British Columbia Tours & Trips
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Table of contents
- The best British Columbia tour packages
- What people love about British Columbia Tours
- Travel British Columbia your way
- Best tour companies for British Columbia tours
- Popular British Columbia Cruise Ships
- British Columbia tours for every type of group
- Top British Columbia travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit British Columbia
- Contact our British Columbia travel experts
- What our customers ask about British Columbia Tours & Trips
The best British Columbia tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaBritish Columbia travel expert at TourRadar
Whales & Bears of British Columbia
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Despite some very wet weather it was a thoroughly enjoyable holiday.”
Susan, traveled in September
Grizzlies roam Orford River while black bears inhabit Clayoquot Sound. Canadian Princess Lodge in Ucluelet and Painter's Lodge in Campbell River provide comfortable stays. Pacific Rim's wilderness and Cathedral Grove's ancient forest await exploration.
Duration 9 days Destinations Vancouver, Nanaimo, Pacific Rim National Park, Tofino, Ucluelet, Campbell River, Quadra Island Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From $10,337
12% Off- NZ$9,085You save $1,252
Desolation Sound reveals British Columbia's largest marine park. Scale Mount Elphinstone Summit for Howe Sound views and wander Malaspina Provincial Park's rainforest. Nighttime bioluminescence kayaking in Sechelt Inlet illuminates glowing marine life.
Duration 9 days Destinations Vancouver, Gibsons, Sechelt, Roberts Creek, Horseshoe Bay, Halfmoon Bay, Egmont, Powell River, Lund, Desolation Sound Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
12% Off- NZ$5,960
Explore British Columbia from Vancouver's Sutton Place Hotel to Whistler's Delta Village Suites. Journey includes Shannon Falls visit, Sea to Sky Gondola ride on Habrich Ridge, and optional TreeTrek Ecotours through ancient rainforest. Access Vancouver's 29 attractions via Hop-On-Hop-Off tours.
Duration 5 days Destinations Vancouver, Whistler Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Landsby From
12% Off- NZ$1,563
Vancouver 4 Days island Adventure Tour Vancouver, Victoria, Ucluelet, Tofino and Nanaimo
1 Review by TourRadar travelers
Coastal beauty unfolds from Vancouver to Victoria's Inner Harbor and Parliament Buildings. The renowned Butchart Gardens gives way to Ucluelet's Wild Pacific Trail and Tofino's pristine Pacific Rim National Park. Nanaimo's museums and scenic ferry crossing back to Vancouver conclude the adventure.
Duration 4 days Destinations Vancouver, Horseshoe Bay, Victoria, The Butchart Gardens, Nanaimo, Ucluelet, Tofino Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Globalduniya From
12% Off- NZ$5,978
3 days Private Vancouver Cultural Tour
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We see Victoria waterfront and enjoy a beautiful evening with my family. Explore the area, completely worth it.”
Shivsharma, traveled in January
Vancouver's Stanley Park trails, Capilano's 70m-high suspension bridge, and Grouse Mountain's panoramic views reveal coastal charm. The Sea to Sky Highway leads to Squamish's mountaintop gondola, while centrally located 3-star accommodations provide comfort.
Duration 3 days Destinations Vancouver Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Globalduniya From
12% Off- NZ$3,056
What people love about British Columbia Tours
Had one of the best trips of my life so far! I've seen and done about everything on this weekend: watched a beautiful sunset, learned how to do s'mores, seen whales (!!) & eagles & sea lions and even a bear! I met some great people on the trip and really enjoyed Vancouver Island, Tofino and its nature :D
Vancouver Island Premium Tour
Excellent Tour .we all enjoyed very much.our tour guide Anant is very good and knowledgable person.click lots of photographs.Love this beautiful city Vancouver Highly recommended!!!!!!!!!!!!
3 days Private Vancouver Cultural Tour
Travel British Columbia your way
Vancouver Island explorer tours run 4 to 8 days and blend coastal paths with inland discoveries. Everything kicks off in Vancouver with a ferry ride through the Gulf Islands - it's a proper introduction to the Pacific Northwest scenery. Our travelers tell us they really like how we balance structured activities with free time to wander Victoria's Inner Harbor at their own pace. The routes include stops at Butchart Gardens and local cideries, where you'll learn about the island's farming roots while tasting some excellent craft drinks. What makes these trips work so well is how varied they are - you might spend your morning walking the new Malahat SkyWalk with those incredible 360-degree views, then find yourself searching for hidden beaches near Tofino or getting to know local marine life at the Ucluelet Aquarium. Our groups stay small, usually around 13 people, which means you get quality time with guides who've grown up exploring these exact spots.
