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.

Half-day tour of Victoria and Butchart Gardens
See the historic landmarks of the Victoria Harbor
Learn about local history and culture
Free time to visit Butchart Gardens
Pickup and drop-off at your location in Victoria
Private tour ensures personalized service
Flat-rate pricing for up to seven people

What's Included

Local driver/guide
Live commentary on board
Pickup and drop-off in Victoria

Admissions to Butchart Gardens
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Cruise Port Passenger Pick Up Fee is not included. (Please inquire)

Meeting And Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

We will pick up at the YYJ Victoria International Airport, and the B.C. Ferries as well. There is an additional cost for this service so please inquire for rates.

What To Expect

The Butchart Gardens

2 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included

Chinatown

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Craigdarroch Castle

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Beacon Hill Park

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Fisherman's Wharf

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Surfside Adventure Tours

4 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Mile Zero

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Government House

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Empress Hotel National Historic Site of Canada

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Carr House

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
A maximum of 7 people per booking
If you have not already specified, you must advise supplier as soon as possible your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and departure time so that appropriate arrangements can be made
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible

Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Infant seats available
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

Traveler Tips

Our guide gave us 90 minutes to tour the gardens which was adequate on this particular day as the crowds weren't bad.

Reviews

5.0

23 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 23 reviews

A tour not to be missed!!

Alisa_L, May 2023

Our tour guide Darwin was very professional, had a very comfortable van and was very knowledgeable. We had a short drive around the city, hitting the memorable sites and taking pictures then off to the gardens which were just magnificent !!

Response from Host, May 2023

Hi Alisa, I am so happy to hear you enjoyed your tour with us, it was.my pleasure to host your group for your visit of Victoria. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. All the best! Darwin Surfside Adventure Tours

Tour guide was awesome, showing all beautiful attractions and bonus places as well.

Geetha_R, Nov 2022

This tour was awesome. My son and me enjoyed this tour, great time seeing places in Victoria. Tour guide was excellent in showing places and sharing details.

Response from Host, Nov 2022

Hi Geetha, Thanks for taking the time to leave a kind review. It was my absolute pleasure to show your son and yourself the highlights of Victoria. I hope you come back to enjoy more if our island. Happy holidays! Darwin Surfside Adventure Tours

Excellent tour of Victoria BC

Thomas_M, Aug 2022

Darwin from Surfside Adventure Tours did a fantastic tour. He got us right to the gardens before all of the cruise ship buses arrived. We were able to see the gardens and still get back to town to see all of the other attractions: Craigdarroch Castle, China Town, Parliament, Fisherman’s Wharf, tallest totem pole and many old churches. I would recommend Surfside and will use them again if we return to Victoria BC

Response from Host, Aug 2022

Hi Tom, Thank you for taking the time to leave suck kind feedback, and thanks again for booking your tour with Surfside Adventure Tours. All the best! Darwin

Half day private tour

Carol_F, Aug 2022

Very knowledgeable tour guide who was very patient with three women. I would recommend him and his tour to everyone.

Response from Host, Aug 2022

Hi Carol, Thank you so much for the recommendation and the time to leave a kind review. It was my abslotute pleasure spending the day touring with you three ladies. I hope to meet again one day. Enjoy your adventures! Darwin Surfside Adventure Tours

Fun Family Times

Charles_M, Jul 2022

The Butchart Gardens was very beautiful and the tour around the city was enlightening…. Darwin was a great host😎👍

Response from Host, Jul 2022

Hi Charles, Thanks tou for the kind feedback, and thanks again for choosing me as your guide! Darwin

Great experience on every level

Ann_K, Jun 2022

Wonderful blend of nature, history, and learning about what makes Victoria a fun and magical place to visit and live. Darwin is the best guide and recommend this tour on all levels!!

Response from Host, Jul 2022

Hi Ann, Thank you so much for taking the time.to leave such kind feedback. It was my absolute pleasure showing you our city. Thanks again for choosing me as your guide for your experience of Victoria. All the best! Darwin

Well worth it!

Cheryl_K, Feb 2021

Darwin shared so many stories and hidden gems of Victoria. We will now go back and explore in detail. I did not know Victoria as a "haunted" city.

Response from Host, Feb 2021

Hi Cheryl and Brian, Thanks for taking the time to leave a kind review. It was an absolute pleasure apending some time with you. Thanks again for booking your tour with me, and all the best on your adventures around the island.

AMAZING tour of Victoria

James_T, Oct 2019

We had the pleasure of spending our first full day in Victoria with Darwin of Surfside Adventure Tours! He is super knowledgeable and personable and we felt as though we were being shown around town by a relative! He showed us ALL the highlights of this beautiful city and gave us personal insights and recommendations that were on point each time! We feel so grateful that we had him as our tour guide for our memorable trip to this MAGICAL place. We also left something of sentimental value in the van and Darwin went out of his way to bring it back to us the next day which really meant a lot to my grandmother and we are truly thankful. We recommend this tour to anyone coming to the area: Please explore Victoria with Darwin! You will not be disappointed! -J & D Tucker and Family.

Response from Host, Oct 2019

Hi James, It was pleasure to spend a beautiful day showing your wonderful family our beautiful city.. You left me with a wonderful memory, and again I really appreciate your patience and flexibility with your time. Thank you for the kind review, and all the best to your family. Darwin

To the Gardens and Back

Robert Ralph L, Sep 2018

Our guide picked us up at pier with a sign to identify herself to our party. She was pleasant and accommodating as possible as our group had some dissent as to where the tour should go. The high light of the tour was visiting Butchart Gardens. Our guide gave us 90 minutes to tour the gardens which was adequate on this particular day as the crowds weren't bad. We enjoyed the drive around Victoria City and the information we received about the various sights.

Very nice tour, we had a group of 7...

Christine Y, Aug 2017

Very nice tour, we had a group of 7 with two senior citizens so it was a great alternative to the big bus that picks you up at the hotel. The driver picked us up at the cruise ship terminal, due to weather he gave us about a total of 1 hr 15 min tour of the city half day and half night. Would repeat

Great private tour! We had a...

Mary Ann S, Jul 2017

Great private tour! We had a limited amount of time in the city. Our guide gave us a quick, yet comprehensive, overview of the city. We also spent 90 minutes in Butchart Gardens, which was enough to see all the beautiful flowers. I would highly recommend this tour.

Our tour was terrific! Darwin, our...

Douglas K, Sep 2016

Our tour was terrific! Darwin, our guide, was extremely knowledgeable and thoughtful through-out. We would highly recommend him to anyone who comes to Victoria!

This private tour was wonderful. My...

Teresa L, Dec 2015

This private tour was wonderful. My tour guide, Darwin, was very knowledgeable about the city and the sites and also provided local color, including many ghost stories. I didn't stay at the gardens too long because it was cold, so he took me to the Castle and made sure I got a great value for my tour dollars. I highly recommend this tour.