Canada · VICTORIA TOURS

Victoria Tours: The 15 That Justify the Ferry

65 tours  ·  from $5

Most Victoria days start on a ferry from Vancouver and finish on the last sailing back, so the timetable shapes everything. These 15 compare the Butchart Gardens runs, the whale boats and the harbour walks on price, crossing time and how long you actually get ashore.

Victoria & Butchart Gardens Tour with Ferry from Vancouver - The Gulf Islands ferry crossing
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Victoria & Butchart Gardens Tour with Ferry from Vancouver

1.Victoria & Butchart Gardens Tour with Ferry from Vancouver

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,703 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $228Our pick

Travel from Vancouver to Victoria by coach and BC Ferries, with two hours at Butchart Gardens and two hours to explore Victoria. Your guide handles the long connections, shares local stories, and returns you downtown the same evening. Guides such as Leslie, Anthony, Andy, and Bobby Wilson have been especially praised for clear commentary and friendly service.

“Leslie was an amazing guide. Lots of knowledge about the areas we travelled. Would definitely recommend this trip..”

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Victoria Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos - A catamaran built for changing conditions
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Victoria Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

2.Victoria Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,259 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $154Top rated

Cruise Victoria’s Inner Harbour and the Strait of Juan de Fuca aboard a spacious catamaran with naturalists such as Megan, Reid, Jessy, and Michael. Watch for orcas, humpbacks, sea lions, seals, and bald eagles from the open decks, then warm up with coffee or hot chocolate in the heated cabin. Free wildlife photos are sent after the trip.

“Absolutely amazing day! The crew said it was one of the best whale watching days they’d ever had. We saw loads of different groups of orcas as well as humpbacks and sea lions. An awesome day out!!”

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Victoria and Butchart Gardens Day Trip from Vancouver - The morning ride to BC Ferries
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Victoria and Butchart Gardens Day Trip from Vancouver

3.Victoria and Butchart Gardens Day Trip from Vancouver

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,242 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $232

Travel from Vancouver to Victoria by coach and BC Ferries, then spend free time downtown before visiting the 55-acre Butchart Gardens. Guides such as Tim, Gavin, Zack, and Carol add history and humor along the way. Expect a scenic but very long day, with ferry rides, countryside roads, and limited time at each stop.

“I loved the day trip to Butchart Gardens and Victoria. It was a lot of travel with the bus trip and ferry but I enjoyed these experiences too.”

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Victoria Guided Food and History Tour - Starting at Phillips Brewing on Government Street
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Victoria Guided Food and History Tour

4.Victoria Guided Food and History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,015 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $82

Andy of A Taste of Victoria Food Tours leads a maximum of 12 people through Old Town, Chinatown, and the Inner Harbour. Expect chocolate, tea, biscuits, spring rolls, pierogi, and other local bites, with stories about Victoria’s past and advice on where to eat next. Morning and afternoon departures are available.

“Andy was very knowledgable and we had a great walking tour! The local food was excellent and so was Andy's knowledge of the history.”

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Victoria Whale and Wildlife Cruise - Leaving From 1 Dallas Road In Victoria
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Victoria Whale and Wildlife Cruise

5.Victoria Whale and Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,729 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $146

Set out from 1 Dallas Road in Victoria with Eagle Wing Whale Watching Tours for a 3.5-hour Salish Sea cruise. Your naturalist guide explains whales, seabirds, and local history while the crew searches for orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, otters, and bald eagles. Choose from a fast open boat or a semi-covered catamaran, with whale sightings guaranteed or your next tour free.

“This experience was excellent! The staff incredibly knowledgeable and the captain fantastic. We were lucky enough to see many humpbacks, sea lions and other wildlife. Definitely a highlight of our trip to Victoria!”

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Vancouver: Victoria, Gulf Islands Cruise, & Butchart Gardens - Downtown pickup and the early coach ride
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Vancouver: Victoria, Gulf Islands Cruise, & Butchart Gardens

6.Vancouver: Victoria, Gulf Islands Cruise, & Butchart Gardens

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,165 reviews · 13 hours · from $208

Travel from downtown Vancouver by coach and BC Ferries to Butchart Gardens and Victoria. You get two hours among the gardens, about 1.5 hours downtown, and commentary from guides such as Mark, Dan, Justin, or Dion. Ferry fares, admission, taxes, and transport are included, making this a handy one-day Vancouver Island outing.

