Whales & Bears of British Columbia
Experience Overview
‘Beautiful British Columbia’ proclaim the number plates, for once without hyperbole. Sensational wildlife regularly presents itself amid a backdrop of rugged scenery. Here, whale and bear watching is the big draw but seals, elk and beavers ensure a truly authentic British Columbian wildlife encounter. Our adventures take us to Vancouver Island, where we explore beaches and walk trails at Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and we hope to see humpbacks, orcas, black bears and more.
Profile
— Accommodation: 8 Classic nights (hotels) — Travel by minibus, ferry and Zodiac — Group normally 4 to 13, plus local leader/driver
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 8 Classic nights (hotels) — Travel by minibus, ferry and Zodiac — Group normally 4 to 13, plus local leader/driver
Trip For You
This trip is graded Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate) with a Wildlife Rating of Three. Visit our Wildlife Holidays page for more on our Wildlife Ratings. For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
Itinerary: As a lot of our time is spent outdoors, a degree of fitness and a sense of adventure is required. We can explore some of the incredible natural history, scenery and wildlife of Vancouver Island on this itinerary. Inevitably, some time is spent travelling as there is a fair distance to cover; however, we have kept this to a minimum and the longest journey of six hours (by vehicle and ferry) is broken up with stops.
Wildlife: There is a high likelihood you will come into contact with wildlife, including bears. You should always follow your guide’s instructions.
Group Description
There is a local leader who also drives the vehicle. Local guides are used where necessary.
Eating Drinking
Four breakfasts and five picnic lunches are included on this trip.
For meals not included, you usually eat out in local restaurants recommended by the tour leader. To help you budget, meals cost on average:
Hotel breakfasts: 15-20 Canadian dollars (US$11-US$15)Lunches: 20-25 dollars (US$15-US$19)Dinners: 30-50 dollars (US$23-US$38), this does not include alcoholic beverages
Drinks cost on average:
Wine: 15-20 dollars (US$11-15) per glassBeer: 8-12 dollars (US$6-US$9) per bottle
A tip of approximately 17%-20% is added to group meals in Canadian restaurants. Applicable taxes will also be added to all listed menu prices.
Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for – please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests so our local team can be well prepared.
Transportation
Transport is by 15-seater minibus, ferry and Zodiac. Most of the roads are in very good condition. The longest driving day is five-six hours when we travel from Vancouver to Ucluelet (Day 2). We have tried to keep travelling to a minimum on this trip, although most days involve some driving due to the distances covered.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Century Plaza Hotel, Vancouver, 1015 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y5
Phone: +1 604-687-0575
Recommended arrival time: 5.30pm at the start hotel so you can join the welcome briefing. If you arrive later, the leader will update you separately
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately 25 minutes’ drive from the airport. We provide one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.
Catching your return flight
There’s a group departure transfer to the airport aligned with a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Weather Information
In September-October time (when this tour operates), temperatures in the coastal region of Vancouver Island average 15C (59F) but can reach 22C (72F) in the low-lying interior. The coast can get rain at any time. The mountains have typical mountain weather: sun, cloud, rain and even snow can all be experienced in the same day.
Spending Money
Your spending money needs to cover meals, drinks, and personal expenses, such as souvenirs and snacks. For this tour, we recommend budgeting at least 75 Canadian dollars (US$56) per person per day, but it’s better to bring more than you need rather than run short on tour. You should also budget for tipping, as well as for the optional activities that you plan to do. We suggest you bring 150 Canadian dollars (US$111) with you in cash to have with you at the beginning of your trip.
Optional excursions (approximate cost, depending on group size)
— Sea kayaking at Quadra Island: 105 dollars (US$76) for a three-hour tour
Tipping
It is customary in Canada to tip local guides, waiters, bar staff, taxi drivers and anyone who provides a service for you. Service workers are paid a low wage and depend on tips for their livelihood. It can be embarrassing if you’re confronted by a local who is expecting a tip and you are not aware of how much to offer. For this reason, we have listed guideline prices below.
A 15%-20% tip is standard in restaurants, and you should also expect to tip when paying for drinks in bars – 1 dollar per drink if paying in cash, or a percentage will be suggested when paying with a card machine. For other services, 1-2 dollars (US$0.75-US$1.50) per bag for porters and 10% for taxi drivers is usual. It’s also typical to tip around 10% for local guides who provide optional activities.
Your tour leader will work long and hard for you during your tour and we recommend a discretionary tip of 5-10 dollars (US$3.70-US$7.40) per passenger per day if your leader’s performance meets or exceeds your expectations.
Highlights
— Visit Vancouver Island, the largest island on the North American Pacific Coast — Join experienced naturalist guides for two whale watching excursions — Search for black bears on the rocky shoreline of Clayoquot Sound — Observe grizzly bears in their natural surroundings — Enjoy walks in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
Trip Details
Product Code: 4344
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: covered.
