Holiday Overview
For wildlife enthusiasts this itinerary has it all. Relax with a 3 night stay in British Columbia’s capital Victoria, where you will take in a whale watching tour before heading to coastal Vancouver for a 3 night stay. From Vancouver you will fly to Port Hardy and transfer by water taxi to Farewell Harbour on Berry Island. Farewell Harbour will be your home for 3 nights for your big wildlife adventure starts, with grizzly bear viewing on the estuary, followed by a full day marine excursion taking in whales and even more bears. You will end your trip in the alpine mountain resort of Whistler, taking in the famous, awe-inspiring Peak 2 Peak Gondola. No holiday will ever compare to the scenery and wildlife you will see on this itinerary.
Please not for 2025 departures the shortest Farewell Harbour Packages departing Vancouver are 5 days/4 nights. Call our Canada Experts for more details.
British Columbia's Whales & Bears includes:
- Return UK flights
- 9 nights superior hotel accommodation
- 3 nights Farewell Harbour Lodge (full board)
- Whale Watching tour
- Vancouver Hop on Hop off Sightseeing tour
- Peak 2 Peak Gondola
- Select transfers (where mentioned)
Day 1 - Fly UK to Victoria
Fly from the UK to Victoria the capital of British Columbia. Once arrived making your way to your Victoria hotel.
Featured accommodation
Hotel Chateau Victoria
Enhance your experience
Abigail`s Hotel
Magnolia Hotel & Spa
Day 2 - Enjoy Victoria
Spend today at your leisure exploring Victoria and its picturesque Inner Harbour, where you can watch the floatplanes take off and land.
Featured accommodation
Hotel Chateau Victoria
Enhance your experience
Abigail`s Hotel
Magnolia Hotel & Spa
Unmissable Experiences
Victoria Experiences
Day 3 - Whale Watching
Today we have included a 3 hour Whale Wtaching trip. This coastal excursion is an exhilarating round trip of 50 to 80 kilometres in search of Orcas, minke whales, grey whales, porpoises, harbour seals and other marine wildlife. You will ride aboard a comfortable covered vessel or a custom-built zodiac boat that offers high speed with extraordinary stability giving you an exhilarating, safe and intimate whale watching experience. Comments by a marine biologist and naturalist are provided.
Featured accommodation
Hotel Chateau Victoria
Enhance your experience
Abigail`s Hotel
Magnolia Hotel & Spa
Day 4 - Transfer - Vancouver
This morning you will have your transfer from Victoria downtown to Vancouver, where you will have the afternoon at your leisure.
Featured accommodation
Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver
Enhance your experience
Sheraton Wall Centre
Fairmont Waterfront Hotel
Day 5 - Hop on/off
Today we have included a Vancouver Sightseeing Hop on Hop off pass for you to take in the best of Vancouver at your own pace.
Featured accommodation
Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver
Enhance your experience
Sheraton Wall Centre
Fairmont Waterfront Hotel
Unmissable Experiences
Vancouver Hop on Hop off Bus Tour
Day 6 - Enjoy Vancouver
Spend today at your leisure. Why not ask one of our Canada experts for some recommended excursions.
Featured accommodation
Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver
Enhance your experience
Sheraton Wall Centre
Fairmont Waterfront Hotel
Unmissable Experiences
Vancouver Experiences
Day 7 - Transfer - Farewell Harbour
Early this morning depart from Vancouver International Airport (South Terminal) for a scenic flight to Port Hardy. Upon arrival, transfer to Alder Bay for your mid-day departure aboard our high speed water taxi for the scenic 30 minute service to Farewell Harbour. Greet Farewell Harbour Lodge staff at the dock and receive a welcome orientation and lunch. Relax, you’re here! After settling into accommodation, join an afternoon tour in search of marine wildlife in the waters of the famous Johnstone Strait and Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. Return to the lodge by 4.30pm. Buffet dinner is at 6.00pm, followed by next day activity briefing. Evening presentation is at 7.00pm on some aspect of coastal ecology.
Featured accommodation
Farewell Harbour Lodge
Day 8 - Enjoy Farewell Harbour
After breakfast, meet on the dock at 8.00am for your first full day bear viewing adventure to one of our main grizzly viewing estuaries! The bear viewing takes us to one of several estuaries where we view either from a zodiac or on foot depending on the tide.They do not use viewing platforms, preferring to view wildlife at eye level in their natural habitat. Return by 4.30pm; buffet dinner is at 6.00pm followed by an evening presentation the Great Bear Rainforest, Bears, Whales or First Nations culture.
