British Columbia
Wildlife of British Columbia: Whales, Grizzlies and Ancient Forests
Program No. 2181960MEADV-1116-60
Explore mountains, coastal estuaries, wild beaches and a northern rainforest as you learn about British Columbia and the First Nations people who have long called it home.
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800-454-5768
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DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Aug 18 - Aug 25, 2025
Starting at
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8 days
7 nights
19 meals
7B 6L 6D
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Vancouver, British Columbia
2
Presentation, Vancouver Aquarium, Ferry to Nanaimo
Nanaimo, British Columbia
3
MacMillan Park, North Island Recovery Centre
Nanaimo, British Columbia
4
Campbell River Museum, Telegraph Cove
Telegraph Cove, British Columbia
5
Whale Museum, Ferry to Alert Bay, U'mista Cultural Centre
Telegraph Cove, British Columbia
6
Grizzly Bear Field Trip by Boat
Telegraph Cove, British Columbia
7
Whale Watching, Coach to Nanaimo
Nanaimo, British Columbia
8
Ferry to Vancouver, Program Concludes
Nanaimo, British Columbia
At a Glance
On this wilderness adventure, explore winding coastal trails, the protected waters of the Inside Passage and the Great Bear Rainforest for unparalleled opportunities to learn about wildlife and Pacific rainforest ecology. The Great Bear Rainforest is one of the largest remaining intact coastal temperate forests in the world and home to the highest density of grizzly bears in North America. Ferry along the nutrient rich waters off Telegraph Cove in search of Killer Whales; watch for porpoise, dolphins, seals and sea lions.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Active program with daily field trips. Walk up to two miles daily.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Visit the Great Bear Rainforest to look for bears in their natural habitats and learn about the importance of Pacific salmon to First Nations communities.
- Examine the biodiversity of the northeast Pacific Ocean with a local expert, then embark on a whale-watching trip to search for orca whales.
- Learn about the First Peoples of Vancouver Island at the Royal British Columbia Museum and then experience the living culture of the Kwakwaka’wakw people in their traditional territory of remote Alert Bay.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Jackie Hildering
Jackie is a biology teacher, cold-water diver, underwater photographer and whale researcher living on Vancouver Island. She is the co-founder of the Marine Education and Research Society and winner of the Vancouver Aquarium’s Murray A. Newman Award for Excellence in Aquatic Conservation. Jackie was recently featured on Animal Planet’s “Wild Obsession” and in the BBC production “New Threat to Canada’s Pacific Humpback Whales?” She is passionate about telling “the story of mystery, fragility and wonder of the life hidden in the cold, dark Northeast Pacific Ocean.”
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Jackie Hildering
View biography
Jackie is a biology teacher, cold-water diver, underwater photographer and whale researcher living on Vancouver Island. She is the co-founder of the Marine Education and Research Society and winner of the Vancouver Aquarium’s Murray A. Newman Award for Excellence in Aquatic Conservation. Jackie was recently featured on Animal Planet’s “Wild Obsession” and in the BBC production “New Threat to Canada’s Pacific Humpback Whales?” She is passionate about telling “the story of mystery, fragility and wonder of the life hidden in the cold, dark Northeast Pacific Ocean.”
Routes Adventures Mobile Phone
View biography
Please call the toll free line at 1-866-745-1690 during regular business hours or for non-urgent matters (Mon - Fri 8:30 - 4:30 EST). The mobile phone #1-613-331-5777 is for after hours and weekends for emergency use only. The phone is carried by a staff member.
Lynne Brookes
View biography
Lynne Brookes has taught courses in biology, ecology, and environmental studies as well as teachers’ workshops in the U.S., Latin America, and Canada. A former president of an Audubon Society chapter, she served as president of the Arrowsmith Naturalists from 2014-17. “Retired” on mid-Vancouver Island, Lynne is a volunteer teacher focusing on native plants, ecology, and wildlife-friendly gardening for the Vancouver Island University ElderCollege program. She also conducts programs and workshops at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre in Errington, British Columbia.
