Top Vancouver Island Day Trips

Butchart Gardens is one of Victoria's most popular attractions—but if you don't have your own transit, getting there from the city center can be tricky. Instead, make logistics simple with this round-trip shuttle service. With multiple daily departure times and transit from a central meeting point, you can leave the logistics to someone else—and save more time for a self-led, sweet-smelling stroll through the 55-acre (22.2-hectare) garden (admission own expense).

Discover the wines of the Cowichan Valley on a wine tour from Victoria, and taste your way through part of Vancouver Island's fascinating wine trail. You’ll visit three wineries for tastings and tours, and enjoy lunch at a boutique winery surrounded by rolling vineyards. This wine tour includes round-trip transport from downtown Victoria, lunch, and tastings, for the perfect introduction to Vancouver Island wine.

Experience the most comprehensive Indigenous and wilderness tours we offer. You’ll journey through the majestic Salish Sea to a historic Homalco First Nation village site, then view grizzly bears and other wildlife from a safe distance. Learn about our peoples’ rich history and how we’ve lived alongside these majestic creatures for millennia. This deluxe wilderness and Indigenous cultural tour will lead you through Aupe, an uninhabited Homalco village site, giving you unique insights into the ways of our peoples. From there, you’ll journey through the Bute Inlet, one of British Columbia’s most epic whale-watching stretches, to Orford Bay for a picnic lunch surrounded by a spectacular mountain vista. Our experienced guides will lead you on a land-based search for grizzly bears, elk and eagles along salmon-bearing rivers.

Explore Vancouver Island's magnificent scenery on a full-day, private tour from Victoria to Englishman River Falls, Little Qualicum Falls, and Cathedral Grove, home to some of the tallest and oldest trees on the island. You'll visit a country market, hike through the rainforest and to the waterfalls, and make plenty of photo stops, while learning about Vancouver Island's nature and culture throughout the day. Traveling with a private guide means the trip can be tailored to you, and this tour is priced per-group for up to eight people.

Venture out to the sparkling waters of the Toba Inlet on this brand new, full-day tour hosted by our sister nation, Klahoose First Nation. Cruise alongside cascading waterfalls and scenic mountains as you scan the landscape for grizzly bears, majestic humpbacks and orcas, and a variety of other wildlife. Join us in Campbell River before crossing the Salish Sea, one of the world’s best whale-watching spots. You’ll soon reach Toba Inlet, an area densely populated by grizzly bears. The first of its kind, the TOBA BEARS AND WILDERNESS is a collaborative partnership between the Homalco and Klahoose First Nations. Join your Klahoose guides as they take you to their home Territory. Hear stories and learn about the vibrancy of the living Klahoose culture. The toq qaymɩxʷ (Klahoose) peoples have lived here on the west coast of BC since time immemorial. We invite you to see the beauty of Toba Inlet through our eyes and share in our traditions, which have been handed down through generations.

Spend a full day getting back to nature in the Johnstone Strait! The dynamic Johnstone Strait is home to everything from sea stars to orcas and is surrounded by incredible rainforested mountains. This tour is designed for all ages and ability levels, though you will be paddling for up to four hours, so a certain level of physical fitness is advised. Your guide will provide you with all the instruction and equipment you need to comfortably enjoy a day of spectacular paddling.

If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of nature on your trip to Vancouver Island, it can be tough to know where to start. On this full-day small-group guided tour, join your guide for a curated tour of Toba Inlet and take in the region’s crashing waterfalls, craggy cliffs, and dense forests. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the grizzly bears that call the area home.

Explore more of the Cape Scott Provincial Park than you’d be able to alone on this small-group guided tour. Witness the towering sea stacks in San Josef Bay—eroded by the ocean over thousands of years—learn the historic town of Holberg’s logging heritage, keep an eye out for the region’s diverse wildlife, and much more.

Experience the majesty of Canada’s Sunshine Coast from the air with a round-trip seaplane flight from Nanaimo. Fly high over the Strait of Georgia with a pilot. Enjoy panoramic views over the tiny islands dotting the waterway, and stop for free time in the British Columbia town of Sechelt. Enjoy two take-offs and landings during your tour, and see the Sunshine Coast in a way many visitors miss.

Enjoy round-trip travel from Vancouver to Victoria, and discover top attractions in British Columbia on this Victoria and Butchart Gardens day trip from Victoria. Take the ferry to Vancouver Island, and enjoy fine views over the beautiful Gulf Islands. Dock in Swartz Bay, and visit the famous Butchart Gardens, exploring the grounds at your leisure. Then, enjoy free time to explore the city, perhaps walking through Chinatown and the Inner Harbour, before returning to Vancouver by ferry.

Spend the day cruising the Salish Sea in search of bears, whales, and dolphins on this six hour, small-group tour. Learn about the region’s nature and wildlife from your certified naturalist guide and captain as you relax with complimentary snacks and drinks. This tour highlights the diversity of the coastal waters and marine life, and provides great photo opportunities before you take a break with an onshore lunch accompanied by homemade baked goods.

