British Columbia: Vancouver Island & the Gulf Islands

Your vacation is about to begin! Enjoy your flight and arrive ready for an unforgettable trip.

Start off your first day in Victoria right by having a VBT representative greet you at the airport. A complimentary car service will whisk you to your centrally located hotel in downtown Victoria. From here, you are perfectly positioned to explore this charming seaside town at your leisure.

After an included breakfast, meet your VBT trip leaders at the hotel in Victoria at 1:30 p.m. They will be wearing VBT staff garments.

You’ll join your trip leaders for a safety and bike-fitting session, followed by a warm-up ride through Victoria’s neighborhoods, passing by some of the city’s most historic and iconic sites. Established in 1843 as a fort for the Hudson’s Bay Company, Victoria has been called “more British than Britain.” You’ll see for yourself as you tour the city, admiring its abundance of Victorian-era architecture, beautiful formal gardens, elegant tea rooms, and double-decker buses. The present-day capital of British Columbia, this small city enjoys a breathtaking setting on the Strait of Juan de Fuca as Washington State’s Olympic Mountains rise in the distance. Later, enjoy time to relax and settle in before a welcome reception and dinner at your hotel.

Today’s Ride Choices

Afternoon: Victoria Warm-up loop — 11 km (7 miles)

What to Expect:

Enjoy an easy ride through Victoria.

Cumulative Distance Range: 26 km (16 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Start your morning with a group shuttle from Victoria to Sidney. From here, ride along the Salish Sea to the North Saanich Peninsula and its rural community. Pause at Moses Point where, at low tide, the rocky shores are a beachcomber’s delight. Tide pools reveal tiny crabs, starfish and other sea creatures. Sea lions, seals, dolphins, and the occasional pod of killer whales parade by. Eagles sometimes join in a feeding frenzy off the point.

Later this morning, you’ll board a ferry to Pender Island, renowned for its beautiful parks and scenic vistas. Actually two islands connected by a one-lane bridge, Pender Island is a cyclist’s delight with pasturelands, forest-clad hills, and several beaches. Here, you’ll spin along winding roads and gentle rolling hills to Hope Bay. Later, you’ll enjoy lunch featuring tasty local specialties. Continue cycling to the southeastern tip of South Pender Island to Brooks Point Regional Park. Enjoy exploring the exceptional natural surroundings. Follow the trail along the rocky beach to the grasslands with commanding views of Boundary Pass, the Strait of Georgia, the San Juan Islands and Mount Baker. Cycle back to the resort and unwind in your cozy oasis overlooking Bedwell Harbour. Gather for dinner at the hotel tonight.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning: Sidney to Ferry — 13 km (8 miles) with a one hour 45-minute crossing | Otter Bay to Driftwood Center — 10 km (6 miles)

Afternoon: Driftwood Center to Brooks Point Regional Park — 15 km (9 miles) | Brooks Point to Poets Cove — 3 km (2 miles)

What to Expect:

Follow the easy bike route and bike path from Sidney to Swartz Bay ferry terminal. Pender Island is a great bicycling destination, but use caution on the island’s main paved routes, which are narrow with hills, some short but steep, and blind corners. The maximum speed limit is 30 mph (50 km/hr). The ride from Port Browning to Poets Cove Resort is along a paved, winding road with gently rolling hills. There is one steep and winding uphill for 0.6 km (0.3 miles) passing the road to the marina in Port Browning. VBT highly recommends that you dismount your bicycle and walk up this hill.

Cumulative Distance Range: 3 — 41 km (2 — 25 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a leisurely breakfast at the resort, cycle to Port Browning through old growth forest. See why Pender Island is known as the Hawaii of Canada due to its sub-Mediterranean climate.

Embark on your sea kayaking adventure. Led by a skilled guide, you’ll paddle through a protected harbor, keeping your eyes peeled for the rich marine life that thrives here. Enjoy a picnic lunch prepared by your leaders featuring locally sourced ingredients.

Afterward, continue cycling to the hotel, where you will have time at leisure. Dinner is on your own tonight at one of the hotel’s bistro and lounges or pick up nibbles at the market and enjoy them by the harbor.

Please note: depending on the group size, you may be split into two kayaking groups, one paddling in the morning and the second in the afternoon.

