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Highlights
Experience beaches and wildlife on a Vancouver Island self-drive adventure.
Embark on a self-drive journey through the breathtaking Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island.
Experience kayaking through pristine waters and hiking lush rainforest trails.
Discover Indigenous culture with guided tours and wildlife experiences, including whale watching.
Explore charming seaside towns like Gibsons, Sechelt, and Telegraph Cove.
The Sunshine Coast & North Island Self-Drive Tour takes you through the stunning coastal landscapes of British Columbia, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural experiences. Begin your journey by exploring picturesque towns like Gibsons and Sechelt, where you can enjoy coastal views, vibrant arts scenes, and delicious local cuisine. Kayak through tranquil waters, hike lush rainforest trails, and marvel at the iconic Chatterbox Falls during a guided boat tour of Princess Louisa Inlet. With opportunities for whale watching and grizzly bear viewing, this tour immerses you in British Columbia's diverse wildlife.
The trip also offers deep cultural experiences, including Indigenous-led tours where you’ll learn about the region's rich heritage and sustainable wildlife practices. Explore the charming historic town of Telegraph Cove, visit the U'Mista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay, and stroll through local art galleries. With a mix of guided and free time activities, this adventure offers the perfect balance of relaxation and exploration, making it ideal for nature lovers and culture enthusiasts alike.
The Sunshine Coast & North Island Self-Drive Tour takes you through the stunning coastal landscapes of British Columbia, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural experiences. Begin your journey by exploring picturesque towns like Gibsons and Sechelt, where you can enjoy coastal views, vibrant arts scenes, and delicious local cuisine. Kayak through tranquil waters, hike lush rainforest trails, and marvel at the iconic Chatterbox Falls during a guided boat tour of Princess Louisa Inlet. With opportunities for whale watching and grizzly bear viewing, this tour immerses you in British Columbia's diverse wildlife.
The trip also offers deep cultural experiences, including Indigenous-led tours where you’ll learn about the region's rich heritage and sustainable wildlife practices. Explore the charming historic town of Telegraph Cove, visit the U'Mista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay, and stroll through local art galleries. With a mix of guided and free time activities, this adventure offers the perfect balance of relaxation and exploration, making it ideal for nature lovers and culture enthusiasts alike.
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Sunshine Coast & North Island Self-Drive Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Vancouver
Arrive in Vancouver and check in to your hotel, where you’ll have free time to explore the city. Use this opportunity to enjoy some local recommendations and get settled in before beginning your adventure.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Vancouver
Meals: None
Day 2 Scenic Ferry Ride and Exploring Gibsons & Madeira Park
Catch a scenic ferry ride from Vancouver to the Sunshine Coast, then enjoy a leisurely lunch in Gibsons. Spend some free time exploring the town, with the option for a guided Indigenous-led forest walk. In the afternoon, drive to Madeira Park and check in to the Painted Boat Resort & Spa for a relaxing evening by the water.
Overnight Location: Painted Boat Resort & Spa
Meals: None
Day 3 Sea Kayaking in Sechelt
Start the day with a half-day sea kayaking tour through the beautiful waters of Halfmoon Bay or Sechelt Inlet. In the afternoon, enjoy some free time to explore Sechelt and Madeira Park. You can relax on the beaches, swim, or take a hike through Smuggler Cove Marine Park or try fishing and mountain biking. For those seeking more adventure, there’s the option to join a scenic floatplane tour.
Overnight Location: Painted Boat Resort & Spa
Meals: None
Day 4 Adventure to Princess Louisa Inlet & Chatterbox Falls
Embark on a full-day guided boat tour to Princess Louisa Inlet, home to the iconic Chatterbox Falls. After the boat tour, explore Egmont, hike the Skookumchuk Narrows, and enjoy a dinner at the West Coast Wilderness Lodge. Optionally, you can join an evening kayaking tour to experience the magical bioluminescence.
Overnight Location: Painted Boat Resort & Spa
Meals: None
Day 5 Journey from Powell River to Campbell River
Take a ferry to Powell River for lunch, then continue your journey to Vancouver Island with another ferry ride. Afterward, drive north to Campbell River (45 min) and check into your hotel. Enjoy dinner in town before settling in for the night.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Campbell River
Meals: None
Day 6 Explore Campbell River
Spend the day hiking through Elk Falls Provincial Park and Strathcona Provincial Park, both offering stunning scenery. Optional activities include a wildlife and cultural boat tour, fishing excursions, and more.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Campbell River
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Explore Telegraph Cove
After breakfast, drive approximately 2.5 hours to Telegraph Cove, a historic town with much to explore. Spend the afternoon at your leisure, with optional tours like a half-day sea kayaking trip or wildlife viewing tour. In the evening, enjoy a waterfront dinner featuring fresh, local seafood.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Telegraph Cove
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Traveling to Alert Bay
Enjoy a free morning in Telegraph Cove before traveling to Alert Bay via the Port McNeill ferry. Visit the U’Mista Cultural Centre, and for those interested, there’s an optional artist-led tour of the local galleries. Check into a family-run bed and breakfast and enjoy a delicious dinner on-site.
