Top Vancouver Island Shore Excursions

Discover the best of Victoria as you explore with an expert guide on this half-day sightseeing tour. With a private guide, explore the Inner Harbor and Fisherman’s Wharf to see historic sights, floating homes, beautiful landscapes, and more. Then, enjoy a guided tour of the Butchart Gardens which are filled with floral displays ranging from Italian- to Japanese-style, ponds, and fountains.

Explore the beautifully historic center of Victoria, then trade downtown streets for the flower-lined paths of Butchart Gardens on a half-day, private tour of the city. You'll start with a trip to Fisherman's Wharf, then see the Parliament Buildings, the Empress Hotel, Beacon Hill Park, and Craigdarroch Castle, following scenic roads through the Vancouver Island countryside. With departures throughout the day, this tour of Victoria highlights is priced per vehicle, and can be tailored to your private group of up to seven people.

Explore British Colombia’s Victoria by pedicab with a guide on this 3-hour tour of the city, including convenient pickup and drop-off at the cruise ship terminal. Travel through one of Victoria’s oldest neighborhood, James Bay, to one of its oldest grocers. Then pass through Beacon Hill Park, and see the peacocks there. Plus, catch a glimpse of the famous Empress Hotel.

Explore the city of Victoria and the famous Butchart Gardens on this half-day guided tour. On the way to the gardens, stop at several attractions including Beacon Hill Park, Craigdarroch Castle, and Mount Tolmie Park. While at the Butchart Gardens, take in the impressive floral displays and the many theme gardens. On the return trip, visit Chinatown, Parliament, and the Empress Hotel.

Trade your cruise ship for a whale-watching vessel on a 3-hour shore excursion from the port of Victoria. Travel into the open waters of the northern Pacific Ocean to spot native marine life including orcas, humpback whales, harbor seals and minke whales. Learn about British Columbia’s amazing aquatic ecosystems from onboard naturalist guides, who will help point out passing species along the way. It’s an exciting and educational voyage for the whole family!

Hike through Vancouver Island's towering rainforest on a private, guided hike from Victoria that explores a fascinating ecosystem. You'll see waterfalls, native plants, and some of the world's tallest and oldest trees, walking alongside a guide as you watch for Vancouver Island's native wildlife. With pickup and drop-off in downtown Victoria or the cruise port, this private hiking tour includes roughly two hours of hiking time, and can be tailored to your schedule.

When you make port in Victoria, discover top city attractions in style on this 2-hour Victoria castles and neighborhoods bike tour. Follow your guide by bicycle through Victoria and gain insight into the city’s colorful past. Explore diverse districts such as the Inner Harbour, Cook Street Village and Chinatown. Take in panoramic views over Dallas Road’s waterfront and marvel at the creepy Craigdarroch Castle. Spin through pretty Moss Rock Park and Beacon Hill Park, and enjoy the creative buzz of leafy Fernwood.

A great introduction to Victoria for first-time visitors, this private trip includes a sightseeing tour of the city and Butchart Gardens (entry fees not included), as well as a visit to the oldest Chinatown in Canada. Suitable for private groups of up to four, this half-day tour is a great way to learn more about the fascinating history of the beautiful region while taking in all the main sights.

Make the most of your visit to Victoria by seeing  many of the area’s highlights in just one day. This private tour packs in top sights including, Butchart Gardens, one of Canada’s oldest Chinatown neighborhoods, Craigdarroch Castle, and the famed Parliament Buildings. Plus, you’ll even have time to stop at a local winery to experience British Columbia’s burgeoning wine scene. Round-trip transportation is also included for an added convenience.

Experience the capital of British Columbia as you embark on this express tour of Victoria. With a private guide, travel in a deluxe van and cover the highlights of the city including the Inner Harbour, Chinatown, Craigdorrach Castle, and Fisherman’s Wharf. Your guide explains the history of the city and provides tips on other places that you can explore.

Discover the best that British Colombia’s capital has to offer on this half-day driving tour of Victoria. Alongside a private guide, visit the city’s key landmarks including the totem poles, the Empress Hotel, the Inner Harbor, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Canada’s oldest Chinatown. While you explore, your guide provides context on the history and culture of the city.