Greg Holmes
View biography
Greg Holmes, international wanderer and grizzly bear greeter, has navigated a number of destination marketing roles for the better part of 25 years. Roles as varied as leading visitors in Moscow to bringing the 2010 Olympic torch to hundreds of communities across Canada have kept Greg busy over the years. In his spare time Greg is completing renovations on the 1949 Burnaby Heights bungalow home he shares with his wife and their two dogs. He enjoys sailing, sea kayaking, tennis, biking, and hiking.
Suggested Reading List
(16 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Wildlife of British Columbia: Whales, Grizzlies and Ancient Forests
Program Number: 21819
Bachelor Brothers' Bed and Breakfast
Lake Woebegone goes British Columbian in this humorous slip of a novel about an unconventional Vancouver B&B, which features twin bookworm brothers, a talking parrot and a motley crew of hotel guests.
Field Guide to Marine Mammals of the Pacific Coast
Sophie Webb, director of Oikinos, contributes the exquisite paintings for this outstanding field guide, the 100th in the California Natural History Guides series, perfect for the Sea of Cortez.
Operation Orca; Springer, Luna and the Struggle to Save West Coast Killer Whales
Through the amazing story of the two "orphan" whales, Luna and Moby Doll, Operation Orca tells the larger story of orcas in the Pacific Northwest, the people who have studied them and the transformation of the whale's image from killer to icon.
Myths and Legends of the Pacific Northwest
Presented here with 52 photographs, these traditional stories, first collected in 1910, reveal myths and traditions of creation, alongside noted geographical features of the territory.
The Great Bear Rainforest, Canada's Forgotten Coast
An environmental history of coastal British Columbia featuring handsome color photographs.
Mark of the Grizzly
McMillion gives readers a thorough understanding of the behavior of these magnificent, yet deadly creatures through examples of encounters gone very wrong.
The Raven Steals the Light
A classic collection of 10 Haida myths and legends with accompanying black and white etchings by Vancouver artist Bill Reid. These stories capture the storytelling traditions of the Haida.
Grass Beyond the Mountains, Discovering the Last Great Cattle Frontier on the North American Continent
Hobson's classic memoir of his cross-country trek and pioneering days as a rancher in British Columbia's undiscovered remote north.
National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Pacific Northwest
A compact photographic guide to the wildflowers, trees, mosses, butterflies, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals of the Pacific Northwest.
DK Eyewitness Top Ten Vancouver & Victoria
A compact, illustrated guide in the popular series, featuring favorite attractions in Vancouver and Victoria.
Train Beyond the Mountains: Journeys on the Rocky Mountaineer
As the former vice-president of Rocky Mountaineer, former president and CEO of Tourism Vancouver, previous chair of the board for Destinations International (Washington, D.C.), and vice chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (Bangkok, Thailand), Rick Antonson knows travel. Often a solo explorer, he has spent much of his life circumnavigating the globe. Many of those journeys can be found in Antonson’s accomplished collection of memoirs, detailing adventures that took him to places like West Africa, Papua New Guinea, and Turkey. He has also contributed to books outlining the search for lost gold and rugged travel across Canada. It is a train trip on the Rocky Mountaineer, from Banff to Vancouver, then to Whistler and ending in Jasper, with his ten-year-old grandson, that guides Antonson’s newest memoir.
Whelks to Whales, Coastal Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest
This revised second edition of Harpo's popular field guide covers 400 species from northern California to Alaska.
The Island Within
EXPLORATION, 1996, PAPERBACK, 284 PAGES
A beautifully written tribute to the Pacific Northwest. Drawn from the author's journals, this is an account of the natural and cultural history of an island in the waters of Haida Strait, focusing on geology, marine life, wildlife, habitats and Koyukon heritage. Much in the tradition of Barry Lopez, the author focuses on the relationship between people and the land.
