Top Vancouver Island Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

Experience an up-close encounter with northern Pacific marine life on a 3-hour 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 in between animal sightings.

Feel like you’ve stepped back in time to vintage Victoria with a 1-hour tour through the city’s most splendid neighborhoods aboard a horse-drawn carriage. Beginning at the illustrious Empress hotel, admire sailing ships in the Inner Harbor and trot through the leafy gardens and lawns of Beacon Hill Park. Pass stately Victorian mansions and other local landmarks like the Trans-Canada Highway Mile 0 marker, and take in fantastic views of the Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca during the stylish ride. 

Share the waters with whales, orcas, and more on a wildlife watching tour. In addition to animal sightings, the aquatic adventure also offers great views of the San Juan and Gulf Islands, plus the Howe Sound. Stay warm inside the cabin, where you can purchase snacks and drinks. Your ticket comes with a whale sighting guarantee, with a free tour should you not spot any whales.

Explore Victoria and take in top attractions in style on this 30-minute Victoria carriage tour including James Bay. Hop aboard your horse-drawn carriage and set off in comfort through the streets. Listen as your driver shares stories from Victoria’s colorful history, and admire famous sites such as the Parliament buildings, Emily Carr’s former residence and the beautiful Inner Harbor. Admire traditional house-fronts in James Bay, one of the West Coasts’ oldest districts, and enjoy fine ocean views along the Dallas Road waterfront as the Olympic Mountains rise in the distance.

Marvel at Canada’s west coast wildlife on this 3-hour sunset whale watching cruise with Eagle Wing Tours at Victoria’s Fisherman’s Wharf. Hop aboard a comfortable semi-covered or open boat and help support Eagle Wing’s many conservation, education and research activities! Let certified and knowledgeable naturalists be your guides to the stunning wildlife and natural history of the Salish Sea. Whales are guaranteed or you come back for free! As the sun sinks to the horizon, cruise back into Victoria’s scenic inner harbour and enjoy the twinkling lights of British Columbia’s capital city!

Hit the waves with expert naturalists in search of Canadian sea-life on this whale-watching cruise from Victoria. Hop aboard your whale-watching boat and head out into the rolling seas with your guide. Gaze out over Victoria’s attractive coastline and watch the waves for sightings of graceful orcas. Listen as the two expert naturalists onboard explain the life cycles of the majestic creatures, and learn of their pivotal role near the top of the marine food chain. Enjoy fine views from the seating areas both inside and on-deck. 

Come and meet the locals—the flippered, furred and feathered kind—on this guided 3.5-hour or more whale watching cruise with Eagle Wing Tours at Victoria’s Fisherman’s Wharf. Hop aboard a comfortable semi-covered or open boat and help support Eagle Wing’s many conservation, education and research activities! Let certified and knowledgeable naturalists be your guides to the stunning wildlife and natural history of the Salish Sea. Find out how you’re supporting a leader in ocean conservation, education, research and sustainability. Watch for seals, sea lions, otters and porpoises as well as bald eagles and an amazing assortment of marine birds. Hoping for something bigger? Whales are guaranteed or you come back for free! Hotel transport included.

Take a sweet-smelling stroll through Victoria’s famous Butchart Gardens, spanning 55 acres (22.2 hectares) of beautifully designed flower beds, lily ponds, footbridges, and thematic landscapes. With a convenient pickup location and a flexible return shuttle schedule, it’s an easy way to experience one of Victoria’s most popular attractions. Visit during summer or holiday season evenings to witness special luminous displays that add an extra touch of enchantment to the gardens.

Head out into the Salish Sea from Nanaimo in search of the abundant wildlife who inhabit the area. Your guide is an experienced marine expert who will take the time to help you learn about the sea life around Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. This 3-4 hour tour takes you to the habitats of killer whales (orcas) humpback whales, seals, sea lions, porpoises, and eagles.

Join this small group helicopter tour to see Vancouver Island’s coastline from a whole new angle.  Start with a safety briefing with your experienced pilot, then head up, out over the Georgia Strait. Enjoy stunning mountain and ocean views as you fly over the Discovery Passage, Quadra Island and the beautiful Rebecca Spit Marine Provincial Park before returning to Campbell River.

Go whale watching in Victoria on a 12-passenger boat that’s designed for seeking out whales and marine wildlife on Vancouver Island’s spectacular coast. With a heated cabin, onboard bathrooms, and outdoor viewing decks, this whale watching tour is a comfortable alternative to an open speedboat that still provides the maneuverability and personal experience of a small craft while searching for orcas, humpback whales, minke whales, seals, and more.

