Top Victoria Outdoor Activities

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

We spend the first hour of this private tour on a brief City Tour that includes Chinatown, the Inner Harbour and Craigdarroch Castle. We then take a pleasant drive to the world-famous Butchart Gardens, which are about a 30 or 40 minute drive north of Victoria. Admissions to the Gardens are included and your guide will get you a garden map and take you to the iconic sunken garden, which was the first part of the garden to be developed, early in the 20th Century. Guests are able to explore these beautiful gardens at their leisure. Followed by a lovely afternoon high tea at the Gardens. Garden admissions and high tea are included in the tour. If you love nature and flowers then you will love this private tour - just you with our fun and informative guide! Max. 4 pax

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Explore Victoria while taking advantage of the city’s great network of cycling lanes on this small-group bike tour. You’ll visit a variety of Victoria landmarks, including Craigdarroch Castle, Government House, and Fisherman’s Wharf. Along the way, your guide will share a wealth of information about the history of British Columbia’s capital, along with a local’s tips and insights into the culture.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Explore the beautifully historic center of Victoria, then trade downtown streets for the flower-lined paths of Butchart Gardens (entry own expense) on a half-day, private tour of the city. You'll start with a trip to Fisherman's Wharf, then see the Parliament Buildings, the Empress Hotel, Beacon Hill Park, and Craigdarroch Castle, following scenic roads through the Vancouver Island countryside. With departures throughout the day, this tour ensures a flexible, personal experience.

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.

On this private whale-watching trip from Victoria you and your group will havea whole Zodiac to yourselves, ensuring no need to jostle for the best viewing spot. Cruise to the Juan de Fuca and Haro Strait, known for abundant marine wildlife including transient and resident orcas, humpback, minke, and gray whales, seals, sea lions, sea otters, and many seabird species.