The West Beyond the West, A History of British Columbia
PAPER, 834 PAGES, $32.95
A general history of the Canadian province from the 18th century to the mid-1990s. (Item no. CND116)
The Last Great Sea, A Voyage Through the Human and Natural History of the North Pacific Ocean
A wide-ranging conservation history of British Columbia and the North Pacific Ocean. Glavin lives in the Gulf Islands, where he writes frequently about fisheries and environmental issues facing the region.
Great Bear Wild
A colorful photographic journey through the Great Bear Rainforest that follows the coast from Vancouver Island to southern Alaska; McAllister captures the spectacular landscapes and wildlife, including wolves, whales and bears.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
8 days
Program Begins
Vancouver, British Columbia
Program Concludes
Nanaimo, British Columbia
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
19
| 7B |
6L |
6D |
Activity Level
On this wilderness adventure, explore winding coastal trails, the protected waters of the Inside Passage and the Great Bear Rainforest for unparalleled opportunities to learn about wildlife and Pacific rainforest ecology. The Great Bear Rainforest is one of the largest remaining intact coastal temperate forests in the world and home to the highest density of grizzly bears in North America. Ferry along the nutrient rich waters off Telegraph Cove in search of Killer Whales; watch for porpoise, dolphins, seals and sea lions.)
Best of all, you'll...
- Visit the Great Bear Rainforest to look for bears in their natural habitats and learn about the importance of Pacific salmon to First Nations communities.
- Examine the biodiversity of the northeast Pacific Ocean with a local expert, then embark on a whale-watching trip to search for orca whales.
- Learn about the First Peoples of Vancouver Island at the Royal British Columbia Museum and then experience the living culture of the Kwakwaka’wakw people in their traditional territory of remote Alert Bay.
Featured Expert
Jackie Hildering
Jackie is a biology teacher, cold-water diver, underwater photographer and whale researcher living on Vancouver Island. She is the co-founder of the Marine Education and Research Society and winner of the Vancouver Aquarium’s Murray A. Newman Award for Excellence in Aquatic Conservation. Jackie was recently featured on Animal Planet’s “Wild Obsession” and in the BBC production “New Threat to Canada’s Pacific Humpback Whales?” She is passionate about telling “the story of mystery, fragility and wonder of the life hidden in the cold, dark Northeast Pacific Ocean.”
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Routes Adventures Mobile Phone
Please call the toll free line at 1-866-745-1690 during regular business hours or for non-urgent matters (Mon - Fri 8:30 - 4:30 EST). The mobile phone #1-613-331-5777 is for after hours and weekends for emergency use only. The phone is carried by a staff member.
Lynne Brookes
Lynne Brookes has taught courses in biology, ecology, and environmental studies as well as teachers’ workshops in the U.S., Latin America, and Canada. A former president of an Audubon Society chapter, she served as president of the Arrowsmith Naturalists from 2014-17. “Retired” on mid-Vancouver Island, Lynne is a volunteer teacher focusing on native plants, ecology, and wildlife-friendly gardening for the Vancouver Island University ElderCollege program. She also conducts programs and workshops at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre in Errington, British Columbia.
Greg Holmes
Greg Holmes, international wanderer and grizzly bear greeter, has navigated a number of destination marketing roles for the better part of 25 years. Roles as varied as leading visitors in Moscow to bringing the 2010 Olympic torch to hundreds of communities across Canada have kept Greg busy over the years. In his spare time Greg is completing renovations on the 1949 Burnaby Heights bungalow home he shares with his wife and their two dogs. He enjoys sailing, sea kayaking, tennis, biking, and hiking.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Active program with daily field trips. Walk up to two miles daily.
