Whales & Bears of British Columbia

Overview

Discover the wildlife and rugged scenery of Western Canada

‘Beautiful British Columbia’ proclaim the number plates, for once without hyperbole. Sensational wildlife regularly presents itself amid a backdrop of rugged scenery. Here, whale and bear watching is the big draw but seals, elk and beavers ensure a truly authentic British Columbian wildlife encounter. Our adventures take us to Vancouver Island, where we explore beaches and walk trails at Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and we hope to see humpbacks, orcas, black bears and more.

Highlights

Visit Vancouver Island, the largest island on the North American Pacific Coast
Join experienced naturalist guides for two whale watching excursions
Search for black bears on the rocky shoreline of Clayoquot Sound
Observe grizzly bears in their natural surroundings
Enjoy walks in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Included

All accommodation: 8 Classic nights (hotels)
Four breakfasts, five lunches and one dinner
Immersive itinerary with all transport (minibus, ferry and Zodiac) and listed activities
Expert tour leader to enhance your adventure
Group arrival and departure transfers available

Not included

Request a single room if required, purchase travel insurance and arrange any visas and vaccinations.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Adventure starts in Vancouver
The adventure begins in Vancouver on Canada's west coast. If you arrive in good time, we recommend a stroll around this cosmopolitan city to get a feel for it. Treat yourself to moreish maple cookies in Stanley Park, a 990-acre (400ha) green wonderland where you can see authentic totem poles put up in the 1920s or sit in one of the cafes and enjoy a spot of people watching. Around 6pm, say hello to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome by arranging a group dinner at a nearby restaurant. Want more time in Vancouver? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.
Day 2: Morning ferry to Vancouver Island
In the morning, we head to the port for a ferry to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, a 1hr 30min journey across the Strait of Georgia. On arrival in Nanaimo, we continue by road, stopping for a walk and picnic lunch at Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park. Rathtrevor is known for its majestic old-growth woodland, beautiful ocean sunsets and a wide, sandy beach with picnic areas nestled amongst the trees. We then continue our drive to Ucluelet, our base for the next three nights. Today's travel time is approximately six hours.
Day 3: Pacific Rim National Park Reserve; boat excursion to observe grey and humpback whales
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is nestled between the mountains of the Vancouver Island range and the Pacific coastline. We walk inside the park this morning to admire the rich natural heritage of the west coast of Canada. The reserve has almost 10mi (16km) of sand and a huge collection of driftwood, while the next stop is Japan! We usually take the Nuu-Chah-Nulth trail to the beach and visit during low tide to explore some of the intertidal pools and rocky islands. You may see lime-green anemones and purple, brown and orange starfish. In the afternoon, we board Zodiacs with a naturalist guide who leads a 2hr 30min to three hour whale-observation excursion (depending on the low-tide schedule, this activity may take place earlier in the day). Our goal is to see humpback and grey whales, but it is also common to come across orcas, seals and sea lions among the rocky headlands. Today’s driving time should not exceed two hours.
Day 4: Rainforest Figure Eight trail; boat excursion to observe black bears
Today our leader will take us on an easy hike on the Rainforest Figure Eight trail, an hour-long walk along wooden boardwalks through the majestic forest. This is a peaceful trail and we will be surrounded by a dense foliage of ferns, Western Red Cedar and Western Hemlock trees. Keep your eyes peeled for birdlife - our tour leaders have reported sightings of Steller's jays and Rufous hummingbirds! Late this afternoon, we board Zodiacs for a 2hr 30min expedition to observe black bears and bald eagles (depending on the low-tide schedule, this activity may take place earlier in the day). In the wilderness of Clayoquot Sound, black bears search for crabs and clams on the rocky beaches. We travel the fjord inlet by Zodiac, looking in sheltered bays and stopping to see any black bears we find from the comfort of our vessel.
Day 5: To Campbell River and Cathedral Grove Provincial Park
Depart Ucluelet and drive for four hours to Campbell River on the north shore of Vancouver Island. Campbell River is known as the salmon capital of the world for its hugely impressive salmon runs, where five species of Pacific salmon swim the river. It has been designated a Heritage River for its importance in British Columbia; following the fish are bears, seals, kingfishers and eagles. This afternoon, we stop at Cathedral Grove Provincial Park to see the last remains of the temperate rainforest that covered the island more than a 1,000 years ago. This is one of the most accessible areas of giant Douglas fir trees in the province and there are many trails enabling us to meander through Douglas fir, western hemlock, grand fir and western red cedar trees.
Day 6: Boat excursion to Orford River to observe grizzly bears
Board a covered boat for a full-day excursion to the Orford River area on the mainland of British Columbia. After a two-hour boat ride, we reach the river mouth, taking a short bus journey inland to the bear-viewing area, where five platforms provide safe vantage points. We visit one or sometimes two, depending on conditions, hoping to see grizzlies fishing for salmon as they gather for the seasonal run – perhaps with cubs close by. This experience supports Indigenous communities, with guides from either the Homalco First Nation or Klahoose First Nation sharing cultural stories and a close knowledge of the coast, river systems and wildlife. On the boat journeys, we may also spot black bears, orcas, humpback whales, grey whales, dolphins, porpoises and sea lions.
Day 7: Quadra Island for hiking or optional sea kayaking
Board a ferry for a 10-minute journey across the Discovery Passage to Quadra Island, where we spend the day exploring the island trails and beaches by foot. Our leader will determine the best trail based on the group's preference and ability, but options include the Shallaligan Pass Trail along Quadra Island's coastline, which offers panoramic ocean views, or the Heriot Ridge Trail that passes through the bush and out onto a ridge for coastal views galore. There is also an optional three-hour sea kayaking excursion from Quadra Island. Accompanied by kayak and marine life observation guides, there is never a dull moment as we paddle by kayak around Quadra Island – we could see soaring eagles, oystercatchers, herons, cormorants, gulls and, if lucky, seals, sea lions, dolphins and porpoises. The mountain views offer a stunning backdrop to this excursion, which is suitable for beginners.
Day 8: Transfer to Victoria; whale-watching in the Salish Sea
We drive for around four hours to Victoria, capital of British Columbia. Victoria is well-known for its colourful gardens, British architecture and arts scene. In the afternoon, we have one final wildlife-viewing opportunity as we embark on a whale-watching excursion from Victoria, where orcas, humpback whales and sea lions are often spotted in the waters of the Salish Sea. A certified marine naturalist will accompany us in the boat, helping to spot wildlife and providing background information on the species we observe.
Day 9: Ferry to Vancouver; orientation tour and end Vancouver
It's an early start on our final day in British Columbia as we take the ferry (approximately 1.5 hours) across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver. Our leader will take us on a guided orientation tour of the city after which the tour ends and there's free time to explore Vancouver at your leisure before your onward travel arrangements. Please speak to your sales representative if you'd like to add post-tour nights in Victoria or Vancouver.

