Things to do in Vancouver Island
The unmissables
Most booked
Victoria whale watching tour: Salish Sea Eclipse with free photos★ 4.93 (2,736) · 3h 30m
Top rated
Victoria Food and History Tour: Six Local Tastings★ 4.97 (2,245) · 2h
Best value
Victoria Whale & Wildlife Cruise: Guaranteed Sightings★ 4.94 (2,327) · 3h 30m
Recommended (7)
Victoria Zodiac Boat Whale Watching: 3-Hour Salish Sea Tour★ 4.85 (1,085) · 3hCA$ 205View ›
Whistler & Sea to Sky Gondola Day Trip from Vancouver★ 4.76 (1,015) · 10hCA$ 210View ›
Ghostly Walking Tour in Victoria: Ghost Stories & Local History★ 4.74 (980) · 1hCA$ 24View ›
Victoria - Butchart Gardens Shuttle: Fast Entry & Flexible Return★ 4.52 (705) · 3h–5hCA$ 62View ›
Victoria & Butchart Gardens: Ferry Day Trip from Vancouver★ 4.67 (665) · 13hCA$ 255View ›
Victoria: Whale Watching Tour on Covered Boat with Marine Biologist★ 4.63 (574) · 3hCA$ 182View ›
Victoria Whale Watch Tour: Salish Sea orcas & marine wildlife★ 4.80 (564) · 3hCA$ 169View ›Top rated (10)
Victoria: Pedicab Tour from Cruise Terminal with Old Town & ChinatownYou’ll step straight from your cruise ship into a pedicab for an easy-paced tour of Victoria’s character-filled neighborhoods—James Bay’s painted homes, Beacon Hill Park’s peacocks, Emily Carr’s storybook house, Old Town’s lively streets, and Canada’s oldest Chinatown. With local pickup and return included, you’ll soak up real moments—maybe even feed a peacock or taste something new—before heading back to your ship.
Victoria Zipline: 8 Lines & Suspension Bridge on Rainforest CanopyYou ride an ATV up through rainforest, then zip across seven lines ranging from 150 to 1,000 feet, cross a 100-foot suspension bridge, and descend through the Pacific Coast canopy with two trained guides. All equipment is provided. The tour runs two hours and operates in any weather. Arrive 20 minutes early for check-in and waiver signing.Is it for me?Book this if you want the adrenaline of ziplining without the logistics—guides manage all the technical details, and the small-group format means you're not waiting in a line of fifty people. The fixed two-hour window and included ATV ride make it easy to fit into a Vancouver Island day.
Victoria Whale Watching Tour: Salish Sea marine wildlifeYou board a custom-built boat at Victoria's Fisherman's Wharf with a certified naturalist guide and spend three hours watching seals, sea lions, otters, porpoises, bald eagles and, if you're lucky, whales in the Salish Sea. The wildlife fee and fuel surcharge are included in the price, restrooms are on board, and the tour operates year-round with boat types adjusted for winter weather. Small groups mean you're not packed in, and the guides actually know the animals they're showing you, not just the script.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to see Salish Sea wildlife — seals, otters, eagles and possibly whales — without arranging your own boat or guide. The three-hour window is long enough to reach the best viewing areas and short enough to fit into a day exploring Victoria.
Victoria: Sunset Whale Watching Tour by CatamaranYou’ll board a comfy semi-covered catamaran in Victoria just after dinner for a sunset whale watching tour led by local guides. Feel the sea air as you spot orcas up close with fewer crowds around. Listen to live commentary from onboard naturalists and return to harbor with city lights twinkling—there’s something quietly moving about seeing whales at dusk.
Vancouver Island: Multi-Cave Marble Passages & Underground WaterfallYou hike into the rainforest, descend into marble caverns, squeeze through tight passages, slide down Canada's only cave slide, and see an underground waterfall — all in three hours with a professional guide, helmet and entry included. Small groups keep the pace intimate, and the physical scrambling is what makes the whole thing feel real instead of staged.Is it for me?Right for families with kids aged eight and up, or anyone who wants to experience actual caving without needing to arrange transport, equipment or cave expertise — the guide handles the route and the technical parts, and the small group size means you move at a steady pace instead of waiting.
