Travel by Land, Sea, or Sky, and Let The Infinite Coast in British Columbia Inspire Your Adventure

Just outside of Vancouver in British Columbia, ocean, rainforest, and mountains blend into The Infinite Coast, an area best explored slowly and intentionally. Summer means long days spent sailing with sunlight lasting late into the evening. Autumn yields world-class wildlife-viewing, whether you’re on the lookout for whales or bears. Winter spells magically moody landscapes and coastal storm-watching that will guarantee you never look at the sky the same way again.

Stretching from the Salish Sea in the south to the lush, rain-fed inlets of the Great Bear Rainforest to the north, the British Columbia coast is an area that demands total attention, with some areas only accessible by boat, floatplane, or on foot. It’s a place where geography shapes both ecology and culture, where you can stand under the canopy of old-growth rainforests, be awed by some of the most powerful creatures in North America, and follow where water and land converge while traveling along the Inside Passage. The rewards are remote wilderness, wildlife, and Indigenous experiences unique not just in BC but in North America.

Most trips to The Infinite Coast start in Victoria. From there, you can travel by ferry through island-dotted passageways to waterfront communities on Vancouver Island or connect to the Sunshine Coast via a combination of ferry routes and scenic drives. Travelling on the water immediately makes trips here slower and more deliberate, allowing you to watch, listen, and pay attention to the rhythms of the natural world.

Escape to where the forest meets the sea…

Despite being on the mainland, you can’t drive directly to the aptly named Sunshine Coast in BC. Instead, plan to board the first of the ferries you’ll take on this journey, arrange a private boat, or opt for a seaplane. Its isolation gives the area an island-like feel and helps to preserve its tranquil atmosphere.

Once you arrive, the Sunshine Coast feels worlds away from city life. The laid-back pace, cedar forests, and oceanfront communities like Gibsons and Sechelt blend art, nature, and wilderness. Orcas and seals are common sights in Sechelt, and attractions like the shíshálh Nation’s tems swiya Museum and the Tsain-Ko Native Gifts & Art shop pay homage to the area’s deep Coast Salish Indigenous roots.

…and follow quiet inlets to solitude.

To reach the northern Sunshine Coast, take a scenic ferry ride to Powell River, a gateway to some of the most unforgettable adventures in the region. Just beyond lies Lund, a quiet harbour town with a bakery, tour operator, and place to stay: The Lund Resort at Klah ah men. This also puts you close to one end of the roughly 112-mile Sunshine Coast Trail, which stretches through remote forests and alpine ridges from Sarah Point on Desolation Sound all the way to Saltery Bay and the Jervis Inlet. Many sections are accessible for pleasant day hikes, with coastal views and picnic-friendly rest stops for a gentle introduction to the terrain. If hiking’s not on your itinerary at all, you can still reach Desolation Sound from Lund by boat, water taxi, or kayak.

Desolation Sound may host the largest marine park in BC, but it’s an oasis of solitude. When you get there, spend days paddling between emerald bays, camping on rocky outcroppings, and falling asleep to the sounds of sea lions barking in the dusk. You’ll want to take your time, both to conserve energy and appreciate the surroundings — the fjords stretch inland for miles. On land, you might spot black bears navigating the gravel beaches. In the water, orcas reign supreme. Experienced paddlers can plan their own adventures, while guided trips are available out of places like Lund and Powell River.

For a truly elevated perspective, consider a flightseeing tour. Scenic flights over Desolation Sound and the neighbouring fjords yield bird’s-eye views of its sheltered coves and island-dotted waters — ideal for travellers seeking a refined way to connect with nature. In Campbell River, 49 North Helicopters runs both flightseeing and adventure tours that showcase the dramatic beauty of Desolation Sound from above.

Journey where trails, traditions, and tides converge.

Across the Strait of Georgia from the Sunshine Coast and Desolation Sound lies Vancouver Island, a destination that wows on arrival. Stop in Campbell River and set out in search of humpbacks, orcas, or grizzlies with Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours (offered seasonally from May to October) while learning about the deep connections that the Homalco First Nation have to this land and sea. After a day on the water, retreat to Naturally Pacific Resort, a luxurious coastal hideaway where modern suites, a full-service spa, and locally inspired cuisine at Carve Kitchen & Meatery ensure you end the day on a high note.

