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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

The ultimate Victoria sightseeing experience — a three-hour, fully guided pedicab odyssey through the city's most iconic landmarks. Explore the gothic grandeur of Craigdarroch Castle, a stunning 1890s stone mansion. Cruise along the scenic Inner Harbour waterfront past the Fairmont Empress and Parliament Buildings. Weave through the lantern-lit streets of Canada's oldest Chinatown. Finish with a curated stop at downtown Victoria's boutique shops before a grand finale drop-off in the heart of the city. This is the best private tour in Victoria for travellers who want to see it all.

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, BC, on a guided tour that focuses on the wildlife found in the urban area. Visit at least 3 different scenic locations and witness some of the animals that populate Victoria. The locations vary depending on the present wildlife and season but are mostly coastal viewpoints or local parks and one cemetery. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed and vary depending on the season and weather. Most likely, you will see seabirds and reef creatures like anemones and feather dusters, deer, and occasionally seals, sea lions, salmon migrating, and birds of prey. This tour involves a little walking on flat surfaces and is suitable for everyone, except children under 5 due to vehicle constraints. After you meet your guide, you will hop on a quick drive to your first location. You will visit 3 parks or more and see as much wildlife as possible. Remember, your guide wants to see wildlife as much as you do, but sometimes the animals can be shy, and you might get a few sightings.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.