British Columbia

Discover British Columbia

An incredible natural playground awaits you that boasts mountains, glaciers, rainforests and coastlines. These are just some of the reasons why British Columbia holidays are hugely popular as not only can you enjoy these incredible natural wonders the province has to offer, but you can uncover the culture of the First Nations people and can explore British Columbia’s cities. The province really has something for everyone as you can visit the world-famous vineyards of Okanagan Valley, enjoy spectacular wildlife encounters on whale watching and bear watching tours, go on skiing holidays to the likes of Whistler Blackcomb and Sun Peaks ski resorts and enjoy Vancouver Island and all its attractions. Speak to our advisors to book your British Columbia holidays today.

Best time to visit British Columbia

The best time to visit British Columbia depends on your choice of Canada holiday activities and which region you are visiting. BC’s weather is influenced by the province’s size, mountain ranges, and the Pacific Ocean.

Summer (June-August) sees the best weather in BC and the busiest crowds. It is the peak holiday season and the best time to enjoy the great outdoors. Temperatures are mild on the coast (around 20°C) and hotter in the interior, reaching up to 30-40°C. Go surfing in Tofino, hiking and biking in parks and mountains, try water sports, ziplining and more.

British Columbia is a prime destination for wildlife-watching holidays too. The bear-watching season begins in May, but late August through September is the best time to see grizzly bears in British Columbia as they follow the famous Salmon Run. If you are looking to go on a whale-watching tour, then April to October is when humpback, gray, minke and fin whales, as well as orcas can be seen around the coast of BC.

If you are planning a skiing or snowboarding holiday in British Columbia, then December to February is the best time to visit, as world-class ski resorts such as Whistler receive the greatest snowfall. During the winter season, you can also enjoy snowshoeing, dog sledding and ice skating.

If you want to escape the crowds, consider visiting British Columbia in spring or autumn. The weather is pretty warm, and you can still enjoy a great variety of outdoor activities.

What is British Columbia famous for?

• Vancouver
• Victoria
  
• Whistler, the biggest ski resort in North America
• Vancouver Island
• Okanagan Valley
• A prime destination for bear viewing and whale watching
• Seven National Parks
• The Canadian Rockies

Swipe left or right to learn more.

Vancouver

Vancouver is British Columbia’s largest city and is one of the most diverse and multicultural cities in the world. It is perfect for a city break. Every inch of the city is bursting with life, with world-class shopping districts, restaurants, nightlife, beaches, wildlife, and sightseeing. There is so much you can do in Vancouver, and it is one of the few cities in the world where you can go skiing and sailing on the same day. The city is a foodie heaven as one day, you can sample Dim Sum in Chinatown or head to Granville Island Public Market to try the fresh, local cuisine. Here at Canadian Affair, we can find the perfect Vancouver holiday for you, so click below for more information.

Vancouver holidays

Victoria

Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, and this quaint Victorian town, which is located amid the stunning natural beauty of Vancouver Island, is a destination that should be on your bucket list. The city is characterised by its beautiful gardens and architecture, and its mild climate means travellers can enjoy all the amazing excursions that the city has to offer. If you make Victoria one of the places you visit during your British Columbia holidays, then you will be visiting one of the best places to go on a whale-watching tour, as its warm coastal waters welcome Orcas and Grey Whales. With Victoria being just a 90-minute ferry ride from Vancouver, a visit is most commonly paired with a Vancouver city break or a scenic island fly-drive.

Victoria holidays

Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, is bursting with wildlife and is one of the top destinations to visit if you want to go bear or whale watching. A stay at the Knight Inlet Lodge allows you to see grizzly bears in their natural habitat in the ‘salmon capital of the world’, while Vancouver Island is a great base to explore the Strait of Juan de Fuca, where you will have an excellent chance of seeing the resident orca pod which lives here all year round and migrating humpback whales. Vancouver Island starts with its vibrant capital city of Victoria, but there are the small towns of Ucluelet and Tofino that you can explore as well. If that’s not enough, you can discover the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and its First Nation archaeological sites, the stunning beaches of Long, Chesterman and Cox Bay, and enjoy hiking trails such as the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail and the West Coast Trail.