Featured accommodation
Farewell Harbour Lodge
Day 9 - Enjoy Farewell Harbour
After breakfast head out on the water for your choice of another bear viewing safari or a more extensive exploration of the the incredibly rich waters of Johnstone Strait and the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. Orcas typically return to these waters mid July although Humpbacks and other marine life can often be seen from May through October. Return by 4.30pm for dinner and an evening program. Other activities include Sea kayaking or rainforest adventures. Marine excursions can also afford an opportunity to learn about the cultural traditions of the Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations as we pass ancient villages sites, rock art called pictographs and other evidence of a rich history and vibrant present in the region.
Featured accommodation
Farewell Harbour Lodge
Day 10 - Transfer - Whistler
Choose from one of the following options: A short morning sea kayak excursion in the protected and crystalline waters near Farewell Harbour Lodge, a marine excursion, guided interpretive rainforest hike. Return to the lodge for the return water taxi back to Alder Bay arriving for ongoing connections. Itineraries starting in Vancouver will end with a flight from Port Hardy to Vancouver. A complimentary shuttle bus will take you from Vancouver South Terminal to the Main Terminal where you will then pick up your coach transfer to Whistler.
Featured accommodation
Aava Hotel
Enhance your experience
Delta Whistler Village Suites
Four Seasons Whistler
Day 11 - Peak 2 Peak Gondala
Explore Whistler today and it's mountains with your Peak 2 Peak gondola ticket.
Featured accommodation
Aava Hotel
Enhance your experience
Delta Whistler Village Suites
Four Seasons Whistler
Unmissable Experiences
Peak 2 Peak Gondola
Day 12 - Explore Whistler
Explore Whistler at your leisure. We have numerous excusion options available, we highly recommend the private 4x4 Bear Viewing and helicopter ride as well as many other activites - ask your Canada Experts for details.
Featured accommodation
Aava Hotel
Enhance your experience
Delta Whistler Village Suites
Four Seasons Whistler
Unmissable Experiences
Whistler Experiences
Day 13 - Transfer Whistler to Vancouver, fly to UK
Today you will transfer from Whistler to Vancouver Airport for your flight back to the UK (included).
Hotel Chateau Victoria
Discover Victoria at its finest through an authentic local experience in the heart of downtown. With deeply entrenched roots in the local community and a strong sense of environmental responsibility – the Chateau Victoria strives to share all that makes Victoria special to each and every guest.
Abigail's Hotel, Victoria BC
Abigail's Hotel is a unique accommodation experience that blurs the lines between a small luxury hotel and a heritage bed-and-breakfast Inn. Abigail's is an adult-only, intimate 23-room property that is housed in a 1930's Tudor mansion. Its special atmosphere blends the romance and charm of the past with the comfort and convenience of modern accommodation.
Magnolia Hotel & Spa, Victoria BC
The Magnolia Hotel and Spa is just 2 blocks from Victoria’s picturesque Inner Harbour and in the heart of the city’s best shopping, dining and entertainment.
Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver
Few hotels can rival the elegance, European charm and hospitality of The Sutton Place Hotel. One of Vancouver’s most beautiful boutique hotels, situated in the heart of downtown Vancouver. The spectacular setting allows guests to experience exceptional service and all the needed amenities within the cosmopolitan ambience of the city set against a majestic backdrop of mountains and sea.
Sheraton Wall Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia
Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, the Sheraton Wall Centre is a short walk from business and entertainment neighbourhoods, Robson Street shops and Yaletown restaurants.
Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, Vancouver
The Fairmont Waterfront luxury hotel showcases the best of Vancouver. Conveniently located, the hotel connects by covered walkway to the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre, the cruise ship terminal at Canada Place, and the Sky train. Situated on scenic Burrard Inlet, it has a central to sightseeing and shopping in Vancouver.
Farewell Harbour Lodge, Berry Island
Experience Nature Naturally at the Farewell Harbour Lodge, owned and operated by the Brockway and McGrady families, their mission at Farewell Harbour Lodge is simple: To help guests experience the profound beauty of the Broughton Archipelago and the Great Bear Rainforest. They do that by offering inspiring west coast style ocean-side accommodations, sumptuous meals and engaging, passionate guides who will lead you on daily adventures deep into the heart of this wild and beautiful part of the planet.
Aava Hotel, Whistler, British Columbia
The Aava is just a snowballs throw from Whistler Village and a few more footsteps to the lifts of Whistler & Blackcomb Mountains. Experience Whistlers’ culinary excellence and vibrant nightlife. Whether for business or fun, the Aava is the perfect hotel to relax in affordable style.
