Island Wildlife & Adventure

Sail through spectacular scenery en route to Vancouver Island. After disembarking the ferry, stop to visit the floral majesty of The Butchart Gardens, before continuing to Victoria.

Join an easy guided cycling tour around Greater Victoria, through the vibrant and historic Inner Harbour core, along the spectacular Victoria waterfront, into gorgeous and idyllic Oak Bay neighbourhoods.

A scenic drive today 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. 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.

Launch out of Tofino with the west coast wilderness only a few minutes paddle across the harbour. Explore the quiet inlet waters and ancient coastal rainforest of Clayoquot Sound. Bird life abounds in this area, and it is a pleasure to unobtrusively observe shoreline activity from the kayaks. At Meares Island, land the kayaks and take time for a short hike into the rainforest. Experience the wonder of giant cedars in the ancient coastal forest. Continue the exploration to the village of Opitsaht, rich in native history of the west coast.

Watch for wildlife as you travel through ancient rainforests back to the east coast of the Island.

The self-proclaimed “Salmon Capital of the World”, Campbell River offers some of the best fishing action available anywhere. You are sure to return with fish tales about the whopper you caught or the proverbial “one that got away”.

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. 

Get up close and personal with British Columbia’s grizzly bears on an intimate and immersive wildlife watching experience. Join First Nation guides on a tour through the awe-inspiring waterways of their people’s traditional territories. (B, L)

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. Humpback whales, Dalls porpoises and Pacific white-sided dolphins are also regularly encountered.

For the adventure seekers, 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.

As you head back to catch the ferry, make sure to sample a famous Nanaimo Bar before you leave the Island.