Small Group
(13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List
(16 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
8 days
7 nights
What's Included
19 meals | 7B | 6L | 6D |
2 expert-led lectures
9 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
7 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
Vancouver, British Columbia
Meals:
D
Stay:
Sylvia Hotel
Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 4:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
Orientation: 7:15 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will learn from a series of local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach unless noted otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Day
2
Presentation, Vancouver Aquarium, Ferry to Nanaimo
Location:
Nanaimo, British Columbia
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Coast Bastion
Activity Note
Walking about 2 miles, approximately 2 hours; city streets, pavement and museum. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 72 miles, approximately 3.5 hours riding time including 1.5-hour ferry crossing.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
A local resident expert will join us to offer a unique insider’s perspective on British Columbia’s coast and the marine life within it. This area is a significant natural corridor where the ocean and land rely on each other and work together in fascinating and crucial ways. We will be educated on the significance of the unique waters to the area, from how the forest ecosystem relies on the salmon for survival, to how the First Nations depend on the water for well-being, to how the fishing and tourism industries of the area depend on this crucial resource. After we will travel to the Vancouver Aquarium to explore Canada’s largest aquarium, one dedicated to the exploration and conservation of aquatic life. During this self-directed field trip, we’ll have the opportunity to see 120 exhibits, including the Pacific Canada Pavilion, and will learn about the ecosystems of the Pacific and other waters and Canada’s dedication to protect them. We’ll have the opportunity to get up close to crabs, sea cucumbers, sea stars and many more. Through these engaging exhibits, we will be immersed in the conservation efforts within Canada, which promises to provide a deep understanding of marine environments and their significance while engaging directly with the creatures being protected.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant..
Afternoon:
Board the ferry to Vancouver Island, the largest island on the west coast of North America, separated from the Canadian mainland by the Georgia Strait, Johnstone Strait, and Queen Charlotte Strait.
Dinner:
At the hotel..
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
3
MacMillan Park, North Island Recovery Centre
Location:
Nanaimo, British Columbia
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Coast Bastion
Activity Note
Walking about 2 miles on pavement; some standing at Recovery Centre.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We start our day by boarding the coach and heading to Cathedral Grove where we will discover the unique MacMillan Park, an unparalleled experience in British Columbia's coastal forest. We’ll explore the trails beneath 800 year old Douglas fir trees, and learn how they protect the astounding ecosystem of the forest. The aftermath of a 1997 windstorm adds to the park's growth and beauty, with fallen trees enriching the ecosystem and nurturing new life. This remarkable environment offers a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich biodiversity and ecological significance that makes this area unique.
Lunch:
In a scenic area.
Afternoon:
We will visit North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre, which offers a unique experience to learn about the rescue and rehabilitation of injured wildlife In British Columbia. We will embark on an immersive experience, and be educated not only on the significance of animal life in Canada, but also on the environmental issues so important to this province and how the conservation of wildlife contributes to the restoration of the area. Explore educational demonstrations as well as active exhibits that provide a unique, hands-on learning experience.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy local cuisine. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for early check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
4
Campbell River Museum, Telegraph Cove
Location:
Telegraph Cove, British Columbia
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Telegraph Cove Resort
Activity Note
Getting on and off motor coach; Driving from Nanaimo to Telegraph Cove is approx. 220 miles; about 4 hours. Walking up to 1 mile. Some standing st the museum.
Breakfast:
Early morning breakfast at the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out and depart by motorcoach, travelling to our destination of Telegraph Cove. Keep your eyes out for local wildlife as we pass through forests, small towns, and coastlines that wind in and away from the road. At the Campbell River Museum, take a fascinating journey into Vancouver Island's rich history. Through engaging exhibits, we will discover the traditions of First Nations, the world of logging, and the evolution of salmon fishing that shaped British Columbia. A local resident expert will bring this history to life, revealing the cultural and economic impact on the region, and the fascinating complex past of the area.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant..
Afternoon:
We’ll continue our journey to Telegraph Cove, tucked away on the eastern coast of Northern Vancouver Island in one of the last virtually untouched areas of the North American continent. This tiny sawmill and cannery community was important to the development of the North Island and has a rich and colorful history and is one of the last boardwalk communities of eastern Vancouver Island. We’ll then check in at the hotel before dinner.
