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Spend twelve incredible days wildlife watching during this self-drive adventure on Vancouver Island. This tour is for the animal and nature lover who wants to enjoy pristine environments and observe their favourite animals in their natural habitats.
The Vancouver Island Wildlife Self-Drive Tour provides a flexible itinerary with enough free time to choose how you want to explore this natural paradise. Everything from hiking in the rainforest to sea kayaking, surfing, or watching the sunset from the beach is on the menu. In between your personal adventures are incredible opportunities to get up close to the legendary mammals of the island. You’ll take different excursions to watch for whales, seals, eagles, dolphins, and the great grizzly bear, just to name a few! You won’t believe your eyes as you drive from one breathtaking spot to the next during this self-drive tour of beautiful Vancouver Island.
Vancouver Island Wildlife Self-Drive Tour
Spend twelve incredible days wildlife watching during this self-drive adventure on Vancouver Island. This tour is for the animal and nature lover who wants to enjoy pristine environments and observe their favourite animals in their natural habitats.
The Vancouver Island Wildlife Self-Drive Tour provides a flexible itinerary with enough free time to choose how you want to explore this natural paradise. Everything from hiking in the rainforest to sea kayaking, surfing, or watching the sunset from the beach is on the menu. In between your personal adventures are incredible opportunities to get up close to the legendary mammals of the island. You’ll take different excursions to watch for whales, seals, eagles, dolphins, and the great grizzly bear, just to name a few! You won’t believe your eyes as you drive from one breathtaking spot to the next during this self-drive tour of beautiful Vancouver Island.
See majestic Canadian wildlife in their natural habitats during viewing excursions by boat.
Enjoy plenty of free time to enjoy your favourite outdoor activities in the mountains, forests, and waters of the island.
Visit Vancouver, the enthralling city where the mountains meet the sky, and the charming historic city of Victoria.
Stay in Tofino or Ucluelet so you can enjoy the spectacular beach and hiking trails that lead through the temperate rainforests of Pacific Rim National Park.
Trip map
Barbara C.
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We went through 10Adventures not familiar with them at all, and it was the best decision we ever made!
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Just an amazing experience. Absolutely lifechanging!
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Our trip was great, we had an amazing time, and I highly recommend 10Adventures.
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Andrew C.
Portuguese Camino Cycling Tour
Thank you 10Adventures, especially Nadine Gravis for all your help and support.
Becky M.
Camino Portugues
It was a fantastic experience from beginning to end!
Beth K.
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Beverly M.
Munich to Venice Cycling Tour
We were well supported and route directions were easy to follow!
Bill B.
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10Adventures arranged everything for us, and what a trip it was!
Bipin J.
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We stayed in the best hotels, enjoyed delectable food, and hiked over 100km. Thanks to 10Adventures for making a memorable trip!
Bryn T.
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It's been superbly organized by 10Adventures all the way.
Carol L.
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Carol V.
Camino Portuguese
Thank you 10Adventures, it was indeed a buen camino!
Catharine T.
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We had an incredibly magical time that will stay with us for a lifetime.
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Chris N.
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Christie O.
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It was perfect! I liked the fact knowing that I had somebody to call if I needed any assistance.
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This was a fantastic trip due to the flexibility offered to us by Nadine, our booking agent.
Craig and Ali C.
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Thank you so much 10Adventures! It was amazing and we're really looking forward to booking our next adventure with you.
Denise O.
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The trip itself was mindblowing and better than we could have ever expected
Dorian H.
3 Day Aurora Borealis
I had a great trip with 10Adventures!
Doug H.
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We chose 10Adventures because they are a very simply run, but reasonably priced and very well-organized organization.
Drew S.
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10Adventures was awesome!
Eloise R.
Loire Valley: The Land of Castles Cycling Tour
Our entire trip was very well organized, and we had very detailed instructions we could always resort to.
Euan D.
Cycling Dolomites to Lake Garda
Cycling Dolomites to Lake Garda
Gisèle S.
Porto to Lisbon Cycle Tour
We couldn't have done this trip without Nadine's help! We had a couple of challenges and she helped us out.
Guri-Lise H.
Cycling from Porto to Lisbon Tour
Wonderful picnics!
Holly A.
Piedmont Val Maira Walking Tour
I cannot recommend the tour and 10Adventures enough!
Jeanne G.
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Nadine was my travel guide and expert, and she was wonderful!
Jennifer W.
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10Adventures took care of everything!
Jillian R.