Hot drinks, certified marine biologists, and 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 one of the world's best whale-watching habitats in the Juan de Fuca and Haro Strait. Other sightings may include marine birds, seals, and sea lions, making this the ideal way to see more of the region's animal residents!

Trade your cruise ship for a whale-watching vessel on a 3-hour shore excursion from the port of Victoria. Travel into the open waters of the northern Pacific Ocean to spot native marine life including orcas, humpback whales, harbor seals and minke whales. Learn about British Columbia’s amazing aquatic ecosystems from onboard naturalist guides, who will help point out passing species along the way. It’s an exciting and educational voyage for the whole family!

Discover the beauty of downtown Victoria on this 45-minute Beacon Hill Park carriage tour. Hop into your horse-drawn carriage and travel in style along the winding roadways round Beacon Hill Park — Victoria’s oldest and, many would say, most attractive park. Discover top local attractions including St Anne's Academy, the Empress Hotel and the Church Of Our Lord, and listen as your driver shares tales and folklore from Victoria's dim and distant past. Head along pretty pathways and enjoy fine views over the vibrant flowerbeds, peaceful ponds and manicured lawns.

Capital of British Columbia, Vancouver lies on the southern shores of Vancouver Island—with striking architecture, pretty parks, and a British colonial history dating back to the Victorian era. On this tour, explore Victoria in comfort by traditional horse-drawn carriage as your guide brings the city’s Victorian past to life. Along the way, discover sites of interest such as Beacon Hill Park, historic James Bay, and the Salish Sea waterfront.

You might not guess from the pretty gardens and charming streets, but the city of Victoria is full of ghosts, or at least ghost stories. Walk with your guide through some of the most haunted spots in town, hearing the spooky and tragic tales from Victoria’s past. You never know, you may go home with a story of your own….

See whales and all manner of marine life in this whale watching expedition. From Nanaimo, head out in a 23-seater jet boat into the Salish Sea. Humpbacks and orcas can be found off the coast of Vancouver Island, as well as sea lions, porpoises, eagles and lots more. Your guide is seasoned mariner and wildlife expert who will answer any questions you have about what you see.

See Victoria by horse-drawn carriage on a private tour that explores the Inner Harbour, Downtown, Chinatown, and more. The traditional, open-air carriages offer unobstructed views perfect for photography and sightseeing. Since the carriage is booked for just your group, you’ll enjoy personal service from beginning to end.

Discover hidden alleys and local curios in Vancouver’s Old Town and Chinatown districts on this 75-minute pedicab tour. Head through Victoria's Old Town and Chinatown districts with your guide, where old shops and boutiques line the winding alleyways. Hear hair-raising ghost stories from centuries past and learn of the settlers, immigrants and colonists who have shaped the city we see today. Along the way, watch skilled street performers plying their trade the way they have for centuries. Admire Victoria’s traditional architecture and gain insight into the city’s colorful past.

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.

The Butchart Gardens is one of Victoria’s top attractions, and during the Christmas holiday season it comes alive with twinkling lights and beautiful illuminations. On this small-group tour—limited to 14 people—begin with pickup at your downtown Victoria hotel and enjoy a festive visit to the world-famous gardens. Sing along to traditional carols through the Twelve Days of Christmas display and enjoy a Christmas to remember in Victoria.

The Canadian city of Victoria has a rich British colonial history dating back to the Victorian era, evident in its striking architecture and historic landmarks. Explore the city in style by traditional horse-drawn carriage, and take in sites of interest such as James Bay— one of Vancouver Island's oldest neighborhoods—and the Salish Sea waterfront. As your horse clops along, enjoy fine views over Victoria to the Olympic Mountain range beyond.

Watch for wildlife along the scenic coast of Vancouver Island on a 3-hour boat tour from Victoria with an experienced marine naturalist. You’ll travel by high-speed catamaran with heated indoor cabins and outdoor decks, and scan the water for whales, seals, porpoises, sea lions, and many species of marine birds. This 3-hour wildlife tour departs from a central location in the heart of historic Victoria.

Set out on the Pacific Ocean off of Victoria, British Columbia, in search of whales on this half-day tour. Travel through the Haro Strait and the San Juan de Fuca Strait in search of Minke whales, humpback whales, and orcas. Ride in an-open top Zodiac boat, suitable for 12 passengers or fewer, to ensure up-close wildlife encounters and an intimate atmosphere.