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Exodus Travel
Supplier Code: WFZ
Starts: Vancouver, Canada
Finishes: Vancouver, Canada
Duration: 9 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Unknown
Includes
— All accommodation — All transport and listed activities — Tour leader throughout — Four breakfasts and five lunches — Arrival and departure transfers are availableAccommodation
Three- and four-star hotelsAccommodation on this trip has been selected for its excellent location and warm, Canadian hospitality. Below are the properties we usually use on this itinerary. Vancouver (one night): Century Plaza Hotel, Vancouver has an excellent central location to visit Vancouver's key sites. There's also an indoor swimming pool, coffee shop and fitness facilties. Ucluelet (three nights): Canadian Princess Lodge & Marina is an historic four-star property on the waterfront in the small town of Ucluelet on Vancouver Island's west coast. All rooms have private balconies and complimentary wifi. Campbell River (three nights): Close to the Elk Falls Suspension Bridge, Painter’s Lodge is a completely non-smoking hotel, where we stay in garden-view rooms overlooking the grounds. Victoria (one night): Huntingdon Manor Hotel, located in Victoria's scenic Inner Harbour, has a history dating back to 1890 and is built in the style of an English country manor house.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $9,690 ($1,077 /day)
Itinerary
The adventure begins in Vancouver on Canada's west coast. If you have time, we recommend a stroll around this cosmopolitan city to get a feel for it. Treat yourself to moreish maple cookies in Stanley Park, a 990-acre (400ha) green wonderland where you can see authentic totem poles put up in the 1920s or sit in one of the cafes and enjoy a spot of people watching. A welcome briefing may be held this evening or tomorrow morning, in which we gather as a group and meet our tour leader. Accommodation: Century Plaza Hotel, Vancouver (or similar)
In the morning, we head to the port for a ferry to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, a 1hr 30min journey across the Strait of Georgia. On arrival in Nanaimo, we continue by road, stopping for a walk and picnic lunch at Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park. Rathtrevor is known for its majestic old-growth woodland, beautiful ocean sunsets and a wide, sandy beach with picnic areas nestled amongst the trees. We then continue our drive to Ucluelet, our base for the next three nights. Today's travel time is approximately six hours. Accommodation: Canadian Princess Lodge & Marina (or similar)
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is nestled between the mountains of the Vancouver Island range and the Pacific coastline. We walk inside the park this morning to admire the rich natural heritage of the west coast of Canada. The reserve has almost 10mi (16km) of sand and a huge collection of driftwood, while the next stop is Japan! We usually take the Nuu-Chah-Nulth trail to the beach and visit during low tide to explore some of the intertidal pools and rocky islands. You may see lime-green anemones and purple, brown and orange starfish. In the afternoon, we board Zodiacs with a naturalist guide who leads a 2hr 30min to three hour whale-observation excursion (depending on the low-tide schedule, this activity may take place earlier in the day). Our goal is to see humpback and grey whales, but it is also common to come across orcas, seals and sea lions among the rocky headlands. Today’s driving time should not exceed two hours. Accommodation: Canadian Princess Lodge & Marina (or similar)
Today our leader will take us on an easy hike on the Rainforest Figure Eight trail, an hour-long walk along wooden boardwalks through the majestic forest. This is a peaceful trail and we will be surrounded by a dense foliage of ferns, Western Red Cedar and Western Hemlock trees. Keep your eyes peeled for birdlife - our tour leaders have reported sightings of Steller's jays and Rufous hummingbirds! Late this afternoon, we board Zodiacs for a 2hr 30min expedition to observe black bears and bald eagles (depending on the low-tide schedule, this activity may take place earlier in the day). In the wilderness of Clayoquot Sound, black bears search for crabs and clams on the rocky beaches. We travel the fjord inlet by Zodiac, looking in sheltered bays and stopping to see any black bears we find from the comfort of our vessel. Accommodation: Canadian Princess Lodge & Marina (or similar)
Depart Ucluelet and drive for four hours to Campbell River on the north shore of Vancouver Island. Campbell River is known as the salmon capital of the world for its hugely impressive salmon runs, where five species of Pacific salmon swim the river. It has been designated a Heritage River for its importance in British Columbia; following the fish are bears, seals, kingfishers and eagles. This afternoon, we stop at Cathedral Grove Provincial Park to see the last remains of the temperate rainforest that covered the island more than a 1,000 years ago. This is one of the most accessible areas of giant Douglas fir trees in the province and there are many trails enabling us to meander through Douglas fir, western hemlock, grand fir and western red cedar trees. Accommodation: Painter’s Lodge (or similar)
Board a covered boat for a full-day excursion to the Orford River area (on the mainland of British Columbia) to observe grizzly bears in their natural habitat. Conservative estimates suggest there are 10,000 grizzly (brown) bears in British Columbia, with 92 percent of the original habitat of grizzlies still occupied. The abundance of spawning salmon in the Orford River at this time of year brings grizzlies down to feast. A two-hour journey by boat with a spectacular backdrop of mountainous scenery brings us to the mouth of the Orford River. From here, we take a short bus journey inland, where there are five viewing platforms from which to spot the bears. We visit one or sometimes two of these platforms, where we hope to observe the bears catching and feeding on salmon, sometimes with cubs in tow. On the boat journey to and from the Orford River, we may also see black bears, orcas, humpback and grey whales, dolphins, porpoises and sea lions. Accommodation: Painter’s Lodge (or similar)
Board a ferry for a 10-minute journey across the Discovery Passage to Quadra Island, where we spend the day exploring the island trails and beaches by foot. Our leader will determine the best trail based on the group's preference and ability, but options include the Shallaligan Pass Trail along Quadra Island's coastline, which offers panoramic ocean views, or the Heriot Ridge Trail that passes through the bush and out onto a ridge for coastal views galore. There is also an optional three-hour sea kayaking excursion from Quadra Island. Accompanied by kayak and marine life observation guides, there is never a dull moment as we paddle by kayak around Quadra Island – we could see soaring eagles, oystercatchers, herons, cormorants, gulls and, if lucky, seals, sea lions, dolphins and porpoises. The mountain views offer a stunning backdrop to this excursion, which is suitable for beginners. Accommodation: Painter’s Lodge (or similar)
We drive for around four hours to Victoria, capital of British Columbia. Victoria is well-known for its colourful gardens, British architecture and arts scene. In the afternoon, we have one final wildlife-viewing opportunity as we embark on a whale-watching excursion from Victoria, where orcas, humpback whales and sea lions are often spotted in the waters of the Salish Sea. A certified marine naturalist will accompany us in the Zodiac boat, helping to spot wildlife and providing background information on the species we observe. Accommodation: Huntingdon Manor (or similar)
It's an early start on our final day in British Columbia as we take the ferry (approximately 1.5 hours) across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver. Our leader will take us on a guided orientation tour of the city then there's free time to explore Vancouver at your leisure. Those on Land Only arrangements may choose stay longer in the vibrant city of Victoria. Please speak to your sales representative if you'd like to add post-tour nights in Victoria or Vancouver.
