Top Vancouver Island Outdoor Activities

Get a closer look at Canada’s marine wildlife on this whale-watching adventure in Victoria. Hop aboard your boat—a luxurious, spacious catamaran—and set sail. Watch the waves from the open sun decks or stay protected from the spray in the heated indoor cabin. Stop off at points of interest through the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Listen to commentary from marine naturalists on board, and look out for orcas, humpback whales, minke whales, and more.

Take in panoramic vistas of Victoria’s dense woodland, towering craggy mountains, and serene lakes on this visit to the Malahat SkyWalk. Traverse a 600m-high elevated walkway among the arbutus and Douglas fir treetops before climbing the 10-story spiral tower and gazing out at the region’s diverse landscapes, with views framed by Mt. Baker in the distance.

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.

As the sun dips down behind the mountains to the west and dusk begins to settle in, we will be gearing up and preparing push off from the shores of Gordon Bay. We will give our guests a brief presentation about the history of the area as well as what wildlife to watch out for on our tour. With a carefully curated playlist of music to accompany our journey and bright LED lights illuminating the waters below, we will paddle out to the Gordon Bay Islands and explore their coastline. The Gordon Bay Islands are about 400m away from our launch point After we conquer the Gordon Bay Islands we will paddle along the south shoreline to the west. This is your opportunity to see a rugged, un-touched part of Cowichan Lake only accessible from the water. Massive moss-covered cliffs emerge from the water offering as we continue to navigate down the south shore of the lake. This is also the turn around point and travellers will then make their way back to the starting point of the tour.

Add an extra thrill to your Victoria whale-watching adventure with this wildlife cruise aboard a fast-moving, inflatable Zodiac boat. Get closer to the water — and the whales — on a wet and wild ride through the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Hang on to your hat and keep a sharp eye out for native marine life such as humpback and gray whales, orcas, sea lions and harbor seals. An expert naturalist guide will help point out passing species and share insight into the amazing aquatic world of the northern Pacific.

Immerse yourself in some of British Columbia’s s most spectacular seascapes—and enjoy an active way to explore—on this small-group, half-day Ucluelet Harbour kayaking tour. Pick from several convenient start times, meet your guide on the waterfront, and get acquainted with your gear. Then, set off on the water. You’ll learn about the region’s history and biodiversity, look out for wildlife like bears and eagles, and otherwise soak up the scenery.

Sea kayaking is a great way to explore the outdoors. Not only are you closer to smaller and larger wildlife but you also experience the beauty and grandness of the coastline from a fascinating different angle. Sea kayaking is for everybody; young and old, beginner and more experienced paddler. We use locally-made sea kayaks known for comfort and stability. You can paddle on your own or help each other by taking a tandem sea kayak; we can even place a seat in the centre hatch for the smaller children. Don't forget your camera! Enjoy the beauty and wildness of the Salish Sea from your kayak and glide along amazing rock formations, trees and wildlife. Sea stars, crabs and anemones can be seen underneath your boat; seals and eagles are nearby. Have a break on a beach and explore the rich biodiversity of the tidal zone. Tap into your adventurous spirit and book a remarkable sea kayak experience with us and let yourself be surprised.

Spot native marine wildlife in British Columbia’s waters—and enjoy a more personalized travel experience—on a small-group whale-watching tour from Victoria. Grab an all-weather flotation suit, hop aboard your open-top Zodiac boat in Victoria Harbour, and set off. Your vessel is built for stability, and remains buoyant even in rough seas. As you go, watch for humpback whales, minke whales, and orcas, and soak up the dramatic scenery.

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).

Indoor and outdoor viewing areas set this Victoria whale-watching tour apart from its competitors. Travel in luxury and style as you look out for whales in their natural environment in the Juan de Fuca and Haro Straits: some of the best whale-watching regions around. Other sightings may include marine birds, seals, and sea lions, making this the ideal way to see more of the region's wealth of wildlife. Gratuities are not included.

