Vancouver & Gulf Islands Bike Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
Vancouver & Gulf Islands Bike Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 2-4
Premiere Hotels
2025: Jul-Sep2026: May-Sep
Canada's Idyllic Isles & Victoria
Out here at the edge of the continent, the pleasures are simple. And while boutique wineries, local artisans and farm-to-table eateries are part of the daily scene, you won’t have to pedal far to imagine you’ve landed in a secret place. Where it’s just you and the soaring eagles, with space to spare.
Highlights
- Bike rolling hills and admire the views of pristine coastline, lush cedar forests and bucolic inland pastures
- Explore one of western Canada’s most unique regions with its expansive views of the inland archipelago and Olympic Peninsula
- Discover harbor seals and incredible birdlife, including bald eagles, around the Gray Peninsula and relax on white shell beaches
- Savor exquisite farm-to-table cuisine and award-winning wines locally sourced from the land and sea

Start/End Victoria
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary

Days 1-2
Soak up inspiring views of the Salish Sea en route to Brentwood Bay • Explore the Butchart Gardens' amazing floral display • Cruise what's known as Vancouver Island's Most Beautiful Shortcut aboard the Mill Bay ferry • Bike rolling country roads in bucolic Cowichan Valley • The mild microclimate here yields more sunny days than anywhere else in Canada! • Set a leisurely pace, stopping along the way at small boutique wineries, artisan studios and roadside produce stands.

Nights 1-2
Perched on a forested hillside with spectacular bay vistas, this chic boutique resort features a blend of West Coast and Asian styles. (pool, spa)

Days 3-4
Journey by ferry to Salt Spring Island, "the coolest island in Canada" according to the Washington Post • Enjoy an undulating and scenic ride past island cottages, pristine beaches and lush farmland • Stroll through Garry oak meadows to a stunning viewpoint at Ruckle Park • Visit local farm stands and stop to taste craft beer or artisan cider • Explore unique art galleries and whimsical shops in the town of Ganges • Relax at our welcoming Relais & Châteaux home.




Nights 3-4
This Sussex-style manor hotel is located on 22 acres with beautiful gardens overlooking the ocean and features tastefully furnished rooms. A Relais & Châteaux member. (spa)

Days 5-6
Watch for porpoises, bald eagles and—if we're lucky—whales during a water-taxi cruise to Galiano Island • Bike quiet rolling roads past rugged shoreline and stretches of old-growth forest dotted with eclectic galleries and art studios • Enjoy peaceful beaches and quiet lanes as you discover an island long inhabited by the Coast Salish Nations • Hike or bike through temperate rain forest for endless vistas of the surrounding islands and Olympic Peninsula.

Night 5
One of the island’s original accommodations, this Pacific Northwest retreat is virtually a destination in itself thanks to its superb vistas of the harbor, Active Passage and the lighthouse on nearby Mayne Island. (spa)
What's Included
See moreStraight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
While our properties on this trip offer outstanding service and amenities, please note they may not be equipped with air-conditioning, and guest rooms can occasionally become warm during peak temperatures.
Hotels
World-Class Hotels
Our hand-selected Premiere hotels offer exceptional hospitality and experiences as special as the regions we explore.
Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.
Nights 1-2
Premiere Hotel
Perched on a forested hillside with spectacular bay vistas, this chic boutique resort features a blend of West Coast and Asian styles. (pool, spa)
Nights 3-4
Premiere Hotel
This Sussex-style manor hotel is located on 22 acres with beautiful gardens overlooking the ocean and features tastefully furnished rooms. A Relais & Châteaux member. (spa)
Night 5
*Deluxe Hotel
One of the island’s original accommodations, this Pacific Northwest retreat is virtually a destination in itself thanks to its superb vistas of the harbor, Active Passage and the lighthouse on nearby Mayne Island. (spa)
Gallery
Bikes
Choose Your Perfect Bike
Our bikes are designed and built with specific cyclists and riding styles in mind, so we can always offer you a perfect ride. Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.

Included in your trip price
- Ideal for avid cyclists
- Redesigned for 2024
- Next gen titanium frame with carbon wheels
- Responsive, efficient and comfortable
- Drop handlebars only

Included in your trip price
- One of the lightest e-bikes available
- Provides plenty of power and more than enough battery
- Lower top tubes for easier mounting and dismounting
- Upright handlebars only
- Limited availability on Unplugged Bike Tours; learn more
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+

- $400 rental fee
- Hand-built frame features Co-Motion's custom-designed Cro-Moly steel tubeset, powerful Avid disc brakes, Shimano Ultegra drive train
- Custom upgraded wheelset
- Best for riders with some tandem experience.
Review Snapshot
by PowerReviews
Reviewed by 4 customers
Beautiful week biking in Canadian San Juans
This was just an incredibly fun week. It was a beautiful set of islands, the routes were perfect to really experience each place, the food was almost unbelievably good, and Darryl and Ruby were absolute pros and made the whole thing feel seamless and effortless. We'd do this exact trip again and enjoy it just as much.



Extremely well organized and professionally executed.
Every aspect of this trip was thoughtfully planned, communicated and supported. Exactly what one hopes for from Backroads. Kudos!
This trip exceeded our expectations.
My wife and I along with a few friends did the Vancouver Island, gulf island group tour. The group leaders I have to say were exceptional( Devon, and Ruby). The trip was incredibly organized, from the routes, hotels to luggage. The leaders made the trip seamless, and we only had to concern ourselves with the activities. The bike ride was interesting. We chose ebikes, due to our age and condition, but many on the trip used the regular bikes. The trip is hilly, and the ebikes were the great leveler. If you want a bike challenge, consider the regular bikes. The views were beautiful, the hotels were adequate, not luxurious, as this is the tempo in this area, but overall ok. The food provided was fine. I am glad we did this trip. Again, the group leaders were absolutely incredible. I don't know where they find such excellent athletes,organizers and charming to boot. I wholeheartedly recommend this trip. If you are concerned about the distances and the hills, choose the ebikes, and you will be more than able if you are in fair to ok shape.
Discovery
I'd love to do this trip all over again, from start to finish. A stunning week. My best advice: sign up just as soon as you can. I haven't been a biker for long and this was my first Backroads trip. It was a kind of personal challenge, too. A year after surgery to remove a brain tumor, I wanted a goal to work towards. I'm so glad I chose this one. Three things that stood out: Widening my horizons. The Gulf Islands are an ecosystem apart which I never really knew existed. Discovering and soaking in their dazzling beauty, new (to me) flora and fauna, and other natural wonders and vistas became my daily goal. Restorative and meditative. Building strength. Though I was one of the least experienced bikers on the trip, I built confidence and strength each day. Yes, there were a couple of challenges along the way but I worked through them. That was a good feeling and I am stronger for it. Leadership. It would be hard to imagine better leaders than we had with Darren, Jay, and Taylor. They brought very different strengths, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to their roles. But it worked - and well. Each complimented the other, and that made for the best possible leadership experience. I'm already looking for my next trip, next year. Slovenia and Croatia looks like the one.
Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations (if any) and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
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