Travel at your own pace on a self-drive tailor-made itinerary to ensure that you see the most of Vancouver Island's wilderness and its prolific wildlife, which includes grey whales, orcas, Pacific white-sided dolphins and black bears.
Vancouver Island is a microcosm of British Columbia with mountains, dense forests and desolate beaches. Its size and shape, good highways, lack of language barrier, and the friendly Canadian welcome all conspire to make it an ideal place to explore by hire car. Equipped with a comprehensive Welcome Pack, you also have advice on the wildlife excursions you can join as you journey across the island admiring its stunning natural beauty at every corner.
Driving from south to north, your journey begins with a short flight from Vancouver to Victoria on Vancouver Island, from here, you're able to embark on your first whale watching excursion where you can hope to watch grey whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins and orcas alongside a host of other pinnipeds, cetaceans and pelagic birds. Travelling through the spectacular Pacific Rim National Park, the next destination is Tofino, your base as you set off searching for cetaceans and black bears. Campbell River is the next stop, with options to join both designated grizzly bear and whale watching trips, before reaching Port Hardy in the north-east of the island with even more wildlife tours available. Self-driving is a wonderful way to experience this wild isle, with boundless opportunities to find a plethora of bucket list species.
Suggested Itinerary
Day1: Fly to Vancouver
Fly from the UK to Vancouver, on arrival at Vancouver International airport you're met and transferred to your overnight hotel.
Accommodation: Coast Coal Harbour Vancouver by APA, 1-night
Day2: Fly (or catch the ferry) to Victoria on Vancouver Island
Today you're collected from your hotel and transported to the domestic airport terminal where you will catch a flight to Victoria on Vancouver Island. Alternatively, you could board a ferry from Vancouver and complete the journey by sea.
Upon arrival, make your way to the car rental desk to collect your vehicle. The rest of the day is free to explore Victoria and check into your accommodation.
Accommodation: Oak Bay Beach Hotel, 2-nights
Day3: Whale watching from Victoria
You have a day in Victoria, during which a 3-hour whale watching Zodiac trip is included, focussing on spotting some of the local pods of orca (killer whales) but also with the opportunity to see many other cetaceans including humpback, minke and grey whales, Dall’s porpoises, harbour porpoises as well as Stellar and Californian sea lions, harbour and elephant seals, sea otters and a variety of birds such as cormorants and bald eagles. The tour will be led by a certified marine naturalist with a deep knowledge of Vancouver Island’s marine wildlife and the vessel is equipped with a hydrophone to help bring the underwater experience alive.
Day4: Drive to Tofino on west coast
The journey north-west to Tofino passes through Pacific Rim National Park on a wonderfully scenic drive through mountains, forests and lakesides - ranked among the top three drives in Canada.
Accommodation: Tofino Resort & Marina, 4-nights
Days5-6: Whale watching from Tofino
For the next couple of days, you have the opportunity to go looking for whales and orcas. Two whale watching trips are included, taking you through the pristine waters of Clayoquot Sound to view beautiful scenery and wildlife. Depending on the time of year, you could encounter grey whales, humpback whales, sea lions, seabirds and resident bald eagles. On one of your whale watching excursions, you will also have the opportunity to visit a series of thermal rock pools and hot springs nestled in the rainforest, where the water temperature can naturally reach up to 50 degrees Celsius.
Day7: Coastal bear watching from Tofino
Your final full day in Tofino includes a coastal bear watching tour searching for black bears and explores the fjord inlets of Clayoquot Sound. While the bears forage in the intertidal zone, you can unobtrusively observe and photograph their behaviour.
The rest of the day is free to relax and explore Tofino and the surrounding area. There are numerous hiking trails in the Pacific Rim National Park, or you can take a stroll along one of the many beaches, or wander through Tofino's collection of eclectic shops.
Day8: Drive to Campbell River; whale watching
Today you retrace your steps, driving back through Pacific Rim National Park before heading north along the east coast to Campbell River. The total time spent on the road should be around 3-4 hours and you will likely arrive during the afternoon to check-in at your accommodation.
Accommodation: Coast Discovery Inn, 3-nights
Days9-10: Whale watching & leisure time in Campbell River
On your first day in Campbell River, a 4-hour whale watching tour is included.