Dinner:
At a restaurant in Telegraph Cove.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Whale Museum, Ferry to Alert Bay, U'mista Cultural Centre
Location:
Telegraph Cove, British Columbia
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Telegraph Cove Resort
Activity Note
Walking about 1 mile; about 1.5 hours; gravel paths and grassy areas. Getting on/off a ferry; crossing to Alert Bay is about 7.5 nautical miles, less than 1 hour (each way). Driving about 4 hours total.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will walk to the Whale Interpretive Centre in Telegraph Cove for an expert-led exploration. The waters between Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia are home to magnificent orcas (killer whales) from early July through October. These protected waters are an ideal location to view and listen to orcas and other marine mammals as they feed, socialize, and raise their young. The center therefore, thanks to its location, is home to one of the best collections of marine mammal skeletons in British Columbia including those of whales, dolphins, porpoises and seals. The center was established to provide public awareness about the biology of marine mammals as well as about the biology, habitat needs and threats posed to local marine mammals. Then we will board a ferry for Alert Bay.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Arriving in Alert Bay, we will visit the U'Mista Cultural Centre and learn from a local First Nations’ member about their traditions and how to interpret totem pole burial grounds on an expert-led exploration. The centre’s mission is to ensure the survival of all aspects of cultural heritage of the Kwakwaka'wakw peoples. Afterwards, there will be time for self-led exploration of the museum, totem poles and big house.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant in Telegraph Cove.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
6
Grizzly Bear Field Trip by Boat
Location:
Telegraph Cove, British Columbia
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Telegraph Cove Resort
Activity Note
Getting on/off 12-passenger aluminum boats; cruising approximately 2 hours each way; vessels are covered and have onboard toilets. Dress warmly in dark layers with a waterproof shell; bring a hat and a water bottle. No perfume/aftershave/scents. We will always stay at least 150 feet from bears.
Breakfast:
On the boat.
Morning:
After boarding aluminum water taxis at the dock, we’ll continue traveling toward Knight Inlet, due north of Johnstone Strait and Telegraph Cove, for our exciting bear and wildlife spotting adventure. Once we reach a bear viewing hot spot, we will transfer to large flat-bottom viewing skiffs, which have an elevated platform on the bow as well as a crow’s nest up above for the bear viewing. These are former herring fishing boats that have been modified for wildlife viewing in shallow estuaries. Their shallow draught serves to get us in close to the action. Knight Inlet, a prime black bear and grizzly bear habitat, cuts 80 miles through the remote Coast Range of mountains to Mount Waddington, the highest mountain in British Columbia. Under expert leadership, we will explore the hidden habitat of bears, learn about the ecosystem and discover how bears play an integral role in sustaining the bioregion. Bald eagles, orcas and other wildlife are abundant, and the river system supports a phenomenal fall salmon run. Needless to say, the opportunities for nature photography in Knight Inlet are superb. As a courtesy to the bears and to ensure the longevity of viewing for years to come, we will always stay at least 50 meters from bears as per recommended guidelines; please do not wear perfumes or aftershave on the bear viewing trip.
Lunch:
On the float back away from the bear viewing area, we will enjoy a spread. Eating in the bear viewing area is not bear friendly; we cannot have these bears associating the smell of people with the smell of human food.
Afternoon:
Our west coast grizzly bear adventure will continue amid great towering mountains rising out of the sea, cascading waterfalls, and waterslides. While our local experts will make their best effort to get us to the best places for bear viewing, they cannot guarantee sightings – they would like to be able to book an appointment with the bears but sometimes they do not show up!
