Vancouver Island is an incredible place to explore. With never-ending wilderness, deep cultural history, beautiful towns and cities set amongst the natural beauty of forests and oceans, there is so much to see and do! Whether you’re staying for a short time or if you’re here for a while, you’ll want to make sure you experience as much of Vancouver Island as possible – and what better way to do that than book a tour or two? These tours are the highest rated by customers and are sure to get you out there exploring everything this beautiful Island has to offer!
By Sea
Springtide Whale Watching: 1119 Wharf St, Victoria
3 – 3.5 hours
For three decades, Dan and Joanne Kukat have worked tirelessly to provide their guests with exceptional experiences, and on this 3 + hour tour, you’ll have a chance to see some truly stunning marine life that populates the waters around the coast of Victoria. Ideal for anyone staying within walking distance at Harbourview Executive at the Reef and worth the drive if you’re as far as Arbutus Hill in Metchosin!
Ucluelet Half Day Tours: 200 Hemlock Road Small Craft Harbour Finger “F”, Ucluelet
2+ hours
This family run business is the perfect way to explore Ucluelet whether you want to paddle around the harbour for the afternoon or join one of their combo kayaking tours! Check out their listings for availability and book!
Ocean Rapids in Campbell River: E Dock, Campbell River
4 hours
This ocean adventure is perfect for anyone looking for a heart pounding experience near Kye Bay Beach House! Take a ride on a high powered zodiac over naturally occurring ocean rapids and keep an eye out for marine and avian wildlife while you zoom across the surface! Make sure you pack an extra set of clothes because you’re sure to get absolutely soaked! Â
Sailboat Tours: 1327 Beach Dr, Victoria
3 hours
For one of the calmest ways to explore the waters around Victoria, book a sail tour! If you’re staying at Barkley Manor Executive and have always wanted to sail, now is your chance! It doesn’t matter if you’re an avid seafarer or if you’ve never stepped foot on a sailboat, you can choose how involved you want to be and while you’re learning a few skills or just relaxing you can enjoy the peace and quiet of the Salish Sea and look out for some of the beautiful and majestic animals that call these waters home. Â
Pickle Pub Crawl: Jeanne Socrates Dock, Victoria Inner Harbour
flexible
Want a fun way to visit Victoria’s most popular waterway restaurants? Well, this is it! With lots of stops to choose from, and easy to get to for anyone staying at The Corazon this ‘pub crawl’ is actually a great way to try out numerous restaurants and get a beautiful water view of Victoria!Â
By Land
Bentley Tours of Victoria: Pickup locations around Victoria – contact to arrange
2+ hours
If you’ve ever dreamed of having a chauffeur – now is your chance! Whether you want to have a private tour of the city or be driven to Butchart Gardens, you can experience Victoria’s most popular sites and attractions in style! With pickup locations all over the city, whether you’re staying at Camden Green Mews or James Bay Studio Stay you can get to know this beautiful city by riding around in a 1997 Bentley driven by a private chauffer!
SUV and Van Tours around Greater Victoria: 104 Paddock Pl, Victoria
1+ hours
From luxury tours of Victoria to hiking tours in East Sooke Park, this tour company offers tours for groups of all sizes. With a luxury SUV and van available to book, Surfside Adventure Tours can accommodate up to 21 people – perfect for family reunions or groups of friends looking to get out there and explore the South Island!
Half Day Wine Tour: 660 Oswego St, Victoria
5.5 hours
In 2020, the Cowichan Valley was named an official wine region of BC making it the second largest producer of wine in the Province. There are so many incredible vineyards all nestled in amongst the lush hills just north of Victoria making it the ideal place to go whether you’re staying close by at Cowichan Valley Wine Country Retreat or in Victoria at Landmark Executive Sub Penthouse. Take the guesswork out of a visit to the Island’s wine region and book a tour where you’ll be able to visit three wineries with tastings at each and relax on the way home!Â
Island Garden Tour: email info@beyondthecitytours.com for more information and to book
flexible
Vancouver Island has the most temperate climate in all of Canada, with ocean breezes and mild weather most of the year, it’s no wonder that some of the most stunning gardens in Canada are here. If you love to garden or if you just love plants in all their varieties, this is the tour for you! With pickup locations all over the South Island you can get picked up from Bear Mountain Executive Stay, Dalmeny Farm Estate or Landmark Executive Sub Penthouse and get driven to the Horticultural Centre of the Pacific and Butchart Gardens! These incredible gardens are not only beautiful but you’ll learn about species native to BC and see the myriad others that can thrive in our unique climate.Â
Saanich Peninsula Wine & Cider: multiple pickup locations
4 hours
The Cowichan Valley might be the official wine region of Vancouver Island but the Saanich Peninsula is the agricultural hub of the South Island. The rich soil of this countryside supports many crops including grapes and apples! On this tour you’ll be able to marvel at the winding country roads just a short drive north of Victoria, visit two vineyards on the Peninsula and the famous Sea Cider House to try some hand pressed ciders made from heritage apples. Whether you’re staying at Beacon Hill View Condo, Barkley Manor Executive or Bazan Bay Beach House, this is a great opportunity to explore this beautiful Peninsula!Â
Horse Drawn Carriage Tours: 465 Belleville St, Victoria
flexible
If you’re looking for a really unique way to tour the Capital City, you can’t go wrong with a romantic carriage ride! With so many tour options to choose from, you can book a carriage ride to make a romantic evening truly memorable, see all the heritage sites or get the family together to go all over the city. It’s the perfect treat if you’re within walking distance at Seaglass Suite or Landmark Executive Sub Penthouse and if you’re in town for the afternoon from Pendray House or Oceanside Lodge on Saanich Inlet! No matter what you’re interested in seeing, taking a horse drawn carriage to get you there is a surefire way to make it special!Â
People, Water, Land Cultural Tour: 1003B Island Hwy, Campbell River
5 hours
For millennia the First Nations people of BC have lived in harmony with the land and thrived sharing knowledge and stories from generation to generation. Today, the First Nations of BC are still stewards of the land and have a sacred connection to it and all animals who share it. If you’re curious about learning more about First Nations culture and connections, and staying at Kye Bay Beach House, Columbia Beach House or White Heron Oceanfront Estate, Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours in Campbell River is the best place to book. On the People, Land, Water tour, the guides will take you on a journey into Homalco traditional territory to learn about the peoples’ history, traditions, language and culture and search for marine mammals, birds and other wildlife. Â
Taste of Victoria Food Tours: 1701 Douglas St, Victoria
flexible
If you want to get to know a place, whether it’s a big city or a small town, the best way to do that is through the food! While Victoria might be a small city, it’s a major player when it comes to food. With more restaurants per-capita than almost any other Canadian city, Victoria is decidedly a foodie destination and for good reason! With a dedicated community of restaurateurs, farmers, suppliers and producers all working symbiotically, the dishes that you can find in most Victorian restaurants, cafes, pubs and eateries are spectacular. One of the best ways to really get a taste of Victoria is a tasting tour! You’ll learn a little bit more about the food scene in Victoria, its history and future all while sampling some of the very best that this Capital City has to offer.