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Tour Operator
Exodus Travel
It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.
In Business Since 1974
Reviews
Patricia Little - Traveled, August 2022
Whales and Bears of British Columbia A wonderful trip with some long days of driving but these were mostly broken by regular stops, including some quirky lunch spots. Vancouver and Vancouver Island in particular are stunningly beautiful. Most Inspirational Moment The full day trip to see Humpback Whales and Grizzly bears. A whole day in a day of dramatic scenery and whale sitings on the journeys to and from the bear observation site. Climbing to the top of Chinese Mountain on Quadra Island while others in the group kayaked. Incredible views from the top. The other was an add on after staying on in Vancouver. My travelling companion and I took a seaplane flight on the mail run. 2 hours of flying with 4 take offs and landings. Thoughts on Group Leader Claude managed very well considering he had led the tour before and many things were new to him. He was alert to the needs of the group and kept us on schedule when timings were tight. Advice for Potential Travellers Stay on for a few extra days in Vancouver. There is loads to do. Not necessarily the obvious things. We didn't go up Grouse Mountain or to the Capilano suspension bridge. We did get the bus to the University area - easy on the bus, to go to the Museum of Anthropology and Nitobe Garden. We went back for an evening in Kitsilano for a great night at Rogue Folk Club after checking out the events listings. Saw Mamas Broke and The Burying Ground. Again, easy on the bus. Check out the Cathedral, Bill Reid Gallery and the art deco Marine Building. On a clear day get a float plane. Worth the expense. Suggestions Need to be absolutely clear about current Covid policy. One of our group tested positive and correct protocol was followed to separate from the rest of the group. There was however a lack of clarity about rejoining and consequently anxiety for some of the group. If the advice is still two negative tests before rejoining then this should be made clear to all group members.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/12/2022
Suzanne Rosser - Traveled, July 2019
Whales & Bears This trip combines the highlights of the Canada’s landscape in particular Vancouver Island with wild life both on land and in the sea. All in all I had a lovely experience with a really nice group of people. Most Inspirational Moment The wildlife was the highlight for me. Two encounters specifically: Firstly a large male Grizzly wandered along the shoreline, weaving between the trees and the river’s edge. Slowly, it approached us as we stood as a group shoulder to shoulder (forming one large object). It continued aware of us, until it was 20m away, and then passed by and headed further up the road. Also, on returning from the bear trip we meet a pod of Orcas - maybe five or six. The large male had a dorsal fin approximately six foot tall! We watched them for maybe 25 minutes keeping the required distance of at least 200m. Then they disappeared. Suddenly, they appeared just off the bow of the boat like dolphins do surfing in the bow wave (maybe 10ft away). Quickly, we turned the engine off and watched in awe as they disappeared again off into the distance Thoughts on Group Leader Eric our group leader was in my opinion not as knowledge, friendly and enthusiastic as previous leaders. He did however manage to organise additional trips for our groups as and when requested and taxied the group about making sure we were at the correct destination at the correct time. Advice for Potential Travellers This, as far as I know, is this first time this trip has run as early as it did. We left on the 19th August. Although the salmon ran early last year that was not the case this year. If possible I would recommend to travel a little later maybe mid September - in order to maximise the chances of seeing the grizzlies fishing in the river. We did nevertheless still manage to see all the wildlife. Suggestions Although this trip is called ‘Whales and Bears’ there were only two full days in the itinerary viewing theses amazing creatures. A half day with the Grey Whales; a half day seeing the black bears and a full day on the grizzly bear trip which included the boat trip with likely sightings of Humpback Whales and possibly Orcas. Having travelled all that way I booked additional trips, in Tofina $125 Canadian for an extra whale and $125 Canadian for black bears. Also Campbell River $400 Canadian with ‘Go Wild’ for and extra grizzly trip. Finally on the final day in Vancouver I visited Grouse Mountain which I felt filled the day well- without being too tiring. This cost $60 and included: lumber jack show, cable car, ski lift, wild bear flights, owl talk, eco walk, two hand raised grizzly bears and much more.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/22/2019
Stephen Clements - Traveled, September 2018
Amazing Canada An exciting trip around the island of Vancouver. We couldn’t believe the amazing wildlife encounters we experienced, and enjoyed the hospitality of our cheerful Canadian hosts. Most Inspirational Moment Seeing the Grizzly bears feed on the spawning salmon with their cubs on the Orford river . it was great to be hosted by the Homalco people in their ancestral home. Thoughts on Group Leader Marie- Helen was always upbeat and cheerful. She was resourceful , giving us lots of alternatives. She was dedicated to making sure our holiday was a trip to remember. We couldn’t help getting swept up in her enthusiasm. Advice for Potential Travellers Waterproof trousers and a woolly hat are useful for the changeable weather and chilly boat rides. Have a go and enjoy the country. Suggestions Be prepared for a couple of longer journeys in the minibus as Canada is bigger than you think.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/23/2018
Craig Caldicott - Traveled, July 2018
Whales and bears Very good trip . Just prepare for the rain . Saw lots of wild life . Would recommend the trip Most Inspirational Moment Seeing orcas , whales and bears Thoughts on Group Leader He was a great guide . Very knowledgeable and keen . Advice for Potential Travellers Take some rain gear Suggestions Canada is a great place