Please note: depending on the group size, you may be split into two kayaking groups, one paddling in the morning and the second in the afternoon.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning: Poets Cove to Port Browning — 12 km (7.5 miles) | 2.5-hour sea kayaking (includes safety talk) —

Afternoon: Port Browning to Brooks Point and Poets Cove — 19 km (11 miles) | —

What to Expect:

The ride from Poets Cove to Port Browning is on quiet paved roads with some hills. Return to the hotel using the same route, with the option to ride via Brooks Point and enjoy an independent stroll along the coastline and admire the incredible views, perhaps for the second time (you had the opportunity to come here the day prior).

Cumulative Distance Range: 12 — 31 km (7 — 19 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, you’ll say goodbye to your hosts at Poets Cove Resort and board the ferry to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island, renowned for its blend of cosmopolitan cities and breathtaking wilderness, a mild climate, and long history. Linking the Swartz Bay ferry terminal, where you will alight, with the capital of British Columbia, Victoria, is the Lochside Trail. Enjoy a tranquil spin along this rail trail to Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse. This family-owned, farm-based cidery produces award-winning, traditionally fermented ciders from organically grown heritage apples. Enjoy a tasting and copious lunch in this peaceful setting.

Afterward, follow Lochside Trail to the Galloping Goose Trail, a more rural route designed to link the country to the city and people to nature. As you spin along this trail, admire fields of golden corn and cathedral canopies of green leaves, including Garry Oaks—British Columbia’s only native oak. You might pause along the way for a Nainamo Bar, a three-layered, no-bake treat named for a city on Vancouver Island. Many varieties exist for you to savor.

On arrival at your boutique hotel, settle into your room and perhaps relax in its heated seaside mineral pools (16 years of age minimum). If you would like an appointment at the spa, advance booking is highly recommended; call 250.940.0326 or email [email protected] to reserve.

Tonight’s dinner is on your own at one of the hotel’s dining venues or at the nearby marina.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning: Swartz Bay to Sea Cider — 16 km (10 miles)

Afternoon: Sea Cider to Oak Bay Beach — 28 km (17 miles)

What to Expect:

Enjoy easy rides today on quiet bike paths or secondary roads. The bike path/trail varies between paved and packed gravel surfaces. The morning ride gently ascends from the ferry terminal to Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse. The afternoon ride has some gentle hills and mostly descends to Oak Bay.

Cumulative Distance Range: 16 — 44 km (10 — 27 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, cycle to the city of Victoria, capital of British Columbia, blending a First Nations heritage with influences of British colonialism. Continue riding around the harbor to Butchart Gardens, a magnificent oasis north of the city and your destination for the day. Built atop a former limestone quarry over a century ago, this landscaping gem was the vision of Jennie Butchart, who dreamed of transforming the site into a grand sunken garden. Over time, the park was expanded with Japanese, Italian, and rose gardens and a children’s pavilion, and it is now also a venue for outdoor concerts and other events. Most recently, the cultural heritage of the Indigenous People was recognized with the addition of two totem poles. Today, Butchart Gardens is a city treasure and a National Historic Site of Canada. Enjoy time to explore this tranquil haven and finish your day with a rewarding ride back to the hotel.

You’ll have time to relax at the hotel this afternoon before gathering with your fellow travelers for a celebration dinner at the hotel featuring local favorites such as fresh seafood chowder, Wild Pacific halibut, and Saanich organic salad greens.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning: Oak Bay Beach via Victoria to Butchart Gardens — 32 km (20 miles)

Afternoon: Butchart Gardens to Oak Bay Beach — 32 km (20 miles)

What to Expect:

Ride from your hotel on paved roads to Victoria Harbour. There, you’ll join the Galloping Goose Trail and cycle north toward Brentwood Bay and Butchart Gardens.

The afternoon’s return ride follows the Lochside Regional Trail back to the hotel. The ride is mostly flat with one hill (0.5 km) out of the gardens and a second hill (1 km) as you enter the village of Brentwood Bay. There is another ascent as you join the Lochside Regional Trail and a small hill before your descent to the hotel.

Cumulative Distance Range: 32 — 64 km (20 — 40 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, travel to Victoria International Airport based on your flight departure time.