Select from our extensive range of 33 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through British Columbia with our expert guides leading the way.
Explore a wide diversity of partially guided tours through British Columbia. We have 15 adventures that vary from 3 days to 9 days. With the greatest number of departures in August, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Best tour companies for British Columbia tours
View operators
Popular British Columbia Cruise Ships
British Columbia tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
34 tours in British ColumbiaExplore a wide diversity of group tours through British Columbia. We have 34 adventures that vary from 3 days to 18 days. With the greatest number of departures in August, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Small Group
26 tours in British ColumbiaOur success with small-group tours comes from blending active outdoor experiences with cultural connections across British Columbia's varied terrain. The 8-day Active West Coast tour stands out naturally, as groups share camping sites while kayaking the peaceful waters of Cowichan Bay and conquering the Stawamus Chief trail - our customers often tell us how facing these challenges together builds lasting friendships. The 7-day Vancouver Island journey keeps numbers low to enhance wildlife spotting, especially in Clayoquot Sound, where guests paddle near colonies of seals and sea lions before setting up camp on Vargas Island's secluded shoreline. The Vancouver Island Explorer weaves forest hikes with Indigenous cultural experiences, maintaining intimate group sizes for authentic conversations with local guides. Our travelers value how these small tours allow for unplanned wildlife stops, and give everyone space to capture photos of those impressive 800-year-old Douglas firs, which span 9 meters around Cathedral Grove. With limited numbers, you'll receive focused attention during activities like crab catching, whale watching and also traditional learning sessions with First Nations guides.
Private / Personalized
25 tours in British ColumbiaOur private tours combine flexibility with local knowledge. The Vancouver Cultural Tour pairs you with a dedicated guide to explore Gastown, Granville Island, Chinatown and other neighborhoods at your own pace. Clients tell us they love having time to explore Stanley Park properly or add activities that catch their interest. The Klahoose Adventure takes you into wilder territory with private boat tours through Desolation Sound, where you'll learn Coast Salish traditions while watching for seals, dolphins and whales. The guides really shine here - they'll adjust the schedule around wildlife sightings or dive deeper into Indigenous culture based on what interests you most.
Top British Columbia travel itineraries to fit your plans
For quick British Columbia getaways, our 3-day tours really spotlight Vancouver's diverse areas and Victoria's seaside character. One route takes you through Vancouver's cultural spots - from Gastown's steam clock to the lively Public Market on Granville Island and also the peaceful Dr. Sun Yat-Sen gardens in Chinatown. Another blends Vancouver sights with Whistler's mountain scenery, where travelers especially love the Ancient Cedars snowshoe paths and evening walks through lit-up forests. The Victoria tours include Gulf Islands sailing, time in Butchart Gardens and also exploring Duncan's remarkable set of 44 hand-carved Indigenous totem poles. Our guests often tell us how much they value our local guides who make these places come alive with stories and cultural details.
Seven-day Vancouver Island tours let you properly explore the region's natural side. Popular routes begin in Vancouver before heading to Victoria, giving you time to discover the Inner Harbour before hitting the trails in Goldstream Provincial Park. Our travelers particularly enjoy kayaking through Clayoquot Sound's quiet inlets, where seals, otters and also sea lions often appear along the coast. Many mention camping on Vargas Island's remote beaches as a highlight, especially after paddling past traditional First Nations settlements. You'll do some proper wilderness hiking in Strathcona Park and walk through Cathedral Grove's ancient forest, home to massive Douglas firs measuring 9 meters around.
Ten days gives you time to really get to know British Columbia's varied landscapes and cultures. One interesting route takes you from Williams Lake across the Chilcotin Plateau down to Bella Coola Valley, staying at historic B&Bs and authentic ranches along the way. Another option thoroughly explores Vancouver Island, starting in Victoria and moving north to Tofino, where our clients love taking private boats out for whale watching and also crab catching. These longer trips include special experiences like walking through Xat'sull Heritage Village with Indigenous guides, floating down the Atnarko River to spot grizzlies catching salmon and hiking Farwell Canyon's desert-like sand dunes. Our travelers consistently praise how these tours mix wildlife viewing, cultural experiences and also outdoor activities.