Victoria Sunset Whale-Watching Cruise & Wildlife TourYou board a fast, comfortable boat at Fisherman's Wharf and spend three hours hunting for orcas and other Salish Sea wildlife with a naturalist guide who knows where to look. All cold-weather gear is provided, restrooms are on board, and if whales don't appear, your next trip is free. You return as the sun sets over Victoria's harbour, with the city lights coming on as you dock.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see orcas and other Salish Sea wildlife without arranging your own boat or guide, and you want the guarantee that if whales don't show, your next trip is free—which is what makes the three-hour window worth committing to.
Vancouver Island Whale Watching: Zodiac Tour & Sightings GuaranteeYou board a 12-passenger open Zodiac at Telegraph Cove and spend three hours scanning Johnstone Strait with a live guide who knows where the marine life congregates. You'll see seals, sea lions, and eagles; whales are the goal, and if you don't see them, you get a free return tour. The boat runs in good weather, and the whole thing — entry, guide, commentary — is included in the price.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see whales from Vancouver Island without arranging your own boat, timing, or transport — the small group size and the sightings guarantee mean you're not gambling on a single departure, and the guide's knowledge of where the marine life moves is what makes three hours on the water actually productive.
San Josef Bay hike from Port Hardy: Sea stacks and tide poolsThis guided hike from Port Hardy reaches San Josef Bay in Cape Scott Provincial Park, where you walk a 60-minute forest trail through old-growth cedar and spruce, then explore a beach shaped by dramatic sea stacks—geological formations carved by water erosion that are among the most extreme on Vancouver Island. Hotel pickup from Port Hardy, a professional guide with over 20 years of local experience, transport by minivan, lunch and water are included. The route travels active logging roads where black bears, Roosevelt elk and deer are often spotted.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want a guide who knows where the wildlife appears and what the geology means, rather than navigating logging roads and a forest trail on your own. The fixed schedule and included transport let you focus on the sea stacks and tide pools instead of driving, route-finding or packing a lunch.
Victoria Chinatown & Old Town Food Tour: Chef-Driven TastingsA small-group food tour of Victoria's oldest Chinatown and Old Town, led by a professionally trained guide, with multiple chef-driven tastings from local culinary partners and storytelling about the districts' cultural history and architecture. The tour runs 2.5 hours, includes a guide and all tastings, and operates in all weather; vegetarian options and non-alcoholic samples are available with advance notice.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're new to Victoria and want to understand the neighbourhoods through food and stories rather than just walking past them — the guide's 14 years in the industry means you'll learn why these streets and restaurants matter, not just visit them.
Victoria donut tour: Four stops, pastries & ChinatownYou walk four donut stops across Victoria's downtown and Chinatown with a local guide who points out the Empress Hotel, Parliament Buildings, and the history of Fan Tan Alley along the way. The tour includes tastings at Empire Donuts, a local ma-and-pop shop, and Filipino treats at Friend and Family Bake, plus insider recommendations for where to eat and shop. The whole route is wheelchair accessible and takes about two to three hours.Is it for me?Book this if you want to taste Victoria's best donuts and pastries without planning four separate stops yourself—the guide handles the route, the history, and the recommendations, leaving you free to eat and pay attention to the city.
Lowest price (10)
Victoria: City scavenger hunt walking tour with appYou’ll explore Victoria’s highlights with your phone as your guide—solving riddles by Parliament, snapping creative photos in Fan Tan Alley, and wandering at your own pace. With no time limit and plenty of chances to laugh or pause for coffee, this self-guided scavenger hunt lets you see familiar streets in surprising ways you’ll remember long after heading home.
Victoria Walking Tour: City Highlights, Parliament & ChinatownYou’ll feel like you’re peeling back layers of Victoria: standing under Parliament’s watchful lions, breathing in cedar at an artist’s studio, squeezing through Fan Tan Alley in Chinatown. With a local guide sharing stories and tips along the way, this walking tour gives you real moments — not just sights — and leaves you seeing Victoria differently.
Victoria Butterfly Gardens: Indoor Tropical Jungle & Rescued WildlifeYou’ll step into Victoria Butterfly Gardens’ lush indoor jungle, where thousands of butterflies fly freely and rescued animals greet you at every turn. Meet Mango the flamingo, spot iguanas overhead, and watch leaf-cutter ants at work in the Insectarium—all included with your admission ticket. Expect laughter, warmth, and moments that quietly stick with you long after.