“Our driver and guide Mark was excellent! He knew the area very well and shared lots of interesting and insider information with us. The tour was very well organized, giving us enough time to explore on our own. We also got great tips on where to eat and how to make the most of our free time. We were lucky with the weather, but it was really Mark’s knowledge and friendly manner that made this tour such a great experience.”

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Victoria Zodiac Boat Whale Watching Adventure - The wildlife you might see
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Victoria Zodiac Boat Whale Watching Adventure

7.Victoria Zodiac Boat Whale Watching Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 916 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $154

Set out from Victoria Harbour on a 12-passenger Zodiac with guides such as Gary, Mark, George, Raj, and Megan. The open boat gets you close to the Salish Sea, where you may spot orcas, humpbacks, minke whales, seals, sea lions, otters, and eagles. Expect speed, spray, cold air, and a whale-sighting guarantee if luck does not cooperate.

“I went with this tour group because the boat is at boat level. It was hard to find whales in the afternoon. If i were to do it again, I would choose the whale company on the Wharf on the larger boat that everyone stills low on water.”

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Ghostly Walking Tour in Victoria - What happens during the one-hour walk
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Ghostly Walking Tour in Victoria

8.Ghostly Walking Tour in Victoria

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 816 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $17Best value

Follow a local guide through downtown Victoria for one hour of ghost stories, local history, and after-dark atmosphere. Guides such as Fiona, Naomi, Kristia, and Chris are known for strong storytelling and lively delivery. The walk begins near the Inner Harbour, or at Market Square during Halloween, and ends in haunted Bastion Square.

“Fiona was a fantastic tour guide, loads of great historical ghost stories. Victoria is a beautiful city, especially by night.”

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Victoria: 3-Hour Zodiac Whale-Watching Tour - Searching the Salish Sea for whales
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Victoria: 3-Hour Zodiac Whale-Watching Tour

9.3-Hour Zodiac Whale-Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 651 reviews · 3 hours · from $140

Set out from Victoria’s Inner Harbour in a 12-passenger Zodiac with a certified marine naturalist. Expect a fast, open-water ride, full flotation suits, hydrophones, and chances to see Bigg’s orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, porpoises, otters, and bald eagles. The tour runs three hours, with a free return trip if no whale appears.

“Thanks Mikey for the amazing tour!! My friends and I had the best time ☺️ We would recommend to anyone!!🐋”

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The Butchart Gardens Express Shuttle from Downtown Victoria - Finding the pickup point near the Fairmont Empress
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The Butchart Gardens Express Shuttle from Downtown Victoria

10.The Butchart Gardens Express Shuttle from Downtown Victoria

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 616 reviews · 3 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $44

Ride from central Victoria to Butchart Gardens in about 35 minutes with a return shuttle, leaving you roughly three hours to explore at your own pace. Meet near the Fairmont Empress, and listen for local commentary from drivers such as Sarah, Rob, Emily, or Tim. Garden admission costs extra.

“Bus left on time both going to and returning from the garden. Driver (Sarah) was wonderful, full of enthusiasm and gave lots of information about the city and the garden en route”

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Victoria & Butchart Gardens Tour with Gulf Islands Cruise Ferry - The Gulf Islands ferry crossing
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Victoria & Butchart Gardens Tour with Gulf Islands Cruise Ferry

11.Victoria & Butchart Gardens Tour with Gulf Islands Cruise Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 565 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $214

Travel from Vancouver to Victoria by coach and ferry, with a scenic Gulf Islands crossing, two hours at Butchart Gardens, and about 1.5 hours in downtown Victoria. The $214.46 price includes transportation, ferry tickets, and garden admission. Guides such as Mark, Dan, Justin, and Dion are known for clear commentary and good trip management.

“Victoria ferry is 1.5 hours each way.and it takes about an hour to get to ferry from downtown Vancouver.”

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Butchart Gardens and Victoria Sightseeing Tour from Vancouver - Crossing Active Pass on BC Ferries
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Butchart Gardens and Victoria Sightseeing Tour from Vancouver

12.Butchart Gardens and Victoria Sightseeing Tour from Vancouver

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 564 reviews · 13 to 14 hours (approx.) · from $234

Travel from Canada Place to Victoria by coach and BC Ferries, with commentary from guides such as Rene, Kim, Byron, and Bernie. See Mile 0, the Inner Harbour, Chinatown, Fan Tan Alley, and the Empress Hotel, then enjoy free time before exploring 55 acres of Butchart Gardens. It is an easy, very long day.

