2025 & 2026 Vancouver Island Holidays
Welcome to nature’s backyard! Vancouver Island is a wildlife haven and wonderful inclusion in any Western Canada holiday.
Easily accessible from Vancouver or Seattle by ferry or floatplane, the island boasts miles of spectacular coastline, soul-soothing temperate rainforests, dramatic mountain peaks and beaches that almost look out of place in Canada!
To really embrace the natural beauty of Vancouver Island, we suggest visiting for at least a week, with a self drive, by car or campervan, the easiest way to explore.
Things to do on Vancouver Island
There are so many things to do in Vancouver Island. Make sure to:
- Enjoy a stroll from Victoria’s Inner Harbour to Fisherman’s Whaf, choosing a fresh seafood restaurant for dinner
- Join a kayak tour or Victoria’s historic waterways, for a unique perspective of the British Columbia capital
- Visit Butchart Gardens, a wonderful world of colour covering 55 acres, with collections from around the globe
- Follow the hiking trails in Pacific Rim National Park, through temperate rainforest and beautiful coastline
- Join a black bear spotting tour from Tofino, exploring the fjord inlets of Clayoquot Sound by Zodiac boat
- Discover the stunning landscapes of Cape Scott Provincial Park, on the very northern tip of Vancouver Island
- Spiral your way to the top of Malahat SkyWalk, for a 360 degree view of islands, fjords, forests and mountains
- Marvel at the ancient fossils and underground waterfalls in Horne Lake Caves near Qualicum Beach
- Travel by floatplane from Campbell River to Knight Inlet Lodge, a floating wildlife retreat in Glendale Cove, where you can see grizzly bears
- Go whale watching from Victoria, Tafino or Port Hardy
Vancouver Island Whale Watching
Vancouver Island’s reputation as one of the world’s best places for whale watching isn’t without reason. Humpbacks and orcas can be spotted year round (though the best sightings are typically between May and October) and in certain months minke and gray whales also visit the island’s food-rich waters.
Vancouver Island whale watching cruises, from Victoria or Tofino, can be pre-booked before you travel to Canada.
Places to Stay on Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island hotels are all about hearty meals, armchairs around fireplaces and the odd wildlife sighting from the window! A couple of favourites include:
Planning a Vancouver Island Holiday
Our North America Experts are here to help you plan your Vancouver Island holiday. They can advise on the best time to visit, check hotel availability or suggest a route for your Vancouver Island road trip.
With FREEDOM you can arrange everything you need in one place; flights, car hire, lodges, wildlife tours and more. Just get in touch to start your adventure.
Plan your holiday