12 Night Hiking and Camping Through Canadian Rockies
Truly the trip of a lifetime!
Jinny M.
Self-Guided Alpilles of Provence Cycling Tour
We loved getting our luggage carried and we loved that it was all organized for us!
Aisling G.
Picos de Europa
Really good value for the money, and having booked it I won't be doing any organizing myself any more.
Alexander R.
Camino de Santiago, English route
We had a great time. The tour was very well organized, we stayed in nice places, and made some friends along the way.
John D.
Venice to Croatia Bike Tour
Great hotels, good breakfast every day, and good maps that always got us where we needed to go.
John O.
Camino Frances Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Logrono
The price was far better than all of the other companies we had looked at.
Julieanne M.
The Complete TMB
All we had to do was show up, read the wonderful packet, and use the app that they provided. Such a weight off my shoulders!
Karen J.
Tour du Mont Blanc
We're ready for our next adventure!
Katarina P.
Walking in Val d’Orcia: Montepulciano to Siena
The trip was absolutely beautiful. I can't wait to go back!
Kate D.
Cotswolds Self Guided Bike Tour
It was a dream. I can't think of a better way to see the world!
Kellie C.
Laugavegur Trail
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Kelly D.
Custom Greece Tour
From the very beginning, the folks at 10Adventures - Richard and his team - took care of every single detail.
Kelly R.
Canal Du Midi Bike Tour
10Adventures did a fabulous job of planning!
Kevin N.
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Great trip; we all throroughly enjoed it!
Kimberley D.
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I didn't have to worry about a thing! Nadine and the team are amazing, I highly recommend them!
Kirsten S.
Il Primitivo
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Lavern G.
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The experience was just so wonderful!
Lee B.
Discover Quebec Self-Drive Tour
It was an awesome adventure!
Leslie L.
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From the initial inquiry right through to completion of the trip, the friendly staff was super efficient and the tour went very smoothly.
Lisa R.
Alpine Crossing 2: Garmish to Merano Tour
10Adventures was able to have everything laid out for me and planned perfectly so that I could literally go from one guesthouse location to the next.
Marilyn W.
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It's an awesome adventure. Don't wait, take yours!
Martha M.
Tour du Mont Blanc
It was a lot easier going through 10Adventures, I honestly don't think we could have booked our trip without that support.
Maureen W.
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Nadine was a great help in assisting us with some minor tweaks to the itinerary, and while we were there we found the organization, the planning, and support were brilliant.
Max W.
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Everything was super well-organized by 10Adventures, they were very accommodating and communicative
Michael S.
El Camino Primitivo
This was absolutely the trip of a lifetime!
Mei Ling H.
Camino Frances (Sep 23)
I would like to express my appreciation to 10Adventures for the incredible experience on my first Camino Frances
Michelle H.
Tour du Mont Blanc
Thanks 10Adventures!
Kellie C.
Tour du Mont Blanc
10Adventures was our obvious choice when we decided to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc.
Mike C.
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This wasn't my first time travelling with 10Adventures, and it certainly won't be my last!
Nancy E.
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Thank you 10Adventures for some unforgettable experiences!
Nicole G.
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It was absolutely beautiful! We loved the service from 10Adventures.
Rachel D.
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I had the pleasure of doing a 10Adventures trip this summer and it was honestly one of the most amazing experiences of my life.
Renee H.
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We're just really appreciative of the experience and all of the help that the team gave, it was super smooth.
Renee S.
Tour du Mont Blanc
The accommodations that they booked for us were amazing, better than we would have picked on our own!
Rich G.
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10Adventures have been amazing communicators!
Rodney P.
Full Via Rhona
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Sawyer P.
Full Via Rhona
Very amazing and very scenic!
Lesley C.
Discover Quebec Self-Drive Tour
Thank you Nadine for coordinating our discover Quebec trip!
Shahryar T.
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Nadine and Richard have been outstanding in the way they have met our specific requirements and the flexibility they have shown.
Shelley S.
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Wonderful guides, the trip was well-organized, the food was delicious
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Every step I took was really magical, and it was a lifechanging adventure.
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Sue W.
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I can't even describe it, it was so wonderful!
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Alta Via Dolomites
The experience of planning the trip was outstanding!
Sylvia F.
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It was all a fantastic experience, and a lot of it was due to the support and good service that was offered from Nadine from 10Adventures.
Teresa B.
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10Adventures answered all of my email questions fast and promptly, and even checked in with us when we were on our hike to see how we were doing.
Timothy K.