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/23/2018
Glenn Russell - Traveled, September 2017
Alexandra the Great ! You have to be lucky to have a great holiday. We were lucky to pick this great tour, lucky to travel with a good group and very lucky to have Alex as our guide!This amazing young lady really made the trip – and even altered the itinerary a little so that we would get the best out of every day irrespective of the weather. Although a native french Canadian , she knew everything about Vancouver and chatted animatedly with everyone , answering every question that was sent her way. There are always things that go a little wrong -our room at Ucluelet was very dark -but she immediately fixed a change with the hotel. She also knew great places to eat and varied it as much as possible. The highlight of the trip was a day long visit to see grizzly bears feeding on Salmon migrating up the river. On the way we got close to a large humpback whale . With the boat engines stopped we could hear every breath of the whale and managed to get some great pictures – a magical moment. The zodiac trips to see whales were fun, but our boat skipper kept a very long distance (much greater than the mandatory 100 yards) from the whales even when invited to approach by other boat captains. Considering we had travelled many thousands of miles to see the whales this was disappointing. The penultimate day was spent in Victoria. We had tasted “beaver tails” -a cinnamon doughnut – in Ottawa many years ago and wanted to repeat the experience. Alex , once again, made it possible and found a local source of this delightful sweet! As we said our goodbyes to our new friends on the final day, Alex was on hand again to make sure all went well. We hope she continues as a guide – any other have a hard act to follow! Most Inspirational Moment The grizzly bear trip. Thoughts on Group Leader See above -outstanding. 'merveilleuse ! Advice for Potential Travellers This is a really great trip and our first holiday with a group we had not met before. It will not be our last !
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/21/2017
Dan Heap - Traveled, August 2016
Whales, Bears and WOW A brilliant trip, with chance to see huge amounts of the stunning British Columbia Landscapes and lots of wildlife. We were very lucky with the weather, a great group, a top tour leader and wildlife that wanted to show off all of the time. Most Inspirational Moment So many to choose from. A humpback whale breaching on the way back from seeing 18 bears racing through the emerald green waters of the Orford river catching salmon, to a grey whale who came within 5 metres of the zodiac (too close for some :-) or the Black Bears turning over rocks on the shoreline and a cub up the tree, or the first pod of Orcas, or the Deer swimming between Islands in fairly rough seas, or the fish and chips at Dicks fish and chips in Campbell river, or the Sea Otters, or the Salmon BBQ on the beach, with whales just off the coast, or the laughs with the group, or the rapids and whirlpools in the Bute Inlet.... or many many more Thoughts on Group Leader Top Class. Mac was chilled out, good fun and found the right balance on food for the group.. Granted, it’s a limited number I’ve experienced, but he’s presently the best Salmon Barbeque Chef in Canada. He was also on the ball in organising extra trips and experiences, and ensuring you could fit as much in as you wanted to do. Advice for Potential Travellers There is lots packed in at times, BUT there’s also a fair amount of free time. I was there for the wildlife, so managed to get out on 2 extra whale watching trips in Tofino, 1 long trip in Campbell River and even 1 in Victoria (although this was much more commercial and touristy than Tofino or Campbell River). Be decisive though, especially in Tofino. The weather changes it’s mind more often than you could imagine, if there’s a nice gap in the weather get out and do something - anything, you will have plenty of options, be it Whale Watching, Surfing, Kayaking, Sea Plane Flight, Hot Springs or anything else. In Campbell river the extra Whale Watching Tour is worth doing - it was the first time we saw Orcas, and we got to see lots of the different currents and inlets. Victoria is a lovely place, the nicest city - well worth getting up early to maximise time there. I went to take photographs, and a few tips in that space 1) The bears at Orford River can be a good way away. If you’re taking photos, you’re likely to need for some shots at least 600mm reach (I took 300mm with 2* extender). Although, we also had plenty of opportunities to photograph with a 70-200mm. When we went, the light was very bright, so ensure you take lens hoods and any filters you want. For those not photographing, good binoculars are a must. For those taking camera gear a good dry bag (at least 30 litres) is very useful for out on the zodiacs, as are a couple of towels. We had a group of 8, which was a very nice number for the bus. It allowed space for bags and to spread out a bit. With more people in, it could have got a bit tight. Hotels in Vancouver, Nanaimo, and Tofino are functional, but all had dark rooms, good beds and powerful showers - so suited my needs perfectly. Painters Lodge / April Point are more luxurious and very nice. Suggestions Book the trip, it’s amazing. So much to see, so much wildlife, so much first nations history and influence - just another great exodus trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/23/2016
Barry Tylee - Traveled, August 2016
