Tour details
Island Explorer (4 Day Tour)
Enjoy a trip to Vancouver Island and experience the authentic wilderness of west coast British Columbia. This 4 day tour of Vancouver Island includes 2 nights in the little fishing village of Tofino, and 1 night in Victoria, British Columbia’s provincial capital. We’ll stop along the way to see Vancouver Island’s best scenery of idyllic clear lakes, giant old-growth trees, and picturesque waterfalls. And with a free day in Tofino, there’s time for whale watching, surfing, relaxing on the beach, and more!
Highlights
- Cruise across Georgia Strait on two scenic ferry rides
- See majestic 800 year-old giant Douglas-fir trees in Cathedral Grove
- Marvel at prehistoric petroglyphs at Sproat Lake Provincial Park
- Revel in the island-dotted coastline and windswept beaches of Pacific Rim National Park
- Enjoy a free day exploring the quaint little fishing village of Tofino
- Go whale watching, bear watching, sea kayaking, surfing or relax in the hot springs (optional extras)
- Explore the historic inner harbour of Victoria, British Columbia's capital
ITINERARY
DAY 1: VANCOUVER TO TOFINO
Our adventure begins this morning with a scenic ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. Walk around the ship decks and keep an eye out for seals and orcas! We’ll then head into the lush rainforests of Vancouver Island where you get great views of waterfalls, lakes, and 800-year old giant Douglas-fir trees. Continuing westward, we’ll make our way into Pacific Rim National Park for our first glimpse of the pristine beaches, battered coastlines, and hundreds of islands. Then it’s on to Tofino, a quaint little fishing village on the West Coast, and our home for the next two nights.
Meal Inclusions: Dinner
Moose Accommodation: HI Tofino - Whalers on the Point
DAY 2: TOFINO FREE DAY
Take this free day to do whatever you please! With so many optional activities on offer, such as whale watching, soaking in natural hot springs, sea kayaking, and surfing to choose from, your stay in Tofino will be nothing short of amazing. If you're not seeking adrenaline, simply unplug and find a beach, or go for a hike to relax.
Moose Accommodation: HI Tofino - Whalers on the Point
DAY 3: TOFINO TO VICTORIA
We’ll drive back across the island today, stopping in the village of Coombs for a chance to spot the famous goats on the roof of the Old Country Market. From there, we’ll head south along the east coast, passing through Chemainus, with its 39 giant outdoor murals, and Duncan, home of the world’s largest (ice) hockey stick! Our destination for the night is the BC provincial capital, Victoria, named after Queen Victoria of Britain. Check out the bright lights and vibrant scene in the Inner Harbour after sunset!
Moose Accommodation (Tue departures from Vancouver): Ocean Island Inn
Moose Accommodation (Fri departures from Vancouver): HI Victoria
DAY 4: VICTORIA TO VANCOUVER
Spend your free time during the day exploring the city sights around the Inner Harbour, including the Parliament Buildings, Empress Hotel, and Royal BC Museum. We recommend walking the waterfront boardwalk to Fisherman’s Wharf, and exploring Fan Tan Alley in Chinatown, the oldest Chinatown in Canada. In the afternoon, we’ll take another scenic ferry cruise back to the mainland and Vancouver, where our trip ends.
Moose Accommodation: None. You will need to make your own reservations for tonight.
What's Included
- 3 nights mixed gender, hostel dormitory style accommodation
- Moose Bus transportation
- 2 scenic ferry rides to and from Vancouver Island
- Services of a professional & fun tour guide/driver
- 1 group dinner
- National Park fees
- Moose travellers also receive discounts on optional activities!
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 01 to 31 | Tuesdays, Fridays | Low Season | |
| June 01 to 30 | Tuesdays, Fridays | Mid Season | |
| July 01 to August 31 | Tuesdays, Fridays | Peak Season | |
| September 01 to September 15 | Tuesdays, Fridays | Mid 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 |
687 AUD