Biking in an Archipelago of Natural Wonders
Tucked between the mainland of southwestern British Columbia and Vancouver Island is an archipelago of islands known as the Canadian Gulf Islands. Each has its own charm, with natural history and coastal scenery unique in North America.
Starting from Victoria on Vancouver Island, we visit the smaller islands of Salt Spring, Galiano and Mayne as we explore the pastoral island life. Whether by bike, on foot, or by kayak, you will be seduced by this unique island charm. We’ll stay in inns and hotels that are welcoming and dine on inspired Pacific Northwest cuisine.
Only Great Explorations:
662 Pandora Ave, Victoria, BC V8W 1R7, Canada
Day 1+2
Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada
Day 3+4
Galiano Island, Southern Gulf Islands, BC, Canada
Day 5+6+7
Mayne Island, BC, Canada
Option on Day 6
| 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|
| Jun 26-Jul 2 | Jun 18-24 |
| Jul 2-8 - PRIVATE | Jun 25-Jul 1 |
| Jul 10-16 | Jul 2-8 |
| Aug 14-20 | Jul 9-15 |
| Aug 21-27 | Aug 13-19 |
| Sep 4-10 | Aug 20-26 |
| Sep 11-17 | Sep 3-9 |
| Sep 10-16 |
Trip can start at any date. Self-guided and custom trips also available. Call or email for details.
Trip Size
Total Days
Arrive/Depart
Activity LevelModerate
30-50+ km / 20-30+ mi daily
Van supported
TerrainGently rolling with some short steep hills
CostLand Cost
CAD $3,150
Includes 6B/2L/5D
Single Supplement
CAD $800
Bike Rentals
Hybrid Bikes: CAD $320
Racing Bikes: CAD $420
E-Bikes*: CAD $480
*E-bikes are generally available but are on an ‘on request basis ‘ and will be confirmed on receipt of your booking registration. E-bikes provided are the best rentals available in the region. Our regular fleet of hybrid and race bikes are fun to ride and light and fast, but if having an e-bike will make your trip, we’ll do our best to provide. E-bike rentals are non-refundable.
Prices subject to GST (5%) for trips in British Columbia.
Getting There
Our tour begins in Victoria. You can take a ferry from Vancouver Tsawwassen Terminal to Swartz Bay (Vancouver Island) or arrive by float plane from downtown Vancouver.
Victoria
Your hotel is included on arrival day and we will meet at 2:00 pm for bike fit and a short warm-up ride. Victoria and Vancouver Island are a cyclist’s paradise with lots of options for moderate and more challenging rides. After a welcome wine reception, we’ll dine out at a favourite restaurant.
Distance: 23 km; 145 m gain
Victoria
The second day we’ll ride loop out to Ten Mile Point and back through Rockland, passing Craigdarroch Castle, Government House & Gardens and stately homes. There is an add-on option that crosses Vancouver Island to the gardens at HCM, a hidden gem that also boasts a great restaurant, Charlotte & the Quail.
Distance: 38 km; 300 m gain or 60 km; 395 m gain
Salt Spring Island
Today we cycle north along a flat cycle path to Swartz Bay before crossing by ferry to Salt Spring Island. We will stop to visit a local cheesemaker and enjoy lunch in a sublime setting. There is lots to see and do in Ganges, full of artisan shops and galleries. Tonight we’ll dine at an eclectic restaurant with live music.
Distance: 49 km; 325 m gain
Salt Spring Island
The second day on Salt Spring we’ll ride a route that gives us outstanding views of Trincomali Channel with the snow-capped Coast Range mountains as a back-drop with an additional option to the south end of the island, followed by a wine tasting at an island winery. There is also an option to sea-kayak while on Salt Spring. Ganges is filled with excellent restaurants including several with live folk singers and we’ll provide recommendations for dinner out.
