Vancouver Island wildlife tours

Canada, NORTH AMERICA

Explore pristine waters and wilderness areas to see Orcas (“killer whales”) and grizzly bears off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island, Canada. This self-guided tour is designed to provide you with authentic wildlife and cultural experiences while staying on a remote island in the Northern Gulf Islands. This area sports sheltered waters and plentiful land and marine life, including the largest population of orcas in western North America. At the end of the Strait lies Knight Inlet, home to a thriving population of grizzly bears.

3 Nights and 4 Days

This self-guided tour is designed to provide you with authentic wildlife and cultural experiences while staying on a remote island in the Northern Gulf Islands. This area sports sheltered waters and plentiful land and marine life, including the largest population of orcas in western North America. At the end of the Strait lies Knight Inlet, home to a thriving population of grizzly bears.

Available Attractions

Capilano Suspension Bridge

Make your way across the swaying suspension bridge, which stretches 137 metres (450 feet) across a canyon and the Capilano River 70 metres (230 feet) below. Then explore the beautifully lush fir- and fern-carpeted forests via a series of elevated suspension bridges in the Treetops Adventure.

Vancouver Aquarium

The Vancouver Aquarium is home to over 70,000 fascinating creatures from the Arctic to the Amazon. Be sure to catch daily beluga whale, dolphin and sea otter shows, and for an unforgettable extra try a hands-on animal encounter.

Stanley Park Horse-Drawn Tours

Step aboard one of our old-fashioned horse-drawn vehicles and meander in comfort through the natural beauty of Stanley Park, Vancouver's #1 attraction.

Granville Island

A charming public market overflowing with fresh produce, breads, seafood and a bounty of other goods is reason enough to visit Granville Island. Be sure to also stroll the narrow lanes of the island to check out its unique shops and photo-worthy views of downtown across False Creek.

List of Not Included items for your package:

  • Single supplement of $335
  • Transfer from Vancouver International Airport
  • Taxi to the U’Mista Cultural Centre (about 2.5 kilometers from the lodge)
  • Activities or equipment rentals unless otherwise stated
  • Return ferry passage to Alert Bay from Port McNeill ($9.00)
  • Gratuities
  • HST
  • *Terms & Conditions Apply
  • Day 1:

    Alert Bay, B.C. Please note that we offer three itineraries depending on how you would like to travel to and from Alert Bay on Day 1 and Day 5. This particular itinerary includes a coach from Victoria on Day 1 and a flight out to Vancouver on Day 5. After an early morning departure from downtown Victoria, our sightseeing coach begins its journey up the east coast of Vancouver Island. The bus stops first at the Brentwood Bay Scenic pullout and then continues on to Duncan to view the Totem Poles. Further north is Chemainus, “the city of murals” here we have a 50 minute break to explore this unique town and for photos. The journey continues up island to the Coombs Country Market made famous for the goats that graze on the roof, where we stop for a 1-hour lunch break. (lunch not included) After lunch we follow the scenic route along the shoreline through Qualicum Beach then north on the island highway past Campbell River. At Cable Café, a unique building made of logging cable, we stop for a 15 minute coffee stop. The coach tour concludes in Port McNeill in time to make the 5:00 pm ferry sailing to Alert Bay. After a 35 minute voyage, catch a taxi (about $5.00) at the ferry terminal for the three minute drive down the ocean road to Alert Bay Lodge.

  • Day 2:

    Alert Bay, B.C. We’ve set this day aside for you to explore the village of Alert Bay. After breakfast, the lodge manager will provide you with a map highlighting attractions on the 5 kilometer long Cormorant Island, tickets to U’Mista Cultural Centre and a picnic lunch. The village can easily be explored by foot from your accommodation. Attractions include the Tourism Information Centre, shops and galleries featuring native art, and the U’Mista Cultural Centre which features historic and contemporary artwork, including the reclaimed First Nations potlatch collection (admission included). Up the hill lie First Nations dancing at the Big House (schedule permitting) and the Ecological Gardens and Big Tree

  • Day 3:

    Alert Bay, B.C. We’ve organized this day to take you off Cormorant Island to historic Telegraph Cove, the departure point for your whale watching tour. The excursion begins with a transfer from Alert Bay Lodge to the 9:40 am BC Ferry sailing to Port McNeill. From this Vancouver Island town, a taxi will escort you to the Village of Telegraph Cove (pop. 20), where you arrive by about 10:30 am. As your whale watching tour begins at 1:00 pm, you’ll have some time to explore Telegraph Cove. Once the northern terminus of a telegraph line that began in Campbell River and stretched from tree to tree along Vancouver Island’s east coast, Telegraph Cove is one of the last boardwalk communities of eastern Vancouver Island. You’ll be able to stroll along the boardwalk, admire the historic buildings and perhaps decide to take lunch at the local pub. We also recommend visiting the displays at the Whale Interpretative Centre that highlight the biology, habitat needs and threats to orcas and other local marine mammals. Your 3.5 hour wildlife watching tour departs Telegraph Cove at 1:00 pm. During the tour, the onboard naturalist will lead the search for orcas, humpback and Minke whales. Other marine life sighting opportunities include Dahl Porpoises, Harbour Porpoises, Pacific White Sided Dolphins and sea lions. Bald eagles and many species of birds are plentiful and, along the shore, black bear, deer and cougar may be spotted. You’ll also learn about how local whale watching practices conform to “Be Whale Wise” guidelines established by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The tour returns by about 4:30 pm – plenty of time to stretch your legs for a few minutes before boarding a high speed boat to whisk you across Johnstone Strait back to Alert Bay, arriving there by 5:30 pm. Meals: Breakfast.

  • Day 4:

    Alert Bay, BC. After breakfast we’ll call your taxi and get you on the right ferry to Port McNeill. Your up-Island journey continues when you’re picked up by taxi at the Port McNeill Ferry Terminal and escorted to Port Hardy Airport. Here, you catch an afternoon scheduled flight to Vancouver, BC. Meals Included: Breakfast.

  • *Terms & Conditions Apply

MAPS & AREA

Map view for Vancouver

OPEN FULL MAP


View Larger Map