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Sunshine Coast & North Island Self-Drive Tour

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Sunshine Coast & North Island Self-Drive Tour
From $3,750USDBook Now
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11 Days from $3,750USD
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Alert Bay Cormorant Island, Ecological Gardens
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The Sunshine Coast & North Island Self-Drive Tour takes you through the stunning coastal landscapes of British Columbia, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural experiences. Begin your journey by exploring picturesque towns like Gibsons and Sechelt, where you can enjoy coastal views, vibrant arts scenes, and delicious local cuisine. Kayak through tranquil waters, hike lush rainforest trails, and marvel at the iconic Chatterbox Falls during a guided boat tour of Princess Louisa Inlet. With opportunities for whale watching and grizzly bear viewing, this tour immerses you in British Columbia's diverse wildlife.

The trip also offers deep cultural experiences, including Indigenous-led tours where you’ll learn about the region's rich heritage and sustainable wildlife practices. Explore the charming historic town of Telegraph Cove, visit the U'Mista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay, and stroll through local art galleries. With a mix of guided and free time activities, this adventure offers the perfect balance of relaxation and exploration, making it ideal for nature lovers and culture enthusiasts alike.

Canada, North America
Happiness promise

Sunshine Coast & North Island Self-Drive Tour

Experience beaches and wildlife on a Vancouver Island self-drive adventure.
4.50
(null reviews)
11 Days from $3,750USD
Easy quote
Duration
11 Days
Season
Jun-Sep
Self-Drive
Type
Self-guided, Partially Guided, Private
Accommodation
B&B, Hotel, Lodge
Difficulty
Moderate (3/5)
From $3,750USD (see prices for this tour)
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National Geographic
Guardian
FodorsTravel
Time
Backpacker
National Geographic
Guardian
Alert Bay Cormorant Island, Ecological Gardens
Personalized Service
Let our experienced travel advisors plan your perfect adventure

The Sunshine Coast & North Island Self-Drive Tour takes you through the stunning coastal landscapes of British Columbia, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural experiences. Begin your journey by exploring picturesque towns like Gibsons and Sechelt, where you can enjoy coastal views, vibrant arts scenes, and delicious local cuisine. Kayak through tranquil waters, hike lush rainforest trails, and marvel at the iconic Chatterbox Falls during a guided boat tour of Princess Louisa Inlet. With opportunities for whale watching and grizzly bear viewing, this tour immerses you in British Columbia's diverse wildlife.

The trip also offers deep cultural experiences, including Indigenous-led tours where you’ll learn about the region's rich heritage and sustainable wildlife practices. Explore the charming historic town of Telegraph Cove, visit the U'Mista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay, and stroll through local art galleries. With a mix of guided and free time activities, this adventure offers the perfect balance of relaxation and exploration, making it ideal for nature lovers and culture enthusiasts alike.

rating
Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
Trip highlights

Embark on a self-drive journey through the breathtaking Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island.

Experience kayaking through pristine waters and hiking lush rainforest trails.

Discover Indigenous culture with guided tours and wildlife experiences, including whale watching.

Explore charming seaside towns like Gibsons, Sechelt, and Telegraph Cove.

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We know Adventure
10Adventures only does Hiking, Cycling and Adventure Holidays. Its our mission to help you explore the world!