Distance: 26 km; 300 m gain or 43 km; 600 m gain
Galiano Island
After riding out to Long Harbour, we cruise to Galiano Island, which has a unique culture of its own (on some trips we take a water taxi direct to Montague Harbour from Ganges). We highly recommend kayaking on Galiano Island at Montague Harbour followed by lunch at Crane & Robin with outstanding views. Afterwards, ride out towards North Galiano, passing Lover’s Leap and other viewpoints.
On the return trip, stop at Hummingbird Pub, a local institution on Galiano. Relax back at Galiano Inn, or explore Sturdies Bay’s shops and cafes before another fabulous dinner.
Sea-kayaking at Montague Harbour (optional)
Riding distance: 37km; 700m
Galiano Island
We’ll ride over to Mt Galiano and hike up to the top (45 minutes) for a glorious view and then cycle back to Sturdies Bay to explore Bellhouse Provincial Park. Depending on ferry schedules, there may be an opportunity to reach Mayne Island for additional cycling. After a final night wine reception on Galiano, we will enjoy a wine reception and then memorable dinner. Bon appetite.
Distance: 25km; 288m or 40km; 525m
Hiking distance (optional): 5 km; 250 m gain
Depart
Depart for Victoria or Vancouver by ferry or by sea-plane flight (additional cost).
Located one block from the waterfront and close to cafés and restaurants, this boutique hotel boasts a chic bistro serving locally inspired cuisine with patio seating and a cocktail lounge with weekly live jazz (Wednesdays). There is an outdoor swimming pool.
This upmarket hotel has recently undergone a major renovation inside and out and has a great location close to town and overlooking Ganges harbour.
This luxurious oceanfront resort and spa features large guest rooms, each with a breath-taking view, wood burning fireplaces, and a casually elegant décor. The restaurant has been receiving rave reviews for its inspired West Coast cuisine.
Tour Reviews
“We wanted to experience the Gulf Islands by bicycle. This tour allowed us to experience both the natural wonders of the islands, as well as the towns on the islands, the city of Victoria and its suburbs. Since this was our first trip to North America, we had little idea what to expect. Our guide suggested options and took note of our responses. She then tailored the whole experience around our preferences. We did appreciate and make use of, the hot-tub and spa-bath on Galliano Island. We enjoyed all the meals as they were in a varity of venues, in particular the resturant after the walk through the Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park, as well as the bus trip back to our hotel. Being a small group of five, plus a guide, we were offered many choices of events. Since we were mainly after the cycling experience, we opted for no Museums and wine tastings, but we did enjoy the visit to Salt Spring Cheese, the walk through the Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park, and Kayaking from Salt Spring Island. The rental bikes performed adequately.”
“I enjoyed the good weather, daily exercise, not having to do any planning, lovely accomodations and great food that I didn’t have to cook myself! Very nice choices of restaurants. Favs were 10 Acres in Victoria and the place with the tree in it in Ganges. Very nice choices of hotels. Amount of time riding most days was a bit shorter than expected. Wasn’t expecting that hilliness so distances were easier than expected and elevation harder than expected. I had been on a previous trip with Great Explorations and was happy with the experience- that’s the reason I chose GE again.”
“We had amazing guides who were able to pivot constantly to ensure that everyone in the group enjoyed their trip. They really made the whole trip enjoyable and were able to modify planned activities to suit the needs of our group.”
“I enjoyed the trip – the activities were varied and the guides were great. The hills made the routes more challenging than anticipated, but I enjoyed the challenge. The guides exceeded my expectations and were terrific. Providing snacks each morning for the day’s ride was very welcome.”
“The guides were terrific, very personable and looked after our group very well! All the hotels were lovely. The scenery was spectacular.”
“Our guides WERE EXCELLENT! They were patient, helpful, cheerful, attentive and accommodating to our constant diverse needs, requests and demands. To be quite honest, we don’t know how you find guides like this…THEY WERE GREAT. The restaurant and lodging choices were terrific. The whole trip was good – Good fun. Good food. Good rooms. Good guides. Really good time.”
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