Whistler

Best known for its skiing and snowboarding, Whistler is one of the best places to visit in British Columbia in winter, and it is regularly voted as one of the best mountain resorts in the world. The two mountains of Whistler and Blackcomb offer over 8,100 acres of skiable terrain, and they have something for everyone, both on and off the mountain. In summer, Whistler transforms into a haven for mountain biking and hiking with trails designed for all levels of ability and fitness, making it an ideal holiday for outdoor enthusiasts. Whistler is just under two hours from Vancouver and is an experience in itself as you get to drive the Sea to Sky Highway, one of the most scenic roads in Canada.

Whistler holidays

Okanagan Valley

Known as the ‘Tuscany of Canada’, Okanagan Valley is the main wine-growing region in Western Canada with plenty of award-winning vintages found here, but it is also a perfect holiday destination in British Columbia's green expansive countryside that gets extremely hot in the summer months. On top of the wine tasting, there are farmers’ markets and festivals, and it is a hub for food and drink. If you want to dive into some popular pursuits, you can cycle the Kettle Valley Rail Trail and go boating on Okanagan Lake. A must-visit whilst you are in Okanagan Valley is Kelowna, a retreat known for its wineries, beaches and superb scenery. You can also enjoy some great shopping and dine at well-known restaurants in Downtown Kelowna.

Best National Parks in British Columbia

There are seven National Parks in British Columbia. The Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve is a great national park to visit as it is home to the world-famous Haida Gwaii, an archipelago in Northern BC that has been designated as a Haida Heritage Site. In total, there are over 130 islands in the southern part of Haida Gwaii. The Kootenay National Park, which is part of the Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site, is another great park to visit as you can see a varied landscape of large mountains, hanging glaciers and grasslands where cacti grow. Other national parks in BC are listed below:

• Yoho National Park
• Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
• Pacific Rim National Park
• Glacier National Park
• Mount Revelstoke National Park

Great Bear Rainforest

British Columbia holidays wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the iconic Great Bear Rainforest. Stretching along the central and northern coasts of British Columbia, it is the world’s largest temperate rainforest and is a staggering 21-million acres in size, which is about the size of Scotland. The rainforest is one of the most pristine wilderness environments on Earth and is characterised by a lush old-growth forest, meandering fjords and is teeming with wildlife. Despite being previously visited by Prince William and Kate as part of their royal tour, the most famous resident is the Kermode, or “Spirit” bear, a black bear with all-white fur that is only found in the Great Bear Rainforest. During a visit, you can also learn about the local Indigenous Peoples who have lived here for millennia.

Bear watching holidays

Things to do on your holiday to British Columbia

You'll never be bored in British Columbia. Instead, you'll struggle to find time to do everything. Here are some ideas for things to do on British Columbia holidays:

• Brave the Capilano Suspension Bridge: Stretching at 137 metres in length and a dizzying 70 metres in height, the suspension bridge over the Capilano River is the oldest and one of the most popular visitor attractions in Vancouver. There are lots of other attractions in the park, too, such as hiking trails, a cliff walk, a treetop adventure and much more.
  
• Visit Butchart Gardens in Victoria: The 55 acres of gardens are full of over 900 different plants. If you are visiting Victoria on a day trip from Vancouver as part of a city break, another attraction to see in the city is the Inner Harbour, which is one of the world’s most picturesque harbours.
  
• Try British Columbia’s famous gondolas: The Whistler Peak to Peak gondola offers you a stunning 360-degree view of Whistler Village and the surrounding mountain peaks, lakes, glaciers and forests, and you can access both the Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, which are home to over 50kms of summer hiking trails. The Sea to Sky Gondola allows you to soar above the mountain town of Squamish and the surrounding alpine scenery with its floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
  

• Go hiking or cycling: British Columbia is an outdoor playground, and its hiking and cycling trails offer unparalleled wilderness experiences. There are thousands of hiking trails you can enjoy throughout the province, and with the varied terrain of BC, there is always something different to see.
  
• For the thrill-seekers: There are plenty of adrenaline-fuelled activities to enjoy in BC, such as ziplining, ATV tours, tree trek tours, rock climbing, and paragliding.
  