Important: If VBT booked you on a flight that departs after mid-morning, you may have to check out of your hotel room, but the hotel can store your luggage while you wait for your transportation. (If you have customized your itinerary and don’t have a flight departing on this day, VBT has not arranged your transportation.)

Included Meals: Breakfast

Meet your VBT trip leaders and the rest of the group at the Hotel Grand Pacific and Spa (or Delta Ocean Pointe Resort for May 21, June 11, and July 16 tours) in Victoria, B.C., at 1:30 p.m. Your trip leaders will be wearing VBT staff garments. Please buy lunch on your own before this meeting and come dressed for bicycling.

Today’s Ride Choices

Afternoon: Victoria Warm-up loop — 11 km (7 miles)

What to Expect:

Enjoy an easy ride through Victoria.

Cumulative Distance Range: 11 km (7 miles)

Included Meals: Dinner

Start your morning with a group shuttle from Victoria to Sidney. From here, ride along the Salish Sea to the North Saanich Peninsula and its rural community. Pause at Moses Point where, at low tide, the rocky shores are a beachcomber’s delight. Tide pools reveal tiny crabs, starfish and other sea creatures. Sea lions, seals, dolphins, and the occasional pod of killer whales parade by. Eagles sometimes join in a feeding frenzy off the point.

Later this morning, you’ll board a ferry to Pender Island, renowned for its beautiful parks and scenic vistas. Actually two islands connected by a one-lane bridge, Pender Island is a cyclist’s delight with pasturelands, forest-clad hills, and several beaches. Here, you’ll spin along winding roads and gentle rolling hills to Hope Bay. Later, you’ll enjoy lunch featuring tasty local specialties. Continue cycling to the southeastern tip of South Pender Island to Brooks Point Regional Park. Enjoy exploring the exceptional natural surroundings. Follow the trail along the rocky beach to the grasslands with commanding views of Boundary Pass, the Strait of Georgia, the San Juan Islands and Mount Baker. Cycle back to the resort and unwind in your cozy oasis overlooking Bedwell Harbour. Gather for dinner at the hotel tonight.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning: Sidney to Ferry — 13 km (8 miles) with a one hour 45-minute crossing | Otter Bay to Driftwood Center — 10 km (6 miles)

Afternoon: Driftwood Center to Brooks Point Regional Park — 15 km (9 miles) | Brooks Point to Poets Cove — 3 km (2 miles)

What to Expect:

Follow the easy bike route and bike path from Sidney to Swartz Bay ferry terminal. Pender Island is a great bicycling destination, but use caution on the island’s main paved routes, which are narrow with hills, some short but steep, and blind corners. The maximum speed limit is 30 mph (50 km/hr). The ride from Port Browning to Poets Cove Resort is along a paved, winding road with gently rolling hills. There is one steep and winding uphill for 0.6 km (0.3 miles) passing the road to the marina in Port Browning. VBT highly recommends that you dismount your bicycle and walk up this hill.

Cumulative Distance Range: 3 — 41 km (2 — 25 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a leisurely breakfast at the resort, cycle to Port Browning through old growth forest. See why Pender Island is known as the Hawaii of Canada due to its sub-Mediterranean climate.

Embark on your sea kayaking adventure. Led by a skilled guide, you’ll paddle through a protected harbor, keeping your eyes peeled for the rich marine life that thrives here. Enjoy a picnic lunch prepared by your leaders featuring locally sourced ingredients.

Afterward, continue cycling to the hotel, where you will have time at leisure. Dinner is on your own tonight at one of the hotel’s bistro and lounges or pick up nibbles at the market and enjoy them by the harbor.

Please note: depending on the group size, you may be split into two kayaking groups, one paddling in the morning and the second in the afternoon.

Please note: depending on the group size, you may be split into two kayaking groups, one paddling in the morning and the second in the afternoon.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning: Poets Cove to Port Browning — 12 km (7.5 miles) | 2.5-hour sea kayaking (includes safety talk) —

Afternoon: Port Browning to Brooks Point and Poets Cove — 19 km (11 miles) | —

What to Expect:

The ride from Poets Cove to Port Browning is on quiet paved roads with some hills. Return to the hotel using the same route, with the option to ride via Brooks Point and enjoy an independent stroll along the coastline and admire the incredible views, perhaps for the second time (you had the opportunity to come here the day prior).