Malahat SkyWalk Tickets: 250m Tower & Spiral Slide near VictoriaYou walk 600 metres through the forest canopy, climb the 10-story spiral tower to views of the Salish Sea and distant mountains, then choose your descent: the ramp or the spiral slide. Parking is included, and the site is accessible for all ages and mobility levels. Plan for 1.5 to 3 hours depending on how many times you slide.Is it for me?A good fit if you want panoramic views of the Salish Sea and Vancouver Island without a long hike or drive from Victoria. The site is accessible for all ages and mobility levels, which is what makes it work for families, older travellers, and anyone who wants the view without the physical strain.
Riverbend Cave: Family Cave Tour with Fossils & Crystal FormationsYou’ll walk Riverbend Cave’s easiest passages with a local guide, spotting ancient fossils and delicate crystal formations along the way. Feel the cool underground air as you explore at your own pace—no crawling or climbing needed—and hear stories about geology that stick with you long after you leave.
Victoria Harbour 75 min Boat Tour: Fisgard Lighthouse & SealsA 75-minute sightseeing boat tour of Victoria's Inner Harbour and coastline, departing from the harbour itself and cruising past the British Columbia Parliament Buildings, active cruise ship terminal, and out to the historic Fisgard Lighthouse with live commentary from a local guide. The boat includes a bar, snacks and drinks, and a restroom on board. Children from age 3 are welcome, and the tour runs year-round with Transport Canada certified captains and crew.Is it for me?Book this tour if you have a free afternoon in Victoria and want to see the harbour, Parliament and the lighthouse without arranging your own boat or transport—the departure point is the Inner Harbour itself, and the guide handles the route and the stories. It suits families with children from age 3, and the 75-minute length fits between other activities without consuming a full day.
Pickle Pub Crawl Victoria: Harbour Ferries Between DrinksThe Pickle Pub Crawl is a three-hour guided tour through Victoria's Inner Harbour that swaps walking for harbour ferries, moving between four waterfront pubs and bars with a live guide. You start at a local favourite near the Parliament Building and Empress Hotel, then ferry to Fisherman's Wharf for beer and views of seaplanes and float homes, visit a 30-year-old pub with live music and local drafts, and finish at the second-oldest brewery in British Columbia—a full restaurant in a historic building overlooking the blue bridge. The guide leads the group, trivia and giveaways run throughout, and complimentary appetizers come with your stops; you purchase drinks at each venue. Minimum age is 19.Is it for me?The guide speaks English and leads the group at a leisurely pace, so this works for anyone comfortable in a pub setting who wants to see the Inner Harbour from the water instead of walking the same downtown streets. The ferries do the moving, which means the crawl stays social and the views stay part of the experience.
Victoria City Highlights Bike Tour for Cruise GuestsA 2.5-hour guided bike tour from Victoria's cruise port explores the city's most recognizable stops—Parliament Buildings, Craigdarroch Castle, Beacon Hill Park and Chinatown—on a route that winds through neighborhoods like Fernwood and along waterfront bike paths. The tour starts and ends at The Pedaler shop on Belleville Street; a local guide leads the ride in English and provides the bike, helmet and all equipment you need.Is it for me?Pick this if you're docking in Victoria and want to cover the main sights by bike in two hours—the guide times the pace so you can keep up while pedaling through neighborhoods, parks, and the Inner Harbour without needing to arrange separate transport back to your ship.
Victoria: City Bike Tour with Chinatown, Castle & HarbourYou’ll pedal through Victoria’s vibrant neighborhoods—from historic Chinatown’s hidden alleys to Fernwood’s murals and Beacon Hill Park’s calm green spaces—with a local guide sharing stories along every turn. Expect laughter, real conversation, and glimpses into both grand landmarks and everyday life you might otherwise miss.
Victoria to Vancouver: Bus & Ferry Transfer with Flexible Drop-OffYou’ll ride a comfortable coach from Victoria to Vancouver with your luggage handled for you, then cross by BC Ferries through island scenery before being dropped off where you need—downtown, airport or cruise terminal. It’s an easy way to let someone else take care of logistics while you watch coastal British Columbia drift by.