Trip map

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Day by day itinerary
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Day 1
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Arrival in Vancouver
Arrive in Vancouver and check in to your hotel, where you’ll have free time to explore the city. Use this opportunity to enjoy some local recommendations and get settled in before beginning your adventure.
Distance None
Overnight Location Hotel in Vancouver
Included Meals
Day 2
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Scenic Ferry Ride and Exploring Gibsons & Madeira Park
Catch a scenic ferry ride from Vancouver to the Sunshine Coast, then enjoy a leisurely lunch in Gibsons. Spend some free time exploring the town, with the option for a guided Indigenous-led forest walk. In the afternoon, drive to Madeira Park and check in to the Painted Boat Resort & Spa for a relaxing evening by the water.
Distance None
Overnight Location Painted Boat Resort & Spa
Included Meals
Day 3
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Sea Kayaking in Sechelt
Start the day with a half-day sea kayaking tour through the beautiful waters of Halfmoon Bay or Sechelt Inlet. In the afternoon, enjoy some free time to explore Sechelt and Madeira Park. You can relax on the beaches, swim, or take a hike through Smuggler Cove Marine Park or try fishing and mountain biking. For those seeking more adventure, there's the option to join a scenic floatplane tour.
Distance None
Overnight Location Painted Boat Resort & Spa
Included Meals
Day 4
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Adventure to Princess Louisa Inlet & Chatterbox Falls
Embark on a full-day guided boat tour to Princess Louisa Inlet, home to the iconic Chatterbox Falls. After the boat tour, explore Egmont, hike the Skookumchuk Narrows, and enjoy a dinner at the West Coast Wilderness Lodge. Optionally, you can join an evening kayaking tour to experience the magical bioluminescence.
Distance None
Overnight Location Painted Boat Resort & Spa
Included Meals
Day 5
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Journey from Powell River to Campbell River
Take a ferry to Powell River for lunch, then continue your journey to Vancouver Island with another ferry ride. Afterward, drive north to Campbell River (45 min) and check into your hotel. Enjoy dinner in town before settling in for the night.
Distance None
Overnight Location Hotel in Campbell River
Included Meals
Day 6
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Explore Campbell River
Spend the day hiking through Elk Falls Provincial Park and Strathcona Provincial Park, both offering stunning scenery. Optional activities include a wildlife and cultural boat tour, fishing excursions, and more.
Distance Breakfast
Overnight Location Hotel in Campbell River
Included Meals
Day 7
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Explore Telegraph Cove
After breakfast, drive approximately 2.5 hours to Telegraph Cove, a historic town with much to explore. Spend the afternoon at your leisure, with optional tours like a half-day sea kayaking trip or wildlife viewing tour. In the evening, enjoy a waterfront dinner featuring fresh, local seafood.
Distance Breakfast
Overnight Location Lodge in Telegraph Cove
Included Meals
Day 8
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Traveling to Alert Bay
Enjoy a free morning in Telegraph Cove before traveling to Alert Bay via the Port McNeill ferry. Visit the U'Mista Cultural Centre, and for those interested, there’s an optional artist-led tour of the local galleries. Check into a family-run bed and breakfast and enjoy a delicious dinner on-site. Optional add-on: night in Telegraph Cove with full-day sea kayaking tour.
Distance None
Overnight Location Bed & Breakfast in Alert Bay
Included Meals
Day 9
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Grizzly & Wildlife Tour
Experience a full-day, Indigenous-led tour in the Broughton Archipelago for incredible grizzly bear and whale-watching opportunities. Return to Alert Bay for the night.
Distance Breakfast, lunch
Overnight Location Bed & Breakfast in Alert Bay
Included Meals
Day 10
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Discovering the Beauty of Southern Vancouver Island
Catch the ferry from Alert Bay to Vancouver Island, continuing your journey south to Nanaimo (~4 hours), with a stop to enjoy the beaches and trails of Miracle Beach Provincial Park. You’ll spend the night in Nanaimo or Parksville. Optional add-on: 1-2 nights in Port Hardy to visit San Josef Bay in Cape Scott Provincial Park.
Distance Breakfast
Overnight Location Hotel in Nanaimo or Parksville
Included Meals
Day 11
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Return to Vancouver
On your final day, take the ferry from Nanaimo to Vancouver (Tsawwassen or Horseshoe Bay), where your tour ends. Optional add-on: nights in Victoria or Vancouver.
Distance None
Overnight Location None
Included Meals

Why book with 10 Adventures?

We know adventure

Founded by experienced travellers, active and adventure vacations are all we do.

Experience the trip of a lifetime organized by a team of travel specialists who combine knowledge and passion for adventure travel.

Self-guided specialists

With over 600 tours across 30+ countries, we specialize in self-guided tours.

