Victoria & Butchart Gardens: Ferry Day Trip from Vancouver

The Ferry Ride Alone Makes This Worth the Early Start

You travel from your Vancouver hotel to the ferry terminal, spend 90 minutes on the water watching for wildlife, explore Butchart Gardens at your own pace for two hours, then have free time in downtown Victoria to see the Inner Harbour, Chinatown, and landmarks like the Empress Hotel. The return ferry gets you back to Vancouver by early evening, with all transport, garden entry, and hotel drop-off included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Downtown Vancouver30m
2. Butchart Gardens2h · entry included
3. Victoria Inner Harbour1h 30m

Victoria and Butchart Gardens tour

• Depart from Downtown Vancouver
• Enjoy 90-minute ferry to Victoria
• Explore Butchart Gardens for two hours
• Free time in Victoria downtown
• Return ferry ride to Vancouver

The experience

You're standing on the deck of a BC Ferry at 8:30 in the morning, coffee in hand, and suddenly a bald eagle swoops low over the water. That's the thing nobody tells you about the 90-minute crossing from Vancouver to Victoria. It's not just transport, it's the day itself. The boat cuts through the Southern Gulf Islands, and if you're lucky (or patient), you'll spot sea lions hauled out on rocks or even a whale breach in the distance. Most people spend the ferry ride inside, but the outdoor deck is where the actual trip happens.

Once you land in Victoria, a driver-guide walks you through the city's rhythm before heading to Butchart Gardens. You get two hours to wander the 50 acres on your own. The Sunken Garden is the one everyone photographs, but the Rose and Japanese gardens are quieter if you slip away from the main paths. The themed sections mean you're not just looking at flowers. You're moving through different worlds, which sounds dramatic but actually changes how you move through the space. After that, downtown Victoria opens up. You've got free time to hit the Inner Harbour, duck into Canada's oldest Chinatown on Government Street, or sit at a café and watch the water. The Fairmont Empress Hotel is right there if you want to walk through the lobby and pretend you're staying. Most people spend two to three hours here, which is enough to feel like you've actually been to Victoria, not just passed through it.

The return ferry leaves in the late afternoon, so you're back in Vancouver by early evening. The whole day runs about 10 to 11 hours door-to-door, which sounds long until you realize you've crossed water twice, seen a National Historic Site, and had actual time to breathe in a new city instead of rushing through a checklist. Hotel pickup and drop-off mean no navigating the ferry terminal on your own, and the motorcoach has a restroom, which matters on a day this long.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from downtown Vancouver, round-trip BC Ferry passage through the Gulf Islands, admission to Butchart Gardens with two hours of self-guided exploration, professional driver-guide with live commentary throughout, air-conditioned motorcoach with restroom and luggage storage, free time to explore downtown Victoria and the Inner Harbour, and hotel drop-off at the end of the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except ThursdayDeparts at 09:15Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (13 to 60 years) · Senior (61 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Pacific Coach Travel Services

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Victoria and its gardens without arranging your own ferry tickets, navigating the terminal, or figuring out timing: the fixed schedule and included transport let you focus on the actual day instead of logistics.

Traveler reviews

4.66★★★★★★★★★★

677 verified traveler reviews

5 ★532

4 ★87

3 ★41

2 ★10

1 ★7

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years). Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the ferry ride from Vancouver to Victoria?

The BC Ferry crossing takes 90 minutes each way through the Southern Gulf Islands.

How much time do you get in Butchart Gardens?

Two hours of free time to explore the themed gardens at your own pace.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from select downtown Vancouver hotels are included.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup, round-trip ferry, Butchart Gardens admission, motorcoach transport, driver-guide commentary, and luggage storage.

How long is the full day trip?

Approximately 10 to 11 hours total, including ferry crossings and time in Victoria.

Can you see wildlife on the ferry?

Yes, the route through the Gulf Islands is known for eagles, sea lions, and occasional whale sightings, especially from the outdoor decks.

Is there free time in downtown Victoria?

Yes, ample free time to explore the Inner Harbour, Chinatown, Government Street, and landmarks like the Parliament Buildings and Fairmont Empress Hotel.

Are wheelchairs permitted?

Foldable wheelchairs are permitted on the tour buses and ferries.