Demographics
Our 8-day Active West Coast Canada Discovery brings solo travelers together in the best possible way. The small group camping format naturally creates friendships while exploring Vancouver Island and Whistler's wilderness. You'll share kayak paddles in Cowichan Bay and tackle the Stawamus Chief trail with your new travel buddies. Our customers often tell us how they started as strangers but ended up as friends after conquering tough hikes and sharing stories around the campfire. The guides are really good at creating a welcoming vibe that makes everyone feel part of the group right from day one.
For young adults looking for social experiences, our 8-day Discovery tours combine wilderness camping with guided explorations across Vancouver Island and Whistler in small groups of like-minded travelers. You'll share kayak paddles in the warm waters of Desolation Sound, take on the challenging Stawamus Chief trail and forge natural connections along the way. The 4-day cultural packages blend Coast Salish welcomes with paddleboarding, guided forest walks and also marine wildlife viewing. Our travelers tell us how much they appreciate these tours mixing physical activities with cultural immersion - you'll take part in traditional ceremonies like cedar brushing while learning directly from Klahoose guides about their heritage. The flexible schedule allows time for both oceanfront resort relaxation and optional activities like heli-hiking, fishing and cultural experiences. In the evenings, travelers often gather for sharing sessions around campfires, where solo adventurers frequently develop lasting friendships with their fellow explorers.
Vancouver Island tours have found that perfect mix of comfort and culture for mature travelers, putting the emphasis on thoughtful pacing and meaningful experiences. The premium multi-day tours host about 13 people, giving guides the flexibility to adapt while guests get personal attention throughout their journey. Our travelers appreciate how the Vancouver-to-Victoria routes unfold naturally, with scenic ferry passages through the Gulf Islands, followed by visits to Butchart Gardens, and stops at local cideries along the way. Gentle boardwalk strolls, wildlife viewing from covered boats, and cultural site visits create a balanced daily flow. Tour guests often mention how well the itineraries blend structured moments like Inner Harbor explorations or Malahat SkyWalk visits with quiet time to take in the island atmosphere. The hotels sit right in the heart of things, making it simple to explore independently, while seamless transport arrangements take care of all the logistics. What makes these tours special is their deep connection to place - watching whales breach in Georgia Strait, walking beneath ancient cedars in Cathedral Grove, and also discovering Indigenous culture through community visits that focus on mutual respect.
The 3-day Vancouver-Victoria tour works brilliantly for families - we've really nailed the balance of activities that keep both parents and kids interested. The ferry crossing usually turns into an impromptu whale-watching session, while Butchart Gardens gives energetic kids plenty of space to explore. We mix in some learning at the Legislative Assembly and Craigdarroch Castle, but our guides know how to make the history fun rather than dry. Parents particularly value our backup plan for rainy days - the BC Royal Museum and Miniature World have saved many family holidays when the weather hasn't cooperated.
Solo Travelers43 tours All tours for Solo Travelers- Couples23 tours
- Seniors (50+)7 tours All tours for Seniors
Best time to visit British Columbia
- Summer 2025
Summer really brings out BC's active side, with several tours making great use of those long daylight hours. Our guests particularly love the combo of hiking East Sooke Regional Park and kayaking Cowichan Bay - the trails mix ocean views with deep Pacific rainforest paths in a really natural way. Another solid choice focuses on Indigenous culture in Desolation Sound, where you'll paddle in some of the warmest waters north of Mexico while learning traditional practices from Klahoose guides. The Vancouver Island Premium tour hits all the key spots at a comfortable pace - you'll experience the Malahat SkyWalk, explore Tofino's beaches and also find time for local cider tasting at Sea Cider farm. Our customers tell us they really value how these summer tours mix guided activities with free afternoons for spontaneous whale watching or beach walks.
