Best of BC with Bears & Whales

Day 1 - Fly to Vancouver

On arrival in Vancouver you will be transferred by coach & ferry to Victoria.

Day 2 - Victoria

Spend the day at your leisure in Victoria taking in the sights. Victoria is very picturesque with a beautiful Inner Harbour.

Day 3 - Whale Watching & Butchart Gardens Tour

Morning at leisure before your afternoon tour. Duration: 5 hours

This adventure makes the most of your vacation time by allowing you to enjoy two of Victoria's essential experiences in a single day: whale watching and The Butchart Gardens.

Explore the Haro Strait and the Strait of Juan de Fuca in search of the majestic wildlife that floods the local waters here in tth summer months. Take advantage of the opportunity to view several different species of whales in the wild as well as an assortment of sea birds and other species of marine wildlife from downtown Victoria en route to the Butchart Gardens private dock and entrance via Tod Inlet.

Enjoy at your leisure The Butchart Gardens with CVS return connections to Victoria departing the gardens regularly throughout the evening. Stay for dinner, the fireworks on Saturday evening or summer events!

Highlights: - Fully guides whale watching and wildlife viewing (3 hours) - VIP entrance into the Butchart Gardens by their private dock - Travel through inlets and bays not visited on other departures - Save time by combining whale watching and connections to the Butchart Gardens - Customize your return time to Victoria on any scheduled connection with our partner CVS Tours - Rate includes admission to the Butchart Gardens and return coach transfer with CVS Tours

Day 4 - Transfer to Vancouver

This morning you will depart Victoria and travel to Vancouver. (coach/ferry included) Once you are on the ferry you will get off your coach and can go up on deck to take in the stunning scenery. Keep your camera at hand as you pass by the Gulf Islands with the added chance of spotting wildlife too. Spend your afternoon at your leisure in Vancouver which has much to offer.

Day 5 - Sightsee Vancouver

Today use your Hop on Hop off Vancouver Sightseeing pass to help you get around the city to take in the sights at your leisure. The pass allows you hop on/off at over 20 sights and attractions. We recommend timing a visit to Granville Island for lunch or an afternoon treat at the Public Market.

Day 6 - Vancouver

Today is at your leisure, you still have the full day to continue using your Hop on Hop off Sightseeing pass.

Day 7 - Farewell Harbour

This morning you have a taxi transfer included to take you to Vancouver South Terminal for your early morning flight to Port Hardy. 

Depart Port Hardy Airport or hotel between 9.30 - 10.30am. Arrive at Alder Bay by 12.00pm for your 12.30pm departure aboard our high speed water taxi for the scenic 30 minute service to Farewell Harbour. Greet Farewell Harbour Lodge staff at the dock (1.00pm). 

Check in, receive a welcome orientation and lunch. Relax, you’re here! After settling into accommodation, join an afternoon tour in search of marine wildlife in the waters of the famous Johnstone Strait and Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. Return to the lodge by 4.30pm. Buffet dinner is at 6.00pm, followed by next day activity briefing. Evening presentation is at 7.00pm on some aspect of coastal ecology.

Day 8 - Farewell Harbour

After breakfast, meet on the dock at 8.00am for your first full day bear viewing adventure to one of our main grizzly viewing estuaries! Our bear viewing takes us to one of several estuaries where we view either from a zodiac or on foot depending on the tide. We do not use viewing platforms, preferring to view wildlife at eye level in their natural habitat. Return by 4.30pm; buffet dinner is at 6.00pm followed by an evening presentation the Great Bear Rainforest, Bears, Whales or First Nations culture.

Day 9 - Farewell Harbour

7.00am breakfast, then on the water at 8.00am for your choice of another bear viewing safari or a more extensive exploration of the the incredibly rich waters of Johnstone Strait and the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. Orcas typically return to these waters mid July although Humpbacks and other marine life can often be seen from May through October. Return by 4.30pm for dinner and an evening program.

Day 10 - Fly Port Hardy to Vancouver

Today, enjoy a a short morning sea kayak excursion in the protected and crystalline waters near Farewell Harbour Lodge, a marine excursion, or guided interpretive rainforest hike. Return to the lodge for the return water taxi back to Alder Bay about midday arriving for your transfer back to Port Hardy Airport for your return flight to Vancouver. Coach Transfer from Vancouver Main Terminal to your Whistler hotel is included this afternoon.

Day 11 - Explore Whistler

Day at leisure in Whistler. 

Day 12 - Peak 2 Peak Gondola

Today you have your Peak 2 Peak Gondola ride pass.

Day 13 - Fly Vancouver to UK

Morning at leisure. Coach transfer from your hotel to Vancouver Airport is included for your overnight flight back to the UK