Tour Type

Canadian Tours

DEPARTURE INFORMATION

Lower Mainland

October 6, 2026 – 7 Days

Vancouver Island

October 7, 2026 – 6 Days

BC Interior

October 6, 2026 – 8 Days

Activity Level 2

Activity Level 2

GROUP SIZE

Group Size 2
35

TOUR SUMMARY

With 3 nights at Poets Cove Resort

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 21 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 1½ days of cruising in the Gulf Islands on Orca Spirit’s Pacific Explorer and hopefully some marine wildlife can be spotted. We ride a water taxi over to Salt Spring Island and browse the Saturday Market in Ganges. The first three nights of the tour are in Victoria and we enjoy Merridale Cidery, Hatley Castle Gardens, and a funny show at Chemainus Theatre. Celebrate Thanksgiving with Wells Gray Tours!

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • Meals

    • I
      11 meals

      3 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners

    • V
      L
      9 meals

      3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners

  • Transportation

    • Coach transportation for 5 days
    • I
      L
      2 Strait of Georgia ferry crossings
    • Water taxi from Pender Island to Salt Spring Island & return
  • Accommodation

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

    • Gratuities for crew on vessels & guides
  • Knowledgeable Wells Gray tour director

  • Tour Highlights (Included)

    • Merridale Cidery
    • Peril in the Alps at Chemainus Theatre
    • Westholme Tea Company talk & tasting
    • Hatley Castle Gardens
    • 1½ days of cruising on Pacific Explorer around the Gulf Islands
    • Marine naturalist on board
    • Guided walking tour at Port Browning
    • Locally-guided tour of Pender Island sights
    • Pender Islands Museum at Roesland
    • Gulf Islands National Park
    • Attractions are subject to change. Please see Tour Policies for more information.

TOUR FARES

Departure Point Fares per Person
I
BC Interior
$4,405

double

$4,460

twin

$5,345

single

V
Vancouver Island
$4,045

double

$4,100

twin

$4,730

single

L
Lower Mainland
$4,305

double

$4,360

twin

$5,155

single

  • Please add 5% GST.
  • Rooms at Poets Cove have either a king bed or two twin beds.
  • Please inquire for triple fares and cottage pricing.
  • Earn 111 Experience Points

Early Booking Bonus!

$100 discount on first 12 seats; $50 on next 6.

DEPARTURE POINTS & DATES

I

BC Interior

October 6 – 13, 2026 (8 Days)

We depart on Tuesday, October 6 and take the ferry to Victoria. We return from New Westminster on Tuesday, October 13. Transportation is provided from your pickup location on the day of departure and back when we return.


V

Vancouver Island

October 7 – 12, 2026 (6 Days)

We meet the BC Interior group on Wednesday, October 7 in Victoria. We return to Victoria from Pender Island on Monday, October 12.

Departure from Victoria: For passengers in the Greater Victoria Area, transportation is provided from your pickup point on the day of departure and back when we return. 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: Make your own way to and from Victoria to join this tour. Accommodation can be provided in Victoria on Tuesday, October 6. Please refer to the Lower Mainland pricing below. Transportation to/from up-island is not provided.


L

Lower Mainland

October 6 – 12, 2026 (7 Days)

We depart on Tuesday, October 6 and take the ferry to Victoria. We return from Victoria on Monday, October 12.

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 and pricing.

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.

This tour is not appropriate for people who require the use of a walker. 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 Unknown
35

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 21 beautifully appointed bedrooms, all with ocean view and a deck. There are also spacious twobedroom cottages and villas with a living room and two bathrooms which are suitable for four double/twin guests sharing or two single guests sharing (please request pricing). The Aurora Dining Room serves our breakfasts and dinners, and Syrens Bistro offers a pub atmosphere for casual evening get-togethers. Spa treatments are available in the Susurrus Spa and there is leisure time to enjoy this service. Advanced booking is recommended: 250-629-2113 or 250-629-2100. An outdoor pool and hot tub are tucked into the hillside above the lodge.

  • PACIFIC EXPLORER: Our charter vessel, Pacific Explorer, is licenced for 70, but this tour carries only 35 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.

  • Chemainus 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, and other tour services are all prepaid and are non-refundable at short notice.

  • Theatre seat assignments: eats at Chemainus Theatre are assigned according to the date you booked the tour.

  • Food Allergies: You must notify us no later than at final payment if you have a food allergy. 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.

  • Payments: A deposit of $300 per person is requested at the time of booking and balance is due July 30, 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 a $100 discount on the first 12 seats

  • BC Seniors (65 & over, BC Interior & Lower Mainland): $17 discount offered by BC Ferries. Please bring your BC Services Card on the tour.

  • Cancellation Policy: Up to June 30, 2026, the cancellation charge is $100 per person. From July 1 to July 30, the cancellation charge is $200 per person. From July 31 to August 28, the cancellation charge is 50% of the tour fare. After August 28, 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.

  • 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, Merridale Cidery, Gardens BC & Daniel Mosquin (Hatley Castle Gardens), and tour director Elvia (Ganges Market).

  • Experience Points or E-points: This tour earns 111 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 July 30, 2026.

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

TESTIMONIALS & STORIES

Early Booking Bonus!

$100 discount on first 12 seats; $50 on next 6.

REQUEST BOOKING

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