Drive to Swartz Bay and take the ferry to Tsawwassen, then continue on to Vancouver International Airport to drop off your rental car before your onward flight. Overnight: N/A.
+44 117 313 7070
enquiries@odyssey-world.co.uk
British Columbia Whales and Bears
£3,820.00
An 11-day British Columbia self-drive that swaps the obvious route for the quieter north of Vancouver Island, combining marine wildlife, Indigenous culture and remote coastal scenery. Start in Vancouver, then cross to the island and work your way north through Campbell River, Telegraph Cove and Port Hardy, with whale watching, sea otters, Cape Scott’s wild shoreline and a full-day grizzly and wildlife tour from Alert Bay. Finish more gently with nights in Nanaimo and Victoria before returning to Vancouver.
Day 1: Vancouver
Arrive into Vancouver International Airport and take a private transfer to your downtown hotel. The rest of the day is free to settle in and get your first feel for the city. Overnight at The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver.
Day 2: Vancouver
Join a half-day whale watching tour from Vancouver, with the chance to see orcas, humpbacks, sea lions, otters, harbour seals, bald eagles, dolphins and other marine wildlife depending on conditions. The rest of the day is at leisure, with time to explore areas such as Stanley Park, Granville Island, Gastown, Chinatown or Robson Street. Overnight at The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver.
Day 3: Vancouver – Campbell River
Collect your rental car in Vancouver and take the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo. From there, continue north across Vancouver Island to Campbell River, keeping the day fairly open for the drive and stops en route. On arrival, settle into this waterfront town on the Discovery Passage, known for its fishing heritage, coastal scenery and First Nations presence. Overnight at Anchor Inn & Suites, Campbell River.
Day 4: Campbell River – Telegraph Cove – Port Hardy
Start the day with a visit to Elk Falls Provincial Park, where a short walk takes you through old-growth forest to a suspension bridge and waterfall. Continue north to Telegraph Cove, the historic boardwalk village built on stilts above the water, with time to wander before driving on to Port Hardy. Overnight at Kwa’Lilas Hotel.
Day 5: Port Hardy
Join a full-day sea otter and whale watching trip from Port Hardy, exploring the wildlife-rich waters off the northern edge of Vancouver Island. Sightings can include sea otters, humpbacks, orcas, minke whales, grey whales and other marine life, with lunch included. Overnight at Kwa’Lilas Hotel.
Day 6: Port Hardy
Full-day guided excursion to San Josef Bay in Cape Scott Provincial Park. Travel west from Port Hardy, then walk through old-growth forest to the beach, where sea stacks, sea caves, tidal pools and long stretches of sand create one of the island’s most dramatic coastal landscapes. A packed lunch is included. Overnight at Kwa’Lilas Hotel.
Day 7: Port Hardy – Port McNeill – Alert Bay
Check out and drive towards Port McNeill, stopping at Fort Rupert and Storey’s Beach on the way. From Port McNeill, take the ferry to Alert Bay on Cormorant Island. Once there, take a driving tour of the island, including the Big House and the World’s Tallest Totem Pole, then visit the U’Mista Cultural Centre and walk in the Ecological Park if time allows. Overnight at Nimpkish Hotel.
Day 8: Alert Bay
Full-day grizzly bear and wildlife tour with local Indigenous guides through the Broughton Archipelago and Great Bear Rainforest. Depending on the season and conditions, the day may combine travel by vessel, Zodiac and time on foot, with the chance to see humpbacks, orcas, dolphins, eagles, bears and seabirds. Overnight at Nimpkish Hotel
Day 9: Alert Bay – Nanaimo
Take the ferry back from Alert Bay, then drive south to Nanaimo. The drive is around three hours and forty-five minutes plus stops, with the option to break the journey at Rathtrevor Beach in Parksville. Overnight at Courtyard by Marriott Nanaimo.
Day 10: Nanaimo – Victoria
Drive from Nanaimo to Victoria, with suggested stops along the way. Once in Victoria, the rest of the day is free to explore on foot, with options including the Inner Harbour, Fisherman’s Wharf, Beacon Hill Park, the Royal BC Museum and the city’s historic centre. Overnight at Huntingdon Hotel and Suites.
Day 11: Victoria – Vancouver
Includes:
- All accommodation for 10 nights, including 2 nights in Vancouver, 1 night in Campbell River, 3 nights in Port Hardy, 2 nights in Alert Bay, 1 night in Nanaimo, and 1 night in Victoria.
- 8 days rental car (Small SUV, required for travel to San Josef Bay).
- 5 breakfasts and 3 lunches.
- Half-day whale watching tour from Vancouver.
- Full-day sea otter and whale watching tour from Port Hardy.
- Full-day tour to San Josef Bay / Cape Scott Provincial Park.
- Full-day grizzly bear and wildlife tour from Alert Bay.
- Private airport transfer on arrival day.
- Ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo.
- Ferry from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen.
- Custom itinerary design, local recommendations, and remote support during your trip from Odyssey World in the UK and partners on the ground in Canada.
Excludes:
- Flights, priced separately.
- Fuel, parking, additional driver, and additional rental car charges.
- Ferry to and from Alert Bay, payable on site.
- Additional meals and activities not listed.
- Travel insurance.
- Gratuities.
Highlights
- Marine wildlife watching from Vancouver and Port Hardy
- Cape Scott’s San Josef Bay with sea stacks, caves and old-growth forest
- Alert Bay cultural visits including the U’Mista Cultural Centre
- Full-day grizzly bear and wildlife tour in the Great Bear Rainforest
- North Vancouver Island self-drive route through Telegraph Cove, Port Hardy and Cormorant Island
Canada Information