Important Information

The trip destination

Food

For meals not included, you usually eat out in local restaurants recommended by the tour leader. To help you budget, meals cost on average: Hotel breakfasts: 15-20 Canadian dollars (US$11-US$15) Lunches: 20-25 dollars (US$15-US$19) Dinners: 30-50 dollars (US$23-US$38), this does not include alcoholic beverages Drinks cost on average: Wine: 15-20 dollars (US$11-15) per glass Beer: 8-12 dollars (US$6-US$9) per bottle A tip of approximately 17%-20% is added to group meals in Canadian restaurants. Applicable taxes will also be added to all listed menu prices. Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for – please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests so our local team can be well prepared.

Weather

In September-October time (when this tour operates), temperatures in the coastal region of Vancouver Island average 15C (59F) but can reach 22C (72F) in the low-lying interior. The coast can get rain at any time. The mountains have typical mountain weather: sun, cloud, rain and even snow can all be experienced in the same day.

Is this trip for you?

This trip is graded Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate) with a Wildlife Rating of Three. Visit our Wildlife Holidays page for more on our Wildlife Ratings. For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.

Itinerary: As a lot of our time is spent outdoors, a degree of fitness and a sense of adventure is required. We can explore some of the incredible natural history, scenery and wildlife of Vancouver Island on this itinerary. Inevitably, some time is spent travelling as there is a fair distance to cover; however, we have kept this to a minimum and the longest journey of six hours (by vehicle and ferry) is broken up with stops.

Wildlife: There is a high likelihood you will come into contact with wildlife, including bears. You should always follow your guide’s instructions.

Prices / Dates

By accepting our offer in writing, you/you confirm that our terms and conditions have both been read and understood and that cancellation fees may apply if the trip is cancelled.

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AVAILABLE DATES	PRICE (1 ADULT)	PRICE (1 CHILDREN)	Single room supplement	TRAVEL STATUS
Fri, 21 Aug 2026 / Sat, 29 Aug 2026	NOK 71 900	On request	NOK 20 565	On request
Mon, 31 Aug 2026 / Tue, 08 Sep 2026	NOK 73 915	On request	NOK 17 405	On request
Fri, 20 Aug 2027 / Sat, 28 Aug 2027	NOK 81 040	On request	NOK 21 640	On request
Thu, 09 Sep 2027 / Fri, 17 Sep 2027	NOK 77 010	On request	NOK 18 280	On request
Sun, 19 Sep 2027 / Mon, 27 Sep 2027	NOK 77 010	On request	NOK 18 280	On request

AVAILABLE DATES	PRICE (1 ADULT)	PRICE (1 CHILDREN)	SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT	TRAVEL STATUS
Fri, 21 Aug 2026 / Sat, 29 Aug 2026	NOK 71 900	On request	NOK 20 565	On request
Mon, 31 Aug 2026 / Tue, 08 Sep 2026	NOK 73 915	On request	NOK 17 405	On request
Fri, 20 Aug 2027 / Sat, 28 Aug 2027	NOK 81 040	On request	NOK 21 640	On request
Thu, 09 Sep 2027 / Fri, 17 Sep 2027	NOK 77 010	On request	NOK 18 280	On request
Sun, 19 Sep 2027 / Mon, 27 Sep 2027	NOK 77 010	On request	NOK 18 280	On request

We will get back to you with an offer on the requested trip / package within 48 hours. All offers are non-binding and are usually valid for 7 days. Please note that reserved services can be canceled within these 7 days and that price may change until a final order is received.

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Whales & Bears of British Columbia

Overview

Itinerary

Photos

Important Information

Prices / Dates