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.

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.

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.

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.

Explore the marble passages and crystal caverns created by the ‘Ice Age’ on this guided, 3-hour caving and hiking expedition in Qualicum Beach, British Columbia. Choose from a morning or afternoon departure time, strap on your complimentary light and helmut, and then start your exciting introduction to ‘wild caving.’ Frolic in underground waterfall and traverse everything from tight passages to steep ramps to short climbs.

See whales and all manner of marine life on this whale-watching expedition. From Nanaimo, head out into the Salish Sea on a semi-covered vessel. Humpbacks and orcas can be found off the coast of Vancouver Island, as well as sea lions, porpoises, eagles, and many more species. Your marine naturalist guide is there to answer any questions you have about what you see.

Explore the charming streets of Victoria, BC, on an exhilarating pedicab tour that takes you through iconic areas like Chinatown at night and Beacon Hill Park. Each tour is tailored to your personal interests, ensuring a unique experience filled with fun and adventure. Your knowledgeable guides not only navigate the city but also capture your memories with photos and videos, making it easy to share your journey. With daily tours available, pick-up and drop-off at your desired location, and special discounts for seniors and children, everyone can enjoy the sights of this vibrant city. - Tailored pedicab tours through Victoria's top attractions - Visit lively Chinatown and picturesque Fisherman's Wharf - Guides capture photos and videos of your adventure - Daily tours with pick-up/drop-off at your location

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, Shannon Falls, the Sea-to-Sky Gondola, and Whistler Village. From the gondola, admire Howe Sound, the Squamish River, and the Coastal Mountains. Then, enjoy plenty of free time to wander through Whistler Village at your own pace.

Share the waters with whales, orcas, and more on a wildlife watching tour. In addition to animal sightings, the aquatic adventure also offers great views of the San Juan and Gulf Islands, plus the Howe Sound. Stay warm inside the cabin, where you can purchase snacks and drinks. Your ticket comes with a whale sighting guarantee, with a free tour should you not spot any whales.

Get some exercise while seeing the sights of Victoria Harbour with a private self-paced walking tour accessed via an audio app. Listen to your tour guide through your smartphone, going at your own pace and stopping and starting whenever you want. You’ll benefit from the structure of a guided tour without having to chase around a live tour guide or strain to hear through the crowds.

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.

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.

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).

Soar through the air like an eagle in flight on this zipline adventure! Just a half hour from central Victoria, this Vancouver Island zipline park features eight different ziplines that span more than 1,000 feet (305 meters). Your small group will also go on a 10-minute ATV ride and you'll traverse two suspension bridges high above the forest floor. Two tour guides accompany you on this two-hour tour; they'll share insight about the environment and answer any questions to ensure a safe, fun and exhilarating experience in the British Columbia temperate rainforest.

Victoria’s first open-air sauna village invites guests to unwind in a tranquil setting designed for relaxation and rejuvenation. With three distinct saunas and a refreshing cold plunge, sessions extend to a soothing 1 hour and 45 minutes, allowing ample time for ritualistic sauna experiences. Daily guided Aufguss rituals enhance the experience, infusing the air with essential oils while rhythmic movements amplify the heat and scent. This sacred space fosters community connection, making it an ideal retreat for solo travelers or groups seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life.

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.

Enjoy beer tastings only available in Vancouver on a neighborhood culture crawl among the city's most interesting local breweries. Walk along Brewery Creek to visit the best places to experience local beer while you learn about the craft beer movement and how it has evolved locally. Both veteran beer connoisseurs and curious beer newbies are welcome to join as we seek our next favorite Vancouver brew.

Set out on the Pacific Ocean off Victoria, British Columbia, in search of whales, and get closer to wildlife than you could otherwise, on this immersive, small-group tour by open-top Zodiac. Travel through the Haro Strait and the San Juan de Fuca Strait, visiting Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites and Race Rocks Ecological Reserve to see diverse marine wildlife, with a guide onboard to provide insights.

Step into a tropical jungle just outside Victoria. The Victoria Butterfly Gardens is located close to Butchart Gardens and is a great way to extend your garden time. The Butterfly Garden houses approximately 70 species of butterfly, in addition to poison dart frogs, tortoises, large iguanas, flamingos, tropical ducks, free flying tropical birds and more. Don’t miss the creepy crawlies in the Insectarium.

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 capital city of BC in all it's splendor from the big comfy seat of a Pedego Electric Bike. Let our experienced guides handle the logistics and just kick back and enjoy the ride. On this tour we will depart from our pier A location at Ogden Point (185 Dallas Rd) in the Breakwater District. We will journey along the beautiful coastline and traverse through the famous Beacon Hill Park stopping at historic landmarks along the way. Other stops of interest include Clover Point, Ross Bay Cemetery, Craigdarroch Castle, Government House, Victoria Inner Harbour, The Parliament Buildings, and Fisherman's Wharf.