Vancouver Island Uncovered: Highlights from Our Recent Bear Mountain Golf Retreat

There is something undeniably magical about late summer in the Pacific Northwest. In late August, we gathered our group of travelers on the spectacular southern tip of Vancouver Island for a week of world-class golf, West Coast cuisine, and breathtaking scenery.

From the rugged, elevated tees of Bear Mountain to the vibrant inner harbor of Victoria, here is a look back at our unforgettable Canadian getaway.

Bear Mountain golf "An elevated panoramic view from a golf resort looking over a vast forested valley towards a coastal city with a deep blue ocean and distant mountains under a clear sky. A manicured green is in the left foreground." } — The Mountain Course at Bear Mountain overlooking Victoria

The Welcome

The luxury tone of the trip was set the moment we arrived at The Westin Bear Mountain Resort & Spa. Surrounded by lush forests and offering panoramic views of the Mount Baker horizon, it was the perfect luxury home base for the week.

On our first evening, we brought everyone together for a beautiful welcome dinner at The Westin's restaurant. There’s nothing quite like that first night of a TMI Golf & Travel trip—the excitement of new and returning friends reconnecting, knowing that for the next week, every single detail, tee time, and transfer is entirely taken care of.

"An elevated view of a circular stone patio with a fire pit, leading to a manicured lawn with bright blue benches. Beyond the lawn, a lush green golf course is nestled among dense forests and rolling hills under a partly cloudy sky." — View from the rooms at The Westin overlooking The Valley Course

Fairways and Flexibility

Our itinerary was packed with incredible golf, but as always, we kept the vibe relaxed and stress-free.

We kicked things off with a true test of elevation on Bear Mountain's Mountain Course, followed the next day by its sister, The Valley Course. The scenery on these Nicklaus-designed layouts is stunning, with ancient forests and sweeping coastal views at every turn. Later in the week, the group took on the majestic Highland Pacific Golf Course before finishing our playing schedule at the beautiful Olympic View Golf Club, famous for its roaming deer and roaring waterfalls.

Whether our golfers were dialing in their drives or just enjoying the spectacular Canadian outdoors, the focus remained exactly where it should be: having fun and enjoying the walk.

"A scenic view of The Valley Course at Bear Mountain, featuring a tranquil lake on the left that borders a bright green fairway, surrounded by dense evergreen forests under a clear blue sky." — The Valley Course at Bear Mountain Canada

Sights, Heights, and Harbour Lights

A signature of our trips is ensuring the off-course experiences are just as spectacular as the golf.

After conquering the Valley Course on Day 3, we spent the late afternoon at the Malahat Skywalk. Walking the spiral tower up into the treetops to take in the endless views of the Finlayson Arm and the distant Coast Mountains was an absolute highlight.

The next morning, we traded our golf shoes for walking shoes to explore the world-renowned Butchart Gardens, taking in the brilliant late-summer blooms. From there, we headed down to Victoria’s Inner Harbour for a relaxed lunch right on the water at The Flying Otter Grill, watching the seaplanes take off and land. We rounded out the afternoon with a leisurely walking tour through the historic, charming streets of downtown Victoria.

Malahat Skywalk

Malahat Skywalk is an outdoor eco-tourism attraction located on southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Gourmet Golf

No TMI Golf itinerary is complete without fantastic dining. From our opening welcome dinner at The Westin to our casual lunches on the water, the group enjoyed fantastic West Coast hospitality. We capped off the week with a wonderful farewell dinner at Jack's Place, raising a glass to a week of great drives, zero stress, and perfect company.

A detailed photograph taken from the elevated first tee box of the Mountain course at Bear Mountain Resort in Victoria ,BC. The structured stone tee box features a polished brass and wood plaque that reads: MOUNTAIN COURSE' BEAR MOUNTAIN RESORT' — First Tee at The Mountain Course, Bear Mountain.

Join Us for the Next Adventure

This Vancouver Island retreat was a perfect reminder of why we do what we do: to create seamless, luxurious, and unforgettable travel experiences where all you have to do is show up and swing.

If this sounds like your perfect getaway, you don't have to miss out on the next one! We are already organizing our upcoming itineraries, including our VIP luxury retreat to the French Riviera.