Vancouver Island Tours

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 diversityfrom 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.

Tour Highlights

An amazing journey through the wild island archipelagos

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Unspoiled Nature

Explore marine, rainforest, and rugged shoreline areas.

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Island Culture

Visit island communities with indigenous guides.

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Remarkable Wildlife

Spot marine mammals, otters, seabirds and the odd bear.

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Private Beaches

Beachcomb the sands far from the Vancouver Island crowds.

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 tours

  • “’Wild and wooly’ within a pristine wilderness. Pushing life to the limit. The best of days from sunrise to sunset. Thank you for the opportunity to rejuvenate our spirits. Merci from two Victorians and ex-Montrealers”

    – Sheila Madill and Bill Fuller, Victoria, BC

  • “From our first inquiries to the final docking, our trip has been first class all the way”

    F. Shirley, Ontario, Canada

  • “An unbelievable experience with the most dedicated and involved crew I’ve ever experienced. Every day was ‘magical’. The bar for my next adventure now is high! A true way to tick off a bucket list item in such a successful way. Thanks so much to all the fabulous crew”

    Chuck Cole, Washington, USA

  • “Another wonderful trip on the Maple Leaf. Once again, the people, as well as nature, were great! This is always the most difficult part of the trip, saying Goodbye. Already planning the next journey”

    Jim and Judy Colvin, Los Angeles, CA

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.

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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.
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Vancouver Island Itineraries

Choose from several itineraries, each showcasing a unique part of Vancouver Island that most never see.

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Contact Us for More Information or to Book Your Expedition Adventure!

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