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Vancouver Island self-drive

12-day tailor-made self-drive from £3,215 pp incl. flights

Summary

Short description

Combine scenic drives and ferry crossings on the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island

Highlights

  • Enjoy outdoor adventures on Canada's Pacific Coast at West Coast Wilderness Resort
  • Cruise Campbell River on a Whale watching and wildlife safari
  • View bears from the coastal cruise in Tofino
  • Choose between a Victoria foodie tour, or the serene Butchart Gardens

In Brief

  • 1 Night Vancouver
  • 2 Nights Sunshine Coast
  • 2 Nights Campbell River
  • 2 Nights Tofino
  • 2 Nights Victoria
  • 1 Night Vancouver

About

Recommended for:
Food & wine | Natural world | Self-drive | Wildlife

Wilderness isn’t wilderness if you’re not discovering it for yourself and this self-drive tour is the perfect way to take in Canada's spectacular Vancouver Island at your own pace. What's more, with a programme of guided tours included in the price, you'll get to experience the best of the island and its myriad highlights. Expect everything from whale-watching excursions to culinary experiences and the chance to spot bears in the wild.

Day by day itinerary

Day 1
Arrive Vancouver

Start your trip in style with VIP and complimentary access to the airport lounge before boarding your day flight to Vancouver. On arrival we recommend joining the Skytrain which takes you to the heart of Vancouver in just 25 minutes. Check in to your hotel on Vancouver’s beautiful waterfront. Enjoy your panoramic vistas before perhaps indulging, sampling one of Vancouver’s excellent Japanese and Chinese eateries, or some fresh fish on the seafront promenade. 

Stay: The Listel Hotel, Vancouver (Superior)

Days 2-3
Vancouver to Sunshine Coast

Collect your car-hire and depart Vancouver for Horseshoe Bay and sail for 45 minutes on BC Ferries to the Sunshine Coast. This scenic cruise takes you through fjord-like waters with mountains blanketed with virgin forests and glaciated peaks. At Langdale disembark the ferry and drive the leisurely and stunningly scenic route through forests and coastal fishing villages to your overnight accommodation at West Coast Wilderness Resort where the beautiful landscape of Canada's Pacific Coast will allow you to take part in a variety of outdoor activities.

Stay: West Coast Wilderness Lodge (Superior)

Meals: B D

Days 4-5
Sunshine Coast to Campbell River | 47 miles

Today travel north to Earl's Cove for a 50-minute BC Ferries ride to Saltery Bay, then continue following the coast to Powell River to board another BC Ferries service across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island, Continue north to Campbell River.

Campbell River is unparalleled! The area has quickly become the most predictable place in the world to see the Bigg’s or Transient, mammal eating Orca! Pacific White-ided dolphins are common and can often be seen in large groups. Eagles and several varieties of seabirds are all sighted regularly.

Stay: Coast Discovery Inn, Campbell River (Superior)

Day 6
Campbell River to Tofino/Ucluelet | 140 miles

Today head south-west to Tofino on the rugged West Coast. En route, picture stops should be made at Cathedral Grove to enjoy the splendour of 800-year-old Douglas Fir and Cedar trees plus the Mars Water-Bombers at Sproat Lake, the world’s two largest water-bombers used for the sole purpose of putting out forest fires. After the Mars Water-Bombers drive through the majestic Sutton Pass and the Sawtooth Range of the Cascade Mountains to arrive in Tofino around mid-afternoon.

Stay: Black Rock Oceanfront Resort (Superior)

Day 7
Tofino | Exploring

Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of two excursions, either a Coastal Bear Watch Cruise, search for foraging bears from the comfort and safety of a 24’ Zodiac vessel. Abundant on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, black bears roam the shores at low tide in search of their favorite delicacy, the Rock Crab, or a Whale Watching Cruise in the pristine waters of Clayoquot Sound to view beautiful scenery and wildlife. Depending on the time of year, you may encounter gray whales, humpback whales, sea lions, sea birds and resident bald eagles.


Stay: Black Rock Oceanfront Resort (Superior)

Day 8
Tofino / Ucluelet to Victoria | 195 miles

Travel back to the East Coast of Vancouver Island and head south to Victoria. En route stops should be made at the artist community of Chemainus, where you can admire the giant murals which adorn the exterior walls throughout the town and Duncan the “City of Totems”. If time permits visit the Quw’utsun’ Heritage Village which provides you with an insight into the lives of the northwest coast people (seasonal hours - admission not included).

Stay: Inn at Laurel Point, Victoria, British Columbia (Superior)

Day 9
Victoria | Exploring

Today personalize your day by choosing one of two excursions either Butchart Gardens, on its 100th birthday in 2004, the Butchart Gardens was named a National Historic Site of Canada with breathtaking gardens, or join an Eat like a Canadian Food Tour - from local ingredients to historic dishes, this tour is the best way to experience Canadian culinary culture. Sip and savour local cuisine, explore the iconic Inner Harbour, and meet the chefs and owners that make Victoria such an exciting culinary hot spot 

Stay: Inn at Laurel Point, Victoria, British Columbia (Superior)

Day 10
Victoria to Vancouver | 43 miles + Ferry

Leaving Victoria, drive north to Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal for a 90-minute ferry ride to Tsawwassen. On-board BC Ferries enjoy the scenery of the Gulf Islands as you cross the Strait of Georgia. From Tsawwassen continue on to downtown Vancouver where you drop your car at the depot and your journey ends.

Stay: The Listel Hotel, Vancouver (Superior) 

Days 11-12
Vancouver to UK

A final morning in Vancouver and the chance to explore before boarding the Skytrain to Vancouver airport for your overnight flight back to the UK, arriving on day 12


Map

Pricing

Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.

Accommodation rating: Superior

12-day tailor-made self-drive
from £3,215 pp incl. flights

Superior

01 May - 07 Jun / 01 - 10 Oct 2024

from £3,215 pp. incl. flights

08 Jun - 30 Sep 2024

from £3,670 pp. incl. flights

Includes

  • Complimentary UK airport executive lounge access
  • Return flights between UK and Vancouver
  • 2 nights accommodation in Vancouver
  • 8 nights accommodation on Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island
  • Return BC Ferries toll for vehicle & passengers between Vancouver and Vancouver Island with reserved sailing time
  • Whale watching and wildlife safari cruise in Campbell River
  • Choice of excursion Campbell River: Salish Sea Whale watching cruise
  • Choice of excursion Tofino: Coastal Bear Watch Cruise / Whale Watching Cruise
  • Choice of excursion Victoria: Butchart Gardens Admission / Eat like a Canadian Food Tour / High Tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel

Terms & Conditions

Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.

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At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0635 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

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