two iconic neighbourhoods, head to Stanley Park for the afternoon. The best way to get around is cycling, so why not rent a bike head to see the colourful totem poles at Brockton Point or English Bay Beach to relax in the sun?

There are plenty of museums to enjoy if you are interested in the history of this region - the Museum of Anthropology is especially good for First Nations artefacts. Getting out of the city here is easy – make sure you visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge as it hangs precariously over the river in the North Shore.

Included: 4* hotel 

Day 3: Vancouver to Campbell River  

This morning you'll pick up your hire car and start with a short drive from Vancouver up to Horseshoe Bay, where you will board the 2-hour and 45-minute ferry to Vancouver Island.

Once you drive off the ferry, you’ll head north through Vancouver Island’s second largest city, Nanaimo, known as the Harbour City, and also Parksville, which is the beginning of Beach Country. Your destination today is the city of Campbell River, historically known as the “Salmon Capital of the World”.

Once you reach Campbell River, we really recommend visiting the world-famous Discovery Pier, where you can watch the enormous cruise ships venture up the Inside Passage as they head for Alaska.

Days 4 & 5: Knight Inlet Lodge

This morning, you’ll be up bright and early for your transfer to the floatplane dock, ready for the next stage of your adventure. Knight Inlet Lodge is located 80km north of Campbell River, in a wild and remote area of the Pacific Northwest. Set along one of the largest fjords on the British Colombia coast, it offers spectacular scenery amidst steep cliffs and thundering waterfalls, where the silence is only broken by the slap of water against the shore and cries of the seabirds. The floating lodge is tucked into Glendale Cove.

Your time at Knight Inlet will involve a mixture of bear-watching tours, scenic boat rides, and kayaking trips in the estuary, as well as free time to enjoy the bear-viewing stands and enjoy the evening interpretive programme. Your meals are all included as well as wine with dinner – so you'll be well looked after AND surrounded by exceptional wildlife.

Included: Floatplane transfer, 4* hotel, all meals and activities at Knight Inlet 

Day 6: Drive to Tofino 

This morning you’ll have the opportunity to return to the bear viewing platforms, (don’t forget your camera!) before departing via float plane back to Campbell River.  Once you collect your car, it’s time to head southwest to Tofino, which is located on the rugged West Coast.

En-route to Tofino, stop at Cathedral Grove. Here you will find the ‘Mars Water-Bombers’ at Sproat Lake. These are the world’s two largest water-bombers, which are used for putting out forest fires.  You can also admire the splendour of 800 year old Douglas Firs and Cedar trees.

After your pit-stop at Cathedral Grove, drive through the majestic Sutton Pass and the Sawtooth Range of the Cascade Mountains, before arriving in Tofino in time to enjoy the wonderful beaches. This is a beautiful scenic drive, so take your time and enjoy the views!

Day 7: Tofino

Spend the day in Tofino, where you have a choice of two cruises.

Depending on your preference you can pick either the Whale Watch cruise where you head off in search of grey whales, humpback whales, sea lions, sea birds, and the resident bald eagles, or the Bear Viewing cruise, where you’ll be keeping your eyes peeled for black bears who head for the closest food source – the ocean!

Day 8: Drive to Victoria 

Your drive today will take you back to the East Coast of Vancouver Island, making your way south to Victoria.

You’ll have the opportunity for a few stops along the way – the artist community of Chemainus is well worth a visit, for the giant murals which adorn the exterior walls throughout the town.  Another stop is Duncan, known as the “City of Totems”. We loved its heritage buildings and its unique shops, and it’s a perfect stop for lunch!

Day 9: Explore Victoria & Whale Watching cruise

This morning you’ll board an exhilarating round trip cruise in search of orcas, minke whales, grey whales, porpoises, harbour seals, and other marine wildlife.

The afternoon is free for you to discover Victoria and its turn of the century architecture, British traditions (high tea is a speciality!), and visit its vast array of shops, cafes, and restaurants.

Day 10: Ferry to Vancouver 

Leaving Victoria, a short and very scenic drive brings you to Butchart Gardens. Here you will find 55 acres of wonderful floral displays, where you can wander through and take in the sights and smells.

Continue north until you reach Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, where you will embark on a 90 minute ferry ride to Tsawwassen. You’ll get to soak up the views of the Gulf Islands as you cross the Strait of Georgia.

Once you arrive back on the mainland, drive on to Vancouver to finish your trip.