Whales & Bears of British Colombia What an absolutely fantastic wildlife experience. Can you imagine how wonderful it is to witness, Gray Whales, Humpback Whales, diving and blowing and Orca (Killer) Whales. To watch a pod of Orcas breaching, a acrobatic performance which would win a Gold medal in any ones games.To stand and watch wild bears feasting on huge Salmon, oblivious to us viewing. (Well, most of the time!!). This is a wildlife and photographic trip not to be missed. You can add, sightings of Bald Eagles, the list is almost endless. Most Inspirational Moment For me, watching the pod of Orcas performing, Tail slapping the water, followed by a giant leaps out of the water. Closely followed by the majestic performance of the Humpback Whales, Blowing, Diving, followed by the famous Tail lift as it submerges, only to rise again. Tremendous photo opportunities. These are things that you don't forget. Thoughts on Group Leader Our group leader "Mac". Mac was also our driver. Felt very safe during the sometimes long drives. A good organiser and full of information. Nothing was too much trouble for him. A great cook, we had several Bar-B. Q's and he delivered good cuisine in great settings. Advice for Potential Travellers September is at the end of summer, so it can be quite cold, wet and foggy. So be prepared for the elements. "Dress" in layers, with a waterproof handy. Suggestions If taking pictures with a "phone" is your thing, fine. But you have an opportunity to get great pictures, a good camera with a tele- zoom will deliver fantastic memories. Also, be patient, the wildlife are there, Yes you have to be lucky, it is not guaranteed, but you won't be disappointed.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/21/2016
Jackie Moys - Traveled, October 2015
Amazing British Columbia This was my first holiday with Exodus and also my first small group holiday. I need not have worried on either account. From beginning to end the organisation was first class thanks to our amazing Group leader Heather and a more diverse and relaxed group of fellow travellers would have been hard to find. My concerns about my age, (there were several older than my 65 years) and the amount of walking involved were quickly dispelled and I was able to opt out of híkes to sketch and paint instead. Most Inspirational Moment The wildlife was truly amazing. We saw Grizzlies and Black bears catching salmon, Orca whales hunting seal and a sea otter family playing on the jetty near our hotel. No oportunity was missed. Thoughts on Group Leader Heather was exceptional in every respect. She was a first class driver, knew how to pace out the day, and joined in with us for dinners and excursions with genuine pleasure. When any kind of incident occured she dealt with it swiftly and efficiently. Advice for Potential Travellers Wildlife is not guaranteed on this trip. We were very lucky with the abundance of wildlife that we saw and also with the weather. Suggestions We travelled in a new van which was very comfortable and an importante part of the trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/25/2015
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2013
WHALES & BEARS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA A wonderful holiday that really delivered on the wildlife sightings. We saw whales (grey, humpback and orca) and bears – close up – but also sea otters, seals, sea lions, dolphins, porpoises, bald eagles, and even a river otter. The scenery was beautiful too, and we were lucky enough to find ourselves among a lovely group of people who we were really pleased to have met. Most Inspirational Moment Quite a few inspirational moments to choose from on this magical trip, but my favourite moment was when we came alongside a pod of orcas during the Campbell River grizzly bear boat trip - our guide, Jack, cut the motor, and as the orcas swam around us we could hear them breathing in the silence. Thoughts on Group Leader Jo was terrific, and her practical skills, knowledge, friendliness and flexibility made the difference between a good holiday and a great one. The lunch-time picnics she organized were wonderful (and always in beautiful locations), she made dinner reservations for us in great restaurants each evening, and most importantly she was tremendous fun, but at the same time very restful to be with. Full marks! Advice for Potential Travellers Don't be put off if you're not sure whether a group tour is for you - we really enjoyed the company, and were amazed at how much could be packed into a 10-day trip. Suggestions The minibus could do with replacing - it was hot and airless at the back, even in the relatively cool weather we had, and quite difficult to climb in and out of.The trip notes need updating - for example, breakfast is now provided on several days, and the grizzly bear trip was by covered boat, not by zodiac.We found all the hotels to be more than adequate, and were impressed by the exceptionally comfortable beds. We would suggest that an optional whale-spotting trip from Ucluelet be added to the itinerary - our group organized this ourselves, instead of one of Jo's walks (which were excellent by the way), and we would not have seen any grey or humpback whales otherwise. During our free time in Vancouver on the last day, we went to the Bloedel Conservatory in Queen Elizabeth Park, which had beautiful birds flying around in it - great for photographers.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/24/2013
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2013
WHALES & BEARS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Keep this trip. It’s new but it’s a corker. Great wildlife in a really beautiful part of the world. Whales – tick! Bears – tick! Does what it says so more than happy. Most Inspirational Moment Not so much as a moment as a whole day. Rose in the earlyish morning and cruised through inlets reflecting like mirrors the surrounding misty mountains and forests to our Grizzly Bear excursion. Never did I imagine we'd be able to get so close but there were the Grizzlies, only some shallow water and about 10m between them and us. Such beautiful animals- we saw a mum and two cubs, a lighter coloured mother and elder cub and then spent ages watching a lone male swim and fish and eat. Magical. After a nice lunch still full of excitement at the bear encounters we then cruised back to Campbell river and en route passed a colony of sealions, a pod of dolphins then best of all 6 Orca who we stayed and watched for a while. Amazing day. The Humpback breaching three times showing off to us was also pretty special. Thoughts on Group Leader Jo was great. Informative, fun and flexible enough to allow us to go do our own thing and forget the trip notes when we wanted to try again to see whales and