Current as of: March 28, 2024 - 21:51

Whales & Bears of British Columbia

Whales & Bears of British Columbia Trip Notes

  • Ways to Travel: Guided Group, Private Group Adventures
  • Destination: Canada
  • Programmes: Wildlife
  • Activity Level:

    1 out of 7 - Leisurely

  • 9 Days: Land Only
  • Ages: 16+
  • Trip Code: WFZ
  • Carbon Footprint: 62kg CO2e

Trip Overview

Discover the wildlife and rugged scenery of Western Canada

‘Beautiful British Columbia’ proclaim the number plates, for once without hyperbole. Sensational wildlife regularly presents itself amid a backdrop of rugged scenery. Here, whale and bear watching is the big draw but seals, elk and beavers ensure a truly authentic British Columbian wildlife encounter.  Our adventures take us to Vancouver Island, where we explore beaches and walk trails at Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and we hope to see humpbacks, orcas, black bears and more.

At a Glance

  • Travel by minibus, ferry and Zodiac
  • Group normally 4 to 13, plus local leader/driver
  • Eight nights in comfortable hotels
  • 1st October 2025 departure will go to Campbell River before Ucluelet to give the best chance of bear observations

Highlights

  • Visit Vancouver Island, the largest island on the North American Pacific Coast
  • Join experienced naturalist guides for two whale watching excursions
  • Search for black bears on the rocky shoreline of Clayoquot Sound
  • Observe grizzly bears in their natural surroundings
  • Enjoy walks in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Is This Trip for You?

This trip is graded Activity Level 1 (Leisurely) with a Wildlife Rating of Three. Visit our Activity Level Guidelines page for more on our trip gradings or our Wildlife Holidays page for more on our Wildlife Ratings.

As a lot of our time is spent outdoors, a degree of fitness and a sense of adventure is required. We can explore some of the incredible natural history, scenery and wildlife of Vancouver Island on this itinerary. Inevitably, some time is spent travelling as there is a fair distance to cover; however, we have kept this to a minimum and the longest journey of six hours (by vehicle and ferry) is broken up with stops.

Group

There is a local leader who also drives the vehicle. Local guides are used where necessary.

Adult min age: 16

Min group size: 4

Max group size: 13

Itinerary

WFZ Map

Land Only

  • Start City: Vancouver
  • End City: Vancouver

Flight Inclusive

  • Start City: London
  • End City: London

Land Only Itinerary

Day 1
Start Vancouver

The adventure begins in Vancouver on Canada’s west coast. If you have time, we recommend a stroll around this cosmopolitan city to get a feel for it. Treat yourself to moreish maple cookies in Stanley Park, a 990-acre (400ha) green wonderland where you can see authentic totem poles put up in the 1920s or sit in one of the cafes and enjoy a spot of people watching. A welcome briefing may be held this evening or tomorrow morning, in which we gather as a group and meet our tour leader.

Accommodation: Holiday Inn & Suites Vancouver Downtown (or similar)

Day 2
Morning ferry to Vancouver Island

In the morning, we head to the port for a ferry to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, a 1hr 30min journey across the Strait of Georgia. On arrival in Nanaimo, we continue by road, stopping for a walk and picnic lunch at Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park. Rathtrevor is known for its majestic old-growth woodland, beautiful ocean sunsets and a wide, sandy beach with picnic areas nestled amongst the trees. We then continue our drive to Ucluelet, our base for the next three nights. Today’s travel time is approximately six hours.

Accommodation: Canadian Princess Lodge & Marina (or similar)

Meals included: Lunch

Day 3
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve; boat excursion to observe grey and humpback whales

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is nestled between the mountains of the Vancouver Island range and the Pacific coastline. We walk inside the park this morning to admire the rich natural heritage of the west coast of Canada. The reserve has almost 10mi (16km) of sand and a huge collection of driftwood, while the next stop is Japan! We usually take the Nuu-Chah-Nulth trail to the beach and visit during low tide to explore some of the intertidal pools and rocky islands. You may see lime-green anemones and purple, brown and orange starfish.

In the afternoon, we board Zodiacs with a naturalist guide who leads a 2hr 30min to three hour whale-observation excursion (depending on the low-tide schedule, this activity may take place earlier in the day). Our goal is to see humpback and grey whales, but it is also common to come across orcas, seals and sea lions among the rocky headlands. Today’s driving time should not exceed two hours.

