Vancouver Island: Victoria, the Broken Group Islands & Salt Spring
From $3,999.00 USD
About Canada,
Getting to the Broken Group Islands requires a water taxi, an off-grid lodge, and a willingness to be genuinely unreachable. Your CEO takes your small group from Victoria through a Tseshaht First Nations community welcome and the old-growth rainforest of Little Qualicum Falls before a water taxi carries you out to the archipelago. Salt Spring Island's cheese, cider, and beer ease you gently back into the world.
Travel Style
The Geluxe Collection
Service Level
Upgraded
Physical Grading
3 - Average
What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Meeting & Dinner - Meet your CEO and Group, Victoria
Your OMG Day: Choice of Zodiak Whale Watching or Chocolate Beach Kayaking, Saltspring Island. Complimentary arrival transfer. Welcome Dinner. Tseshaht Cultural Center Visit. Tseshaht First Nation Welcome and Reforest project activity. Whaling history presentation. Guided morning sea kayaking excursion with lunch on Robinson Island. Lodge trail hiking and hot tub relaxation. Evening boat tour of the Broken Group. Little Qualicum Falls walk. Lunch and tasting at Rusted Rake Brewing. Guided tour of the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre. Exploration of local boutiques and galleries. Island food and drink tour. Farewell Dinner. All tips included for activities and meals, except for CEO and porterage. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Experience a Tseshaht First Nations welcome, plant rainforest trees, and hike to Little Qualicum Falls. Next, take a water taxi to the off-grid Broken Islands Lodge to kayak and boat the passages. Customize your trip with either a Zodiac whale watching tour or a paddle to Chocolate Beach. Conclude by meeting rescued wildlife and sampling artisan treats on Salt Spring Island.
How large will the group be?
Max 16, avg 12
What meals are included in this trip?
5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
Where will we stay during the trip?
Hotel (6 nights)
Itinerary
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Victoria: Welcome to Vancouver Island
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. Arrive at any time and transfer to the hotel for check-in. In the evening, meet up with your CEO and fellow travellers at a welcome briefing to prepare for the adventure ahead, followed by a welcome dinner.
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Broken Group Islands: Barkley Sound
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. Travel north from Victoria to the Tseshaht Cultural Center, followed by lunch at Sproat Lake Landing Resort. Next, transfer west to Secret Beach and catch a water taxi into Barkley Sound. Arrive at the off-grid Broken Island Lodge for a relaxing evening and an optional history presentation.
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Broken Group Islands: Kayaks and Coastal Cruises
Spend your morning on a guided sea kayaking excursion exploring the calm waters along the coast. In the afternoon, return to the lodge to relax, take a short forest hike, or unwind in the hot tub. The day concludes with an evening boat tour through the marine park, taking you to unique, remote locations beyond the reach of a kayak paddle. It is the perfect balance of active coastal exploration and lodge relaxation. Depart for a four-hour guided kayak excursion through Julia Passage, stopping for lunch on Robinson Island. Return to the lodge in the afternoon for free time to use the hiking trail or hot tub before dinner. End the day with a one-hour evening boat tour through the Broken Group Islands.
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Salt Spring Island: Wildlife & Waterfalls
Set off from the lodge by boat to Secret Beach, then drive to Little Qualicum Falls for a short walk through old-growth forest to view the spectacular waterfalls. Next, head to the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre to see firsthand how the facility cares for rescued animals while also educating the public on wildlife and environmental issues. After lunch, catch a ferry from Crofton to Salt Spring Island and spend the rest of the evening at leisure, relaxing or strolling through town to visit the many boutiques and galleries. Take a water taxi to Secret Beach, drive to Little Qualicum Falls for a forest walk, and tour the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre. After lunch at Rusted Rake Brewing, board the ferry from Crofton to Salt Spring Island. End the day with check-in and a walk through town.
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Salt Spring Island: Your OMG Day
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. Choose between a Zodiac whale watching tour or a kayak excursion to Chocolate Beach in the morning. In the afternoon, take a two-hour food and drink tour to taste local cider, wine, beer, and goat cheese. End the day with a group farewell dinner.
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Salt Spring Island/Victoria International Airport
Today your adventure comes to an end, but the memories made during your time on Vancouver Island will live on. 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.