Self-Drive Vancouver Island Adventure

Tour Information

Long Beach is located beside Tofino and is best known for its incredible beaches and rugged headlands. Each spring, over 20,000 grey whales migrate through the park waters. The Wickaninnish Centre is an interpretive centre located at the water’s edge and should be visited to learn about the park’s marine ecology, the ocean and the forest environment.

Day 1

Vancouver
Upon arrival into Vancouver, pick up your rental car and check into your hotel and have the remainder of the day at leisure to explore Vancouver on your own. Canada’s third-largest metropolitan centre, Vancouver is a busy port with a thriving multi-cultural ambiance. The city is located in a spectacular setting with the Coast Mountains across Burrard Inlet to the north and the waters of the Strait of Georgia to the west. Restaurants, shopping, nightlife, a mild climate and a cosmopolitan atmosphere make Vancouver a favourite tourist destination.
Overnight: Vancouver Renaissance Hotel Harbourside
Deluxe: The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

Day 2

Vancouver
Today is a free day to explore the city of Vancouver. Included today are admissions to the Capilano Suspension Bridge, Grouse Mountain SkyTram and Dr. Sun-Yet-Sen Classical Chinese Gardens.
Overnight: Vancouver Renaissance Hotel Harbourside
Deluxe: The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

Day 3

Vancouver to Victoria (70 miles plus ferry)
Your destination today is the city of Victoria located on Vancouver Island. Just south of Vancouver is the fishing village of Steveston and restored Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site (admission included). Built in 1894, it was abandoned and derelict when Parks Canada restored the property. It now houses interpretive displays and exhibits about the west coast fishing industry and the large role played by the Chinese and Japanese workers and fishers. Continue south to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal and board a B.C. Ferry for a ninety-minute ferry ride through the scenic Gulf Islands (ferry fare included). On arrival at the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal on Vancouver Island, travel south along the Saanich Peninsula to Butchart Gardens (admission included). This 20-hectare (50–acre) botanical showcase is renowned for its skillful blending of rare and exotic plants and trees mixed with native flora in a colourful and authentic series of formal gardens joined by several paths. After a visit at the gardens, continue to Victoria, travelling through the scenic Uplands and Oak Bay residential areas with spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Upon arrival in Victoria, check in to your selected hotel.
Overnight: Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour
Deluxe: The Fairmont Empress Hotel

Day 4

Victoria
See Victoria from a different perspective! Today, enjoy a tour of Victoria from the skies. This sightseeing flight is an ideal introduction to seaplane aviation and includes spectacular vistas of downtown Victoria and the Juan de Fuca Strait with the Olympic Mountains in the distance.
Overnight: Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour
Deluxe: The Fairmont Empress Hotel

Day 5

Victoria to Tofino (211 miles)
Depart Victoria today and travel north along the Island Highway. Travel north to the town of Chemainus, the “City of Murals.” More than 30 murals decorate the buildings in this logging and manufacturing town. The murals, painted by a number of prominent artists from B.C. and around the world, depict area wildlife, Native peoples, logging and historical events. Continue north on Highway 19 through Nanaimo to Parksville where, at the junction of Highway 54, head west toward the Pacific Ocean. The small community of Coombs and the Coombs Bakery and Market make a perfect rest stop to buy picnic supplies before you enter Cathedral Grove (Macmillan Provincial Park). Cathedral Grove is a preserved rainforest where you can see spectacular stands of old growth (unlogged) timber including enormous cedar, hemlock and Douglas fir trees. In the small city of Port Alberni, visit the Maclean Mill National Historic Site, the last surviving steam operated sawmill in Western Canada. Located on the edge of Pacific Rim National Park is the village of Tofino, your home for the next two nights.
Overnight: Weigh West Marine Resort
Deluxe: Best Western Tin Wis

Day 6

Tofino
Today, take a tour to Hot Springs Cove. The boat cruise will be on a 12, 15 or 25-passenger cabin cruiser and is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes travelling time each way. This leg of the tour takes you north through 26 miles of Clayoquot Sound to Hot Springs Cove. Stops may be made for viewing the special bird and marine wildlife. Once at Hot Springs Cove, disembark on Hot Springs Dock and head out on a 1.5 km. cedar boardwalk through pristine old growth forest and rugged shoreline out to the tip of the peninsula (Sharp Point) where the hot springs are located. There is a change room for changing into swimsuits. The hot springs are at ocean level and are almost boiling where they emerge from the ground. Then they travel down 15 meters, over a waterfall and into several natural rock pools where the temperature is a more comfortable 42ºC. People in the lower pool, at certain tides, can enjoy a rush of cold ocean then hot springs water! You will spend approximately three hours at the hot springs before returning to Tofino. Price includes a $2.00 Research Fee that is donated for whale and bird research in the area.
Overnight: Weigh West Marine Resort
Deluxe: Best Western Tin Wis

Day 7

Tofino to Campbell River (168 miles)
Today, depart Tofino and head back to the east coast of Vancouver Island. Your destination today is Campbell River, the Salmon fishing capital of Canada. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and explore the town.
Overnight: Coast Discovery Inn
Deluxe: Painter’s Lodge

Day 8

Campbell River
Today take a half day whale watching tour! Board a Hurricane Zodiac from the Painter’s Lodge or April Point dock and take an incredible whale watching excursion. Journey through Johnstone Strait for an opportunity to view Killer Whales in their natural habitat. This excursion includes commentary on the area and wildlife as well as lunch.
Overnight: Coast Discovery Inn
Deluxe: Painter’s Lodge

Day 9

Campbell River to Vancouver (146 miles plus ferry)
Depart Campbell River and return to Vancouver. Enjoy another scenic cruise on B.C. Ferries between Nanaimo and North Vancouver. Upon arrival into Vancouver, make your way to your downtown hotel for the night.
Overnight: Vancouver Renaissance Hotel Harbourside
Deluxe: The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

Day 10

Vancouver
This morning, a check out of your hotel concludes your Vancouver Island Adventure.

Day 11

Arrive back in the UK

What's Included

• Transatlantic schedule flights
• Car hire (economy size)
• Hotel accommodation including taxes for 9 nights
• B.C. Ferry fares from Vancouver to Victoria and Nanaimo to Vancouver
• Luggage handling at hotels
• Self-drive routing, maps, itinerary and general information package
• Admission to the following: Dr. Sun-Yet-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Grouse Mountain Skytram, Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site, Campbell River Whale Watching, Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site, Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site, Butchart Gardens, Victoria floatplane sightseeing, Hot Springs Cove Explorer cruise, Whale Watching in Campbell River.