Departing from Canada Place in downtown Vancouver, be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled departure. You’ll then drive to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal and take a scenic ferry ride to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island, sailing through the Salish Sea and Gulf Islands, with the chance to spot marine wildlife along the way. Upon arrival in Victoria, the capital of BC, enjoy a guided tour of the downtown area, including Mile 0, Ogden Point, the Empress Hotel, and the famous Fan Tan Alley in Historic Chinatown. Afterward, stop at a local brewery for a group beer tasting. Check into your centrally located hotel in downtown Victoria and enjoy free time to explore the city on your own. Your guide will be available to offer suggestions on the best restaurants, top breweries, shops, and hidden gems to check out.

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Victoria, where you can either relax or book optional activities like whale watching or visiting the Royal BC Museum (additional cost). In the afternoon, head to Goldstream Provincial Park for a short hike through old-growth forests and enjoy the beauty of stunning waterfalls. Next, stop in Duncan to explore the City of Totems, home to the largest outdoor collection of First Nations totem poles in the world. Continue to Parksville, where you’ll have free time to explore the nearby beach boardwalks or join your guide for a visit to the Little Mountain Lookout. End the day with a complimentary round of mini-golf at Paradise Fun Park, located across the street from your hotel (open until midnight during the summer).

This morning, depart for the West Coast of the island with a stop at the famous Coombs Market, where you’ll have free time to get breakfast. Don’t forget to look up and spot the resident goats on the roof! Next, stop to visit Little Qualicum Falls before arriving in Ucluelet, where you’ll have the opportunity to hike the Lighthouse Loop on the Wild Pacific Trail with your group. Afterward, check into your accommodations in Ucluelet and enjoy the evening to relax or join your guide for a campfire and marshmallow roast on the beach (weather and fire-ban permitting).

You will depart early this morning for the short drive to Tofino, where you’ll have the entire day to explore this laid-back surfing town at your leisure. Alternatively, you can book one of the available optional activities at an additional cost, such as whale watching, bear watching, surfing, or kayaking. As availability for these activities is limited, we highly recommend booking in advance to secure your spot. You also have the option to join your guide for a walk to Tonquin Beach, which is easily accessible from downtown Tofino, or rent a bike and head to the famous Tacofino food truck for lunch. In the evening, enjoy free time to relax at your hotel back in Ucluelet.

Today, you will travel back to Vancouver, making a stop at Long Beach, the largest and longest beach in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Along the way, visit Port Alberni to purchase lunch before continuing to Nanaimo, where you can take a stroll along the Harbourfront and try a famous Nanaimo Bar—a must for anyone with a sweet tooth! Afterward, check in for the ferry and bid farewell to the beautiful Vancouver Island. You will arrive in downtown Vancouver at approximately 9:00 pm, depending on traffic.

The Vancouver Island Experience travels to the  stunning heart of Vancouver Island, offering unforgettable experiences for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re mountain biking through lush alpine forests or whitewater rafting down exhilarating valleys, adventure awaits at every turn.

Activities range from hiking to relaxing in natural hot springs, all set against breathtaking coastal vistas.

Optional activities such as whale watching, bear watching, surfing, or kayaking can be easily booked and paid for through your West Trek tour guide during the trip—no need to pre-book!

The tour includes accommodation for all nights of the tour in same-gender hotel rooms.

We choose hotels for their affordability, excellent facilities, and friendly atmosphere. Staying in shared rooms allows you to meet more people, interact with other tour guests, and keep costs as low as possible.

If you’d prefer a private room, please contact us directly, and we’ll be happy to discuss alternative options for your tour.

All tour finish times are approximate. We strongly recommend that you DO NOT book onward travel for the final day of the tour, as traffic or other unforeseen circumstances may cause delays.

Please note that our itineraries are subject to change, and activities may be cancelled without notice due to circumstances beyond our control, such as weather, traffic, or unforeseen events. If this happens, alternative options may be available, or you may have the opportunity to enjoy more free time to explore on your own!

If you need to cancel your tour, up to 60 days prior to your scheduled departure, your tour is fully refundable. Between 60-31 days before departure, you can choose to receive a 100% credit to rebook for another future tour or a full refund, minus a 10% deposit, which can be used as credit for future travel. Within 30 days of departure, the tour is non-refundable and non-transferable.

In Low Season (March and November), you’ll get the BEST VALUE on our tours, with fewer crowds and a more peaceful experience at popular sites like Long Beach and Pacific Rim National Park. The trade-off is that the weather can be more variable, cooler, and wetter, with some activities being less accessible.

In Peak Season (June to September), the weather is warmer and drier, offering ideal conditions for surfing, kayaking, and exploring the stunning coastline. Everything is open, and the natural beauty is at its peak, but tours are more expensive, and some areas can get quite busy.

Should you need to cancel your trip, you (or your authorized travel agent) must notify us in writing by letter, email, or by fax. Notification of cancellation is based on the working week in Canada. Weekend days or statutory holidays cannot be calculated in day’s prior policies for cancellation fee avoidance. An acknowledgement of cancellation notice will be sent; should you not receive this advice then cancellation has not been received by Discover Canada Tours and must be resent. We recommend independent purchase of travel insurance.