3 day vancouver island explorer

Duration: 3 Days

Cost: $1395

Our Three-Day Vancouver Island Explorer tour is a fun filled, action packed journey across Southern Vancouver Island. Our small group cycling tours are ideally suited for those who prefer active travel as a way to experience the beauty of Vancouver Island. Join us for an incredible biking adventure through some of the most stunning landscapes this region has to offer.

Day One: Vancouver to Sooke (44KM cycling)

From downtown Vancouver we take the short drive to Horseshoe Bay and jump aboard the scenic ferry, and travel across the Strait of Georgia to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.  The ferry trip allows for a relaxed start to the morning with spectacular views of the Salish Sea & Gulf Islands, as well as an opportunity for wildlife sightings.

Upon arriving on Vancouver Island, we make our way down the East Coast and inland to Lake Cowichan, a popular little community tucked away between the lake and mountains. Here we have a great surprise in store for those guests who wish to partake, as we float the tranquil Cowichan River for an hour on a floatie tube before our days cycle begins. It’s a wonderful way to start the day as you glide along the shallow waters in your trusty tube. If you are not the water type, not to worry! There will be an alternative activity for you to enjoy. Following this, we stop for a fresh and healthy picnic by the water’s edge and enjoy some of the regions local produce from a local café.

With our bellies full and time to digest, we begin our first cycle of the trip along the spectacular Cowichan Valley Trail. The vehicle-free, hard packed gravel trail is a joy to ride for cyclists of all abilities. This route offers a peaceful bike ride through the Cowichan Valley’s towering old-growth forest and meandering rivers.  Along the way we pass over the famous Kinsol Trestle, the largest wooden trestle in the Commonwealth. The restored trestle provides magnificent panoramic views over the valley and the Koksilah River below. We finish our day’s adventure at Shawnigan Lake where we can relax by the water’s edge or take a refreshing swim to cool down.

Our final destination of the day is the small west-coast town of Sooke, nestled between the rugged coastline of Vancouver Island and a temperate rain forest. We will stay the night in Sooke and hopefully enjoy a beautiful sunset over the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Dinner will be served that evening at the delicious West Coast Grill coveniently located in our ocean front hotel.

Day Two: Sooke to Victoria (46km)

The next morning, following a hearty breakfast in the hotel, we will take the short 10-minute drive out to Sooke Potholes Provincial Park, a spot popular with locals for the natural rock pools and towering old-growth Douglas Fir trees. Here we will enjoy a scenic, leisurely hike through the park and take in the beautiful surroundings – If you’re brave enough, why not jump into the refreshing aquamarine rock pools! This is one of our favorite swimming holes in all our world adventures and will not disappoint!

After our morning at the potholes, we will cycle the Galloping Goose Trail to Victoria, the capital city of British Columbia. This vehicle free bike trail is named after the clunky, old rail-car, which carried passengers between Sooke and Victoria in the 1920’s. The scenery along the trail is spectacular, ranging from quiet coves and lakes, to lush rainforest. The final portion of the trail travels through the suburbs of Victoria leading us into the bustling heart of the city. We will cycle through the Inner Harbor and pass by the world-famous Empress Hotel and BC Legislature Building for a sneak peak of the glorious Victorian architecture. We will ride our bikes all the way to the hotel’s front door and check in our second evening’s accommodation on the waters edge.

Victoria, also known as the “Garden City,” is one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. The city is famous for its Victorian architecture and has retained a large number of its historic buildings. Experiencing all of this in a city in North America is a great treat! Guest’s will have the opportunity to explore the vibrant city before meeting up for dinner.

Day Three: Victoria to Vancouver (38 - 45 KM)

The next morning, we will take another short 15-minute drive to the beginning of our third days cycle tour. Here we will pedal along the winding coastal road that surrounds the city of Victoria, take a moment to breathe in the fresh sea air and enjoy the stunning sights this coastline has to offer. We will then make our way into Beacon Hill Park and visit the world’s largest totem pole and spectacular grounds. If the weather agrees we will enjoy an “El fresco” style breakfast from a great local café.  

Following breakfast, we will ride back through the city of Victoria along their incredible bike lanes and make our way onto the Galloping Goose Trail towards the Saanich Peninsula. From here we will join the Lochside Trail, another amazing bicycle trail that is vehicle-free with plenty of incredible scenery along the way. We will explore the pristine nature and tranquility of Elk & Beaver Lake Regional Park and follow the enchanting trail around the lake for a rest on the shore. Take a moment to enjoy a light snack and refreshing drink on the shoreline.

Following our visit to the lake, we will continue our journey out to the ferry terminal at Swartz Bay and rejoin the Lochside Trail for another while. At Sidney, we will finish our ride for the day with a celebratory drink or refreshment overlooking the Haro Straight and Gulf Islands. We will take the short bus ride to Swartz bay, where we will board a BC Ferry through Gulf Islands and back to our starting point of Vancouver.

The dates for the 2025 season are as follows:

June 18th -20st SOLD OUT

J̶̶̶u̶̶̶n̶e̶ ̶2̶6̶t̶̶̶h̶̶̶ ̶̶̶t̶̶̶o̶̶̶ ̶̶̶J̶̶̶u̶̶̶n̶e̶ ̶2̶8̶t̶̶̶h̶ - SOLD OUT

July 2nd to July 4th - SOLD OUT

July 10th to July 12th - (4 places remaining)

July 31st to August 2nd - SOLD OUT

September 5th to 7th - (3 places remaining)

If you have any other dates that suit your schedule please do not hesitate to contact us and we see if we can add another departure to the 2025 season