Accommodation: Canadian Princess Lodge & Marina (or similar)

Meals included: Lunch

Day 4
Rainforest Figure Eight trail; boat excursion to observe black bears

Today our leader will take us on an easy hike on the Rainforest Figure Eight trail, an hour-long walk along wooden boardwalks through the majestic forest. This is a peaceful trail and we will be surrounded by a dense foliage of ferns, Western Red Cedar and Western Hemlock trees. Keep your eyes peeled for birdlife – our tour leaders have reported sightings of Steller’s jays and Rufous hummingbirds!

Late this afternoon, we board Zodiacs for a 2hr 30min expedition to observe black bears and bald eagles (depending on the low-tide schedule, this activity may take place earlier in the day). In the wilderness of Clayoquot Sound, black bears search for crabs and clams on the rocky beaches. We travel the fjord inlet by Zodiac, looking in sheltered bays and stopping to see any black bears we find from the comfort of our vessel.

Accommodation: Canadian Princess Lodge & Marina (or similar)

Day 5
To Campbell River and Cathedral Grove Provincial Park

Depart Ucluelet and drive for four hours to Campbell River on the north shore of Vancouver Island. Campbell River is known as the salmon capital of the world for its hugely impressive salmon runs, where five species of Pacific salmon swim the river. It has been designated a Heritage River for its importance in British Columbia; following the fish are bears, seals, kingfishers and eagles.

This afternoon, we stop at Cathedral Grove Provincial Park to see the last remains of the temperate rainforest that covered the island more than a 1,000 years ago. This is one of the most accessible areas of giant Douglas fir trees in the province and there are many trails enabling us to meander through Douglas fir, western hemlock, grand fir and western red cedar trees.

Accommodation: Painter’s Lodge (or similar)

Day 6
Boat excursion to Orford River to observe grizzly bears

Board a covered boat for a full-day excursion to the Orford River area (on the mainland of British Columbia) to observe grizzly bears in their natural habitat. Conservative estimates suggest there are 10,000 grizzly (brown) bears in British Columbia, with 92 percent of the original habitat of grizzlies still occupied. The abundance of spawning salmon in the Orford River at this time of year brings grizzlies down to feast. A two-hour journey by boat with a spectacular backdrop of mountainous scenery brings us to the mouth of the Orford River. From here, we take a short bus journey inland, where there are five viewing platforms from which to spot the bears. We visit one or sometimes two of these platforms, where we hope to observe the bears catching and feeding on salmon, sometimes with cubs in tow. On the boat journey to and from the Orford River, we may also see black bears, orcas, humpback and grey whales, dolphins, porpoises and sea lions.

Accommodation: Painter’s Lodge (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7
Quadra Island for hiking or optional sea kayaking

Board a ferry for a 10-minute journey across the Discovery Passage to Quadra Island, where we spend the day exploring the island trails and beaches by foot. Our leader will determine the best trail based on the group’s preference and ability, but options include the Shallaligan Pass Trail along Quadra Island’s coastline, which offers panoramic ocean views, or the Heriot Ridge Trail that passes through the bush and out onto a ridge for coastal views galore.

There is also an optional three-hour sea kayaking excursion from Quadra Island. Accompanied by kayak and marine life observation guides, there is never a dull moment as we paddle by kayak around Quadra Island – we could see soaring eagles, oystercatchers, herons, cormorants, gulls and, if lucky, seals, sea lions, dolphins and porpoises. The mountain views offer a stunning backdrop to this excursion, which is suitable for beginners.

Accommodation: Painter’s Lodge (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8
Transfer to Victoria; whale-watching in the Salish Sea

We drive for around four hours to Victoria, capital of British Columbia. Victoria is well-known for its colourful gardens, British architecture and arts scene.

In the afternoon, we have one final wildlife-viewing opportunity as we embark on a whale-watching excursion from Victoria, where orcas, humpback whales and sea lions are often spotted in the waters of the Salish Sea. A certified marine naturalist will accompany us in the Zodiac boat, helping to spot wildlife and providing background information on the species we observe.

Accommodation: Huntingdon Manor (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9
Ferry to Vancouver; orientation tour and end Vancouver

It’s an early start on our final day in British Columbia as we take the ferry (approximately 1.5 hours) across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver. Our leader will take us on a guided orientation tour of the city then there’s free time to explore Vancouver at your leisure.

Those on Land Only arrangements may choose stay longer in the vibrant city of Victoria. Please speak to your sales representative if you’d like to add post-tour nights in Victoria or Vancouver.