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At the hotel, a local expert will deliver an evening presentation on marine life. We’ll learn about the biodiversity and remarkable adaptations invertebrates and fish of the NE Pacific Ocean have. It is always surprising to discover how little we know about these marine mammals. The primary focus, however, will be on orca and humpback whale research as we discuss the life-sustaining value of the NE Pacific, conservation concerns (includes Sea Star Wasting Syndrome), and solutions. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
7
Whale Watching, Coach to Nanaimo
Location:
Nanaimo, British Columbia
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Coast Bastion
Activity Note
Walking about 1 mile over the course of the day; pavement and boardwalks. Getting on/off the boat; whale watching is approximately 4 hours, with varying distance based on location of sightings; vessels carry up to 74 passengers. Heated indoor cabin, two open-air decks, onboard washrooms and snack bar. Bring a light jacket or rain gear. Hats, gloves, and jackets provided for all passengers on request. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 221 miles, approximately 4.5 hours riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
From Telegraph Cove, we’ll embark on a whale watching study cruise in the “whale watching capital” of British Columbia. In addition to whales, there is a great diversity and abundance of marine life in local waters. The cold, oxygen- and nutrient-rich waters fuel one of the most vibrant ecosystems on earth. While orcas are the primary viewing experience, we may also encounter humpback whales, Dalls porpoises, Pacific white-sided dolphins, and occasionally Harbour seals and Steller sea lions. To enhance our field trip, the boats are equipped with underwater microphones (hydrophones) so we can listen in on the squeaks, whistles, and echolocation that allow orcas and dolphins the ability to communicate and locate their food. The boat has a range of educational materials from ID catalogues to maps, charts, and books on the local area and marine life. The captain and crew will be happy to answer questions.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in Telegraph Cove.
Afternoon:
We will board the motorcoach and travel south on Vancouver Island to Nanaimo, with some stops along the way.
Dinner:
At the hotel in Nanaimo. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
8
Ferry to Vancouver, Program Concludes
Location:
Nanaimo, British Columbia
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Early morning hotel check-out. Getting on/off a ferry; crossing from Nanaimo to Vancouver is about 30 nautical miles, approximately 1.5 hours. Arrival to the Vancouver Airport approximately 12:00 Noon.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After breakfast we will make our way to the ferry. Once we reach the dock, we’ll get off the ferry, and board a motorcoach for transfer to Vancouver Airport, expected arrival around 12:00 noon. If you are departing, please plan flights accordingly. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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MEALS
19 Meals
7 Breakfasts
6 Lunches
6 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Aug 18, 2025 - Aug 25, 2025
- Aug 18, 2025 - Aug 25, 2025 (Vancouver, British Columbia to Nanaimo, British Columbia)
- Aug 25, 2025 - Sep 01, 2025 (Vancouver, British Columbia to Nanaimo, British Columbia)
- Sep 01, 2025 - Sep 08, 2025 (Vancouver, British Columbia to Nanaimo, British Columbia)
Participant Reviews
Based on 12 Reviews
Sort By:
A fantastic experience. It was truly a spiritual journey.
— Review left September 19, 2024
Wonderful wildlife information and viewing. I saw new things and learned a lot. A quite delightful experience, enhanced by an incredibly capable leader.
— Review left September 14, 2024
Edited to say that I wasn't given an option when reviewing this trip to enter a star rating, and it somehow assigned 2 stars. I would give this trip 3 stars.
I have mixed feelings about this trip. The hotels were great, and the lunches and dinners at restaurants were very good to excellent. The breakfasts buffets were average and could use more fruit.
The excursions, walks, and lectures were good. However, the tour had way too much time traveling via ferry and bus to hotel and excursion locations and way too little time on actual excursions. That's the nature of this kind of tour to remote areas. It's just not something I enjoy.
The salmon weren't running yet, but we did get to see a mama grizzly and her 2 cubs playing along the river. We saw lots of orcas, a humpback whale, bald eagles, harbor seals, and sea lions while on the grizzly excursion. I missed the whale watching excursion due to contracting Covid, so I was glad I got to see enough marine life the previous day.
The times and places of some things kept changing from the schedule we were given at orientation, and would even change during the day. The tour leader was somewhat disorganized, but did his best to keep us informed. He was also very helpful with getting several of us who got Covid towards the end of the trip late check-outs and checking in with us often to make sure we were okay.
— Review left August 29, 2024
Learning about the First Nation was most interesting. We thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to see grizzlies, humpback whales, orcas, porpoises, and sea lions. Our group leader, Wes, kept us on schedule, educated and entertained.
