Top Victoria 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.

Spin through downtown Victoria on two wheels and discover top city attractions with ease on this Victoria castles and neighborhoods bike tour. Hop onto your bike and follow your guide through the city streets. Learn more about Victoria’s colorful past than you would on your own as you cycle past its historic buildings, and explore districts including the Inner Harbour, Cook Street Village, Chinatown, and more.

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).

Hike through Vancouver Island's towering rainforest on a private, guided hike from Victoria that explores a fascinating ecosystem. You'll see waterfalls, native plants, and some of the world's tallest and oldest trees, walking alongside a guide as you watch for Vancouver Island's native wildlife. With pickup and drop-off in downtown Victoria or the cruise port, this private hiking tour includes roughly two hours of hiking time, and can be tailored to your schedule.

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.

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.

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.

Get up close and personal with the ocean and its incredible marine wildlife during this whale watching excursion from Victoria. Climb onboard a Zodiac boat equipped with padded bench seats and cruise the sea while your marine naturalist explains the area and animals around you. Head for the Juan de Fuca and Haro Strait and lookout for humpback whales, otters, seals, sea lions, and birds.

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.

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.

The city of Victoria sits right on the edge of a coastal forest on beautiful Vancouver Island. Take a break from the city streets and enjoy a guided nature hike to see woodlands, wildflower meadows, beaches, and more. Since this is a private tour, you can set the pace and difficulty of the trek, whether you want an easy and relaxed walk or a more challenging hike, there’s something to suit everyone.

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.

Capital of British Columbia, Victoria sits on Vancouver Island—with beautiful Victorian architecture and sweeping coastal views. Ideal for visitors short on time, this flexible sightseeing tour starts any time between 8am and 8pm, and takes in top attractions such as Beacon Hill Park, Chinatown, and 19th-century Craigdarroch Castle. Stop throughout your tour to capture the city on camera, with round-trip travel from your Victoria hotel included.

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.

We GUARANTEE this will be the most fun, unique, safe and enjoyable tour of your trip—or you get a full refund. Locally run with a small team of experienced guides, we focus on personal, high-quality fun, personalized tours, not large-volume tours, with a revolving door of 40+ guides.

Watch the sun set over Victoria Harbour on a 3-hour, evening kayak trip in Victoria that includes a short paddling lesson and all kayak equipment. Watch for bald eagles, seals, 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. This small-group kayak tour is limited to six participants for individual attention from the guide.

Immerse yourself in the heart of a true West Coast wonderland on this invigorating hike. Towering trees and rugged rock formations frame the path. The trail, though technical at times, offers a rewarding journey through diverse terrain, keeping hikers engaged and energized. During the summer months, the forest comes alive with vibrant greenery and the soothing sounds of nature. Sunlight filters through the dense canopy, casting dappled patterns along the trail. As an option, hikers can take part in a “forest retreat”—a moment of reflection to fully absorb the magic of the surroundings. Whether moving steadily along the trail or pausing to connect with the serenity of the wilderness, this hike provides a truly immersive outdoor experience. After your invigorating hike, be whisked away to a historic local pub, renowned for some of the best craft beer on Vancouver Island. Enjoy delicious light fare, a refreshing pint, and connect with fellow hikers, sharing stories and laughter.

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.

Explore British Colombia’s Victoria by pedicab with a guide on this 3-hour tour of the city, including convenient pickup and drop-off at the cruise ship terminal. Travel through one of Victoria’s oldest neighborhood, James Bay, to one of its oldest grocers. Then pass through Beacon Hill Park, and see the peacocks there. Plus, catch a glimpse of the famous Empress Hotel.

When you make port in Victoria, discover top city attractions in style on this 2-hour Victoria castles and neighborhoods bike tour. Follow your guide by bicycle through Victoria and gain insight into the city’s colorful past. Explore diverse districts such as the Inner Harbour, Cook Street Village and Chinatown. Take in panoramic views over Dallas Road’s waterfront and marvel at the creepy Craigdarroch Castle. Spin through pretty Moss Rock Park and Beacon Hill Park, and enjoy the creative buzz of leafy Fernwood.

Drop in for an hour, let us introduce you to this great sport and guide you through the basics of throwing an axe and hitting the bullseye! Bring your friends and family, a stranger you met on the bus, a tinder date you want to make a great first impression on… grab an axe and get throwing! Axe throwing is an amazing indoor activity in Victoria, no matter the weather outside you can always throw and axe! It’s a great opportunity to learn a new skill under the guidance of our experienced coaches, or perfect the skills you already have. Axe Throwing is perfect for a Sunday-Funday, a rainy day, smokey fire day, or a get-out-of-the-cold activity. Bring your friends and family, a stranger you met on the bus, a bumble date…grab an axe and get throwing!

See the best of the city of Victoria—and even visit the famous Butchart Gardens—on this time-saving, half-day tour. With just your private guide for company, travel with ease aboard a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. Have time to soak up the beauty of Butchart Gardens, stroll Victoria’s Chinatown and Inner Harbour, Fisherman's Wharf, and more.

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.