Please note: It is possible the order of the itinerary listed above will be changed to ensure the best possible conditions for each activity during the trip. All listed activities and services will be included. Your leader will inform you of any changes locally after assessing conditions.

Accommodation

Three- and four-star hotels

Whales & Bears of British Columbia

Accommodation on this trip has been selected for its excellent location and warm, Canadian hospitality. Below are the properties we usually use on this itinerary.

Vancouver (one night): The Holiday Inn & Suites Vancouver Downtown offers an excellent central location to visit Vancouver’s key sites. There’s also a heated indoor swimming pool and a fitness centre.

Ucluelet (three nights): Canadian Princess Lodge & Marina is an historic four-star property on the waterfront in the small town of Ucluelet on Vancouver Island’s west coast. All rooms have private balconies and complimentary wifi.

Campbell River (three nights): Close to the Elk Falls Suspension Bridge, Painter’s Lodge is a completely non-smoking hotel, where we stay in garden-view rooms overlooking the grounds.

Victoria (one night): Huntingdon Manor Hotel, located in Victoria’s scenic Inner Harbour, has a history dating back to 1890 and is built in the style of an English country manor house.

Single supplement from CAD 1,786

Food & Drink

Three breakfasts and four picnic lunches are included on this trip.

For meals not included, you usually eat out in local restaurants recommended by the tour leader. To help you budget, meals cost on average:

  • Hotel breakfasts: 15-20 Canadian dollars (US$11-US$15)
  • Lunches: 20-25 dollars (US$15-US$19)
  • Dinners: 30-50 dollars (US$23-US$38), this does not include alcoholic beverages

Drinks cost on average:

  • Wine: 15-20 dollars (US$11-15) per glass
  • Beer: 8-12 dollars (US$6-US$9) per bottle

A tip of approximately 17%-20% is added to group meals in Canadian restaurants. Applicable taxes will also be added to all listed menu prices.

Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for – please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests so our local team can be well prepared.

Transport

Transport is by 15-seater minibus, ferry and Zodiac. Most of the roads are in very good condition. The longest driving day is five-six hours when we travel from Vancouver to Ucluelet (Day 2). We have tried to keep travelling to a minimum on this trip, although most days involve some driving due to the distances covered.

Weather & Seasonality

In September-October time (when this tour operates), temperatures in the coastal region of Vancouver Island average 15C (59F) but can reach 22C (72F) in the low-lying interior. The coast can get rain at any time. The mountains have typical mountain weather: sun, cloud, rain and even snow can all be experienced in the same day.

Joining Instructions

Key information

Start hotel: Listel Hotel, 1300 Robson St, Vancouver BC V6E 1C5
Phone: +1 604-684-8461
Recommended arrival time: 5.30pm at the start hotel so that you can join the welcome briefing. If you arrive later, the leader will update you separately

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately 15 minutes’ drive from the airport. Your options for this journey are:

Take an Exodus transfer

Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.

Make your own way

You can reach the start hotel relatively easily using a taxi. A cab from the airport costs approximately 50 Canadian dollars (US$37) and should take 20-25 minutes. On arrival at the hotel please make the reception staff aware that you are part of an Exodus group and they will have more details on meeting with your leader and group.

If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.

Catching your return flight

There’s a group departure transfer to the airport for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: Vancouver
Location end: Vancouver

What To Take

Essential Equipment

Most useful is clothing that can be worn in layers: ie jeans, shorts, light shirts and sweatshirts or jumpers.

If you have a choice, a fleece jumper and waterproof jacket are much better than bulky sweaters and jackets. It will be cold in the evenings in September, while it can be surprisingly warm during the day.

Other items to take:

  • Warm jacket
  • Waterproofs
  • Strong shoes or walking boots
  • Backpack for the day
  • Swimwear
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen

Optional Equipment

  • Torch (flashlight)
  • Insect repellent
  • Sunhat

Practical Information

Visa

Canada

Travellers from the UK and EU countries can enter Canada under an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). US citizens do not normally need a visa. Visas are required for some nationalities and requirements often change; it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas and fulfil any requirements for this trip. We recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

To apply for your eTA, or for more information, visit www.canada.ca/eTA; you will need your passport, credit or debit card, and an email address. It costs 7 Canadian dollars and will be valid for five years or until your passport expires. We recommend you carry a print out of your eTA approval when you travel.