when rain stopped the chance of sea kayaking. She also organized lovely picnics in pretty spots. She also surprised me with a yummy birthday cake! Advice for Potential Travellers Advice to Exodus: put the initial whale watch and bear watch on the same day so there is time to do the whales again in the unlikely event of no sightings, or just to allow a second expedition in a different area with different scenery and whale possibilities. Advice to other travellers? Be prepared and be patient and realise wildlife is wild and nothing is guaranteed. The weather that time of year can be wet so something that protects valuable electrical equipment is worth investing in. The bus isn't the most comfortable ride so be prepared to swap places if fellow travellers are suffering. Don't worry about being a single on this group - go for the picnic option and then Jo sorts out all meals so you don't need to cope or eat alone except maybe the first day in Vancouver. Listen to the bear etiquette guide and behave appropriately around these magnificent animals. I also recommend the cave tour. It's not hard, there's some really interesting stuff to see, it's great fun and you have to go a long long way (the bottom of the ocean or a blackhole as I learnt on this mini adventure) to experience true 100% darkness, or you can see what it's like in this cave!Try a Nanaimo bar - they are yummy!! Suggestions Despite what the trip notes say, some breakfasts (4?) are included. Tipping and tax means there are a fair few 'hidden costs'. A second whale watch from a different place is highly recommended I went to Banff for 3 days after the end of the trip. There's endless possibilities and loads more to see and do before or after if you can afford the extra time away.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/21/2013
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2013
Did what it said on the tin! We asked for whales and bears and we definitely got them! Whales = grey, humpback, orca. Bears = black and grizzly. Most Inspirational Moment We had a fantastic whale watching trip with a humpback breaching and lobtailing. Plus a grey whale and a colony of sea lions in the crashing waves on the same outing. The time with the grizzlies was also amazing. I hadn't appreciated how close they would be with the group of us just standing beside the river where they were feeding. They put on a great show and we saw about 10 grizzlies in the 2 hours we spent there. The outing was then topped off by a group of orcas on the way back. Thoughts on Group Leader Jo was a good leader and clearly enjoys leading this tour. She educated us about the area, the culture, the trees and the wildlife and her local knowledge gave us some good stops on long drives, good picnics and good evening meals. Advice for Potential Travellers Bear in mind that the weather in this part of the world is similar to the UK. September is the best time to see the grizzlies, but it can also be wet. There is flexibility in the itinerary and some things can be moved to different days to cope with this, but some of the activities on the itinerary just cannot run if the weather is really bad. On our trip, the sea kayaking on the last day had to be cancelled because of heavy rain and wind. On our scheduled whale-watching trip from Tofino we saw no whales (but plenty of seals, sea lions and sea otters). Apparently this is really unusual, but wildlife is unpredictable! As a group we chose to depart from the itinerary and book ourselves onto another whale watching trip from Ucluelet the next morning. It was the right decision (see best moment above) but we had to depart from the official itinerary to give us a second chance to see the whales. Suggestions We were really lucky and saw pretty much all the wildife that we had hoped for. Not only that but really good sightings. A great wildlife trip. Take a good camera
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/16/2013
Anonymous - Traveled, August 2013
WHALES & BEARS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Fresh air and the great outdoors – highlights of course are the bears and whales but with plenty more besides Most Inspirational Moment Probably the best day out was visiting the Grizzlys on Bute Inlet - being remarkably close to a huge salmon crunching male - superb viewing conditions also of females and cubs on the same stretch of river , then when you think it can't get any better a pod of Orca's on the way home - bliss Our group had a great day in Torfino but were unlucky and didn't see any whales on the first trip - we mustered as a group the next day and independantly booked through the tour operator at Ucluelet ( part of the Gray Whale shop opposite the hotel ) a really superb day with sightings of both gray and humpback - this time in a different part of the Vancouver Island inlets , well worth the $100 each - will never forget Captain Bob taking us up close ( very close ) to the Sea Lion colony - felt like we were truly in the midst of an HD BBC nature programme , exhilarating and magnificant Thoughts on Group Leader Excellent - good leadership , great humoured - obliging and passionate - knowledgable and reliable Advice for Potential Travellers Travel sickness tablets ! the tour bus got hot in the back seats and despite the distances being relaitavley short ( max 4 hrs ) the windin roads and the bad AC system meant a few green faces - plus the pacific can be a little choppy - no problems after being to the drug store !!! Suggestions A great trip , glad max of 12 - keeps it to a team adventure ... if you get the chance add a few days in Vancouver at the end - we did ( booking an appartment via airbbnb ) the good weather meant this lovely city was explored by foot on the first day and by bike the second - the orientation half day with Jo on the tour helped us identify the best locatiions for our add on . Very easy to explore and only $4 each to get the train from Vancouver Central back to the airport . Food is relitavely expensive throughout the tour so be prepared for a heavy spend there . Loved Vancouver and throughout the Canadians were really friendly and welcoming . Happy to suggest areas of town to stay in if you want to make contact ...