Optional add-on: night in Telegraph Cove with full-day sea kayaking tour.
Overnight Location: Bed & Breakfast in Alert Bay
Meals: None
Day 9 Grizzly & Wildlife Tour
Experience a full-day, Indigenous-led tour in the Broughton Archipelago for incredible grizzly bear and whale-watching opportunities. Return to Alert Bay for the night.
Overnight Location: Bed & Breakfast in Alert Bay
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 10 Discovering the Beauty of Southern Vancouver Island
Catch the ferry from Alert Bay to Vancouver Island, continuing your journey south to Nanaimo (~4 hours), with a stop to enjoy the beaches and trails of Miracle Beach Provincial Park. You’ll spend the night in Nanaimo or Parksville.
Optional add-on: 1-2 nights in Port Hardy to visit San Josef Bay in Cape Scott Provincial Park.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Nanaimo or Parksville
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11 Return to Vancouver
On your final day, take the ferry from Nanaimo to Vancouver (Tsawwassen or Horseshoe Bay), where your tour ends.
Optional add-on: nights in Victoria or Vancouver.
Overnight Location: None
Meals: None
Sunshine Coast & North Island Self-Drive Tour Price and Dates
This self-guided tour is fully customizable and available for any group size, based on availability. The prices below are per person, based on double occupancy:Accommodation on the Sunshine Coast & North Island Self-Drive Tour
This tour is based on a variety of options such as hotels, lodges and bed and breakfasts, each offering a unique and comfortable stay tailored to your needs.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy.
What’s Included in the Sunshine Coast & North Island Self-Drive Tour?
Meals
4 breakfasts and 1 lunch are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 10 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
For transportation during the tour, you will need your own vehicle, as this is a self-guided tour. Participants will travel by car, with ferry rides included for routes between Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast, and Vancouver Island.
Also included
- Excursions mentioned in the itinerary
- Sea kayaking tour in Sechelt/Halfmoon Bay (half-day)
- Boat tour to Princess Louisa Inlet and Chatterbox Falls (full-day)
- Indigenous-led grizzly bear and wildlife viewing tour from Alert Bay (full-day)
- U’Mista Cultural Centre entry (optional add-on: Artist-led tour of the galleries)
- Ferries from Vancouver to Gibsons, Powell River to Comox, and Nanaimo to Tsawwassen.
- Custom itinerary design, local recommendations, and remote support from during your trip.
Not included
- Flights to/from and within British Columbia
- Additional meals and add-on activities
- Vehicle rental/usage and fuel
- Ferry to/from Alert Bay
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
- GST tax (5%)
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- 1-2 nights in Port Hardy to visit San Josef Bay in Cape Scott Provincial Park
- Night in Telegraph Cove with full-day sea kayaking tour
- Nights in Victoria or Vancouver
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Optional activities or excursions
- How hard is the Sunshine Coast & North Island Self-Drive Tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Canada?
- Are meals included on the Sunshine Coast & North Island Self-Drive Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Vancouver to start this tour?
- Where does the Sunshine Coast & North Island Self-Drive Tour end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Canada?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Canada?
We rate this tour as a 3/5. The 11-day self-drive trip includes moderate activities like kayaking and hiking, as well as long drives and ferry crossings, requiring some planning and fitness. Comfortable accommodations and guided activities balance the overall challenge, making it manageable for most active travelers.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
4 breakfasts and 1 lunch are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover all the activities listed on the tour. Get your travel insurance.
To get to Vancouver to start the tour, you can fly into Vancouver International Airport (YVR), or take a bus or train from other parts of Canada. If you're already in the region, you can also use local public transport or coach services. Since this is a self-guided tour, you will need your own vehicle for the duration of the trip. Car rentals are available at the airport or throughout Vancouver, but you can also choose to use buses or other transport options for the journey to the start point. Just make sure to arrange your vehicle in advance if you don't have your own.
The tour ends in Vancouver, after an unforgettable journey through the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
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