Vancouver Island’s south west coastline is a landscape of great natural beauty—with soft-sand beaches, rugged cliffs, and old-growth forests hugging the shore. On this tour, travel from Sooke to Port Renfrew with pickup and drop-off in downtown Victoria included. Hit top natural attractions like French Beach and the Jordan River with your guide, and enjoy the freedom to plan your itinerary to hit the sites of most interest.

Cap off your day in Victoria with a relaxing 3-hour sunset and whale watching catamaran cruise. Without the daytime water traffic, you enjoy a less cluttered and more intimate view of the whales. Listen to dynamic commentary as you keep your eyes peeled for the aquatic mammals. The luxury boat comes with all the modern comforts, plus courtesy jackets, blankets, and gloves to keep you warm on cooler evenings.

Discover why British Columbia is one of the best places in the world to see whales and other marine wildlife on this 3-hour tour with Eagle Wing Tours at Victoria’s Fisherman’s Wharf. Hop aboard a comfortable semi-covered or open boat and help support Eagle Wing’s many conservation, education and research activities! Let certified and knowledgeable naturalists be your guides to the stunning wildlife and natural history of the Salish Sea. Watch for seals, sea lions, otters and porpoises as well as bald eagles and a mind-boggling assortment of marine birds. Hoping for something bigger? There’s always a chance to see humpback, killer, minke or grey whales!

Explore the most picturesque roads of southern Vancouver Island with our experienced local tour guides, we will provide you with plenty of opportunities to walk and discover different destinations. We offer private tours that are customized to your interests, preferred pace, and starting time, making your experience truly unique.

Immerse yourself in the temperate rainforest as your guide leads you through a forest bathing exercise. Experience nature from a more spiritual point of view as your guide uses a variety of techniques, such as guided visualization and a Tibetan singing bowl. Give yourself permission to take a break from the frenzy of modern life and finish the tour with a visit to a 650-year-old Douglas fir tree.

Known as Vancouver Island’s "Provence,” the Saanich Peninsula is an island getaway inside an island getaway—and with this tour, you’ll get to explore its most scenic sights. Picked up at your Victoria area hotel, you and your group get to customize your adventure: leave it to your driver, or choose between gardens, sea views, and more. Either way, it’s a guaranteed day of relaxation and wonder.

Experience an up-close encounter with northern Pacific marine life on a 3-hour whale watching cruise off Victoria’s coast. Travel out into the open ocean aboard a comfortable, motorized boat to look for native species like humpback whales, gray whales, orcas, elephant seals and sea lions in their natural habitat. Learn about local marine ecology from a naturalist guide, and take in fantastic views of Vancouver Island in between animal sightings.

Search for whales, bald eagles, and other wildlife along the dramatic coast of Vancouver Island on a 4-hour wildlife cruise from Cowichan Bay. You’ll be fitted with warm clothing and a floatation suit, then set out in a rigid inflatable boat that’s perfect for exploring the rugged coast and Gulf Islands. This 4-hour wildlife cruise is limited to 15 people for a more personal experience, with afternoon and sunset departures available.

Head out into the Salish Sea from Nanaimo in search of the abundant wildlife that inhabits the area. Your guide is an experienced marine expert who will take the time to help you learn about the sea life around Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. This tour takes you to the habitats of killer whales (orcas) humpback whales, seals, sea lions, porpoises, and eagles.

Fly from Vancouver to Tofino by seaplane for a spectacular experience that also saves hours in transit. You’ll have gorgeous, aerial views of downtown Vancouver and the harbor, with the chance to spot whales from above as you cross the Strait of Georgia. On Vancouver Island, cut across forested mountains inaccessible by road before touching down in the remote, west-coast community of Tofino.

Take a sweet-smelling stroll through Victoria’s famous Butchart Gardens, spanning 55 acres (22.2 hectares) of beautifully designed flower beds, lily ponds, footbridges, and thematic landscapes. With a convenient pickup location and a flexible return shuttle schedule, it’s an easy way to experience one of Victoria’s most popular attractions. Visit during summer or holiday season evenings to witness special luminous displays that add an extra touch of enchantment to the gardens.

Share the waters with whales, orcas, and more on a wildlife watching tour. In addition to animal sightings, the aquatic adventure also offers great views of the San Juan and Gulf Islands, plus the Howe Sound. Stay warm inside the cabin, where you can purchase snacks and drinks. Your ticket comes with a whale sighting guarantee, with a free tour should you not spot any whales.