• Water sports galore: Did you know that Tofino on Vancouver Island is a surfing mecca with more than 30 km of beaches around the town? If you want to try other water sports, you can go river and whitewater rafting at Kicking Horse, Quesnel, the Fraser, and the Tatshenshini or go canoeing and kayaking in the likes of Yoho National Park or Haida Gwaii.
  
• Go wild: Book a wildlife tour as part of your British Columbia holiday package. The waters around Vancouver and Victoria are prime whale-watching locations, whilst The Great Bear Rainforest offers opportunities to see grizzly bears in their natural habitat.
  
• Hit the slopes in Whistler: For some of the world’s best powder and heli-skiing, skiing and snowboarding destinations, then you need to head to Whistler Blackcomb, which is the largest ski resort in North America. BC is also home to some great snowmobiling terrain and over 50 Nordic ski areas. Besides skiing, there is plenty to do with snowshoeing, ice climbing and dogsledding, to name just a few.
  
• Immerse yourself in culture: When you visit British Columbia, we highly recommend you learn about the First Nations, and you can do this by visiting museums and interpretive centres such as the Haida Heritage Centre in Haida Gwaii, the Quw’utsan Cultural Centre, the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver or the famous totem poles in Stanley Park.

Bear watching in British Columbia

The Great Bear Rainforest is one of the best places to spot bears in the wild in British Columbia, and it is here where you can see the world-famous Spirit Bear, also known as the Kermode Bear, as well as grizzly and black bears. You can stay at the Knight Inlet Lodge and Spirit Bear Lodges for some of the best bear-viewing spots in the Great Bear Rainforest. The Pacific Rim National Park on Vancouver Island is another great place to go bear watching in BC, as the island has its own subspecies of black bears, which are larger and have darker fur than those on the mainland. You can go on bear-watching tours on Vancouver Island from Tofino or Ucluelet.

Bear watching holidays

Swipe left or right for whale watching in British Columbia.

Whale watching in British Columbia

The Pacific Ocean just off British Columbia is a rich marine environment, which is considered one of the top places to go whale watching in Canada. Orcas, humpbacks, grey whales and minkes, as well as other marine life, such as dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, and otters, are just some of the wildlife you can see on a whale watching tour in the province. Some of the top destinations that you can go whale watching are Tofino and Victoria on Vancouver Island. In fact, there is even a resident pod of orcas near Victoria, which is why you are almost guaranteed to see these majestic animals. Off the coast of the Great Bear Rainforest is another place where you can see orcas and other whales. Speak to our experts to book your whale watching holiday today.

Whale watching holidays

British Columbia Holidays

Swipe left or right to learn more about the types of British Columbia holidays we offer including: 

• Fly-drive holidays
• Motorhome holidays
• Rocky Mountaineer and Alaska cruises
• Wildlife holidays
• Ski holidays
• Escorted tours
• City breaks

Fly drive holidays to British Columbia

One of the best ways to explore British Columbia is via a car. That way, you can combine BC’s amazing cities with experiencing the province's incredible nature and scenic landscapes. We recommend flying to Vancouver from the UK and picking up your Vancouver car hire once you have spent a day or two exploring this vibrant city. From there, we can include anything that you would like to visit in your itinerary. You can explore Vancouver Island and experience it all: lively urban centres, remote wilderness destinations, unrivalled beauty and fascinating aboriginal culture. If you are a wine lover, you might enjoy a road trip through the Okanagan Valley, where you can visit Canada’s finest wineries. A hugely popular choice of a holiday itinerary in British Columbia is one encompassing a trip from the coastlines of the Pacific Ocean to the iconic Canadian Rockies. Speak to our advisors today to book your Canada fly drive holiday to BC.

