Tour Type

Canadian Tours

DEPARTURE INFORMATION

Lower Mainland

May 24, 2026 – 6 Days

Vancouver Island

May 25, 2026 – 5 Days

BC Interior

May 24, 2026 – 7 Days

Activity Level 2

Activity Level 2

GROUP SIZE

Group Size 40

TOUR SUMMARY

Poet's Cove Resort. Photo taken by tour director Laura.

4 nights at Poets Cove with 2 days cruising

Poets Cove is the premier luxury resort in the Gulf Islands. Nestled in Bedwell Harbour on South Pender Island, the resort has every amenity you could wish for. The main building has 22 beautifully appointed bedrooms, all with a balcony and spectacular ocean view. Spa treatments are available in the Susurrus Spa and there is leisure time for you to enjoy this service. This tour features two full days of cruising in the Gulf Islands on Orca Spirit’s Pacific Explorer. She is equipped with hydrophones to enhance the underwater experience and a certified marine naturalist with great knowledge and passion for Vancouver Island’s marine wildlife is on board. We ride a water taxi over to Salt Spring Island and spend some time in Ganges. Also included is a visit to historic Roesland and the Pender Islands Museum, part of Gulf Islands National Park. Come and explore the Gulf Islands with the benefits of small vessel cruising and a luxury resort for home base.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • Meals

    • I
      12 meals

      4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners

    • V
      10 meals

      4 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners

    • L
      10 meals

      4 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners

  • Transportation

    • I
      L
      Coach transportation for 3 days
    • I
      L
      2 Strait of Georgia ferry crossings
    • V
      Transfers to/from Coast Victoria Hotel for passengers in the Greater Victoria Area
    • Water taxi from Pender Island to Salt Spring Island & return
  • Accommodation

    • I
      6 nights of accommodation & hotel taxes
    • L
      5 nights of accommodation & hotel taxes
    • V
      4 nights of accommodation & hotel taxes
    • Luggage handling at hotels
  • Gratuities

    • Gratuities for crew on vessels
    • Gratuity for Pender Island guide
  • Knowledgeable Wells Gray tour director

  • Tour Highlights (Included)

    • 2½ days of cruising on Pacific Explorer around the Gulf Islands & San Juan Islands
    • Marine naturalist for 2 days on board
    • Locally-guided tour of Pender Island sights
    • Pender Islands Museum at Roesland
    • Gulf Islands National Park
    • I
      Come From Away at Stanley Theatre
    • Attractions are subject to change. Please see Tour Policies for more information.

TOUR FARES

Departure Point Fares Per Person
I
BC Interior
$4,585

double (king bed)

$4,640

twin

$5,330

single

V
Vancouver Island
$4,090

double (king bed)

$4,145

twin

$4,595

single

L
Lower Mainland
$4,350

double (king bed)

$4,405

twin

$5,010

single

  • Please add 5% GST
  • Rooms at Poets Cove have either a king bed or two twin beds.
  • Earn 116 Experience Points

Early Booking Bonus!

$80 discount on first 8 seats; $40 on next 6.

DEPARTURE POINTS & DATES

I

BC Interior

May 24 – 30, 2026 (7 Days)

We travel to Tsawwassen on Sunday, May 24 by coach and take the ferry to Swartz Bay. We return on Saturday, May 30. Transportation is provided from your pickup point on the day of departure, and back again when we return.


V

Vancouver Island

May 25 – 29, 2026 (5 Days)

We depart Victoria on Monday, May 25 and return on Friday, May 29.

Departure from Victoria: For passengers in the Greater Victoria Area, transportation is provided from your pickup point on the day of departure to the dock at the Coast Victoria Hotel, where we board the Pacific Explorer, and back when we return on May 29. Home pickup may be offered in the Greater Victoria Area depending on the number of people booked and coach size. The decision is made about 2 weeks before departure and you will be contacted about your pickup point and time.

Departure from Up-island: Passengers must make their own way to Victoria prior to departure on May 25. You can make your own arrangements for overnight accommodation on May 24 or we can book you at the Coast Victoria Hotel at your expense.


L

Lower Mainland

May 24 – 29, 2026 (6 Days)

We travel to Tsawwassen on Sunday, May 24 by coach and take the ferry to Swartz Bay. We return on Friday, May 29.

Departure from Vancouver: Home pickup for clients in the Greater Vancouver Area may be arranged at the time of booking.

Departure from Langley, Abbotsford, or Chilliwack: Pickup and drop off is by the BC Interior coach. Please refer to the BC Interior dates, pricing, and inclusions. We return home on Saturday, May 30.

ACTIVITY LEVEL

Level

Level

Moderate Activity: As a traveller you like a variety of activities and walking up to 2 km with breaks such as a guided walking tour is very doable for you without assistance. You can stand for prolonged periods, negotiate a variety of terrain including moderate hills comfortably, and can climb two flights of stairs without assistance. There are steps getting on and off Pacific Explorer and the water taxi. The ramps to the boat docks can be steep at low tide. You may need to handle your own luggage at the hotels if luggage service is not available.