Combine the freedom of travelling on your own with the confidence that all of your logistics are taken care of.

Packed with value

Get everything you need for your next vacation with one easy booking.

We take care of accommodations, luggage transfers, gear rentals, and more - so you can focus on making memories.

World Class support

Get unbeatable support at every step of your journey.

Whether you are planning or travelling, no matter what your question, a real human is always a call or click away.

Hassle free bookings

Have peace of mind for when travel plans change.

Explore our flexible booking, payment, and cancellation options, as well as our Lifetime Deposits program.

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Dates and prices
👇 Prices below are per person

Group of 2+

Off-Peak (June/Sept)$3,750USD
Peak Season (July/Aug)$3,975USD
DatesGroup of 2+
Off-Peak (June/Sept)$3,750USD
Peak Season (July/Aug)$3,975USD
*Please note that the prices depend on the size of your group
What’s included

Meals

4 breakfasts and 1 lunch are included.

Accommodations

Accommodations for 10 nights are included.

Transportation during the Tour

For transportation during the tour, you will need your own vehicle, as this is a self-guided tour. Participants will travel by car, with ferry rides included for routes between Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast, and Vancouver Island.

Also included

  • Excursions mentioned in the itinerary
  • Sea kayaking tour in Sechelt/Halfmoon Bay (half-day)
  • Boat tour to Princess Louisa Inlet and Chatterbox Falls (full-day)
  • Indigenous-led grizzly bear and wildlife viewing tour from Alert Bay (full-day)
  • U'Mista Cultural Centre entry (optional add-on: Artist-led tour of the galleries)
  • Ferries from Vancouver to Gibsons, Powell River to Comox, and Nanaimo to Tsawwassen.
  • Custom itinerary design, local recommendations, and remote support from during your trip.

Not included

  • Flights to/from and within British Columbia
  • Additional meals and add-on activities
  • Vehicle rental/usage and fuel
  • Ferry to/from Alert Bay
  • Travel insurance
  • Gratuities
  • GST tax (5%)

Optional Extras

  • Additional nights before or after the tour
  • 1-2 nights in Port Hardy to visit San Josef Bay in Cape Scott Provincial Park
  • Night in Telegraph Cove with full-day sea kayaking tour
  • Nights in Victoria or Vancouver
  • Single occupancy upgrades
  • Optional activities or excursions

Accommodation for Sunshine Coast & North Island Self-Drive Tour

This tour is based on a variety of options such as hotels, lodges and bed and breakfasts, each offering a unique and comfortable stay tailored to your needs.

Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy.

Frequently asked questions

How hard is the Sunshine Coast & North Island Self-Drive Tour?

We rate this tour as a 3/5. The 11-day self-drive trip includes moderate activities like kayaking and hiking, as well as long drives and ferry crossings, requiring some planning and fitness. Comfortable accommodations and guided activities balance the overall challenge, making it manageable for most active travelers.

Do I need a visa to travel to Canada?

Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.

Are meals included on the Sunshine Coast & North Island Self-Drive Tour?

4 breakfasts and 1 lunch are included.

Do I need insurance?

Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover all the activities listed on the tour. Get your travel insurance.

How do I get to Vancouver to start this tour?

To get to Vancouver to start the tour, you can fly into Vancouver International Airport (YVR), or take a bus or train from other parts of Canada. If you're already in the region, you can also use local public transport or coach services. Since this is a self-guided tour, you will need your own vehicle for the duration of the trip. Car rentals are available at the airport or throughout Vancouver, but you can also choose to use buses or other transport options for the journey to the start point. Just make sure to arrange your vehicle in advance if you don't have your own.

Where does the Sunshine Coast & North Island Self-Drive Tour end?

The tour ends in Vancouver, after an unforgettable journey through the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island.

Do I need special vaccines to travel to Canada?

Check with your family doctor.

Are there any travel restrictions for Canada?

Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.

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Why travellers choose this tour
At 10Adventures, it’s easy to make memories with the following six optional inclusions on this tour:
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