If you have not applied for and received authorisation for an eTA prior to travel you may be denied boarding, experience delayed processing or be denied admission at the Canadian point of entry. However, neither possession of a visa nor meeting the basic requirements for travelling visa free on the eTA guarantees admission to Canada. As with most countries, the final determination of admissibility is made by immigration officials at the point of entry.

Travel via the USA

If you are travelling via the USA and are eligible to transit under the Visa Waiver Program, you are required to register in advance for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). There is a US$21 charge, which is only payable online. Please see our website www.exodus.co.uk/usvisa for further information.

Please note, not all nationalities have the same eligibility for travel to or transit via the USA, and you may not be covered by the visa waiver program. Regulations stipulate that any person who has travelled to Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen since March 2011, or have dual nationalities of these countries, may no longer qualify. In addition, if you have travelled to Cuba since 12 January 2021 you will not be eligible for the visa waiver program and should instead apply for a visa.

If you are in doubt of your eligibility, please check the visa requirements with your local US embassy.

Vaccinations and Health

Canada

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for polio, tetanus and rabies. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Local Time

Canada's time zone: America/Vancouver (UTC -07:00)

Electricity

Canada's electricity: Plug types A (two flat pins) and B (three pins: two flat, one round) – 120V, 60Hz

Money

Canada's currency: Canadian dollar (CAD)

ATM Availability

You should bring most of your funds in Canadian dollars but can withdraw money at cash machines en route. If relying on cash machines, please advise your bank of your travel plans prior to departure to help reduce the chance of your card being blocked.

ATMs are widely available in Canada and credit cards are widely accepted in shops and restaurants.

Extra Expenses & Spending Money

Your spending money needs to cover meals, drinks, and personal expenses, such as souvenirs and snacks. For this tour, we recommend budgeting at least 75 Canadian dollars (US$56) per person per day, but it’s better to bring more than you need rather than run short on tour. You should also budget for tipping, as well as for the optional activities that you plan to do. We suggest you bring 150 Canadian dollars (US$111) with you in cash to have with you at the beginning of your trip.

Optional excursions (approximate cost, depending on group size)

  • Sea kayaking at Quadra Island: 105 dollars (US$76) for a three-hour tour

Tipping

It is customary in Canada to tip local guides, waiters, bar staff, taxi drivers and anyone who provides a service for you. Service workers are paid a low wage and depend on tips for their livelihood. It can be embarrassing if you’re confronted by a local who is expecting a tip and you are not aware of how much to offer. For this reason, we have listed guideline prices below.

A 15%-20% tip is standard in restaurants, and you should also expect to tip when paying for drinks in bars – 1 dollar per drink if paying in cash, or a percentage will be suggested when paying with a card machine. For other services, 1-2 dollars (US$0.75-US$1.50) per bag for porters and 10% for taxi drivers is usual. It’s also typical to tip around 10% for local guides who provide optional activities.

Your tour leader will work long and hard for you during your tour and we recommend a discretionary tip of 5-10 dollars (US$3.70-US$7.40) per passenger per day if your leader’s performance meets or exceeds your expectations.

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips that have a positive impact on the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Learn more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

  • Local guides keep you well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
  • This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels, restaurants, and other enterprises, and by championing locally produced food wherever possible.
  • At the end of each season, our local partners donate unopened foods to food banks and used tents and sleeping bags to various charities.
  • Read more about our other initiatives here.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

  • By travelling in a small group, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
  • We work with our partners on the ground to proactively reduce waste; this includes eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles by providing refills for reusable bottles.
  • The payment of entrance fees to natural reserves generates income used to upkeep and develop these important sites.
  • Our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices regarding wildlife viewing. Our animal welfare policy can be found here.
  • We rewild 1,075sqft (100sqm) per passenger to compensate for all trip and flight emissions.
  • Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

  • Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
  • Our local partner is accredited by Aventure Écotourisme Québec, which certifies they adhere to high standards in this area
  • Walking trips like this have very little detrimental impact on the environment and the locals, as it is a quiet, low-impact activity requiring comparatively few resources to support.
  • Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

  • Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
  • Plastic waste reduction: Please bring a reusable water bottle on this trip, also consider avoiding single-use hotel toiletries, which generate a large amount of plastic waste.

Important Information

Water safety

This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.

Important Information

Your safe participation 

When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary. 

Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity. 

By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred. 

How to Book

  1. Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
  2. Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
  3. Complete your booking and payment

When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.

After booking

You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.

Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.

Trip Note validity

These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.

The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.

Licensing

Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.