Featuring Black Bears, Grizzlies & Whales
Moderate pace with leisurely intermittent walks up to 2 hours on a variety of terrain, including cobblestones and moderate hills. Must be able to climb at least two flights of stairs, negotiate steps without railings and tolerate periods of standing during guided tours. Some days may include 3–5 km of walking over the course of the day.
We fly to Victoria, and upon arrival transfer to our hotel. There will be an afternoon Program Orientation discussion, before our Welcome Dinner.
This morning we enjoy an informative talk about the wildlife and ecosystems found along BC’s southern coast, before embarking on a nature walk to Beacon Hill Park with a naturalist guide. After our included lunch we board a vessel for an exciting marine wildlife viewing adventure along the southern coast of Vancouver Island and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Keep your eyes peeled for possible sightings of seals, sea lions, eagles and other marine birds, porpoises and even orcas!
We begin the day with a scenic drive up the coast to the quaint fishing village of Cowichan Bay, where we learn about the lifecycle of salmon and marine habitat preservation. We then stop in the charming town of Chemainus, once home to the largest enclosed sawmill in North America. The town is now known for its beautiful murals, which you may explore during our free time. We continue to Courtenay for a 3-night stay. Dinner this evening is at a local restaurant.
We visit the Deep Bay Marine Field Station where we learn more about marine biology and ecosystems. After an included lunch we’ll proceed to the Courtenay Museum for a talk and visit.
Today we set off in a comfortable marine vessel to see Grizzly Bears along the Orford River—home to one of BC’s largest concentration of Grizzlies. Our journey will take us through the exciting Seymour Narrows and the Hole in the Wall, past many scenic islands, with icefield capped mountains in the background. Wildlife viewings en route could include Orca, dolphins, seals, sea lions, bald eagles, otters and mink. Once we reach the Orford River we are welcomed by our hosts, the Homalco First Nations, for whom these are historical lands. They will shuttle us by minibus to a series of viewing areas strategically placed throughout the salmon spawning grounds, where the Grizzlies are fishing and feeding. The bears can come within 10 feet of our platforms, providing once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities.
We continue to Errington and visit the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre. This non-profit, volunteer facility provides care and medical attention to injured wildlife from all over Vancouver Island. After our visit we proceed to Coombs—a farmers market where goats live on the roof of the moss covered store. Then it’s on to the fabled town of Tofino on the wild west coast of the island. With its ancient rainforest, vast stretches of white sand and massive waves pounding in from the Pacific Ocean, Tofino boasts one of Canada’s most breathtaking locations.
We travel to Ucluelet for a guided walk along the Wild Pacific Trail, where we’ll learn about the region’s unique flora and fauna. Whales are often spotted from this location as well. Later we’ll visit Chesterman Beach with free time to enjoy the breathtaking scenery there.
Abundant to the west coast of Vancouver Island, the Black Bear makes its presence known when the tides are low. They roam the shores in search of their favourite delicacy, the Rock Crab. Cruising through these scenic passageways allows for many opportunities to view other wildlife like herons, eagles, harbour seals and porpoises in their natural habitat. All the while the crew will entertain you with interesting facts about wildlife and the surrounding area. After our cruise we’ll enjoy free time in Tofino before continuing to Cathedral Grove—an old growth forest of Douglas Fir, Western Red Cedar, Western Hemlock, Broadleaf Maple and Balsam Fir. Some trees are estimated to be 800 years old. We then travel to the east coast of Vancouver Island and the city of Nanaimo for our overnight st
We head south and stop in Duncan, famous for its Totems. Then we arrive back in Victoria, and enjoy a city tour before checking into our hotel. This evening is our Farewell Dinner.
We fly home from Victoria.
You may cancel your tour up to 60 days prior to departure (90 days prior for tours requiring a visa, cruises or rail journeys) for any reason, and receive a full refund of your deposit / payment (less the $75 administration fee).
Cancellation & trip interruption insurance included!
Included in the cost of your tour is our Cancellation Insurance Policy, which provides coverage in case of emergency injury or illness (including Covid), right up to your date of departure (terms and conditions apply).
Our Manulife Out-of-Country Health Insurance Plan covers expenses related to Trip Interruption in case of emergency injury or illness. For tours within Canada, Senior Discovery Tours will cover such expenses (terms and conditions apply to all policies).
