Vancouver Island and Sunshine Coast Self-Drive

Pick up your rental vehicle from the airport when you arrive in Vancouver. Get settled in your hotel and explore the city. Take a stroll through Gastown and visit one of the many lively downtown restaurants.

Spend today exploring Vancouver. Take a walk or bike ride along the seawall in Stanley Park, or visit the beautiful beach at English Bay. Take a walk downtown to see the shops on Robson Street. Visit Granville Island to wander the markets or False Creek to see the Olympic Village from the 2010 Winter Games. To go off the beaten track, check out Commercial Drive and Main Street to see Vancouver like the locals do. However you spend today, you’re sure to be caught off guard by the beautiful water and mountain views.

This morning, you’ll leave for the Sunshine Coast. Take the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale, and check in to your hotel in Gibsons. Spend the afternoon exploring the picturesque town, where you’ll find beautiful ocean views and charming restaurants and shops. Since you took a ferry, you’ll feel like you’re on an island, but in fact, you’re still connected to the mainland!

Today, you can take your time and explore all the little points of interest as you drive up the coast along the Georgia Strait. There are many artistic communities with art galleries to visit, as well as artisanal shops, where you can sample the local handmade delicacies. Robert’s Creek, Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay, and Secret Cove are all wonderful places you may want to explore. When you arrive at Egmont, you’ll be treated to beautiful views of Vancouver Island.

Along with its magnificent views, Egmont offers many ways to spend an enjoyable day. You can take a sea kayaking trip or visit the rainforests for a peaceful hike. You can also visit one of the cultural centres to learn about the First Nations communities of the Sunshine Coast.

To reach the north coast, you’ll need to take the ferry to Saltery Bay. Spend some time in Powell River to indulge at one of their micro-breweries or world-class restaurants. You can also take a water taxi across to Savary Island to visit its gorgeous sandy beach with water so warm you’ll think you’re in the tropics. Tonight, you’ll stay in the quiet seaside village of Lund.

Today, you’ll embark on an adventure to Desolation Sound. A boat will take you to your wilderness lodge, where you’ll be welcomed with a traditional Klahoose Aboriginal greeting. You’ll immediately feel at peace as you disconnect from the world at this luxury eco-resort.

Enjoy a quiet breakfast before embarking on your boat tour of the sound and Klahoose along the Great Bear Rainforest (available May to August). If you’re visiting between August and October, you may choose to go looking for grizzly bears instead. This excursion takes you to the Toba Inlet, where a guide will take you to platforms on the river to watch for grizzlies in their natural habitat.

Today is a free day for you to explore however you choose. You could take another bear watching trip or book a helicopter or boat trip from the lodge. You’ll find the atmosphere at the lodge so tranquil that you may wish to sit outside and simply enjoy the fresh air and views.

In the morning, the boat will return you to Lund, where you’ll begin your day of ferry travel. First, you’ll take the ferry to Campbell River on Vancouver Island, and then you’ll take a smaller ferry to Quadra Island. The journey will be scenic as the ferries travel across the strait, and you may get lucky and see a whale or two along the way.

Quadra Island is a beautiful natural paradise, and you’ll have the whole day to discover its secrets. Visit the beach or take a stroll to admire the views of the islands and mountains across the water. You can also book one of the optional tours and take a sea kayak or zodiac excursion to look for bears, sea lions, seals, whales, and bald eagles.

In the morning, you’ll return to Vancouver Island and start your drive to the famous Pacific Rim. As you drive across the island, stop at Cathedral Grove and take a walk in the forest of ancient Douglas Fir trees that tower above you. When you arrive at the coast, you’ll be awed by beautiful, rugged beaches that stretch endlessly before you.

While watching the powerful waves crash onto the beaches this morning, you’ll understand why Tofino is such a popular spot to surf. After a walk along the ocean, you can head inland and hike on one of the many paths through the rainforest. You can also take one of the optional excursions on a zodiac tour to look for marine wildlife, including whales, seals, and eagles.

Take a final beach walk before you begin your drive down the island to Victoria. Explore the shops downtown and take a walk on the boardwalk at Fisherman’s Wharf. Visit Fisgard Street, where you’ll find the oldest Chinatown in Canada. Make sure to stroll along the water in the evening to see the twinkling lights of the waterfront government buildings.

Take a final look at the Olympic Mountains from Victoria before taking the ferry back to the mainland. You have the rest of the day in Vancouver to visit anywhere you may have missed at the beginning of the tour.

Today, your tour comes to a close. You can return your rental vehicle to the airport and begin your travels home. You can also opt to extend your stay in Vancouver if you want to spend more time in the city or visit the Rocky Mountains.