Vancouver Island Wildlife Self-Drive Tour

Vancouver Island Wildlife Self-Drive Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Vancouver

When you arrive in Vancouver, you can pick up your rental vehicle at the airport and drive to your hotel. Tonight, you can explore at your leisure. Choose from iconic spots to stroll like historic Gastown or around the sea wall in Stanley Park.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Vancouver
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 2 Scenic Ferry to Vancouver Island

You have the morning to explore Vancouver—get in line for brunch at some of the city’s best spots like Chickpea or Jam Café. Drive to Horseshoe Bay to take the ferry across to Vancouver Island. The trip is about an hour and a half, and the scenery is breathtaking. You may see some of the marine life that lives in the Strait. Tonight, you’ll spend the night in Nanaimo, the birthplace of the legendary Nanaimo bar. You’ll probably want to try a few locally made varieties before you leave.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Nanaimo
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 3 Cross Island Road Trip to Tofino

This morning, you’ll drive to Horn Lake Provincial Park, where you’ll explore the caves on your own or book a guided cave tour. The next stop on your way to Tofino is Cathedral Grove for a walk through the ancient forest of towering Douglas fir trees. End the day by watching the spectacular sunset over the ocean in Tofino.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Ucluelet or Tofino
Distance: 200km
Meals: None

Day 4 Whale Watching and the Pacific Rim

In the morning, you can familiarize yourself with Pacific Rim National Park with a free walking tour. You’ll love hiking in the lush rainforest and along the spectacular stretches of rugged beach with views of the mighty Pacific Ocean. In the afternoon, you’ll board a zodiac for a whale watching tour of Clayoquot Bay. Keep your eyes out for sea lions, seals, sea otters, and eagles during the tour.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Ucluelet or Tofino
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 5 Search the Shores for Black Bear

Begin your day with a beach walk or visit the Botanical Garden of Tofino to see the rainforest flowers and plants they have on display. In the afternoon, you have another exciting zodiac tour, but this time you’ll patrol the shores in search of black bears. You’ll love being able to see the bears in their natural environment from the safety of your boat!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Ucluelet or Tofino
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 6 Waterfall Walk and Campbell River

Take a final walk through the fishing village of Ucluelet before you begin your drive up-island to Campbell River. Go for a quick hike in Elk Falls Provincial Park to visit the beautiful waterfalls and stretch your legs.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Campbell River
Distance: 200km
Meals: None

Day 7 Whales and Grizzly Bear Expedition

Today, you’ll take an epic seven-hour boat tour in search of the great grizzly bear. Your guide will teach you all about the bears and the other animals you might see on your adventure. Humpback whales, orcas, Pacific white dolphins, and sea lions are all known to make an appearance in this area, so keep your camera ready!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Campbell River
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 8 Journey Further North to Telegraph Cove

As you continue your drive north on the island, you’ll take some scenic coastal roads that offer impressive views across the water to the mainland. You’ll spend the next two nights in peaceful Telegraph Cove.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Telegraph Cove
Distance: 200km
Meals: None

Day 9 Wildlife Watching Boat Trip

This morning, you’ll embark on another early morning boat ride to observe the incredible coastal wildlife on the Knight Inlet Strait. From this remote location, you’ll look for Grizzlies as they hunt for berries, and you can observe the salmon run if you’re visiting at the end of August. You’ll also watch for eagles, dolphins, seals, and black bears as they look for food in the inlet.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Telegraph Cove
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 10 Visit Beautiful Victoria

Enjoy the quiet drive to the southern tip of Vancouver Island and its lovely capital city, Victoria. You can spend the afternoon wandering Fisherman’s Wharf or visiting the iconic Empress Hotel. You can book an optional seaplane tour to see the city from the air and for amazing views of the Juan de Fuca Strait and the Olympic Mountains.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Victoria
Distance: 460km
Meals: None

Day 11 Ferry to Vancouver

This morning, you’ll take the ferry back to the mainland. Watch the peaceful Gulf Islands go by as you cross the Georgia Strait—you may even be lucky enough to spot a whale during the trip! When you reach Vancouver, you can take a free city tour that visits popular sights such as Stanley Park and Granville Island. You can also choose to book an optional cruise of the Vancouver Harbour.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Vancouver
Distance: 110km
Meals: None

Day 12 Tour Concludes

Today, your tour officially ends when you drop off your rental vehicle at the Vancouver International Airport.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: None