Vancouver Island: Victoria, the Broken Group Islands & Salt Spring

Gaze out at the mountains, forests and vast ocean as you touch down with the anticipation of getting out and exploring it firsthand. You can almost taste nature's essence in the air with every breath as you make your way from the airport to Victoria at the island's southern tip. We welcome you to beautiful Vancouver Island and invite you to prepare for an immersive adventure through spectacular landscapes and cultural encounters.

Travelling north along the Saanich Inlet you'll see lush old growth Pacific coastal forests, home to massive Douglas Fir trees. Savour lunch with a view next to Sproat Lake before arriving to the Tseshaht Cultural Center for an immersion into the island's prominent indigenous traditions. Learn about reforestation and conservation initiatives then swap the land for the sea as you board a boat for a short yet beautiful ride through the Broken Group of Islands. Feel the wind on your face as you glide along the water en route to the lodge at Barkley Sound - our base for the next couple of nights.

Spend your morning exploring the calm waters along the coastal sea by kayak, paddling along the serene shorelines and keeping a lookout for resident birds and wildlife. Back at the lodge, a delicious lunch awaits with an afternoon to do as much or as little as you please, with options to hike in the forest or just relax and unwind in the hot tub. The evening offers a boat tour through the marine park, taking you to unique, remote locations beyond the reach of a kayak paddle.

Setting off by boat again from the lodge, you can catch a last glimpse of the Broken Group Islands before driving north to Little Qualicum Falls. Walk amongst the impossibly varied shades of green in the old growth forest on the way to the spectacular waterfalls, cascading down a rocky gorge. Continue to the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre, where you'll see firsthand how the facility cares for rescued animals while also educating the public on important wildlife and environmental issues. From the eastern coast of the island, hop on a ferry and head into the southern Gulf Islands to Salt Spring Island, another natural paradise, and a haven for local artists and culture.

Start the day on your terms with a choice between an exhilarating whale watching tour in the Southern Gulf Islands or take a scenic kayak paddle to Third Sister Island and the picturesque and shell-ridden Chocolate Beach. Later, join your Chief Experience Officer (CEO) for a local food and drink tour featuring regional cider, wine or beer, and goat cheese. Conclude this unforgettable day by gathering with your group evening for a farewell dinner.

Take the morning transfer to Fulford Harbour for a 35-minute ferry crossing to Swartz Bay, followed by a drive to the Victoria Airport, where the tour ends. For those wishing to continue on to Victoria, an option is available to be dropped off in downtown Victoria.