Vancouver Island
Like You’ve Never Seen Before
Explore the arbutus-lined coastline of the Inside Passage to the rugged coastline of northern Vancouver Island by expedition ship.
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Vancouver Island
Natural Wonders Beyond The Roadmap
Rising from the rich Pacific Ocean, Vancouver Island offers so much raw wilderness and wildlife, yet most are inaccessible by road. Our Vancouver Island trips take you off the beaten track, to discover our diversity—from the oceanic northwest coast to the quieter channels and archipelagos of the inside passage, from the rainforest in the north to the balmy Mediterranean islands in the south.
Wildlife includes whales, bears, birds and many other marine mammals. All of this is punctuated by the region’s rich culture: from the elders at Kyuquot who teach us traditional skills, to the boardwalk communities of the Broughton Archipelago, to the culinary artisans of the south.
Highlights
An amazing journey through the wild island archipelagos
Experience Vancouver Island
See Vancouver Island through the eyes of our guests
Activities
Our tours allow you to experience the best of Vancouver Island.
- Moderate walking
- Sailing (aboard our sailing ship)
- Natural history through hands-on experience
- Marine mammal viewing (whales, sea lions)
- Wild food gathering
- Village visits
- Small boat rides
- Kayaking and fishing (optional)
- Talk with your naturalist and any scientists encountered
- Bird watching
- Tasting the regional cuisine
- Exploration of beaches and hot springs
What People Say
See what our guests have to say about their Vancouver Island adventures
Featured Wildlife
Discover our Island’s wild side. Featuring that kind of wildlife that provides fodder for BBC and IMAX documentaries.
Humpback Whales
Follow the migration of magnificent humpback whales, known as the gentle giants of the sea.
Orcas
These intelligent and powerful marine mammals have captivated the world with their distinctive black and white markings.
Black Bears
Scout the shoreline for the common North American black bears, a symbol of Canadian wilderness.
Sea Lions
Listen to the distinctive barks of the playful and charismatic sea lions.
Cultural History
There’s more to the Island than its rugged natural beauty
Vancouver Island encompasses many indigenous people’s traditional territories, and we work with indigenous guides all along it.
Along the east side of Vancouver Island, we travel in the south through Coast Salish territory, where we work with guides from the Penelakut and/or Tsawout territory; in the northeast, we travel in Kwakwaka’wakw territory, where we visit with guides in Alert Bay. On the northwest coast, we’re in the territory of the Kwakwaka’wakw and Nuu-chah-nulth, where we visit with guides in Kyuquot.
Comfortable Ships, Expert Guides
Find both adventure and comfort aboard our little expedition ships as you explore the shores of Vancouver Island. Our all-local crew loves to give you the best experience in the region they love. As local coastal ships, they are known and welcomed by people we may meet along the way, and you travel as an insider — the guest of the locals — while you explore.
These well-cared-for little ships are nimble and able to anchor in beautiful areas larger ships cannot enter.
Vancouver Island with Maple Leaf Adventures
Travelling is a divine state, and exploring by boat is its purest form.
- Special access to shorelines with variations of forests from dry arbutus shores to cedar and hemlock rainforests.
- Healthy populations of marine bird life and marine mammals, with local naturalists to illuminate the world around you.
- Human cultures that have evolved in this landscape for millennia, invite us to share traditions.
Vancouver Island Itineraries
Choose from several itineraries, each showcasing a unique part of Vancouver Island that most never see.
Wines and Islands
View ItineraryExperience Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands’ emerging wine regions.
Vancouver Island’s Inside Passage
View ItinerarySpend a week cruising up Vancouver Island’s diverse coast with a world-class crew.
Vancouver Island’s Wild Side
View ItineraryCruise Vancouver Island’s rugged Northwest, where time is measured by the rise and fall of the tide.
Whales and Totems
View ItineraryExplore intricate passageways between idyllic islands in the Broughton Archipelago, one of the best places on earth to see whales.
