Tour details
Island Explorer (4 Day Tour)
Who doesn’t know about Vancouver Island? World famous for its breathtaking scenery, Vancouver Island is a must on your list of places to explore in Western Canada! Find majestic mountains, picturesque lakes and raging waterfalls in the authentic wilderness of West Coast British Columbia. This 4 day tour of Vancouver Island includes 1 night in Victoria, British Columbia’s provincial capital, and 2 nights in the little fishing village of Tofino. With your free day there, you can take time out for surfing, relaxing on the beach, and even whale spotting on the optional activities on offer. This is an ideal tour to experience the main highlights that Vancouver Island is known for!
Note: some of your fellow travellers will be continuing on to Whistler and the Rocky Mountains after you finish.
Highlights
? Soak in the views at Wally Creek, en route to Tofino
? See the prehistoric K’ak’awin petroglyph, one of the finest in British Columbia
? Enjoy picture-perfect views around the quaint fishing village of Tofino
? Watch the sunset over the Pacific from a beach near Tofino
? Dive into the scene at Victoria's Inner Harbour
? Sail through the Gulf Islands and across the Salish Sea
ITINERARY
DAY 1: VANCOUVER TO TOFINO
Get your binoculars at the ready! We’ll begin our adventure with a little marine life spotting as we take a scenic ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. From there we will explore the lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and giant trees of Vancouver Island. Then we’re off to Sproat Lake to observe one of the finest panels of prehistoric Indigenous petroglyphs. Our day ends by settling into the quaint little fishing village of Tofino, and feasting on fish & chips (don’t worry, they have non-seafood options too!)
Meal Inclusions: Dinner
Moose Accommodation: HI Tofino - Whalers on the Point
DAY 2: TOFINO FREE DAY
Today is yours to do as you please! Cruise through the Pacific Ocean and go whale watching, soak in one of Tofino’s hot springs, or jump right into kayaking or surfing. Explore on foot, by bike, or go hiking – Tofino has lots on offer for your free day! As the evening draws in and the stars start to appear, we’ll be setting up a beach campfire (weather permitting) where we’ll toast some marshmallows and share each other’s stories of the day.
Moose Accommodation: HI Tofino - Whalers on the Point
DAY 3: TOFINO TO VICTORIA
We’ll start our day at Wickanninish Beach in Pacific Rim National Park, which was named after Chief Wickanninish who ruled Clayoquot Sound in the 1700s! Then we’ll be heading to the village of Coombs for a chance to spot the famous goats on the roof of the Old Country Market. Then, it’s the East Coast for us as we head down to Chemainus with its 39 giant outdoor murals for a little Al Fresco art appreciation. You’ll also get a chance to snap the world’s largest (ice) hockey stick! (only in Canada, eh?) This evening we’ll be staying in the BC provincial capital, Victoria, where you can enjoy the buzzing Inner Harbour night scene.
Moose Accommodation: Ocean Island Inn or HI Victoria
DAY 4: VICTORIA TO VANCOUVER
Today’s a day for history! We will begin our day with a walking tour starting in Victoria’s Chinatown, then make our way along the Inner Harbour to see the Empress Hotel, Parliament Buildings and learn about the Black Pioneers that arrived from San Francisco in 1858. Then we’ll head to Beacon Hill Park – known as the crowning jewel in Victoria’s park system, to gaze at the Terry Fox Memorial, and the world’s tallest free-standing totem pole. After that, the day is yours to explore Victoria as you wish, although we highly recommend checking out the vibrant Fisherman’s Wharf. We’ll then congregate to take another scenic ferry through the Gulf Islands, across the Salish Sea and back to Vancouver.
Moose Accommodation: There is no accommodation included tonight. You will need to make your own arrangements. We recommend that you do not book onward travel on this day in case of traffic or weather delays.
What's Included
? 3 nights mixed gender, hostel dormitory style accommodation (Accommodated Option only)
? Moose Bus transportation
? 2 scenic ferry rides to and from Vancouver Island
? Services of a professional & fun tour guide/driver
? Walking tour of Victoria
? 1 dinner
? National Park fees
NB: If you prefer to stay in private rooms or in alternative accommodation, there is a non-accommodated version of this tour
Departures 2020
| May 04 to 31 | Tuesdays, Fridays | Low Season | |
| June 01 to 30 | Tuesdays, Fridays | Mid Season | |
| July 01 to September 14 | Tuesdays, Fridays | Peak Season | |
Pick up
| ITINERARY DAY | PICK-UP TIME | PICK-UP LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| VANCOUVER > TOFINO | ||
| HI Jericho | 7:45am | 1515 Discovery St, Vancouver |
| HI Downtown | 8:05am | 1114 Burnaby St, Vancouver |
| Cambie - Seymour | 8:20am | 515 Seymour St, Vancouver |
| HI Central | 8:30am | 1025 Granville St, Vancouver |
| SameSun Vancouver | 8:30am | 1018 Granville St, Vancouver |
| TOFINO > VICTORIA | ||
| HI Tofino | 8:30am | 81 West St, Tofino |
| VICTORIA > VANCOUVER | ||
| HI Victoria | 3:00pm | 516 Yates St, Victoria |
| Ocean Island | 3:15pm | 791 Pandora Ave, Victoria |
896 AUD