British Columbia's Whales & Bears

Day 1 - Fly to Victoria

Fly to Victoria the capital of British Columbia. Once arrived making your way to your Victoria hotel.

Day 2 - Enjoy Victoria

Spend today at your leisure exploring Victoria and its picturesque Inner Harbour, where you can watch the floatplanes take off and land. 

Day 3 - Whale Watching

Today we have included a 3 hour Whale Wtaching trip. This coastal excursion is an exhilarating round trip of 50 to 80 kilometres in search of Orcas, minke whales, grey whales, porpoises, harbour seals and other marine wildlife. You will ride aboard a comfortable covered vessel or a custom-built zodiac boat that offers high speed with extraordinary stability giving you an exhilarating, safe and intimate whale watching experience. Comments by a marine biologist and naturalist are provided.

Day 4 - Transfer - Vancouver

This morning you will have your transfer from Victoria downtown to Vancouver, where you will have the afternoon at your leisure.

Day 5 - Vancouver City Highlights

Prepare to experience the unique history and unfolding splendour as you tour through the modern streets of Vancouver. Drive by the most renowned sights and learn how Vancouver became the city it is today. Situated on the edge of the Pacific Ocean and framed by British Columbia's imposing mountains, it's easy to fall in love with this astonishing city. Drive through historic neighbourhoods such as Gastown, Chinatown, scenic English Bay and the picturesque Vancouver Harbour. Stops in Stanley Park feature Indigenous Peoples' Totem Poles, spectacular views of the mountains and the Lions Gate Bridge. Also includes the opportunity to wander through the charming farmer's market at Granville Island.

Day 6 - Enjoy Vancouver

Spend today at your leisure. Why not ask one of our Canada experts for some recommended excursions.

Day 7 - Vancouver to Port Hardy

Today depart from Vancouver International Airport (South Terminal) for a scenic flight to Port Hardy. Upon arrival please make your way to your Port Hardy accommodation, the rest the day is yours to explore Port Hardy.

(Hotel provided by Berry Island Wilderness Lodge.)

Day 8 - Port Hardy to Berry Island Wilderness Lodge

Your shuttle transfer from your Port Hardy hotel, will be between 10:00 and 11:00am for your water taxi. Enjoy the scenic 30 minute service to Farewell Harbour. Greet Berry Island Wilderness Lodge staff at the dock, then enjoy lunch, followed by a welcome orientation. After settling into accommodations, join an afternoon tour in search of marine wildlife in the waters of the famous Johnstone Strait and Blackfish Sound. Return to the lodge by 4.30pm. Relax, take in the view, or join the famous Farewell 5:00 PM swim club! After a buffet dinner, join an optional evening presentation or activity, or sit around the fire table and enjoy the sunset from the cedar deck. 

Day 9 - Enjoy Berry Island Wilderness Lodge

After breakfast, meet on the dock at 8.00am for your first full day bear viewing adventure to one of the main grizzly viewing estuaries! The bear viewing takes you to one of several estuaries where you will view either from a crew boat, small zodiac or on foot depending on the tide. They do not use viewing platforms, and prefer to view the wildlife at eye level in their natural habitat. Return by 4.30pm; buffet dinner at 6pm followed by optional evening presentation or activity.

Day 10 - Enjoy Berry Island Wilderness Lodge

7.00am breakfast, then a day tailored to your interests. Choose from a wide variety of half or full day adventures and experiences such as marine tour, bear ecolody tour, coastal safari adventure, sea kayaking, rainforest adventure, indigenous culstual tour or ‘Berry Balm’ nature wellness experience to make the most of your time in the Broughton Archipelago and Great Bear Rainforest. Return by 4:30pm for dinner and your evening program.  

Day 11 - Berry Island Wilderness Lodge via Port Hardy to Vancouver to Whistler

Choose your last excursion that could be sea kayaking, a marine mamal excursion, a rainforest walk, an indigenes cultural site visit or simply soaking in your last moments around the lodge. Return to the lodge for the return water taxi back to Alder Bay about midday arriving for your transfer back to Port Hardy Airport. A complimentary shuttle bus will take you from Vancouver South Terminal to the Main Terminal where you will then pick up your coach transfer to Whistler.

Day 12 - Peak 2 Peak Gondala

Explore Whistler today and it's mountains with your Peak 2 Peak gondola ticket.

Day 13 - Explore Whistler

Explore Whistler at your leisure. We have numerous excusion options available, we highly recommend the private 4x4 Bear Viewing and helicopter ride as well as many other activites - ask your Canada Experts for details.

Day 14 - Transfer Whistler to Vancouver, fly from Vancouver

Today you will transfer from Whistler to Vancouver Airport for your flight homeward.