Arrive in Vancouver, collect your hire car at the airport, and drive to your nearby hotel for a restful overnight stay. After your flight, take the evening to unwind and prepare for the journey ahead, perhaps with a walk along the Fraser River or a casual dinner at a local eatery.

Blue Horizon hotel or similar

This morning, drive south to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal and board the scenic ferry to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island. Enjoy beautiful views of the Gulf Islands during the crossing.

Once on the island, continue your drive into Victoria, British Columbia’s charming capital city. Check into your hotel and spend the afternoon strolling along the Inner Harbour, visiting the Royal BC Museum or enjoying a relaxing meal by the waterfront.

Vancouver > Ferry > Victoria | 115 kms

Inn at Laurel Point or similar

Depart Victoria and head west across Vancouver Island, driving through scenic mountain and rainforest landscapes. Pass through Cathedral Grove, home to towering old-growth trees, and make your way to the rugged Pacific coastline and the serene Long Beach Lodge Resort near Tofino, where you’ll stay for the next three nights.

Victoria > Long Beach Lodge Resort | 310 kms

Long Beach Lodge Resort

Spend the next two days enjoying everything the Long Beach Lodge has to offer. Nestled on Cox Bay, this cosy oceanfront lodge is perfect for both relaxation and adventure. You can take a surf lesson, explore the rainforest trails of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, or unwind in the hot tub with a view of the ocean. Dining is a highlight here, with west coast cuisine served in a warm, lodge-style setting. Whether beachcombing at low tide or spotting eagles overhead, each moment feels naturally magical.

Long Beach Lodge Resort

Today, journey north up the island’s eastern coast to Campbell River, known as the “Salmon Capital of the World.” The drive takes you through charming towns and coastal scenery, offering glimpses of ocean, forest, and snow-capped peaks. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy a relaxed evening by the waterfront.

Long Beach Lodge Resort > Campbell River | 260 kms

Painters Lodgeor similar

This morning, park your car and board a scenic 30-minute floatplane from Campbell River and fly into the remote wilderness of Knight Inlet Lodge. The lodge floats on massive cedar booms, surrounded by pristine wilderness.

After settling in, embark on a bear watching and wildlife viewing tour, where you’ll search for grizzly bears and other wildlife such as black bears, bald eagles, and otters. Be sure to have your camera ready for some incredible photo opportunities.

Knight Inlet Lodge

Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, head out for another exciting wildlife tour, with morning being the best time to spot bears along the riverbanks. Your guides will take you to prime vantage points, where you might also see seals, dolphins, and various bird species.

In the afternoon, you can choose between a guided hike through ancient rainforests or a scenic boat tour of the inlet’s fjords. Keep an eye out for whales and other marine life, as your guides share insights into the region’s rich ecosystem.

Knight Inlet Lodge

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Early this morning return to the Bear Viewing platforms for the last photo opportunity before departing for Campbell River by floatplane, then begin your journey south. Drive to Nanaimo, where you’ll board the ferry to Horseshoe Bay on the mainland. From there, head north along the breathtaking Sea-to-Sky Highway to Whistler, arriving at the luxurious and tranquil Nita Lake Lodge, your base for the next three nights.

Campbell River > Ferry > Nita Lake Lodge | 310 kms

Nita Lake Lodge

Enjoy your time at Nita Lake Lodge, a stylish alpine retreat tucked beside a tranquil glacier-fed lake and surrounded by forested mountains. Just a short walk or shuttle ride from Whistler Village, the lodge offers a peaceful base with easy access to the area’s many attractions.

Spend your days exploring the stunning scenery by bike or on foot, with nearby trails winding through old-growth forest and along lakeshores. Unwind at the award-winning spa with a massage or treatment, or simply relax by the water with a good book and a view. The lodge’s spacious suites feature fireplaces, deep soaker tubs, and large windows that frame the alpine surroundings, creating a restful atmosphere that feels both luxurious and grounded in nature.

Dining at Nita Lake Lodge is a highlight, with fresh, locally inspired cuisine served in a relaxed yet refined setting. In the evenings, take a stroll along the lakeside path, sip wine by the outdoor firepit, or ride the Peak 2 Peak Gondola for sunset views across Whistler and Blackcomb.

Nita Lake Lodge

After breakfast, make the drive back down the Sea-to-Sky Highway to Vancouver for your flight home.

Alternatively, choose to extend your stay in the city and explore more of what Vancouver has to offer—whether it’s Stanley Park, Granville Island, or its vibrant food scene, it’s a great place to cap off your West Coast adventure.

Nita Lake Lodge > Vancouver | 120 kms