Cumulative Distance Range: 12 — 31 km (7 — 19 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, you’ll say goodbye to your hosts at Poets Cove Resort and board the ferry to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island, renowned for its blend of cosmopolitan cities and breathtaking wilderness, a mild climate, and long history. Linking the Swartz Bay ferry terminal, where you will alight, with the capital of British Columbia, Victoria, is the Lochside Trail. Enjoy a tranquil spin along this rail trail to Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse. This family-owned, farm-based cidery produces award-winning, traditionally fermented ciders from organically grown heritage apples. Enjoy a tasting and copious lunch in this peaceful setting.

Afterward, follow Lochside Trail to the Galloping Goose Trail, a more rural route designed to link the country to the city and people to nature. As you spin along this trail, admire fields of golden corn and cathedral canopies of green leaves, including Garry Oaks—British Columbia’s only native oak. You might pause along the way for a Nainamo Bar, a three-layered, no-bake treat named for a city on Vancouver Island. Many varieties exist for you to savor.

On arrival at your boutique hotel, settle into your room and perhaps relax in its heated seaside mineral pools (16 years of age minimum). If you would like an appointment at the spa, advance booking is highly recommended; call 250.940.0326 or email [email protected] to reserve.

Tonight’s dinner is on your own at one of the hotel’s dining venues or at the nearby marina.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning: Swartz Bay to Sea Cider — 16 km (10 miles)

Afternoon: Sea Cider to Oak Bay Beach — 28 km (17 miles)

What to Expect:

Enjoy easy rides today on quiet bike paths or secondary roads. The bike path/trail varies between paved and packed gravel surfaces. The morning ride gently ascends from the ferry terminal to Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse. The afternoon ride has some gentle hills and mostly descends to Oak Bay.

Cumulative Distance Range: 16 — 44 km (10 — 27 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, cycle to the city of Victoria, capital of British Columbia, blending a First Nations heritage with influences of British colonialism. Continue riding around the harbor to Butchart Gardens, a magnificent oasis north of the city and your destination for the day. Built atop a former limestone quarry over a century ago, this landscaping gem was the vision of Jennie Butchart, who dreamed of transforming the site into a grand sunken garden. Over time, the park was expanded with Japanese, Italian, and rose gardens and a children’s pavilion, and it is now also a venue for outdoor concerts and other events. Most recently, the cultural heritage of the Indigenous People was recognized with the addition of two totem poles. Today, Butchart Gardens is a city treasure and a National Historic Site of Canada. Enjoy time to explore this tranquil haven and finish your day with a rewarding ride back to the hotel.

You’ll have time to relax at the hotel this afternoon before gathering with your fellow travelers for a celebration dinner at the hotel featuring local favorites such as fresh seafood chowder, Wild Pacific halibut, and Saanich organic salad greens.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning: Oak Bay Beach via Victoria to Butchart Gardens — 32 km (20 miles)

Afternoon: Butchart Gardens to Oak Bay Beach — 32 km (20 miles)

What to Expect:

Ride from your hotel on paved roads to Victoria Harbour. There, you’ll join the Galloping Goose Trail and cycle north toward Brentwood Bay and Butchart Gardens.

The afternoon’s return ride follows the Lochside Regional Trail back to the hotel. The ride is mostly flat with one hill (0.5 km) out of the gardens and a second hill (1 km) as you enter the village of Brentwood Bay. There is another ascent as you join the Lochside Regional Trail and a small hill before your descent to the hotel.

Cumulative Distance Range: 32 — 64 km (20 — 40 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, a complimentary shuttle to Victoria International Airport is provided this morning, between 7:00–8:00 a.m. The exact time will be communicated to you by your leader while on tour.

Important: One group shuttle to Victoria International Airport (YYJ) is provided on the final day at a pre-arranged set time to guests who did not book flights with VBT. Flight departures from prior to 10:00 a.m. are not recommended. If you depart earlier or later, you must make transportation arrangements from the last hotel at your own expense. Taxi cost to the Victoria airport is approximately $145 CAD for a private sedan for one to two passengers and luggage (travel time approximately 45 minutes). If you are on a flight that departs after mid-morning, you may have to check out of your hotel room, but the hotel can store your luggage while you wait for your transportation.

Included Meals: Breakfast