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/26/2013
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2012
WHALES & BEARS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Canada truly is 'The Great Outdoors!' – fir tree covered mountains and windswept, rocky beaches provided the backdrop to some exciting wildlife encounters. As well as the natural beauty of Vancouver Island, I was really impressed by the city of Vancouver and the virtually endless blue skies that we were lucky enough to experience. Most Inspirational Moment Watching a huge group of dolphins jump in and out of the waves as they travelled alongside our boat. The calming sound of Grey whales breathing through their blow holes in an otherwise very choppy sea.A Grizzly bear fishing for salmon with her cub. The cub was picking salmon out of the river and playing with it.Seeing a pod of 11 Orca whales drift past our boat was pretty magical!Staying in a great hotel in Ucluelet after lots of time spent outdoors. Thoughts on Group Leader Jo was great and she worked tirelessly to ensure that the trip ran smoothly and that we were all happy - I've never met anyone with more energy! I loved her idea to organise picnic lunches each day and she found some lovely beauty spots for us to enjoy. She was great at managing supplies and topping them up every few days to ensure there was always something new available. Along with the great restaurants that we visited in the evenings, there was definitely no shortage of food! Jo also led several really interesting walks throughout the trip and had plenty of knowledge about the areas that we walked through. Advice for Potential Travellers I would suggest taking binoculars and a good zoom for your camera if you want to maximise your experiences of the wildlife encounters. Also plenty of layers - the weather in September was generally warm but we spent a lot of time on boats where it was easy to get cold due to the wind. One of the boat journeys to see whales was very choppy and so sea-sickness tablets might be useful. Although wildlife encounters aren't guaranteed, we saw almost everything we hoped too. The landscape is also spectacular, which made boat journeys and ferry crossings really interesting too. Suggestions I had a great time and I came back feeling very healthy from all of the time spent outdoors. Would love to experience more of Canada!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/26/2012
Anonymous - Traveled, August 2012
WHALES & BEARS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA A fantastic experience from begining to end, a wonderful group of people – locations were excellent with lots of wildlife and culture. A couple of niggles: some initial accomodation was below standard (eg: roadside motel), a seemingly perenial problem – lack of choice vegetarian option on dinner menus. Most Inspirational Moment Sea kayaking; paddling in the ocean whilst watching Osprey circle and dive around me Thoughts on Group Leader Above and beyond fantastic! Advice for Potential Travellers Be aware the food portions are huge! Suggestions Thank you, again, Exodus!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/12/2012
Anonymous - Traveled, August 2012
WHALES & BEARS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA A fantastic holiday which gives you numerous opportunities to enjoy the local wildlife while also allowing time to visit Vancouver, Victoria and some of the other towns. This was my first wildlife focussed holiday which meant there were lot’s of things i had never seen before including black bears, grizzly bears, orca whales, otters, seals etc. I do think you need to be aware however that you are trying to spot wild animals so you need to accept that anything you see is a bonus, there is the possibility that you might not see certain things depending on the weather, conditions and just how lucky you are. Having said that the people involved in the trips know what they are doing and will always swap things around and will do their best to get you the best possible experience. We were not disappointed and saw so much throughout the holiday. Most Inspirational Moment For me i think seeing a grizzly bear and her cub playing in the river was a real highlight, it was an absolutely stunning area and to see the bears in their natural environment interacting with each other was amazing. The journey back on that day was fantastic too we managed to see a large group of Orca's together which was breathtaking and at one point the boat was being followed by around 20 dolphins playing in the sea. Thoughts on Group Leader Our team leader was fantastic, she was extremely organised and enthusiastic throughout the trip. She made the trip easy for us by suggesting places for dinner and organising picnic lunches for most days. She knew so much about Canadian history which she bought into the holiday and was fun to be with throughout the break. Advice for Potential Travellers This is a fantastic trip to do and i would definately recommend this to anyone, Vancouver Island is a stunning place. Just be aware that seeing wildlife is not guaranteed and just make the most of what you do see. I would suggest taking a small waterproof bag to hold your camera and binoculars for the bear and whale watching on the zodiacs as you can't take a big bag and you don't want to get your camera wet.If you do the kayaking then take a set of dry clothes to change into as you will get wet and i would also advise a hat as my head got a bit burnt and being out for 3 hours you need to be careful.I would also suggest participating in as many of the optional activities as you can as these for me really added to the trip for me, the snorkelling with seals was great fun and the seals were so relaxed on the island occassionally taking a dip in the sea. The kayaking as also great fun, although this is not with whales but round the little islands, it is lovely to see the starfish, fish etc. Suggestions This is a fantastic trip, for me it was a great introduction to Canada and to a wildlife holiday with lot's of activities to try out and get involved in along the way. The hotels were a mix although this was a new trip so this may change, all hotels were comfortable and clean which for me is all you need. The hotel in Uculet was by far the best and was a real bonus for the holiday, very comfortable with lovely views etc. The one in naimomo was a motel and very basic but it was only for one night and was clean and comfortable.You should be aware that we did have to lift our luggage onto the roof of the van which again may change as this is a new trip, this was not a problem for us as we had a couple of helpful guys in our group who were happy to do most of the lifting but i would advise to pack a bit lighter because of this. Overall for me this was the trip of a lifetime, we had a fantastic group and saw so much throughout the week, i would recommend doing this trip to anyone.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/23/2012