Fly Drive holidays

Motorhome holidays in British Columbia

With so many scenic roads, untamed wilderness, spectacular scenery, vibrant cities and towns and unrivalled wildlife, it isn’t a surprise that hiring a motorhome is a hugely popular type of holiday when visiting British Columbia. Explore the natural wonders of the Rocky Mountains and its many lakes, national parks, and incredible wildlife. Visit Vancouver and the wineries of the Okanagan Valley. Drive the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway to the mountain resort of Whistler. Take a ferry from Vancouver and explore Vancouver Island and BC’s Sunshine Coast. We can expertly curate itineraries to include pre-planned stops and things to do on your holiday based on our extensive knowledge of Canada and years of experience. Our Canada motorhome holidays to BC not only include motorhome hire but also flights from the UK. We can book your campgrounds in advance as well. Whether it’s a family holiday to British Columbia or an adventure for couples, we know you will love our motorhome packages.

Motorhome holidays

Rocky Mountaineer and Alaska Cruises from Vancouver, BC

British Columbia is unique in the fact you can enjoy one of the best cruises in the world as well as one of the best train journeys in the world on one trip. The Rocky Mountaineer has three stunning rail journeys to choose from and is one of the best ways to see the Canadian Rockies in all its splendour as you visit mountain towns like Banff and Jasper. From Vancouver, you can go on an Alaska cruise and see the rugged coastal landscapes and hard-to-reach wilderness areas along the way. For the ultimate experience, you can combine the trips into one rail and cruise holiday, which is one of the finest ways to explore Western Canada as one day you’ll be enjoying the picturesque lakes in the Rockies, and the next, you will come face-to-face with the icebergs of Alaska.

Rail & Cruise holidays

Wildlife holidays to British Columbia

From Orcas and Humpback whales to grizzly and Kermode bears, British Columbia is not short on wildlife. You can enjoy specialist holidays like our Wonders of the Spirit Bear Holiday, which sees you travel to the Great Bear Rainforest to catch a glimpse of the world-famous Spirit Bear, also known as the Kermode Bear. We also offer wildlife holidays where you can see the whales and bears that live in BC by exploring Vancouver Island. If you want to combine seeing the wildlife in British Columbia and Alaska, then our Glaciers and Grizzlies and British Columbia and Glacier Bay holidays are the perfect choice for you. BC has an abundance of wildlife, and with our tailor-made holidays, we can plan the perfect trip to enhance your chances of seeing the wildlife you want to see.

Wildlife holidays

Ski holidays in British Columbia

BC is one of the best holiday destinations in the world for skiing, as there are so many resorts located here. Some of the best places to visit in British Columbia in winter for skiing and snowboarding trips are the following resorts:

• Whistler Blackcomb: Two mountains with around 240 runs and set in some of British Columbia's most incredible scenery.
• Sun Peaks: Canada's second-largest ski area, with over 4,200 skiable acres.
• Kicking Horse Mountain Resort: There are almost 120 different runs, and the majority of these are suited to intermediate and advanced skiers.
• Silver Star: Perfect for intermediate skiers and snowboarders, it offers more than 130 runs, including one that is five miles long.
• Panorama: It has over 120 runs with most suitable for beginners and intermediates, and is a casual, family-friendly resort which is ideal for a fun and relaxed ski trip.
• Revelstoke: Skiing here skews towards intermediate and advanced as it is home to the highest vertical drop in North America (over 5,000 feet).
• Fernie: With ten lifts, including two high-speed quads, over 140 runs, and a variety of dining options, this resort is great for a family ski holiday.

Ski holidays

Escorted British Columbia holidays

Want to take away the stress of planning a holiday and any hassle of thinking about flights or how you can travel to different destinations? With our escorted holidays to British Columbia, we do all the organising for you, so you don’t have to do a thing. We have a selection of escorted tours available, such as our Rockies trail holiday, which helps you to see the mountainous views and coastlines that are synonymous with the province. Our escorted tours include flights from the UK to Canada, accommodation at the best locations in BC, amazing tours to the likes of the Columbia Icefield, and most of your meals.

Escorted holidays

Visit BC’s top cities on a city break

A great way to explore British Columbia is through its cities, and although the province is famed for its natural beauty, it is also home to some amazing urban areas that you should visit. You can enjoy a city break in Vancouver, a unique city that offers all the attractions of a world-class city and a host of outdoor adventures. Here at Canadian Affair, you can enjoy city breaks that visit multiple destinations, such as our Vancouver and Whistler adventure. Other popular places you can visit during British Columbia holidays are Victoria, Kelowna and Tofino.

City breaks