Western Wildlife – Whales & Bears in Canada

You will be met upon arrival in Vancouver and driven to your hotel in the heart of the city. Nestled along the coastline of British Columbia, Vancouver is truly picturesque and offers its visitors a wealth of activities. You can enjoy a city tour or cycle around Stanley Park, and in the evening hop on a seaplane over to Horseshoe Bay for a delicious gourmet dinner. Vancouver is also known for its fantastic marine life. Embark on a whale watching trip in a high-speed boat for a chance to get up close to orca whales, seals, sea lions, porpoises and, if you’re lucky, minke whales.

Stay: Three nights in a boutique room at L’Hermitage Hotel

Today you will collect your hire car and cross over to Nanaimo by ferry. Drive to Campbell River where you will spend one night before your early morning floatplane journey to the Knight Inlet Lodge, a traditional floating lodge and your base for the next three days day’s adventure. Surrounded by the pristine and native habitat of the grizzly bear, the Great Bear Rainforest, you will be perfectly placed to observe these incredible creatures in their natural habitat.

You’ll have the opportunity to spot both black and grizzly bears foraging in the open along the banks of Glendale Cove, both on foot and from a boat. In autumn you’ll be able to watch – from a viewing platform – the incredible spectacle as thousands of salmon make their way up the Glendale River, attracting dozens of bears looking to stock up for their winter hibernation. You will also enjoy a scenic boat tour of Glendale Cove, hiking in the Kwalate River Valley, bird watching excursions and kayaking.

Stay: One night in Campbell River and three nights at Knight Inlet Lodge – full board

Drive from Campbell River to Tofino. Located on Clayoquot Sound in Vancouver Island, Tofino is famed for its superb wildlife viewing experiences. You can board tours which will take you through the fjord inlets of Clayoquot Sound, where you can unobtrusively observe black bears by the water’s edge. The marine life is equally impressive, with good chances of seeing gray whales, humpback whales, sea lions and a variety of sea birds on a half-day whale watching tour. Storm-watching is another popular attraction for visitors here, whilst the mighty waves on Long Beach lure keen surfers from around the world.

Stay: Three nights in a suite at Water’s Edge Shoreside Suites

Drive from Tofino to Victoria, the final stop on your holiday, British Columbia’s stunning coastal capital which sits at the southern tip of Vancouver Island. The city enjoys warm weather year-round, with flowers always in bloom at the world-class Butchart Gardens where you can stroll through 50 acres of enchanting gardens. The Royal British Columbia Museum is also worth visiting.

Whale watching is one of Victoria’s most popular activities, with an abundance of orcas, minke whales, gray whales, porpoises, harbour seals and others visible close to the coast. Your stay includes a superb Orca Spirit Whale Watching cruise, which will take you out on the water in search of resident orcas and other marine life. The comfy seats and expansive windows allow you to watch for wildlife whilst keeping warm and dry.

Stay: Two nights in an Erickson wing studio suite at the Inn at Laurel Point

Today you will take the ferry from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen before dropping your hire car at Vancouver airport before embarking on your international flight back to London.