The rest of your time in Campbell River can be spent at your leisure, and you may arrange your own excursions to see more of the wildlife in the area if you wish. You may like to join a bear watching excursion or a sea kayaking trip to explore the secluded inlets dotted along the coast.
Day11: Drive to Port Hardy on north coast
After breakfast, continue your journey up the east coast of Vancouver Island to Port Hardy. This small fishing town is another excellent base to go whale watching and offers great bear viewing, along with opportunities to search for sea otters.
Accommodation: Kwa'Lilas Hotel, 2-nights
Day12: Explore Port Hardy
During your time in Port Hardy you're free to explore the area on your own. You may wish to benefit from the knowledge of a local guide during an optional land-based tour or boat trip. Make sure you keep an eye out for black bears, bald eagles, sea otters, black-tailed deer, humpback whales and grey whales.
Day13: Return to Vancouver
Return your hire car to Port Hardy airport and check-in for your domestic flight back to Vancouver.
Depending on the time available, you may like to visit Vancouver and its variety of attractions at your leisure, such as the aquarium, Stanley Park and Grouse Mountain.
Accommodation: Coast Coal Harbour Vancouver by APA, 1-night
Day14: Depart Vancouver
At the appropriate time today, you will be met at your hotel and transferred to Vancouver International Airport for your onward travel arrangements.
Day15: Arrive UK
Please note: This self drive holiday can be customised to include a side trip to stay at one of the bear lodges, to see grizzly bears. Alternatively, rather than flying back to Vancouver, you can take the ferry from Comox to Powell River on the mainland, and drive back down the coast over two days.
Key info
Our trip ideas are offered to inspire you and can be tailored to suit your requirements.
Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 15 daysfrom £3,745 pp
Duration and price excluding international flights: 14 daysfrom £2,895 pp
Single supplement:
On request – please contact us.
The healthy black bear population and whale-watching opportunities make Vancouver Island a great destination for wildlife enthusiasts. Separated from the mainland by a long strait, the island’s west coast overlooks the Pacific Ocean, while the mountainous interior is heavily forested with big conifers.
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Where: British Columbia
Ideal for viewing: American black bear, puma, grey whale, orca, sea otter
British Columbia’s largest city stands in a fine coastal setting, against a backdrop of lofty tree-covered peaks - a great starting point to any wildlife holiday in the province. There is plenty to see in this lively, multi-cultural city, such as exploring Stanley Park on foot or by bike.
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Where: British Columbia
Excellent for: Activity & adventure, City stopover, History & culture
Facing the Pacific Ocean, backed by Vancouver Island’s mountainous spine, this park preserves the natural heritage of Canada’s west coast, whose cool maritime climate generates an abundance of life on land and in the water. Interwoven with these natural wonders is the history of the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations.
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Where: Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Ideal for viewing: brown bear, humpback whale, orca, bald eagle, wolf
Situated between Vancouver Island and British Columbia’s mainland, this area is considered the best place in the world to observe orca who, during the summer months, are present on a daily basis. They can often be viewed close up from the boat, offering some wonderful sightings and photo opportunities.
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Where: British Columbia
Ideal for viewing: orca, brown bear, Steller’s sealion, tufted puffin, humpback whale
The small town of Tofino lies on the west coast of Vancouver Island, at the southern edge of Clayoquot Sound. It is a popular destination for anyone wanting to enjoy whale watching, particularly in March when the migration of thousands of grey whales is celebrated at the Pacific Rim Whale Festival.
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Where: British Columbia
Ideal for viewing: otter, bald eagle, orca, humpback whale, American black bear
Nestled on the east coast of central Vancouver Island, the small settlement of Campbell River is known as the "Salmon Capital of the World" and more recently as a hub for adventure and eco-tourism. Surrounded by streams and lush green forests, it serves as a gateway to some of the island's bear watching lodges.
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Where: British Columbia
Excellent for: Activity & adventure
Suggested accommodation is shown below.
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for further recommendations.
Farewell Harbour Lodge is nestled on the coast of Berry Island, surrounded by 30 acres of forest. Located between Vancouver Island and mainland British Colombia, this unique and charming lodge offers spectacular panoramic views of the Canadian coastline and features just 12 bedroom suites with private bathrooms.
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