Delta Whistler Village Suites
Stunning views of Whistler and the Blackcomb Mountains and a fantastic location make the Delta Whistler Village suites the ideal place to stay when visiting this beautiful, year-round resort . Surrounded by Whistler’s trendiest shops as well as popular restaurants and activities, this all-suite hotel is short distance from ski lifts.
Four Seasons Whistler
Grand in scale, intimate by nature, luxury Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler epitomizes the mountain spirit. Inside, find 291 luxury lodge guest rooms, including 95 hotel suites and 20 private residences with open-sky spaciousness and European-styled refinement. An expansive timber, glass and stone lobby harmonizes your transition between the great outdoors and the cosy wood hotel interiors of your private space in Whistler.
Image Gallery
Farewell Harbour Lodge
Whales in Victoria
Vancouver
Whistler Gondola
Farewell Harbour Bear
Whistler
Johnson Street Victoria
Farewell Harbour
Gastown Maple Tree Square
Whistler Mountain
Orcas
View of Vancouver from Granville Bridge
Alternative Holidays That May Interest You
Below you will find a small selection of 2024, 2025 holidays that may interest you. Remember, we tailor-make each holiday to your exact needs, so please call us on 0800 270 0009 and let one of our Holiday experts design the perfect trip for you
Canada Family Holidays MCT
Vancouver, Bears & Whales
- 14 Nights
- Vancouver
- Whistler
- Campbell River
- Knight Inlet
- Tofino
- Victoria
Canada Wildlife Holidays
Vancouver Island & the Grizzlies Fly Drive
- 14 Nights
- Vancouver
- Victoria
- Tofino
- Parksville
- Desolation Sound
- Whistler
Canada Wildlife Holidays
The Magic of Canada Wildlife Tour
- 17 Nights
- Vancouver
- Jasper
- Banff
- Winnipeg
- Churchill
Alaska Luxury Cruises
Wilderness of Alaska & Canada
- 16 Nights
- Anchorage
- Alaska Cruise
- Vancouver
- Sonora Island
- Campbell River
- Knight Inlet
Canada Wildlife Holidays
Polar Bears, Winnipeg & Toronto
- 13 Nights
- Winnipeg
- Riding Mountain National Park
- Churchill
- Toronto
Canada Wildlife Holidays
Wildlife of Quebec
- 14 Nights
- Montreal
- Mont Tremblant
- Saint-Alexis-des-Monts
- Quebec City
- La Baie
- Lac Saint Jean
- Tadoussac
- Riviere du Loup
- Sherbrooke
Canada Holiday Offers
Bears, Whales & Glaciers
- 15 Nights
- Vancouver
- Victoria
- Tofino
- Alaska Cruise
Canada Wildlife Holidays
Best of BC with Bears & Whales
- 12 Nights
- Victoria
- Vancouver
- Knight Inlet
- Whistler
Canada Wildlife Holidays
Northern Lights & Polar Bears in Manitoba
- 6 Nights
- Winnipeg
- Churchill
Canada Wildlife Holidays
Churchill Town & Tundra Polar Bear Safari - Enthusiast
- 5 Nights
- Winnipeg
- Churchill
Canada Wildlife Holidays
British Columbia's Whales & Bears
- 12 Nights
- Victoria
- Vancouver
- Farewell Harbour on Berry Island
- Whistler
Calgary Stampede
Rainforest to Goldrush & Calgary Stampede
- 14 Nights
- Victoria
- Vancouver
- Whistler
- Quesnel
- Jasper
- Banff
- Calgary
Canada Wildlife Holidays
Hudson Bay Odyssey
- 6 Nights
- Winnipeg
- Churchill
- Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
Canada Wildlife Holidays
Rockies, Rail & Spirit Bear
- 14 Nights
- Calgary
- Banff
- Jasper
- Rocky Mountaineer
- Vancouver
- Spirit Bear Lodge
Canada Wildlife Holidays
Grizzly Bears & Alaska Odyssey
- 16 Nights
- Vancouver
- Knight Inlet
- Whistler
- Alaska Cruise
Canada Wildlife Holidays
Polar Bears & Aurora Arctic Adventure
- 5 Nights
- Winnipeg
- Churchill
Canada Wildlife Holidays
Farewell Harbour Lodge
- 3 Nights
- Vancouver
- Port Hardy
- Farewell Harbour on Berry Island
Canada Wildlife Holidays
Beluga and Polar Bear Summer Adventure
- 6 Nights
- Winnipeg
- Churchill
