Vancouver Island Holidays
A mecca of untouched scenery and outdoor adventure awaits you on a Vancouver Island holiday. Here, you’ll find bears roaming free, whales swimming off the island’s coast, and quaint cities and coastal towns nestled amongst forests, waterfalls, tree-lined coves, beaches and mountains.
There’s so much to be explored and many gems that just can’t be missed on a Vancouver Island holiday. Visit Tofino, a town that sits on the tip of a peninsula, surrounded on three sides by the sea and enveloped by untouched nature. Nearby lies the Pacific Rim National Park, made up of three units. Witness the kayakers, sand castle builders, surfers and walkers unite at Long Beach. Take to the West Coast Trail, a long backpacking trail where some of nature’s wonders offer stretches of challenging terrain. Or why not explore the stunning Broken Group Islands, with over 100 islands and islets?
Victoria: The Gateway to Vancouver Island
Victoria’s old English charm calls you to stick around long after your boat or seaplane has touched down in Victoria Harbour. Take some time to soak up the city’s many gems, from the bustling Inner Harbour, the heart of downtown Victoria, to the stunning Butchart Gardens. Wander along The Causeway, a walkway along the harbour lined with the palace-like B.C. Parliament Buildings. Head around the corner and find the floating houses of Fisherman’s Wharf that are just waiting to be explored.
For a touch of Victorian grandeur, visit Craigdarroch Castle and discover the history of the Scottish Dunsmuir family who built it in the 1800’s.
A multi-centre holiday is the perfect way to explore Vancouver Island; visit Victoria and Tofino and make the most of the island’s abundant nature. If you want to discover more of British Columbia, head to the bright lights and city parks of Vancouver, or take to the mountains in Whistler.
Destination Highlights
Great sample itineraries
Get inspired by our selection of popular itineraries for Vancouver Island holidays. With so many options for your Vancouver Islandholiday package, we recommend you talk to one of our Destination Specialists to make the perfect tailor-made holiday just for you.
Whales, Bears and Vancouver Island
Guide Price £3,799 pp
Our incredible Whales, Bears and Vancouver Island self drive provides a sample of Canada’s most spectacular treasures. Discover picturesque Vancouver Island scenery, the impressive grizzly bears of Tofino, in addition to the provincial charm of Victoria and its mesmerising whales...
Self drive holidays
Campbell River and Victoria Multi Centre
Guide Price £1,199 pp
Experience the incredible natural beauty, breath-taking scenery and stunning wildlife of Vancouver Island. A land of extremes, where modern comforts co-exist with the ancient traditions of First Nations’ peoples who have resided in the ocean-carved lands for thousands of years...
Adventure holidays
Vancouver Island Suggested Motorhome Itinerary
Explore the rugged coastline of Vancouver Island with your Cruise Canada motorhome on this 8 day suggested itinerary. Starting in Vancouver, enjoy the scenery by taking a leisurely stroll from Vancouver Harbour along the sea wall to Stanley Park, head...
Adventure holidays
Unlimited Adventures
Guide Price £4,499 pp
Take an epic adventure across the great Canadian Rockies. Journey from Calgary through the Canadian Rocky Mountains to the breath taking coastlines of Vancouver and the Pacific Ocean. Experience the wilderness of Banff National Park, the magnificence of Lake Louise...
Wildlife holidays
Our favourite hotels
Our favourite places to stay are below. We know everyone is different, so if you can’t see something you like, we'd be more than happy to help.
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Vancouver Island has something for you. Whether you have always wanted to view bears, whales or spot bald eagles, Vancouver Island has some of the most varied wildlife. With plenty of outdoor activities for all ages from zip lining, fishing trip to surf on one of the many beaches. Here are a few things to do we recommend.
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![a small boat in a body of water with a city in the background]( "Capitol Building, Victoria Harbour")
Visit Victoria
No visit to Vancouver Island should be without a stay in Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. We love the old English charm, visiting the capitol building and staying at the Fairmont Empress overlooking the harbour. Make sure you have afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress, and sample the Empress cake. Drive out to Butchart Gardens for a leisurely stroll around the beautiful gardens and marvel at the Japanese Garden.