Explore Victoria on a private pedicab tour led by a knowledgeable local guide. Ride through beautiful gardens, historic streets, and hidden gems while hearing engaging stories and discovering unique spots most visitors miss. This relaxed 2-hour experience is designed to show you the best of the city comfortably, with time for photos, short stops, and a personalized pace.

Your most popular Victoria pedicab tour — and for good reason. This two-hour private guided ride covers the lush beauty of Beacon Hill Park, the cultural heritage of Canada's oldest Chinatown, and the vibrant waterfront at Fisherman's Wharf, where you can grab fresh seafood, browse floating boutiques, and watch harbour seals play in the marina. Your local guide shares stories, insider tips, and hidden gems you won't find in any guidebook. Ideal for couples, families, and anyone looking for a unique, fun way to explore Victoria's best sights.

Experience an up-close encounter with northern Pacific marine life on this half-day whale-watching cruise off Victoria’s coast. Travel out into the open ocean aboard a comfortable, motorized boat to look for native species like humpback whales, gray whales, orcas, elephant seals, and sea lions in their natural habitat. Learn about local marine ecology from a naturalist guide, and take in fantastic views of Vancouver Island between animal sightings.

Slow, don’t rush—the best way to see whales is on a comfortable covered boat, heated and protected from the elements. On this tour, experience the unspoilt scenery of Vancouver Island as you sail, and enjoy learning about the local area and its natural wildlife from an enthusiastic, family team. Spot gray whales, orcas and humpback whales, and learn about their migrations to and from Canadian waters.

Discover one dramatic landscape after another with the help of a guide on this full-day coach tour between Vancouver and Whistler: the Sea-to-Sky highway, the Sea-to-Sky Gondola, Squamish, and Whistler Village. From the gondola, admire Howe Sound, the Squamish River, and the coastal mountain range. Enjoy plenty of free time to wander about Squamish and partake in Whistler Village activities on your own. Round-trip transport from select locations included.

Set out on the Pacific Ocean off of Victoria, British Columbia, in search of whales on this immersive, small-group tour. Travel through the Haro Strait and the Juan de Fuca Strait in search of minke whales, humpback whales, orcas, and other wildlife. Aboard your open-top Zodiac boat, you're more likely to have up-close wildlife encounters than you would on larger tours.

Experience an up-close wildlife-spotting adventure with this half-day small-group guided kayaking adventure through the Johnstone Strait. With the chance to see orcas, sea lions, porpoises, seals, deer, mink, black bears, river otters, and bald eagles, kayak through Telegraph Cove and out towards Blinkhorn Peninsula, exploring both the shallows off Vancouver Island and even venturing out into deeper blue waters.

Swap the crowds of big whale-watching tours for a more intimate experience. This small-group whale-watching adventure from Telegraph Cove takes you out onto the waters of Johnstone Strait in a Zodiac-style vessel where you'll have the chance to see whales, seals, sea lions, maybe some otters, dolphins, and eagles too.

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.

Watch the sun set over Victoria Harbour on an evening kayak trip in Victoria that includes a short paddling lesson and all kayak equipment. Watch for bald eagles, seals, otters, and other wildlife as you follow an experienced kayak guide along the shoreline, passing the historic landmarks of downtown Victoria, Victoria’s shipyards, and the reversing falls under Tillicum Bridge. Enjoy individual attention from the guide on this small-group kayak tour.

Get a new perspective on Victoria’s beautiful, bustling harbor on a guided kayak tour. Glide through the historic waterways in a state-of-the-art sea kayak, soaking up fantastic views of where Victoria’s stately skyline meets the harbor’s wild aquatic landscape. As you paddle, join the local traffic of seaplane, ferries and whale-watching boats, and keep an eye out for native wildlife like river otters and harbor seals.

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.

A boat ride along the Campbell River is one of the best ways to spot the region’s diverse range of wildlife. On this full-day small-group boat tour, keep an eye out for the black bears that often forage on the riverbanks, and humpback and orca whales as they crest above the deep blue waves on their hibernation journey back from tropical climates.