- popular 43 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2025
Fall brings out some of BC's most interesting wildlife moments. The Vancouver Island Explorer lines up perfectly with salmon runs - you can watch the fish return to spawn in Goldstream Provincial Park's rivers. At Orford River, our travelers take covered boat trips to safely watch grizzly bears feeding on salmon, getting close to the action while staying comfortable. Some tours combine whale watching in the Salish Sea with visits to Cathedral Grove's ancient Douglas firs, which stand 76 meters tall and have lived for 800 years - they look particularly good with their fall colors. The cultural elements really come alive this season too, with stops at Duncan's totem poles and Indigenous welcome ceremonies at places like Desolation Sound Resort adding real depth to the wildlife experiences. Both G Adventures and Timberwolf Tours earn high marks from our travelers, with most people highlighting how smoothly everything runs and how knowledgeable their guides are. The Vancouver Island experiences are particularly popular, with travelers loving their time kayaking through Clayoquot Sound and exploring the island's many hiking trails. Our recent feedback shows a couple of small areas for improvement - one of our Timberwolf travelers mentioned their guide needed a bit of help sorting out some day-to-day logistics, while a G Adventures guest thought the meals could use an upgrade. But these seem to be isolated cases, as most reviews focus on how well the guides handle everything and really make the trips special. These companies stand out for their hands-on approach to showing travelers around Vancouver Island. You're not just seeing things from a distance - you're actively paddling through the waters and walking the trails, getting a real feel for this beautiful part of Canada. The guides from both operators consistently get praised for sharing interesting details about the local wildlife, geography and culture throughout the journey. What makes both companies work well is their focus on small group sizes, detailed local knowledge and well-thought-out routes that hit all the right spots while keeping the pace comfortable for everyone involved.
- popular 38 tours
- 28 tours
- Spring 2026
Spring is prime time for cultural and wildlife tours along British Columbia's coast, where Indigenous-led experiences in Desolation Sound take center stage. Travelers paddle through North America's warmest waters while learning Coast Salish traditions and joining welcome ceremonies right at the dock. Our customers tell us how much they value their time with Indigenous guides, who share cultural stories while pointing out seals, porpoises and also whales. The coastal circle tours linking Vancouver Island to the Sunshine Coast pack in plenty of variety - you'll discover Victoria's historic sites, wander through Duncan's totem pole collections and cruise pristine waters near Powell River, Lund and the surrounding area. Between outdoor activities, visitors can explore the Patricia Theatre and browse eclectic art galleries in Sechelt, adding depth to the cultural experience. What makes these spring tours special is how they combine structured activities with enough free time to discover coastal communities independently, giving travelers the perfect balance of guidance and freedom.
- popular 17 tours
Contact our British Columbia travel experts
Hannah
Expert in British Columbia at TourRadar
Hannah is one of our seasoned British Columbia Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about British Columbia tours answered!
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+64 4888 0182What our customers ask about British Columbia Tours & Trips
What's Special About British Columbia's Cultural Experiences?
You can really immerse yourself in BC's First Nations traditions through some amazing hands-on experiences. Head to Apokum, this incredible historic Klahoose village tucked away in Desolation Sound's rainforest where you can join a spiritual bathing ritual. The Klahoose Wilderness Resort offers traditional cedar brushing ceremonies that'll connect you with ancient practices. Over in Squamish the Cultural Centre is fantastic and you've got to try the Indigenous fusion food at Thunderbird Cafe. If you're heading up north check out Xat'sull Heritage Village near Soda Creek where local guides share their culture over a traditional lunch.
Where Can You Find BC's Best Natural Areas Away From the Cities?
BC's provincial parks are absolutely stunning from Pacific Rim's rugged coastline to Strathcona's impressive mountain peaks. You'll love exploring Cathedral Grove's ancient forests hiking the waterfalls at Goldstream and spotting marine life at Botanical Beach. Getting there's pretty straightforward you can drive the coastal highway or join guided wilderness tours with boat trips and kayaking adventures. Farwell Canyon's a bit of a hidden gem bordering Junction Sheep Range Provincial Park perfect for a light hike through some really unique sandstone landscapes.
How Do You Get Around British Columbia?
BC Ferries is your go-to for getting between Vancouver Island and the mainland with regular sailings from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay and Nanaimo. The Sea to Sky Highway between Vancouver and Whistler is stunning and taking an Inside Passage cruise gives you amazing coastal views. You've got options with local buses and rental cars for exploring specific areas. It's about 90 minutes by ferry from Vancouver to Victoria and a really scenic 2-hour ride connects Nanaimo with Horseshoe Bay perfect for planning your island adventures.