Anonymous - Traveled, August 2012
WHALES & BEARS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA An immensely enjoyable trip due in part to the awe-inspiring wildlife viewed but also the fact that our group of only 12 had a shared interest made more memorable because of the energy and enthusiasm of our group leader and the very knowledgeable experts escorting us into their speciality areas. Most Inspirational Moment The moment, when nearly back at base, our cameras packed away safe from the pouring rain, a transient pair of orcas, male and female, surfaced near our boat. To hear them scythe through the water and breathe through their blowholes and realise their size was truly a tremendous experience. Normally the boats strictly adhere to the 100meters distance rule so as not to cause the animals undue alarm but in this case their was no warning that we were in their path as it was unusual for them to be so near to the harbour.Later on the trip, in brilliant sunshine this time, we were able to observe two pods of orcas meeting thus making up a group of 11 but at least the 100metres away this time.I went sea-kayaking for the first time and as I can't swim was very apprehensive. This was soon forgotten as I viewed the forest of sea-urchins and starfish straight down below me. Thoughts on Group Leader The group leader just couldn't have done anymore to make our holiday special. This trip did not include any meals so she always made sure that we went to nice places to eat or bought supplies in and took us to scenic areas for picnics.She was very informative about Canadian history as she drove us on city tours or hiked the trails and spoke very enthusiastically about the massive trees we saw on the way.The mini-bus we travelled around in had to have all our luggage loaded onto the roof everytime we changed hotels so she had to be very fit to manage this and it was lucky that there were one or two in the group tall enough and strong enough to pass suitcases to within her grasp. Advice for Potential Travellers Go on a special interest holiday as that will mean you have something in common with the other members of your group.Wildlife watching at 100mtres away, especially at sea, isn't easy so invest in a decent pair of binnoculars.Try and remember to put your camera away now and again so that you can soak up some of the magic of your wildlife experience directly. Sometimes it can be very fleeting and you may never have that sighting again in your life. Suggestions Enjoy the countryside, the company and the food aswell as wildlife doesn't just turn up to order so that anything you do see on this type of trip is a bonus. Headrests in the minibus would have been a bonus too!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/16/2012
Anonymous - Traveled, August 2012
WHALES & BEARS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Although some of the wildlife encounters did fall below my expectations as set by the information in the trip notes, the group was great and the holiday was fun – I have good memories of it. Especially if this would be your first wildlife trip to North America, you will see lots of ‘firsts’. The scenery is amazing and you’ll have plenty of time to explore Vancouver city too. Most Inspirational Moment I don't know about inspirational, but the highlights for me were snorkelling near the harbour seal haul-out and being joined by a pup in the water, and also an unexpected sighting of a family North American river otters when we got back to the harbour in Nanaimo. Also seeing a mother and cub grizzly bear at Orford River and the sightings of orcas and lots of pacific white-sided dolphins on the boat journey to and from the bears. And encountering a mother raccoon and three kits in Stanley Park, Vancouver city.The stay at the Canadian Princess resort at Ucluelet was lovely - relaxing and a home from home. Thoughts on Group Leader Jo was very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and a good fixer. She is extremely communicative and chatty. Advice for Potential Travellers Be prepared to help with lifting your luggage on and off the roof rack of the minibus each time the group moves hotels, and pack a bit lighter to make this job easier.Canada is very expensive, so budget plenty for eating out/buying food (no meals are included in this trip). In British Columbia you need to add on a sales tax of 12% and (if eating out) a tip of 18% which is in practice mandatory and often goes straight on the bill, so everything is effectively 30% more than the menu price.If you're veggie, choice is pretty limited when eating out, so consider doing some food shopping once there so some of your meals can be 'DIY' in your hotel room.We were blessed with beautiful weather and Jo had the idea of collecting money for a kitty to buy picnic food which worked really well (but wouldn't if it rained a lot!), so we got 6 picnic lunches for CAD40 which was good value. Suggestions Apart from the lovely Canadian Princess resort the hotels were a disappointment with a couple of them quite poor, but this was the first time this trip had run and I'm sure this will be resolved for next time.Customer service from the Exodus staff has been good throughout.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/13/2012
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