When to go
August and September
Price
From £5,199 Bear and Whale Watching in British Columbia
Flight time
9hrs 57mins
Introduction
British Columbia is renowned for its large population of whales and bears, the beautiful capital city, and the lush surrounding forests and oceans. For this reason, there are plenty of national parks, coastlines, and islands to explore, of which all will give you the chance to encounter diverse land and marine wildlife. What’s more, you will visit Tofino Botanical Gardens, an incredible rainforest environment that is great for birdwatching.
At a Glance
Duration
11 days & 10 nights
Guide price
Group: £5,199pp (including flights)
Cities/Destinations (in order)
Vancouver – Vancouver Island – Cathedral Grove – Pacific Rim National Park – Tofino Botanical Gardens – Campbell River – Elk Falls – Orford River – Quadra Island – Victoria – Vancouver
Tour Type
Experienced local tour manager and guided sightseeing
Tour Theme
Group Tour
Activity Level
1 out of 7 - Leisurely
Age Range
16+
Star Rating of Tour
Superior
Accommodation
The Listel Hotel | Travelodge Nanaimo | Tofino Motel Harbour view or Canadian Princess Resort | Painters Lodge | The Listel Hotel
Board Basis
Varied - please see the sample itinerary for details
Min|Max Group Size
Min 5 people with a maximum of 12
Start/Finish
Vancouver – Vancouver
Highlights
Explore the Rough Wilderness of Vancouver Island
Located in the northeastern Pacific Ocean, Vancouver Island provides incredible overviews of Vancouver city and is around 500km long, 100km wide. There are a wide range of natural features, attractions, and experiences on offer, including guided walking tours, boat excursions, and fishing.
Observe Black and Grizzly Bears
British Columbia has a large concentration of black and grizzly bears, which can be found both out in the wild and in select national parks. During your trip to British Columbia, you will go on a boat excursion to observe black and grizzly bears, allowing you to view these beautiful animals from a safe and secure distance.
Whale Watching Boat Excursions
There is no better way to observe grey and humpback whales than from the comfort of a chartered boat. On your trip to British Columbia you will get to go on 2 whale watching boat excursions. You may also come across other marine life including sea lions, orcas, and seals.
Recommended Hotels
The Listel Hotel | Travelodge Nanaimo | Tofino Motel Harbour view or Canadian Princess Resort | Painters Lodge | The Listel Hotel
Sample Itinerary
Bear and Whale Watching in British Columbia
Home to a large population of black and grizzly bears, including grey and humpback whales, British Columbia is the perfect destination for nature and wildlife lovers. In this sample itinerary, you will explore the main capital city, proceed to Vancouver Island, and participate in a wide range of activities, such as boat cruises, nature walks, and moments of free leisure.
Day 1: London | Vancouver
Depart London and arrive in Vancouver. Transfer to your hotel and attend a group meeting in the late afternoon or evening.
Stay overnight at The Listel Hotel or similar.
(N)
Day 2: Vancouver | Vancouver Island
Participate in an orientation tour of Vancouver, considered one of the most beautiful cities in Canada, in the morning. There are several great vantage points, giving you gorgeous views of the city from different angles. In the afternoon, transfer to the boat and take a boat cruise to Vancouver Island.
Stay overnight at the Travelodge Nanaimo or similar.
(N)
Day 3: Cathedral Grove
Enjoy breakfast then drive to Tofino or Ucluelet, where you will stay for the next 3 nights. Stop by the Cathedral Grove Provincial Park en route, exploring the remains of a sprawling rainforest that once encompassed the entire island. There are many walking trails to explore in the area.
Spend 3 nights at the Tofino Motel Harbour View or Canadian Princess Resort or similar.
(N)
Day 4: Pacific Rim National Park | Boat Excursion
Situated on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Pacific Rim National Park features long stretches of sandy beaches, temperate rainforests, and large collections of driftwood.
In the morning, you will walk inside the park, admiring the gorgeous scenery and learning about the rich cultural heritage of the park, which lies in the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations territory. You will also visit the nearby beach, giving you a chance to relax and unwind.
In the afternoon, board the Zodiacs boat and go on a 2.5-to-3-hour whale observation excursion. A tour guide will lead the way, while sharing insightful knowledge about different whale species, including their breeding habits and day-to-day activities.
(N)
Day 5: Tofino Botanical Gardens | Black Bear Excursion
Visit the Tofino Botanical Gardens. Participate in a lively and engaging birdwatching session, where you may see hummingbirds, woodpeckers, and songbirds. In the late afternoon, board the Zodiacs boat once more for a 2.5-hour black bear observation excursion. During August and September, black bears can be found visiting the beaches, searching for crabs and clams to eat and feed to their young.
(N)
Day 6: Campbell River
Leave behind Ucluelet (or Tofino). Then go on a 4-hour-drive to Campbell River, located on the North Shore of Vancouver Island. Campbell River has an impressively large population of salmon, for which more than 5 species can be found, earning it the title of the ‘Salmon Capital of the World.’ The river is also recognized as a heritage listed site due to its historical significance. In the afternoon, stop by the beach at the Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park.
Spend 3 nights at the Painted Lodge or similar.
(N)
Day 7: Oxford River
Today, you will board a covered boat and go on a full day excursion to Oxford River. There, you will observe grizzly bears, for which a large population can be found in their natural habitat. And due to the large amount of salmon in the Campbell River and surrounding area, this attracts many grizzly bears out into the open and accessible to the public to view. Estimates say that there are around 100,000 grizzly bears living in British Columbia.
Upon arriving at Oxford River, take a short bus inland and go to 1 of 5 viewing platforms to watch the grizzlies from different angles.
(N)
Day 8: Quadra Island
Go on a 10-minute ferry journey across the Discovery Passage to Quadra Island. Here you will enjoy the day exploring the beaches and walking along the island trails.
You can also join an optional kayaking excursion, which takes about 3 hours to complete. While paddling along the waters, you may encounter herons, gulls, seals, sea lions, and even dolphins. You’ll also be rewarded with gorgeous mountain views from above.
(N)
Day 9: Victoria | Vancouver
Go on a 4-hour drive to Victoria. Along the way, you’ll stop several times to rest, enjoy the views, and take photographs. Then in the afternoon, board a ferry to travel across the Strait of Georgia, marveling at the wide variety of small islands and panoramic views of Vancouver city.
Arrive in Vancouver and enjoy free leisure in the afternoon.
Stay overnight at The Listel Hotel or similar.
(N)
Day 10: Vancouver | London
Depart Vancouver and start the journey back to London.
(N)
Day 11: London
Arrive back in London.
