Your Guide to Adventure Holidays in British Columbia

Canada’s westernmost province, British Columbia, is nearly four times the size of the UK yet with a population of only around 5.5 million. There is a staggering amount of space for nature to thrive. Endless coastline, verdant rainforest and epic mountain ranges take centre stage in a province where experiencing natural beauty is at the heart of every holiday.

Adventure comes easily in this world of natural wonders. With each new day in British Columbia, you can discover and experience something unforgettable. It’s a place to breath deep and linger long.

Whether you want to stride out on-foot along ancient trails, delve deep into the wilderness in search of wildlife or engage with super-friendly locals, read our guide to the adventure holidays in British Columbia.

Every adventure needs a beginning, and for most visitors to British Columbia, that beginning is Vancouver. It’s easy to fall for this cosmopolitan, harbour city, which regularly ranks high on the Global Liveability Index – in the Top 10 for 2025*. A hotbed of history, culture, art and culinary sensations, it’s nestled on a coastal inlet and framed by mountains.

Downtown Vancouver has a real buzz particularly in the historic Gastown neighbourhood, while Granville Island’s market is the go-to place for foodies. But beyond the urban attractions, there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures in Vancouver.

Among the city’s green spaces, Stanley Park is the standout. You’ll be hard pressed to find a visitor to Vancouver who’s not succumbed to the park’s charms. 400 hectares of temperate rainforest and gardens extend into English Bay latticed with cycling and walking trails. Cycle the sea wall around the perimeter for fabulous lookouts to the North Shore and city skyline being sure to pause at Brockton Point to view the iconic totem poles.

Looking for a high? Only a 15-minutes from the city, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park features a treetop walkway over the Capilano River and through the rainforest canopy. Offering breathtaking views, it’s part of a 27-acre site that showcases the ancient Pacific rainforest on Vancouver’s doorstep.

To fully appreciate Vancouver’s scenic credentials, Canada Travel Specialist, Rosie, recommends seeing the city on a scenic flight. “Hop on board an iconic floatplane and enjoy incredible views over the city, Stanley Park, and the beautiful Gulf Islands”.

Immense cedars, moss-covered rocks, plummeting waterfalls, mirror lakes and towering mountains. British Columbia is known for its diverse and spectacular landscapes. Indeed, scenic splendour is a constant of any BC adventure. More than a backdrop, natural wonders are what defines this province.

Road trips are accompanied by the regular chorus of ‘wow’ as another stunning view unfolds. Even a glance in the rear-view mirror offers no respite to the onslaught of stunning scenery.

As an example, Highway 99, otherwise known as the Sea to Sky Highway is a scenic 120km route from Vancouver to Whistler by way of Squamish. Worth taking your time over, the scenery ranges from coastal through forested valleys to towering peaks of Whistler, Canada’s largest ski resort. Along the way, take in epic views of Howe Sound from the Sea to Sky Gondola and hike the trails around Stawamus Chief – a 2000 ft granite monolith near Squamish.

Continuing east from Whistler, multiple scenic routes lead to the Canadian Rockies. This majestic mountain range runs along the boundary with Alberta. The natural beauty of this region needs little introduction. Soaring peaks, stunning lakes and dense pine forests offer picture-postcard beauty in abundance. Mount Robson Provincial Park is home to the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies – eye-catching Mount Robson.

Contrasting with the jagged mountains of the Rockies, Vancouver Island’s Pacific coast blends endless beaches with ancient forests. Stroll along a wind-swept sandy beach at Tofino, where scattered driftwood looks like it’s placed by design. This coastal town looks out across the vast Pacific and is a hub for water-based adventures – kayaking, surfing, stand-up paddle boarding and whale watching – and for a small town, it punches above its weight for dining options.

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is a place to steal your heart. As Head of Product, Liz, comments, “it is home to some of my favourite beaches in the world – picture vast swathes of deserted, wind-swept sand, surf rolling in, and epic West Coast sunsets”.

British Columbia is Canada’s grizzly bear watching central. They are widespread across the province roaming the coastal forests. Nevertheless, that does not guarantee sightings, so the best way of spotting bears is to stay at one of the remote wilderness lodges along the long coastline.

Usually accessible by air or sea, these properties typically offer unfussy accommodation combined with personal service and wildlife-viewing opportunities beyond compare. Canada specialist, Doug, notes that, “the bears are obviously the focus, but it is the sights and sounds of everything else that make wildlife watching lodges so magical. You head out to spot bears but seeing humpbacks, orcas, grey whales and bald eagles as well, is incredible”.