— Review left August 28, 2024
Began with disappointments. Big plus of trip was 2 days in Victoria, we made plans for what to do. With no explanation our first day was changed to Vancouver instead and our hotel in Victoria was hugely downgraded from the Chateau Victoria to the Royal Scot. When I asked our guide she said she didn't know what our old itinerary said but this was our new itinerary. Our hotel in Vancouver was already a disappointment with renovation in progress and no services. I tried to ask our guide another question and she just turned and walked away. I actually wondered at first if she had listening comprehension issues (I'm a psychologist). She was defensive, and scolded us like children instead of treating us like seasoned adults. Our first dinner took 2 and 1/2 hours due to staff? and so our first meeting didn't start until 9:30 pm when we were exhausted from traveling.
The pace was difficult. We would get to accommodations late and couldn't even wash our face before dinner. We had a wonderful presenter (Jackie Hindering) but she was in the evening after we had started the day at 6:10 am and we had trouble staying awake. We lost power twice and water once which is beyond anyone's control but caused issues.
The Grizzly Bear tour and the Whale watching tour were wonderful.
I'd still like to know why we lost our day in Victoria.
There were plusses on this trip but too many bumps to make it feel as if we had a good trip overall.
— Review left September 5, 2023
Our glass was more half empty than half full. Among the highs: tour guide Greg, three nights at Telegraph Cove (beautiful and charming), full day seeking grizzly bears with great success, nature walk and wildlife rescue center with Lynn Brookes, fine group of people on this tour, Victoria walk with John Atkins, cannery museum, whale center lecture at Telegraph Cove. Among the lows: lots of waiting for ferries, traveling on buses and ferries, three days (of six) of sparse activities, whale-watching boat ride that saw a few fins from 300 meters away. We went to Vancouver a day early and greatly enjoyed the Stanley Aquarium and Bloedel Conservatory. So we would rate it four stars overall, out of five stars.
— Review left August 25, 2023
I loved this trip. Our guide, Greg was great and very helpful. The presentations were extremely informative. I loved Telegraph cove and the surrounding stunningly beautiful waters. The lifting, lapping ,fog rising and disappearing between the islands and grey blue shades of sky and water were heavenly. The wildlife watching boats were very respectful of the grizzlies, orcas, and whales. Our bus driver was very personable and a very safe driver. There was just enough time in Vancouver and Victoria to get a good taste of the cities before escaping on the bus to the wilderness, which I love. I highly recommend.
— Review left August 21, 2023
This was a great adventure. It was very exciting to view the Grizzley Bears in their natural habitat. The Tide Rip Tour Providers were very professional. Whale watching was great! Greg the Tour Director and Rick the Bus Driver went out of their way to ensure a fun experience.
— Review left August 21, 2023
It was mind-blowing to view grizzlies in their natural habitat and we had many exceptional speakers and meals, however this program was otherwise disappointing and not up to the exceptional Road Scholar standards I've come to expect based on nine previous Road Scholar programs.
Our co-leaders were personable and pleasant, however they had little or no knowledge of most of the places and activities on our itinerary and made several questionable logistical decisions. The unavoidably lengthy bus rides lacked the typical in-depth and relevant narration, except on the final full day of the program when our exceptional coach driver narrated as he drove.
— Review left September 19, 2022
A fabulous experience! Gorgeous Victoria and from charming Telegraph Cove thrilling (not-too-close) encounters with humpback whales, orcas and grizzlies. I'd go back in a heartbeat!
— Review left September 13, 2022
I loved this program. Seeing Grizzly bears and so many beautiful islands, water ways, and trees was amazing. Dan did a good job for being new. The whole experience was enjoyable. Now due to no Orca in September maybe just do the program up to August. We had fog in the AM so whale watching should be in afternoon. Get rid of Sandman its a below standard location to stay. Thank you
— Review left September 12, 2022
Joanna, our trip director, is a magician and super professional! There was a mechanical problem for the grizzly tour operator, and with very little notice, we were informed that only half the group could go out as scheduled. Joanna used her fabulous organizing skills and people skills to get it all sorted out. She knows Canada, and British Columbia, especially well, and I’m so glad she was leading us on this trip!
— Review left August 29, 2022