Vancouver Island is known for producing great wines in a beautiful environment. Visit well-regarded wineries on Saanich Peninsula on this tour from Victoria, which includes private wine tastings at each location, a behind-the-scenes tour of a local winery, and a guide with extensive knowledge about the industry. This small-group tour is limited to 15 passengers or fewer for a more intimate experience.

Experience the Great Bear Rainforest’s diverse wildlife while exploring the culturally rich territories of the Kwakwaka’wakw people on this half-day small-group boat tour. After departing from Port Hardy, spend the day searching for sea otters, orcas, humpback whales, pacific white-side dolphins, Steller sea lions, Dall’s porpoises, and bald eagles, all from the comfort of a rigid inflatable (RHIB) wildlife viewing boat with comfortable shock-mitigating seats.

Get ready for the experience of a lifetime on a Canadian Grizzly Bear expedition. The tour begins with a cruise through Desolation Sound and along the way, you can spot breaching humpback whales and other marine life. Arriving at the Orford River in Bute Inlet, you’ll meet with members of the Homalco First Nations tribe and learn about their history and culture before heading to a viewing platform to watch the grizzlies fish for salmon in the river.

Discover the hidden gem of Hot Springs Cove on a serene journey from Tofino. Enjoy a scenic 30 nautical mile boat ride, offering sightings of coastal wildlife, before embarking on a picturesque 1.5 km walk through ancient old-growth forests via a well-maintained cedar boardwalk. Immerse yourself in the natural geothermal pools fed by cascading waterfalls, where you can unwind amidst the stunning wilderness. This intimate tour accommodates up to 12 guests, ensuring a personal experience while exploring the unspoiled beauty of the Pacific Northwest coast. - Scenic boat ride with wildlife viewing opportunities - 1.5 km easy walk through majestic old-growth forest - Relax in natural geothermal pools for two hours - Intimate experience for up to 12 guests

If you're pressed for time but still want to see the highlights of Whistler, this day tour is efficient and offers round-trip transportation from Vancouver. Take in the views on the Sea-to-Sky Highway as you’re driven to your destination. Stop at Shannon Falls for a quick view of the cascading waters and ride the Sea-to-Sky Gondola for stunning alpine views. In Whistler, decide how you’d like to spend your time; visit local shops, dine at local eateries, and more.

This small-group experience gives you the whole day to tour the Salish Sea, Discovery Passage, and Johnstone Strait in a speedy Zodiac boat. Stay cozy in provided floater suits, toques, gloves, and goggles as you spend the day searching for some of the abundant wildlife of the coastal waters, including humpback whales, bears, sea lions, and Pacific white-sided dolphins. Your tour will focus on finding orcas, but highlight the diverse beauty of the coast.

Discover Vancouver beyond the ordinary on this unique full-day experience combining iconic city landmarks, coastal heritage, award-winning local wine, designer shopping, and authentic local culture. Journey through scenic False Creek and Cambie Bridge, visit the charming Steveston Fisherman's Wharf and historic Britannia Shipyards, enjoy a guided 3-pour wine tasting at Lu Lu Island Winery, and shop at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet. Complete your adventure with a visit to Vancouver's famous Earnest Ice Cream. Complimentary Cruise Terminal pick-up and airport drop-off for evening flights make this the perfect tour for cruise passengers and visitors seeking an unforgettable Vancouver experience.

Drive the scenic Sea to Sky highway to Squamish for this 4 hour hike. Not for beginners, the steep ascent takes you through forest & waterfalls, leading to amazing views of mountains and ocean. While you're at it, learn photo composition with your smartphone or DSLR. Complimentary photos taken.

Discover the beauty of British Columbia on a private tour from Vancouver. Visit Shannon Falls, explore Whistler, and stop at Horseshoe Bay. Enjoy a scenic drive along the Sea-to-Sky Highway. We pick up our travelers and their luggage without any extra charge from their location in a clean and luxurious car with a professionally trained driver guide, show them all attractions, and drop them off at any port or hotel, or airport they ask for.

Explore Victoria's history and culinary scene on this two-in-one, small-group walking tour of the British Columbian capital. Follow a guide to highlights such as the Parliament Buildings, the Inner Harbor, Fan Tan Alley, the Harmonious Gates of Interest, and the Victoria Public Market. Along the way, stop for food tastings of local products.

Maximize time in British Columbia with a full-day sightseeing tour to Vancouver Island. Board a ferry for a scenic ride through the Georgia Strait to Victoria and check out popular landmarks on a guided tour. Discover the Inner Harbour, stroll through Canada's oldest Chinatown, visit the Royal BC Museum, and explore the beautiful Butchart Gardens. In the evening, ride the ferry back to Vancouver, where you might catch a stunning sunset.

Take to the skies on a short seaplane adventure over Victoria and its stunning surroundings, including the Inner Harbour, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Olympic Mountains. Enjoy breathtaking views of rugged coastlines, shimmering inlets, and landmarks as you soar above southern Vancouver Island. With thrilling water take-offs and landings, this small-group experience offers an unforgettable introduction to seaplane aviation.