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Holiday Types
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Fly Drive Holidays
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West Coast Fly Drive Holidays
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Whales, Bears & Vancouver Island
Whales, Bears & Vancouver Island
From £3,792 pp
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13 nights
Fly Drive
Adventure
Wildlife
Canadian Affair Recommends-
Economy flights
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Available September - October
With a rich marine ecosystem, Vancouver Island and the surrounding area is home to some of Canada’s most iconic wildlife. This holiday is only available in September or October to coincide with of the world’s greatest wildlife spectacles: grizzly bears feasting on spawning salmon. It also includes wildlife watching tours that head out in search of black bears, orcas, otters and whales and allows time to explore the historic capital of Victoria, the windswept beaches and rocky headlands of the Pacific Rim National Park and the mountain peaks that surround Whistler.
- International flights from the UK based on economy class
- 13 nights accommodation
- 11 days Intermediate car hire with Fully Inclusive insurance
- Morning with the Bears: Sunrise Excursion
- The Great Bears of Bute
- Whale watching by Covered Boat in Tofino and Victoria
- BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo
- BC Ferries from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen
Holiday Map
Explore our interactive map to discover your holiday route and key points of interest.
Start
Finish
Stops
PoI
Vancouver
Arrive at Vancouver International Airport and transfer independently to your downtown hotel. The next two days are yours to explore this enchanting coastal city. The fall is a beautiful time to stroll round Stanley Park as the leaves begin to change to vibrant shades of orange, red and yellow. Take a shuttle bus over to the North Shore and a gondola up Grouse Mountain where stunning views over the city and ocean await.
Sea-to-Sky Highway
Pick up your hire car as today you will drive the famous Sea-to-Sky Highway, a stunning drive with the soaring Coastal Mountains on one side and blue waters of Howe Sound on the other. Although it’s only 2 hours from Whistler to Vancouver, be prepared for this drive to take all day as there are plenty of attractions off the highway such as Shannon Falls, Alice Lake, and the Britannia Mine Museum.
Whistler
Start the day early and join an excursion searching for the black bears that reside on Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. It's estimated about 50 black bears make their home in the forests and mountains surrounding Whistler and they have adapted to feeding, mating, and hibernating within ski area habitats. In the afternoon you are free to explore Whistler, a vibrant year-round resort nestled amongst the Pacific Coastal mountains so stroll the pedestrian downtown, which is home to fabulous restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops and take the gondola up Whistler Mountain to enjoy breath-taking views.
Nanaimo
Drive back down the Sea-to-Sky Highway, stopping at attractions you may have missed on the way up such as Brandywine Falls and the Sea-to-Sky Gondola. Catch the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo, famous for the sweat treat of the same name. Spend the evening here, strolling through downtown streets lined with heritage storefronts, bars, art galleries, and boutiques and onto the Harbour Walkway to watch the floatplanes come and go.
Campbell River
Head up the east side of Vancouver Island to Campbell River, stopping the small city of Courtenay. Here, enjoy a stroll on the Riverway Heritage Walk with views over the Courtenay River estuary, and enjoy a delicious lunch, the surrounding area is full of farms, wineries, and breweries and so all the restaurants have a farm-to-fork ethos ensuring you’ll be eating the freshest and tastiest food on the island. Just outside Campbell River, be sure to visit Elk Falls Provincial Park which has a spectacular waterfall best viewed from the suspension bridge (other viewpoints are available!).
The Great Bears of the Bute
Join your Indigenous guide in Campbell River to begin an exciting full day tour that begins with a 2-hour journey through the Salish Sea and lands of First Peoples into Bute Inlet. The abundance of marine wildlife provides many chances to observe marine wildlife such humpback whales, sea lions, and dolphins. Your arrival at the dock in Orford Bay begins a 3-hour land experience where you will be transported to a variety of raised wildlife viewing platforms and prime ground viewing locations to look for the magnificent grizzly bear. During the salmon run months of September and October, grizzly bears congregate around the rivers looking to feast before winter arrives.
Tofino
Head through the rugged interior of Vancouver Island stopping at the spectacular Cathedral Grove and many lookouts along the way. Your end destination is Tofino, beautifully located on a small peninsular surrounded by mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Start the first day with a whale watching tour and go in search of the grey whales that spend the summer feeding in the shallow, sheltered waters of the Broken Island Chain. The next day drive to Ucluelet and explore the Pacific Rim National Park, with it’s beautiful long beaches and rugged headlands.
Victoria
As you journey back over the island, stop at Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park where waterfalls cascade down a rocky gorge in a beautiful forest setting bordered by steep mountain peaks, making this one of the area’s most beautiful parks. In Victoria, take a stroll round the harbour, which is lined with historic buildings such as the BC Parliament Building. The next day, head out on a second whale watching tour, this time in search of migrating humpback whales and resident orcas, before exploring the charming Fisherman’s Wharf where you can enjoy a fresh seafood meal.
Fly Home
On the way to the BC Ferries terminal at Swartz Bay, pay a visit to the world-famous Butchart Garden. The ferry journey back to the mainland is especially scenic as it weaves through the Southern Gulf Islands. Your Canadian adventure has come to an end. Drop off you hire car at Vancouver International Airport ready for your flight home.
Special Offers
Take advantage of the following offers on this holiday
5GB of FREE data
Stay connected with up to 5GB of FREE data
Stream, surf, and share more with up to 5GB data on us. Book by 30th November 2026.
HURRY, OFFER ENDS SOON
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Accommodation in British Columbia Offer
Receive up to a 33% discount on hotel stays
Save up to 33% across our extensive hotel range in the province of British Columbia. Offer valid for selected dates and hotels for the 2026/2027 seasons. Call us today for more information. Book by 2nd November 2026.
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This holiday requires an ETA for entry to Canada, for full details and to apply please see below:
Please note Parks Canada charge fees at most national parks and historic sites across the country. Parks Canada passes can be purchased as part of your holiday, speak to your sales advisor for more details. Early booking is recommended.
For further information about national parks and historic sites in Canada or to reserve campsites and activities, please visit:
