Tours of Vancouver Island: Vancouver Island Wildlife Tour
2006

Departing Vancouver, this small group tour of Vancouver Island is for those who wish see the "real" Vancouver Island. We take you into the pristine wilderness of the Island's east and west coasts, home to forested valleys, small communities and plentiful wildlife.

In Alert Bay, you'll bare witness to an authentic living aboriginal culture, where life appears to have stood still for half a century. Here, we reside in a rustic cedar log building, once the United Church for the Island, and take a marine tour to look for orcas. Journeying to the west coast, we explore rainforests and rugged west coast beaches and go bear viewing in Clayoquot Sound. Our hotel is in the sleepy village of Ucluelet, close to shops and local hiking trails, a stone's throw from the harbour.

On the last day, guests can decide if they want to return to Vancouver by passenger ferry, or continue with the tour to its conclusion in Victoria, British Columbia's capital city.

Other wildlife observation packages offered by Midnight Sun Travel are the 4 day Orcas and Grizzlies Wildlife Tour and the 5 day the Orcak Kayak Adventure.

Note: To create a three week Western Canada experience, the Vancouver Island Wildlife Tour can follow the Rocky Mountain Rambler or the Rocky Mountain Explorer.

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Departing Vancouver by 7:30 am, we board a BC Ferry at Horseshoe Bay for a one hour and thirty-five minute ferry ride to Nanaimo, BC, on Vancouver Island.   From Nanaimo we wind our way north up the east coast of Vancouver Island. After Campbell River the highway shrinks to single lane and we leave most of the population of Vancouver Island behind us. The road curves around steep hills and mountains and waterfalls can be seen from the highway. Roosevelt Elk, deer and bear frequent this area. We arrive at Port McNeill in late afternoon and board a small ferry to Alert Bay.
 
Located on Cormorant Island, Alert Bay (pop. 1500) is the largest aboriginal community on the British Columbia coast. First Nations attractions include the U'Mista Cultural Centre, 'Namgis Burial Grounds, the Alert Bay Big House, the Big Tree Interpretive Trail and the world's tallest totem pole. First Nations crafts are sold in local shops and during the summer months ceremonial dancing is held at the Big House.

In the morning we head to the harbour to for our included whale watching tour in Johnstone Strait, home to one of the largest populations of Orca (killer whale) in the world. Other marine life spotting opportunities include Dahl Porpoises, Harbour Porpoises, Pacific White Sided Dolphins, sea lions, otters, and Minke whales. In the afternoon, we can shop for native crafts, visit the U'Mista Cultural Centre and explore the Ecological Gardens, including the Big Tree Trail. Or, one may choose to relax on the sundeck of the lodge, which overlooks Johnstone Strait, and enjoy the tranquility of this isolated area.

Accommodation: Guest House.

Meals: Hot Breakfast.

Day 3. Alert Bay, BC.

This is a free day to explore the village of Alert Bay or go on an optional grizzly bear excursion to Knight Inlet ($250 - $350), famous for its population of grizzly bears. The Inlet is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, steep-sided, forested cliffs and active marine life. Bear Cove is our destination on this optional adventure where we drift, paddle and motor quietly around an estuary, looking to spot grizzly bears as they feed on the sedges and grasses at high tide. Low tide brings more bears out, and we may see them turn over large boulders in their search for crabs, isopods and beach barnacles. This optional excursion must be booked when you book the Vancouver Island Wildlife Tour.

Accommodation: Guest House.

Meals: Hot Breakfast.

Day 4. Ucluelet, B.C.
In the morning we leave Cormorant Island, heading south-west on Vancouver Island to its west coast.   Our journey takes us across the spine of Vancouver Island through villages and forested valleys to the towering Douglas fir trees of Cathedral Grove. During an interpretive walk through this ancient grove, your driver/leader will describe the area's unique flora and fauna and the traditional uses of the area's natural resources by the local indigenous people. In the afternoon we arrive on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Here lies Pacific Rim National Park, the only national park on Vancouver Island, providing protection for substantial rain forests and an amazing marine environment. We arrive in Ucluelet (pop. 1600) in the early evening.

Accommodation: Motel.

Meals: Hot Breakfast.

Day 5. Ucluelet, B.C.