You may bring a cane or walking poles if needed. The coach cannot carry a scooter or motorized wheelchair. The tour director and driver have many responsibilities, so please do not expect them, or your fellow travellers, to provide ongoing assistance. If you are not capable of keeping up with the group or require frequent assistance, the tour director may stop you from participating in some activities or some days of the tour.

Tour Size

Group Size 40

This tour can accommodate 40 participants.

TOUR NOTES & POLICIES

  • Poets Cove Resort: Poets Cove is the luxury resort of the Gulf Islands. Nestled in Bedwell Harbour on South Pender Island, the resort has every amenity you could wish for. It was built in 2004 at a cost of $30 million. The main building has 22 beautifully appointed bedrooms, all with ocean view and a deck. There are also spacious 2-bedroom cottages and villas with living room and 2 bathrooms which are suitable for 4 double/twin guests sharing or 2 single guests sharing at the same fares (please request availability). The Aurora Dining Room serves our breakfasts and dinners, and Syrens Bistro offers a pub atmosphere for casual evening gettogethers. Spa treatments are available in the Susurrus Spa and there is leisure time to enjoy this service. An outdoor pool and hot tub are tucked into the hillside above the lodge. This tour was first offered as the 2010 Mystery Tour and everybody was impressed with the luxury of Poets Cove; the tour has been offered 14 times since then and is consistently a sell-out.

  • Pacific Explorer: Our charter vessel, Pacific Explorer, is licenced for 70, but this tour carries only 30 passengers for comfort. She has full-length tinted windows, indoor nook seating for everyone, washrooms, bar service, and an open-air viewing deck with bench seats and awning. She is 15.5 metres long and travels at up to 22 knots. The vessel is equipped with hydrophones to hear what is happening underwater and a certified marine naturalist is on board.

  • Payments: deposit of $300 per person is requested at the time of booking and the balance is due March 25, 2026. By paying the deposit, you agree to the Terms & Conditions, Activity Level and Cancellation Policy outlined. Payments can be made by online banking or cheque (3% discount on tour fare), or by Visa or Mastercard.

  • Early Booking Bonus: Receive an $80 discount on the first 8 seats and $40 on the next 6 seats for booking early with deposit. The discount is not offered after March 25, 2026.

  • Cancellation Policy: Up to February 25, 2026, the cancellation charge is $100 per person. From February 26 to March 25, the cancellation charge is $200 per person. From March 26 to April 23, the cancellation charge is 50% of the tour fare. After April 23, there is no refund.

  • Itinerary and Fare Changes: Our many suppliers may notify us about changes to the itinerary prior to departure and sometimes during the tour. We do our best to substitute a similar service if something cancels, but occasionally the only alternative is to provide a refund for the missed activity. Please note that if we are forced to cancel a tour component due to an issue beyond our control, the current penalties still apply if you choose to cancel the entire tour. Fuel surcharges and changes to taxes or other tour costs can occur at any time, therefore Wells Gray Tours reserves the right to increase fares due to such changes up to departure.

  • I Show cancellation: It rarely happens, but actors occasionally get sick, or some mishap causes the cancellation of a show. This can occur even shortly before the performance begins. We know that this would be disappointing for our customers, but the only refund we would be able to obtain for you would be the actual ticket price of the show. The hotel, motorcoach, boats, and other tour services are all prepaid and are non-refundable at short notice.

  • Food Allergies: You must notify us no later than at final payment if you have a food allergy. This tour goes to some remote places where restaurants may not be able to satisfy all food allergies. An allergy causes medical distress, a preference does not. For some allergies, please consider bringing your own snacks or food items so you are not dependent on what restaurants are able to serve.

  • Travel Insurance: A Comprehensive Insurance policy is available through Wells Gray Tours and coverage is provided by Travel Guard. Policies purchased at deposit include a waiver of the pre-existing condition clause for medical and cancellation claims, otherwise policies can be purchased no later than at final payment. This tour stays in British Columbia. While your BC Services Card may cover you for a medical issue that arises during the tour, you will probably benefit from trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage in case of illness or a mishap before or during the tour. Many other benefits such as luggage insurance are included. Medical questionnaire is not needed. Please contact us for details. If you have your own travel insurance, please read the policy carefully to be sure that you are adequately covered for cancellation, interruption, and luggage.

  • Photo Credits: Poets Cove Resort, tour director Elvia (Salt Spring Island Market), Adobe Stock (Orcas), and Pender Islands Museum (Roesland).

  • Experience Points or E-points: This tour earns 116 e-points. Each time you travel on a Wells Gray tour, you earn e-points that are added to your account after the tour returns. One e-point equals $1. Redeem your earned points on select tours or accumulate enough points to earn a free tour! Redemptions offered until March 25, 2026.

  • Consumer Protection BC Licences: Kamloops 178, Vernon 655, Kelowna 588, Penticton 924, Victoria 65842

TESTIMONIALS & STORIES

Early Booking Bonus!

$80 discount on first 8 seats; $40 on next 6.

REQUEST BOOKING

VIEW FULL ITINERARY