Staying in a lodge in the Great Bear Rainforest is hard to beat. Though you might prefer to join a small group sailing adventure for an expansive GBR experience. Sitting between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountain Range on the west coast of BC, visiting Great Bear Rainforest is an immersive experience. It is the world’s largest coastal temperate rainforest and among the world’s oldest.

As well as grizzlies, you might encounter the elusive Kermode bear. Also known as the Spirit Bear, this uniquely blonde bear is a rare subspecies of the black bear. Accompanied by expert guides, you’ll explore bear country on guided hikes, boat trips and kayaking excursions, with a great chance of spotting whales and eagles too.

Knight Inlet Lodge is a favourite among our team. It’s located in a spectacular fjord carved by glaciers in British Columbia’s coastal mountains. This pristine wilderness is renowned for its excellent grizzly bear viewing, and a memorable stay offers a chance to see these fascinating animals in their natural habitat. Many of the wilderness lodges are indigenous owned, which adds a fascinating cultural perspective to the overall experience.

Discover more about Canada’s Bear Watching Lodges >

When it comes to classic train journeys, the Rocky Mountaineer is among the world’s finest. Soak up the views from glass-domed coaches as the train winds through mountainous valleys cloaked in forest. As Canada specialist, Lauren, notes “this is an absolute icon in Canada and a wonderful way to soak up the incredible, ever-changing scenery as well as sample Canadian hospitality”.

Boasting five distinct rail routes, journey from Vancouver to the Rockies via Kamloops through Spiral Tunnels, across gorges, past lakes and snow-topped mountains.

BC’s coast has one of the highest populations of orca in the world. Around Vancouver Island, from Vancouver city and Prince Rupert there are plenty of options to take to the ocean in search of orcas, minke and grey whales. You can also spot humpback as well as Pacific white-sided dolphins, Stellar sea lions and endearing sea otters. The resurgence of the latter in the waters off BC is a feel-good, success story with a significantly positive environmental impact.

Grey whales begin to appear as early as March as they migrate from the waters of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula en route to the Bering Sea. Orca may not appear in some areas until May or June.

The best place to see orcas in British Columbia is Johnstone Strait. An area frequented by 16 different pods of killer whales and easily accessible from wilderness resorts such as Farewell Harbour Lodge, it is world-renowned for orca watching.

You don’t have to work hard to find places to stretch your legs in British Columbia. Uncovering BC’s scenic highlights on foot is one of the most rewarding ways to explore. The trails will get your blood pumping. The views will take your breath away.

From Vancouver’s parks to the seven national parks across the province, trailheads are abundant. Short scenic strolls and easy lakeside walks can be peppered into any self-drive holiday. Or choose to tackle more challenging alpine hikes assured that the stunning viewpoints will offer fitting reward.

Take in waterfalls, beaches, ancient forests, mountains and valleys. Breathe in the fresh Canadian air and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife as you wander through the best of British Columbia’s magnificent landscapes.

Our team can connect the dots between national and provincial parks giving you maximum chance to explore British Columbia’s hiking trails. Trek paths around the epic peaks of Yoho National Park, stroll to waterfalls at Nairn Falls Park or the take on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail – a beautiful flat walk through the Okanagan high country. Weave in other activities like kayaking and mountain-biking along the way and experience of best of the British Columbia’s great outdoors.

Self-drive is the most flexible way to navigate British Columbia interspersed with ferries and, of course, rail journeys. Perhaps the occasional floatplane or boat transfer might feature too. Though distances are vast, driving is a pleasure with wide, well-maintained roads cutting through the sensational scenery.

“The excellent BC Ferries network provides a leisurely way to explore, linking colourful villages dotted along the fragmented Sunshine Coast. Or for a longer journey hop on board at Port Hardy to explore Canada’s Inside Passage – keep a look out for whales and other marine life en route to Prince Rupert”. – Liz

When to visit British Columbia

For the most diverse experience, the best time for exploring British Columbia is between May and September when a wide range of activities are in full swing. Wildlife watching opportunities are best, though salmon run in early autumn is the most popular time for see bears.

But BC’s climate is relatively mild year-round particularly in coastal areas where temperatures rarely drop below zero degrees. In the mountains winter temperatures drop sufficiently to turn towns such as Whistler into a world-class ski resort.

Feeling inspired?

Getting into nature is the very essence of what a trip to Canada’s third largest province delivers. Browse our holidays or talk to our Travel Specialists about building your own curated itinerary. They’ve stayed at wildlife lodges, ridden the Rocky Mountaineer, hiked national parks, flown over Vancouver and driven scenic highways. And they are ready to use their experience to create your perfect adventure. Get in touch on 01737 214 250 or send an enquiry.

*https://www.eiu.com/n/campaigns/global-liveability-index-2025/