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![Orcas]( "Orcas")
Whale watching
Nothing is more spectacular than whale watching from Vancouver Island, where around 250 orcas live in the waters off the northeast coast and every year over 20,000 grey whales arrive having migrated from the Gulf of Mexico. Head to Telegraph Cove, Tofino, Port NcNeill or Johnstone Strait to join a whale watching tour. For a day you won't forget, you'll see these magnificent creatures spout, breach and hunt.
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![a boat on a body of water]( "Speedboat, Painters Lodge")
Outdoor adventure
Vancouver Island offers the best environment for outdoor activities. You'll find hiking trails, biking trails, fishing, snorkeling and plenty of wildlife viewing. Go rafting and snorkel with salmon from Campbell River or take a guided fishing trip from Painter's Lodge. Maybe it's golfing you're looking for, Vancouver Island offers an array of golf courses from Victoria up to Campbell River.
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![a flock of birds sitting on top of a sandy beach]( "Sea Otter near Spring Island by Kyuquot Sound")
Wildlife viewing
From watching sea otters play in the kelp beds off the shores of Vancouver Island to watching bears feed on the shorelines on mussels, you'll never be short of wildlife. Cruise through the waters of Tofino and Clayoquot sound, this area is renowned for spotting sea lions, humpback whales and other marine life. We recommend heading out to a wilderness lodge to be able to get up close with nature and view the incredible wildlife.
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Rozario
Destination Specialist
“One of the most memorable ways to reach Vancouver Island is by seaplane from Vancouver, as the views are incredible. If you prefer to travel over water, combine your ferry transfer with a whale-watching excursion.”
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Val
Destination Specialist
“Tofino and Ucluelet are the perfect places to surf, enjoy the unspoilt beaches and, the highlight, go bear-watching”
Festivals and events are wonderful to include during your Vancouver Island holiday, offering a glimpse into the country’s authentic culture and traditions.
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Pacific Rim Whale Festival
Each March, as the weather starts to get warmer on Vancouver Island, migrating Pacifc Gray whales make their way back to the waters that border Tofino, Ucluelet and the Pacific Rim National Park. It’s estimated that around 20,000 whales make the journey to the island after spending the winter in the water around the Baja Peninsula. The annual event marks the beginning of the whale-watching season and is welcomed with the Pacific Rim Whale Festival, which sees whale-watching, family-friendly activities, talks by guest speakers and workshops being held in Tofino, Ucluelet and the Pacific Rim National Park.
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Feast Tofino
Each Spring, usually between April and May, Tofino hosts its annual Feast Tofino festival. A collaboration between local chefs, fisheries, foragers and farmers, the festival celebrates the local and sustainable fisheries in the area, with events including the Dock Festival, where you can feast on seafood samples and meet local and regional chefs, an all-you-can-eat Boat to Tailgate party, and an outdoor dinner.
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Tofino Lantern Festival
Hosted in Tofino Botanical Gardens by the Raincoast Education Society, the Tofino Lantern Festival is a lively celebration with handmade lanterns, live music, dance performances and delicious food. There’s also lantern-making workshops that run in the week leading up to the festival.
Get a flavour of the local culture through your palate during your Vancouver Island holiday. Here are a few of our favourite dishes.
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Nanaimo Bar
Originating from Nanaimo, a city on the east coast of Vancouver Island, Nanaimo bars are a popular sweet treat throughout Canada. There are many variations but the bars typically consist of three layers: a biscuit and coconut crumb base, a layer of custard flavoured buttercream, and a topping of chocolate ganache.
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![Whale Watching]( "Whale watching, Tofino")
Whale watching, Tofino
Vancouver Island, British Columbia
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![a large brown bear walking across a grass covered field]( "Grizzly bear and cub at Knight Inlet")
Grizzly bear and cub at Knight Inlet
Vancouver Island, British Columbia
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![Salt Spring Island]( "Salt Spring Island")
Salt Spring Island
Vancouver Island, British Columbia
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![a small boat in a body of water with a mountain in the background]( "Floatplane near Tofino")
Floatplane near Tofino
Tofino, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
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![Bald Eagle]( "Bald Eagle")
Bald Eagle
British Columbia
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![a large body of water]( "Middle Beach")
Middle Beach
Tofino, Vancouver Island
