Island Wildlife & Adventure

After collecting a rental vehicle and heading to the ferry terminal, the adventure begins by sailing through spectacular scenery en route to Vancouver Island. After disembarking the ferry, we suggest a stop to visit the floral majesty of The Butchart Gardens before continuing to downtown Victoria.

Join an easy guided cycling tour around Greater Victoria. Victoria is a city of neighbourhoods and this tour explores the historic and unique neighbourhoods surrounding the downtown.

Experience iconic landmarks of historic Chinatown, Craigdarroch Castle, Beacon Hill Park, the scenic Dallas waterfront and be introduced to local favourites Moss Rock, Cook Street village, and artistic Fernwood.

With insightful commentary along the way, this tour will show participants what makes Victoria one of the most visited and treasured cities in the world. Hybrid-style or Classic City Cruiser bicycle, helmet and guide are included.​This leisurely tour covers approximately 11km. 

Cycling tours are a fantastic eco-friendly way to explore the city.

Just a short drive from Victoria is the brand new Malahat Skywalk attraction. Located where the forested mountains drop away to the Pacific Ocean, guests will find a deeper connection to nature, learning about the trees, birds, animals and marine life of this coastal region. Embark on an elevated walkway through the forest, leading to a 10-storey, architecturally-inspiring spiral tower lookout – the first of its kind in British Columbia. Gaze out over 360-degree views of islands, inlets, fjords, forests, and mountains spanning two countries. An adventure net suspended across the middle of the Spiral Tower provides an option to take an exhilarating ride down the tower on a spiral slide. Malahat SkyWalk is located on the traditional territory of the Malahat Nation, their Indigenous stories shaping many elements of the experience.

Leaving the Malahat Skywalk, a scenic drive awaits as you travel through the majestic Sutton Pass and the Sawtooth Range to the rugged west coast. Perhaps visit the Raptors Centre in Duncan en route to meet eagles, hawks, owls, falcons and vultures face-to-face.

The Raptors Centre run by a group of biologists and falconers whose goal is to educate, illuminate and encourage a sense of personal responsibility for the future of these essential creatures we share the planet with.

Pacific Rim National Park is a marvel of ecological and geographical diversity as you will see as you pass through dense rainforests, steep ravines and windswept beaches.

Today's final destination is the coastal community of Tofino. 

Today promises an adventure on and in the water. Travel over 30km by boat to the north end of Clayoquot Sound.
Highlights will include stops at a sea cave, an eagles’ nest, and wildlife viewing, including whales (primarily
gray whales; but possible humpback whales and orcas) and maybe some black bears. 

From the dock, take an easy 2km walk along a boardwalk trail, through ancient rainforest, arriving at natural thermal soaking pools (average temperature 42°C), where we'll spend a few hours before returning to Tofino. 

 

Watch for wildlife as you travel through ancient rainforests back to the east coast of the Island, heading towards the fishing town of Campbell River. 

An incredible adventure awaits today! Be transported into the heart of a wilderness teeming with wildlife.

You'll spend 3 hours on a guided kayaking excursion through areas where the local animals can often be observed. 

Kayaking excursions offer a sustainable way to explore the beauty of the marine environment, and get up close with the nature of the region with minimal disturbance.

You'll also spend 3 hours aboard a 12 guest covered whale watching vessel, featuring an open viewing deck. The cruising area is home to humpback and orca whales, dolphins, seals, bears and other creatures.  (L)

*This tour operates mid-May til mid-Aug. Alternative options may be offered outside this season. 

Travel north, to the tip of the Island, gateway to some of Canada’s best grizzly bear viewing.

The Quatse River Salmon Stewardship Centre features fun-filled displays and educational tours within steps of a salmon spawning river and hatchery. 

If time permits, we recommend adding an evening wildlife viewing tour this afternoon. 

Your home base for the next 2 nights, The Kwa'lilas Hotel is located in the traditional territories of the Kwakiutl people and is a demonstration of the commitment of the Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw Nations to share our history, culture and passion for our traditional territory in a meaningful and permanent way by showcasing and celebrating it in a beautiful, comfortable space that is representative of the community.

Get up close and personal with British Columbia’s grizzly bears on an intimate and immersive wildlife watching experience. 

Venturing into traditional territories, the Aboriginal-owned tourism company ensures sustainable wildlife viewing that also supports First Nations’ communities. Guides share the cultural significance and stories behind the scenery as the tour departs Port Hardy, navigating through waters favoured by migrating orcas. 

Pacific white-sided dolphins dance alongside the bow of the boat as the tour travels into the beautiful territory of the collective tribes that make up the Kwakwaka‘wakw.

Following grizzly bear viewing and a catered lunch, this portion ends in the Broughton Archipelago and Blackfish
Sound to view the gentle giants of the Pacific: migrating humpback whales.

Low volume tours take a maximum of ten guests on authentic adventures through the natural habitat of Western Canada’s grizzly bears.(B) (L)

* This sightseeing tour operates mid-July til mid-Oct. Outside of these dates, and alternative option may be offered. 
 
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience – Grizzlies of the Wild day tour ex Port Hardy (First nations owned/guided)

Nestled on Vancouver Island's northern bounds, Telegraph Cove is an intimate haven for whale watchers and conservationists. A former fishing village, today Telegraph Cove plays host to our quintessential whale watching adventure.

From May through October, this region is home to the magnificent Orca. The protected waters provide an ideal location to view and listen to orcas and other marine mammals as they feed, socialize and raise their young.

Cut through Johnstone Strait's currents and navigate the Broughton archipelago in search of Orcas and humpback
whales and listen to our marine mammal experts bring the animals' stories to life from the comfort of your cruiser. 

For the adventure seekers, you may choose to experience one of the coolest attractions on Vancouver Island and discover the mysteries of the underground world at Horne Lake Caves.

After an exhilarating cave adventure, we recommend checking out the Grotto Spa at your resort, with 20,000 square feet of spa bliss.

Finish your spa experience with an endless tapas dinner, wearing your robe and overlooking the surrounding forest.

Heading back to catch the ferry for the mainland, make sure to sample a famous Nanaimo Bar before leaving the Island.