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I couldn't be happier with how things turned out, specifically Nadine helped me before, after, and during the hike.
Tony W.
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Just like my first camino, all I have to worry about are my feet. Thanks 10Adventures!
Uwe P.
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Vanessa V.
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Wai Lee Y.
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It was an exhiliarating and awesome experience that exceeded all my expectations!
Why book with 10 Adventures?
We know adventure
Founded by experienced travellers, active and adventure vacations are all we do.
Experience the trip of a lifetime organized by a team of travel specialists who combine knowledge and passion for adventure travel.
Self-guided specialists
With over 600 tours across 30+ countries, we specialize in self-guided tours.
Combine the freedom of travelling on your own with the confidence that all of your logistics are taken care of.
Packed with value
Get everything you need for your next vacation with one easy booking.
We take care of accommodations, luggage transfers, gear rentals, and more - so you can focus on making memories.
World Class support
Get unbeatable support at every step of your journey.
Whether you are planning or travelling, no matter what your question, a real human is always a call or click away.
Hassle free bookings
Have peace of mind for when travel plans change.
Explore our flexible booking, payment, and cancellation options, as well as our Lifetime Deposits program.
This partially-guided tour on the West Coast is run as private tour for your group only, and the price per person depends on how many people are in your group.
Prices below are per person:
- Groups of 2+: from $3,525USD per person*
*-Pricing for this tour depends on the dates of your trip and all the prices are per person. Please click the booking button below to get the exact pricing for your trip dates.
Meals
Meals are not included in this tour.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 11 nights are included. Accommodations before and after the tour in Vancouver are not included but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
This is a self-drive tour, and you’ll be provided with a rental vehicle for the duration of the itinerary.
Also Included
- Standard vehicle rental, Category B
- 24/7 access to helpline
- Canadian taxes
- Clayoquot Bay whale watching zodiac tour from Tofino
- Black bear watching zodiac tour with naturalist from Tofino
- Bear watching covered boat tour from Campbell River
- Grizzly bear expedition from Telegraph Cove (Available August 15 to October 15)
- Roundtrip Vancouver Island ferry
Not included
- Flights to and from Vancouver
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Optional activities
- Entrance fees to national parks
- Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired
- Vehicle insurance
- Fuel
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Optional activities or excursions
-
- Zodiac wildlife watching tour in Campbell River
- Seaplane tour of Victoria and the Juan de Fuca Strait
- Vancouver harbour cruise
Accommodation for Vancouver Island Wildlife Self-Drive Tour
This tour is based on hotel accommodations. Hotels on this trip are 3-star standard hotels that offer comfortable rooms in fantastic locations along your route.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. Single rooms, including those for solo travellers, are by request and may incur an additional fee.
How hard is the Vancouver Island Wildlife Self-Drive Tour?
We rate this tour as a 1 / 5. This tour has a flexible itinerary, so you can choose how you want to explore the great outdoors. Note that many of the excursions are on boats, and participants should be comfortable spending up to 7 hours on the water.
Is my driver ’s licence valid in Canada?
Most standard driver’s licences are valid in Canada; however, International Drivers Permit might be required, or some exemptions might apply. Please check this source about driving with foreign license in Canada.
Is the vehicle insurance included?
No, vehicle insurance is not included in the package. We strongly suggest having one for this tour to avoid liability in case there is damage caused to the vehicle. You can either book vehicle insurance during the booking process, or get one by yourself.
I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel, since you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided with all the information you’ll need to follow the route each day and often have access to phone support or other kinds of assistance. However, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.
Do I need a visa to travel to Canada?
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Are meals included on the Vancouver Island Wildlife Self-Drive Tour?
Meals are not included in this tour.
Do I need insurance?
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover any activities you plan to do. Get your Travel Insurance.
How do I get to Vancouver to start this tour?
Fly into Vancouver International Airport (YVR). You’ll pick up your car rental from the airport.
What is the best time of year to see the animals on this tour?
Whales can be seen around Vancouver Island from May to October. The grizzly bear excursion from Telegraph Cove only operates from August 15 to October 15. The end of August is a great time to see the salmon run.
Is the Vancouver Island Wildlife Self-Drive Tour in English?
Yes, all instructions and guide services are in English.
Where does the Vancouver Island Wildlife Self-Drive Tour end?
This tour ends at Vancouver International Airport (YVR), where you’ll return your rental vehicle.
Do I need special vaccines to travel to Canada?
Check with your family doctor.
Are there any travel restrictions for Canada?
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.