Northern Vancouver Island Explorer

DAY 1: VANCOUVER TO CAMPBELL RIVER

Pick up your rental car and head to the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal, where you can enjoy stunning views of the West Vancouver shoreline. Board a BC Ferries vessel and relax as you cross the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island. Take a stroll along Nanaimo's waterfront before driving north through the relaxed coastal communities, passing through captivating landscapes of vast beaches, serene lakes, and beautiful provincial parks. In the afternoon, optional whale and wildlife watching tour is available in Campbell River. It offers an chance to see orcas, humpback whales, dolphins, sea lions, and other marine wildlife in their natural habitat.

Accommodation: Comfort Inn (or similar)

DAY 2: CAMPBELL RIVER TO TELEGRAPH COVE

Start your day in Campbell River, known as the Salmon Capital of the World. Enjoy a morning hike in Elk Falls Provincial Park, where you can walk through old-growth forests and cross a suspension bridge to view a stunning waterfall. Then, embark on a scenic drive "up-island" (approximately 2.5 hours), passing through small towns with breathtaking views of the coastal mountains. Your next destination is Telegraph Cove, a quaint fishing village established in 1912. Many historic buildings, built on stilts above the water and connected by a boardwalk, still stand. After checking into your lodge, spend the evening exploring the village and coffee shops. Enjoy dinner on the boardwalk with local specialties and fresh seafood.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Telegraph Cove Resort (or similar)

DAY 3: KAYAKING THE JOHNSTONE STRAIT

In the morning, meet your guides in Telegraph Cove for a half-day sea kayaking tour along the Johnstone Strait. You may spot seals, bald eagles, and even orcas and humpback whales. You have the option to upgrade to a full-day kayaking tour or substitute it with a whale-watching tour. After your tour, travel to Port Hardy, the northernmost town on Vancouver Island, with a stop at Fort Rupert and Storey's Beach. Check into the Kwa'Lilas Hotel, which is owned and operated by the local First Nations.

Accommodation: Kwa'lilas Hotel (or similar)

DAY 4: SAN JOSEF BAY, CAPE SCOTT PROVINCIAL PARK

On a locally-guided tour, you'll set off in the morning towards Cape Scott Provincial Park on the northwestern tip of Vancouver Island. Cape Scott spans 115km of scenic, rugged shoreline, with vast stretches of white sand beaches surrounded by lush old-growth forests. A logging road takes you from Port Hardy across the island to San Josef Bay, where a boardwalk through the dense forest brings you out to the beach. Spend the next few hours exploring the 2km beach and unique geology of the area - including impressive sea stacks, tidal pools, and sea caves. Your guides share stories of the local environment and the history of the area, including attempts by the Danish to settle here in the late 1880s.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Kwa'lilas Hotel (or similar)

DAY 5: PORT HARDY TO ALERT BAY

Enjoy some free time in Port Hardy in the morning. Then, travel to Port McNeill and take the ferry to Alert Bay on Cormorant Island. The ferry ride is approximately 45 minutes. Once on the island, visit the U'Mista Cultural Centre, which houses an important collection of Indigenous masks and artifacts. If you are there on a Saturday in July or August, you may be able to see a cultural dance performance in the 'Namgis Traditional Big House. Check into your family-run B&B for the night.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Alert Bay B&B (or similar)

DAY 6: GRIZZLY & WILDLIFE TOUR

Today you will experience an intimate encounter with grizzly bears on an Indigenous-led, full-day grizzly and whale-watching tour in the Broughton Archipelago. This adventure provides unparalleled opportunities to observe bears and other marine wildlife in their natural habitat while supporting local communities and offering insight into their rich culture.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Alert Bay B&B (or similar)

DAY 7: RETURN TO VANCOUVER

You may want to start your morning with a walk through the old-growth forests and Ecological Park in Alert Bay. Then, take the ferry back to Port McNeill and begin your drive south to Campbell River. Upon arrival, you may have some time to explore the city before beginning your journey back to Nanaimo and then to Vancouver via the ferry. Return your rental car in Vancouver, concluding your trip.

Meal: Breakfast