Top Vancouver Island Outdoor Activities

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.

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.

Cruise the Salish Sea in comfort while you search for whales, seals, bald eagles, and otters on this half-day guided tour. This whale-watching experience is led by a certified naturalist, eager to share their knowledge on the area’s wildlife and natural history. If no whales are sighted—no worries! You can return for free.

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).

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.

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.

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.

Small Personal Tour groups. Marine Wildlife Photography Specialists. Longer Tours to ensure the best encounters with the whales and wildlife. We focus on the whole Salish Sea ecosystem. Passionate, certified captains and a exemplary safety record. Tours since 2003. We are marine eco tour veterans that have operated whale and wildlife viewing in the Salish Sea for the past 18 years. Our passionate and experienced team looks forward to sharing the the latest whale and wildlife research with you.

The perfect introduction to Victoria for visitors short on time. Your licensed pedicab guide will take you on a scenic ride through Beacon Hill Park — one of the most beautiful urban parks in Canada — where you'll pass towering Garry oaks, manicured flower gardens, and the famous Mile Zero monument. From there, wind through the colourful, narrow alleys of Victoria's Chinatown, the oldest in Canada, rich with heritage architecture and hidden courtyards. One of the best things to do in Victoria BC — perfect for cruise ship visitors, couples, and families.

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.

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.

Embark on a serene voyage across the Salish Sea, observing marine life and awe-inspiring scenery as the rich tapestry of the coast mountain range is illuminated by the stunning sunset lighting. Join us on a sunset boat tour lasting between 2.5 and 3.5 hours, welcoming adventurers of all ages to marvel at the sea and sky in a heartwarming and enriching experience.

Start the day with a visit to the Old Growth forest surrounding Goldstream Park. You will walk alongside one of the most important salmon creeks on Vancouver Island. In the right season, you can even witness the salmon in action! Goldstream also features an impressive Waterfall tucked in a small canyon. After this, we will continue up the gorgeous Malahat highway to the Skywalk. This tower 250m above sea level offers a gentle slope to gently take you up to the top where you will be soaring amongst birds, looking over the ocean and mountain tops. A net at the top offers a lounging area and some chairs and benches can make for a good snack break. From there you can hop on the slide, down to the bottom, or walk back the way you came. Our last stop will be a walk to the Historical Hatley Castle. This Victorian-era residence blends Scottish Tudor Architecture with Art Deco Style popular at the time. The garden is a must-see with its colourful blooms and pagoda pond surrounded by old growth.

This amazing close to downtown and right by the ocean is full of amazing sights. From the second tallest totem pole in the world to field of wildflowers in the spring and summer and peacocks roaming the grounds, to eagle soaring above, moss covered sculptures, ocean views, a petting farm, an english rose garden and more. Marvel at giant trees and beautiful wildflowers while your guide shows you what makes Vancouver Island's forest and climate so special. We will talk about trees, mushrooms, bears, orcas and cougars with a bit of history and will make sure to entertain the whole family. Join us for the 1h30 walk through Victoria's most amazing park.

We offer small personal tour groups, marine wildlife photography specialists and longer tours to ensure the best encounters with the whales and wildlife. We focus on the whole Salish Sea ecosystem. Passionate, certified captains and an exemplary safety record. Tours since 2003. We are marine eco tour veterans that have operated whale and wildlife viewing in the Salish Sea for the past 18 years. Our passionate and experienced team looks forward to sharing the latest whale and wildlife research with you. Sunsets and chances to encounter Biggs Killer Whales, Humpback Whales, Pacific White Sided Dolphins, Sea Lions, Harbour Seals and Bald Eagles.

Explore downtown Victoria from the water on our guided paddle boarding tour. Starting at the serene Banfield Park, paddle along the scenic Gorge Waterway, and witness the city's vibrant waterfront and iconic landmarks, including the Inner Harbour, Legislative Assembly, Empress Hotel, and Royal BC Museum. Enjoy panoramic views of the cityscape, visit the colorful Fisherman's Wharf, and soak in the stunning urban and natural beauty of Victoria. Perfect for all skill levels, our certified guides ensure a safe and memorable experience. Book your spot today for an unforgettable adventure!

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.

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.

Maximize your chances of seeing whales, bald eagles, and other wildlife along the dramatic coast of Vancouver Island on this half-day wildlife cruise from Cowichan Bay. In the company of just your private group of up to 12 and an expert guide, set out in a rigid inflatable boat that’s perfect for exploring the rugged coast and Gulf Islands.

Embark on a paddling tour to Cole Island, a historical gem in Colwood, BC. Led by experienced guides, paddle from Stewart Beach to Cole Island, learning about its pivotal role in Victoria's defense during the 19th century. Explore the island's lush vegetation and well-preserved military structures, including fortifications and gun emplacements. Enjoy panoramic views of the ocean and Fisgard Lighthouse before paddling back to Stewart Beach. Immerse yourself in the island's captivating history and natural beauty on this unforgettable adventure.

Guaranteed the most fun and memorable part of your trip—or your money back. Locally run with a small team of friendly and local guides. delivering personal, fun, safe and unforgettable experiences— Not high volume pedicab tours.

The waters around Vancouver Island teem with marine life—and on this small-group whale-watching tour, you'll have the best chance of discovering these giants of the deep. Head out into the Salish Sea with your guide, an experienced naturalist who will take the time to help you learn about the region's wildlife. On this tour, you can look out for orcas, humpback whales, seals, sea lions, porpoises, and more.