Vancouver to Victoria & Butchart Gardens: Ferry & Full Day

A ferry crossing that doesn't feel rushed, gardens you'll actually have time to walk through

You board a ferry in Vancouver, sail 90 minutes through the Gulf Islands watching for marine wildlife, spend the morning wandering 55 acres of themed gardens at Butchart, then have 2.5 hours free in Victoria's Inner Harbour to explore the Parliament Buildings, Fairmont Empress, and local shops before ferrying back. Everything — ferries, gardens, transport, guide — is arranged and included, so you only have to show up at your hotel.

Step-by-step itinerary

• Depart downtown Vancouver to ferry terminal
• Enjoy 90-minute ferry ride to Victoria
• Visit Butchart Gardens and explore themed areas
• Explore Victoria Inner Harbour and landmarks
• Return to Vancouver by ferry
• Arrive back in downtown Vancouver

The Experience

There's something about standing on the deck of a ferry with the Gulf Islands sliding past that makes you want to stay there longer than you should. This tour starts with that feeling — pickup from your downtown Vancouver hotel, then a 90-minute BC Ferries sailing where you can actually see the coast instead of just hearing about it. The water is calm most days, and if you're lucky, you'll spot eagles or sea lions from the outdoor deck. It's the kind of crossing that doesn't feel like transit; it feels like part of the trip itself.

Butchart Gardens arrives next, and the scale of it hits you before you've walked ten minutes in. Fifty-five acres of themed gardens — the Sunken Garden with its dancing fountain, the Japanese Garden, the Rose Garden — and you get real time to move through them at your own pace, not the rushed-group-photo kind of time. The gardens are a National Historic Site of Canada, which means the place has been tended and designed for over a century. Your guide walks you through the highlights, then you're free to wander. That matters more than it sounds when you're trying to actually absorb a place.

Victoria's Inner Harbour is next, and you get 2.5 hours there — enough to grab lunch, walk along the waterfront, duck into Government Street's shops, or sit and watch the water. The Parliament Buildings are right there, the Fairmont Empress Hotel too, and Chinatown is a short walk if you want it. A downloadable walking tour comes with your ticket, so you're not guessing where to go. By late afternoon, you're back on the ferry heading to Vancouver, watching the islands again from the other direction.

The whole day runs on a fixed schedule, which means no arranging ferries yourself, no separate ticket booths, no wondering if you've left enough time. Westcoast Sightseeing has been running this route for over 40 years, and it shows in how the timing actually works — you're not rushed through Butchart, you're not stranded in Victoria with nowhere to be, and you're back in Vancouver before evening. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so you're not navigating to a terminal with luggage.

What’s included

Roundtrip hotel pickup and drop-off from select downtown Vancouver hotels, roundtrip BC Ferries tickets between Vancouver and Victoria, admission to Butchart Gardens with free time to explore all themed gardens, guided sightseeing in Vancouver and Victoria, 2.5 hours of free time in Victoria's Inner Harbour to explore independently, a downloadable Inner Harbour walking tour to help you navigate Victoria, professional driver and guide throughout the day, and roundtrip coach transportation between Vancouver and the ferry terminals.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Big Bus Vancouver / Westcoast Sightseeing

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Butchart Gardens and Victoria's Inner Harbour in one day without arranging ferries, tickets, and timing yourself — the fixed schedule and included transport mean you're not juggling logistics while trying to enjoy the coast.

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Top questions

How long is the ferry ride?

The BC Ferries crossing takes 90 minutes each way, sailing through the Gulf Islands between Vancouver and Vancouver Island.

What's included in the admission to Butchart Gardens?

Your ticket covers entry to all 55 acres of themed gardens, including the Sunken Garden, Japanese Garden, Rose Garden, and Italian Garden. You have free time to explore at your own pace.

How much free time do you get in Victoria?

You have 2.5 hours in Victoria's Inner Harbour area to explore the Parliament Buildings, Government Street, Chinatown, the Fairmont Empress Hotel, and the waterfront on your own.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are included from select downtown Vancouver hotels. You'll need to confirm your hotel location when booking.

What should I bring for the ferry?

Bring a jacket or sweater — it's cooler on the water. The ferry has indoor and outdoor seating, so you can choose where to spend the crossing.

Can I see wildlife on the ferry?

Marine wildlife sightings are common, especially eagles, sea lions, and whales. Sightings depend on the season and time of day, but the outdoor decks give you the best chance.

Is there food available on the ferry or in the gardens?

The ferry has a cafe with snacks and drinks. Butchart Gardens has a restaurant and cafe on-site. Victoria's Inner Harbour has many cafes and restaurants within walking distance.

How long is the full day?

The tour runs from morning pickup in Vancouver through evening return, typically 10–11 hours total including transport, ferry time, gardens, and Victoria exploration.