Gay North Vancouver Island Canada Adventure Tour

Day 1: Arrival – Campbell River

Welcome to Canada! Our tour will begin in Campbell River, a small town on the central east coast of Vancouver Island. We will have a transfer from the airport to the lodge, a boutique hotel, nestled in a stunning landscape with a luxury spa and upscale restaurant. Tonight we will meet up for our orientation and Welcome Dinner. (Only guests arriving after 1PM will have a pre arranged transfer from the airport to the hotel. Otherwise, you can take a taxi for the 10 minute ride). This is due to our local guide arriving on Day 1.

Day 2: Telegraph Cove

This morning, we will enjoy a walk on the beach and breakfast overlooking the Ocean. Then we will make our way to nearby Elk Falls Provincial to enjoy a light hike through the old-growth forests and across the suspension bridge. We will view the impressive waterfall as it tumbles into the canyon below.

This afternoon, we will begin our drive “up-island” (2.5 hours), with stops along the way to embrace the views of the coastal mountains. We will arrive at Telegraph Cove, a quaint fishing village that was established in 1912 as a one-room telegraph station. Many of the historic buildings still stand, built on stilts above the water and connected by a boardwalk. The rest of the day will be free to wander the village and learn more about its history, with the option to visit the local Whale Interpretive Centre, art gallery, and coffee shop.

This evening we will enjoy dinner together on the waterfront overlooking the harbor.

NOTE: Cell service and wifi are limited in Telegraph Cove, especially in the guest rooms. There is wifi available at the check-in area and cafe, and may reach along the boardwalk.

Day 3: Kayaking Johnstone Strait

Today, we will get out on the water to explore the coastal wilderness. After some paddling and safety training, we will spend a half day paddling the coastline. There is plenty of wildlife to view at our leisurely pace. From seals bobbing alongside the kayaks, to bald eagles soaring up above. Hopefully, we catch some glimpses of humpback whales and Okras gliding by in the distance. We will enjoy lunch today on a remote stretch of beach or a nearby island.

After kayaking we will enjoy a hearty lunch in Telegraph Grove before heading to Port McNeill/Alert Bay, via ferry. Just 5km long and barely 1km wide, this Island is home to the proud and active ‘Namgis First Nation’ community of about 500 people, along with a mix of Kwakwaka’wakw tribes and a small settler population. Alert Bay is a global center for Indigenous culture, with highlights including the Big House which seats 1200 people for traditional gatherings, the World’s Tallest Totem Pole.

Once checked it, enjoy this evening and dinner at your leisure.

NOTE: Kayaking is suitable for beginners. Clothing: base layers, rain jacket, light rain pants, hat-with brim, wool/synthetic socks and paddling/cycling gloves(optional). Expect to get you feet and bottom wet.

Day 4: Grizzly Bears – Sealions – Wildlife Tour

Today we will join the local Indigenous guides – experts in the area’s wildlife and history – on a well-equipped vessel(with a washroom and heated cabin) for a day on the water (8-10 hours). As we head deep into the channels and many islands of the Broughton Archipelago, we will hopefully see humpback whales, orcas, dolphins, eagles, bears, and a variety of seabirds.

(Photo Credit to Destination BC)

We will make our way from the boat to a Zodiac to cruise the shoreline up close, and then on foot in search of grizzly bears feeding on salmon in the nearby streams. Along the way, our guides will share stories behind the scenery, of the First Nations who have called these lands home for millennia, and of their sustainable approach to wildlife viewing.

NOTE: Please avoid using any scented perfumes or sunscreens while on this tour, to optimize wildlife viewing.

Day 5: Alert Bay – Port Hardy

This morning we will enjoy an easy hike through Alert Bay’s Ecological Park – a network of trails through lush old-growth forest, to an open bog with a boardwalk.

Next we will visit U’Mista Cultural Centre, which features the renowned potlatch collection and other exhibits on the history and culture of the ‘Namgis First Nation. Enjoy their gift shop of local art, jewelry, clothing, and books.

Entry is included. Optional add-on guided tour by a local artist or museum curator (must be arranged in advance).

Afterwards, we will board the ferry from Alert Bay to Port McNeill and then enjoy lunch before our 30 minute drive to Port Hardy. On the drive, we will visit Fort Rupert, a historic Kwakiutl village and former Hudson’s Bay Company outpost, and enjoy a walk on the scenic Storey’s Beach.

Day 6: San Josef Bay, Cape Scott Provincial Park

This morning we will head towards Cape Scott Provincial Park on the northwestern tip of Vancouver Island. Cape Scott spans 115km of scenic, rugged shoreline, with vast stretches of white sand beaches surrounded by lush old-growth forests. A logging road will take us from Port Hardy across the island to San Josef Bay, where a boardwalk through the dense forest brings us out to the beach.

Enjoy the next few hours exploring the 2km beach and the unique geology of the area – including impressive sea stacks, tidal pools, and sea caves. Our local guides will share stories of the local environment and the history of the area, including attempts by the Danish to settle here in the late 1880s.

We will arrive back in Port Hardy in the afternoon, with time to freshen up before dinner. Tonight is our Farewell Dinner together and we will be treated to a private catered dinner featuring local, Indigenous-inspired west coast cuisine.

NOTE:

• Estimated walking distance is about 10km on this tour. The terrain is easy, well-maintained forest trail, boardwalk, and sandy beach.
• The drive can be very rough at times – but we promise it’s worth it!
• There are limited facilities at San Josef Bay. Pit toilets are available. There is no cell service once we leave Port Hardy.

Day 7: Departure from Port Hardy

After an optional morning yoga session and hearty breakfast at the hotel, we will head to the Port Hardy airport, for mid-morning flights. If you have a flight later in the day, we can book a day room for you (at an extra cost) and you can take a reliable taxi at the necessary time.