On the west coast of Vancouver Island lies Tofino, a world-renowned surf town where powerful waves meet vibrant arts and culture, and wildlife viewing opportunities abound. On the edge of town, the Tonquin Trail provides rainforest and coastal views and is a serene way to experience the natural beauty that defines the region. To meaningfully connect with the landscape through Indigenous knowledge, consider a culturally immersive tour with Ahous Adventures, owned and operated by the Ahousaht Nation.

Also in the area is Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Park, an Indigenous-led conservation initiative. Encompassing four protected areas, the park includes tidal estuaries; wave-pounded beaches; wildlife-rich forests essential for migrating birds, wolves, and cougars; and ancient rainforests. Rooted in the Tla-o-qui-aht Nation’s principles of sustainability, these lands are a living expression of resistance, resurgence, and responsibility. Visitors can explore the park in respectful partnership with local guides and businesses who support the Nations Tribal Park Allies Program — enjoy river paddling adventures, cultural interpretation experiences, and a guided hike to a coastal First Nations Village.

Boutique hotels in town are the perfect place to experience the famous storm-watching during the late autumn and winter months. Properties such as the Wickaninnish Inn, Black Rock Oceanfront Resort, and Best Western Plus Tin Wis Resort allow you to take in the dramatic coastal weather from the comfort of your suite. In nearby Ucluelet, you’ll find a different testament to nature at Pluvio Restaurant, where artfully crafted tasting menus turn seasonal ingredients into a show that unfolds right on your plate.

Enter the realm of the Spirit Bear…

Travelling north, set your sights on the expansive, lush, and otherworldly Great Bear Rainforest. Getting there is half the experience — think floatplanes and remote drives through moss-draped forests — but the towering old-growth forests, salmon-fed ecosystems, and elusive white-furred Spirit Bear that await are well worth the journey.

The Spirit Bear is a subspecies of the American black bear, about 10 to 20 percent of which are born with a recessive trait that gives them cream-coloured fur in this region of BC. Their home in the Great Bear Rainforest is Indigenous territory — a region stewarded by coastal First Nations, including the Gitga’at and Kitasoo Xai’xais, who hold deep cultural and spiritual connections to the land and its wildlife. Salmon, in particular, are the lifeblood of this area, nourishing not only the bears, wolves, and whales that call it home but also sustaining the ways of life, economies, and identities of those who’ve lived here for generations.

Spirit Bear Lodge not only offers access to this wonderfully remote region but also immersion into a broader network of Indigenous-guided experiences that honour the ecological and cultural significance of the rainforest. Exploring the area with a First Nations guide is a chance to learn the ancient knowledge of the land while keeping an eye out for the rare bears, seen as guardians of the forest and liaisons to the spirit world. Humpback whale, sea lion, and other wildlife sightings round out the experience in the Great Bear Rainforest, making each day on the water or trail a journey through one of the richest coastal ecosystems in the world.

…and go where grizzlies rule.

Your wildlife adventures continue as you head farther north to one of the most remote places in North America: the Khutzeymateen Inlet and Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary, the sole designated grizzly preserve in Canada. It’s accessible primarily by water from Prince Rupert.

In the sanctuary, small boats allow for low-impact viewing of bears in their natural habitats — be prepared for hours spent floating in silence, eyes peeled for the gorgeous animals. Because this sanctuary is protected and remote, one of the best ways to visit is by booking a package that includes your transportation and guides.

No single itinerary can capture the inexhaustible list of wonders on The Infinite Coast. Follow scenic ferry routes up the coast, or book luxury travel and resort packages that include pre-planned paddling or grizzly-watching adventures. For visitors from the UK with time to truly explore British Columbia, The Infinite Coast delivers rich and diverse experiences. The reason to visit isn’t one activity or one attraction — it’s immersing yourself in the varied nature of the coast as a whole.

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