“Our tour guide, Bryon, who worked for Discover Canada, was outstanding. Bryon customized the tour to maximize the experience for us. He was very knowledgeable.”

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Victoria Whale Watching Tour on a Covered Vessel - Wildlife Encounters Depend on the Day
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Victoria Whale Watching Tour on a Covered Vessel

13.Victoria Whale Watching Tour on a Covered Vessel

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 482 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $136

Spend about three hours aboard a covered whale-watching vessel from Victoria, with indoor seating, washrooms, and outdoor viewing decks. Marine naturalists such as Ryan, Jake, Briar, and Liam explain whale behavior and local sea life. Humpbacks, orcas, sea lions, otters, eagles, and seabirds may appear, but sightings depend on nature.

“Great experience. We got to see orcas and a hump back whale. Definitely a must do, great group of folks.”

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Victoria Whale Watch Tour - Boarding the 60-foot Ocean Cruiser
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Victoria Whale Watch Tour

14.Victoria Whale Watch Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 458 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $126

Cruise the Salish Sea for about three hours aboard SpringTide’s 60-foot Ocean Cruiser, with naturalists such as Katie, Aly, and Ian sharing stories about whales and their habitat. Choose a morning or afternoon trip, watch from the cabin or upper deck, and warm up with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and loaner jackets.

“We saw several humpbacks -one even did a lunge and his head came straight out of the water with his mouth open. Quite unusual and spectacular. Saw tons of sea lions and stellar seals. Naturalist was very knowledgeable My one caveat is that although there were ample viewing platforms - to get to the upper decks or into the cabin to access the bathroom there were very high steps - I was unable to access these areas. Because of this I would not choose this company/boat again - due to joint replacements They did provide coffee and hot chocolate and even offered extra jackets and pants for anyone who needed…”

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COMBO Victoria City Tour & Butchart Gardens & Entry Tix - Butchart Gardens: the heart of the outing
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COMBO Victoria City Tour & Butchart Gardens & Entry Tix

15.COMBO Victoria City Tour & Butchart Gardens & Entry Tix

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 456 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $106

This five-hour Victoria outing pairs a narrated city tour with admission to Butchart Gardens. You get about 2.5 hours to explore the gardens independently, plus three photo stops around Victoria. Guides such as Jim, Mark, Tyko, and Taiko are praised for lively local stories. Small vehicles, reserved seating, and hotel pickup keep the day simple, but there is no room for luggage, wheelchairs, strollers, or small children.

“Fabulous day out. Excellent tour guide. Jim was very knowledgeable and engaging. The tour was really enjoyable. The Gardens were amazing”

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New in Victoria Tours

★ 4.3Royal B.C. Museum in Victoria: Full-Day Admission TicketFrom $2217 reviews
★ 4.6City Highlights and Butchart Gardens TourFrom $86148 reviews
★ 4.7Pickle Pub Crawl: Ferry Rides and AppetizersFrom $5252 reviews
★ 4.7Iconic & Obscure Victoria Walking TourFrom $1644 reviews
★ 4.7Whale Watching Marine Wildlife ExcursionFrom $11319 reviews
★ 4.4From Vancouver: Full-Day Victoria Tour with Ferry TicketFrom $17636 reviews
★ 4.6Day Trip from Vancouver to Victoria and Butchart GardensFrom $24710 reviews
★ 4.8Brentwood Bay: Bioluminescence TourFrom $7420 reviews
★ 4.6Vancouver: Victoria and Butchart Gardens by SeaplaneFrom $6905 reviews
★ 4.46-Hour Victoria to Cowichan Wine TourFrom $12721 reviews
★ 4.8Victoria Full Day Guided Wine TourFrom $13824 reviews
★ 4.6Victoria, BC: 3-Hour Ultimate Whale & Marine Wildlife TourFrom $125191 reviews
★ 5.0Victoria Wine Tour with Wine Tastings and CharcuterieFrom $13560 reviews
★ 5.0Victoria Boutique Winery Tour23 reviews
★ 5.0Half-Day Victoria to Cowichan Valley Wine Tour with TastingsFrom $135107 reviews

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