Today will be divided between exploring Pacific Rim National Park and our included bear watching tour. The day's tide will determine which activity we do first: as low tides are best to see black bears, we may go bear watching in the morning or afternoon.

Our bear watching tour explores the quiet waters of Clayoquot Sound, traveling along fjord inlets and stopping in sheltered bays. Black bears come out of the rainforest to forage through the inter-tidal zone to feed on crunchy crab, clams and barnacles. Your knowledgeable guide will share information about black bears and other inlet wildlife, including seals, eagles, porpoise and heron.

Pacific Rim National Park is known for its wide, sandy beaches and rugged rocky headlands. A morning walk will lead us to Wickaninnish Beach and the Wickaninnish Nature Centre. The Centre's purpose is to provide an understanding of the North Pacific Ocean and its influence on nature and man. We'll find telescopes mounted on an observation deck at the centre, plus numerous displays inside that introduce visitors to the geographical and natural history of the Pacific Northwest. The history of the North Pacific coast is illustrated by a collection of artifacts used by Nuu-chah-nulth Indians, the traditional inhabitants of the area. Afterward, we'll have time to hike some sandy trails, beachcomb and witness the power of the pounding surf.

Accommodation: Motel.

Meals: Hot Breakfast.

Day 6. Ucluelet, B.C.

Today is a free day to either try optional activities such as kayaking, whale watching, or a zodiak tour to Hot Springs Cove. Or, one may choose to take it easy and explore the village of Tofino.

Whale watching in Clayoquot Sound is a three hour zodiak trip (about $70) looking for Gray whales, either as they make their way north the feeding grounds of the Bering and Chukchi Seas off Siberia, or for those that call Clayoquot Sound their home for the summer season. As well as Grays, we may also catch sightings of Orcas and Humpback whales. Other marine life includes sea otters, seals, sea lions and a variety of bird life.

The seven hour Hot Springs Cove tour (about $110) travels 32 km from Tofino to the north end of Clayoquot Sound. Marine stops may include a sea cave, black bear viewing, an eagle's nest and a seabird nesting island and whale sightings. We arrive at the beginning of a gentle two-kilometer boardwalk trek that traverses stands of ancient cedars, fern gardens and moss-carpeted thickets. As we approach the seven natural geo-thermal pools of Hot Springs Cove, the natural odor of sulphur greets us, but quickly fades as we venture closer to the first of the pools that descend to a final lukewarm bath near the sea.

Our full day kayak trip into the Broken Group Islands (about $110 including lunch) provides a true west coast experience in sheltered waters. Kayakers of all ability levels come to explore the hundreds of tidal pools and observe marine life ranging from tiny plankton to Pacific gray whales. The Broken Island Group is an archipelago of more than one hundred islands and rocks and home to whales, sea lions, bald eagles and a large variety and abundance of inter tidal sea life including sea arches, sea urchins, sea anemones, sea cucumbers, and sea stars.

For those that decide to explore Tofino (pop. 1700), they'll find a pretty fishing and tourist village surrounded by islands forested by impressive trees. Once a timber and fishing town, Tofino has become a favoured destination for travellers from around the world. Now, the economy of this relaxed, vacation destination is mainly dependent upon tourism and aquaculture. A colourful variety of shops, bakeries and art galleries are within short walking distance. The village's docks bustle with local fishermen, and also provide launching points for sea kayaking, whale watching, wildlife, hot springs and cultural tours.

Accommodation: Motel.

Meals: Hot Breakfast.

Day 7. Depart Ucluelet for Nanaimo and Victoria.

For those that wish to return to Vancouver, we stop in Nanaimo at a foot passenger ferry that takes 80 minutes to sail directly to Vancouver Harbour. Otherwise, guests can continue with the tour to Victoria, where we will drop off at downtown hotels.

For those that choose to come to Victoria, you'll find its picturesque Inner Harbour and downtown core explode with colour and charm of this former British colony. Horse drawn carriages, double-decker buses, meticulously kept gardens and the city's tradition of formal afternoon tea provide start contrast to the ruggedness of the north Island.

Accommodation: On Own.

Meals: Hot Breakfast.

Wildlife Tours of Vancouver Island with Midnight Sun Adventure Travel

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