Tours & Activities in Victoria
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide for Victoria, British Columbia.
Victoria is a vibrant city on the southern tip of Vancouver Island in the fair province of British Columbia (BC). A harmonious blend of urban and natural landscapes, a mild climate and a well reputed cultural and culinary scene draw visitors to this lively city year round.
Visitors arrive to the island by sea or by plane, each an opportunity to view the city from a unique perspective. The towering masts of private yachts glide into the Outer Harbour alongside ferries, buskers and vendors greet newcomers at the water's edge of the Inner Harbour, and the historic faces of the Provincial Parliament and Empress Hotel invite people to explore the city deeper.
CITYSCAPES
The friendly, relaxed pace of a walking tour is an enjoyable way start exploring Victoria from the Inner Harbour area. Excursions are available in many languages, all with opportunities to ask questions and make friends.
Visitors can wander though the Old Town district, a historic area imprinted by every period of Victoria's past. Journey back to a time when First Nations people made their home here and imagine the spirit of European explorers meeting them when they first came to this remote outpost. Visit the Hudson's Bay Company in its original location to relive the dreams of entrepreneurs starting a fur trading enterprise, and feel the fortunes of the gold rush, when the town grew from a population of 500 to 20,000 in a few short weeks. And in the country's oldest Chinatown, rediscover the dream that inspired people to find a new home in Canada.
Other parts of the city can be explored by booking a bicycle, motorcycle or limousine tour through a sightseeing service. Both Classic Limousine and Excel Limousine operate in Victoria but will take visitors sightseeing outside of the city as well, even across the straits to Vancouver and Seattle. Bus tours are a popular option for those who haven't booked ahead, giving visitors the opportunity to hop on and off at convenient locations, including the harbour, museums, galleries and historic sites.
Learn about specific aspects of Victoria's culture and history by taking a specialty tour. Garden tours are unsurpassed, especially with the inclusion of the world-famous Butchart Gardens. Discover a corner of Victoria's past with a mining tour or rail tour, or indulge on a culinary or brewery tour. Heidi Fink, an accomplished chef and writer, offers afternoon culinary tours in Chinatown.
LANDSCAPES
Victoria is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. The temperate climate makes it easy to include adventure in any visit, any time of year. The population of British Columbia, and specifically the island, is particularly eco-sensitive so there are plenty of opportunities to explore the landscape and wildlife in a low-impact manner. Enjoy the rugged coastline, ancient rainforest and rolling countryside on one of the many walking and hiking trails winding through the area. Ecosummer Expeditions takes visitors on short and multi-day excursions around the island, including expeditions into the vast wilderness along the West Coast Trail in Pacific Rim National Park.
The rugged terrain can also be traversed on a day-long trail ride or a longer pack trip. Guests can expect a relaxing experience travelling by horseback to spectacular vantage points. These same vantage points can also be reached by keen sports enthusiasts on mountain bikes. There are plenty of opportunities to rent cross-country, downhill and mountain bikes for all ages.
SEASCAPES
Victoria is an oceanic playground. Relaxed vacationers will enjoy sailing, fishing and wildlife viewing while adrenaline junkies can try all manner of exhilarating water sports.
Coastal British Columbia is well known for its magnificent sea life, particularly whales, dolphins, seals and sea lions. Many species inhabit this coastline but a glimpse of killer whales (also known as orcas) is an especially rewarding and unforgettable sight. Several seal-watching and whale-watching tour operators such as Orca Spirit Adventures work in this area, taking visitors up close to these gentle giants.
The deep, gentle straits around Victoria are calm enough for most water sports, including kayaking, kite boarding and surfing. Sea kayaking is a great way to enjoy the fresh ocean air and cool waters. Participants of all ages and athletic abilities can enjoy this invigorating sport.
Scuba diving and snorkelling excursions give adventurers the opportunity to explore the ocean from a unique vantage point. Dives can be taken from the coast or from a boat with many companies, including the Ogden Point Dive Centre. Novices need not worry, equipment and thorough instruction are provided, as well as the opportunity to gain various levels of certification. The cool waters are home to a great variety of marine life, providing an excellent opportunity to combine an exhilarating sport with close-up wildlife viewing. Specialty dives are also offered, including night diving and underwater photography opportunities.
SKYSCAPES
Victoria is a busy city, on land and sea. People bustle through the streets, motorboats buzz on the water and pods of whales travel along the coastline. View the activities from a unique perspective; rise above it all and float in silence while paragliding on the gentle air currents, or take a thrilling ride over the city on an airplane tour. Seaplanes depart from the Inner Harbour, carrying visitors over the city, straits and farther north along the coastline. Many operators, including Ocean Air Floatplanes and the Victoria Marine Adventure Centre, offer customized packages, allowing visitors to design their own adventures.
DO IT ALL
It is a difficult feat to experience all of Victoria's adventures in a short visit. An all-inclusive tour is an ideal way to maximize a vacation by creating the opportunity to see all of the major sites without pre-planning. Tour operators such as Anderson Vacations plan itineraries to include Victoria's major attractions, meals at popular restaurants and free time to be used by participants to return to a favourite site, do some shopping or take a leisurely stroll around the Inner Harbour.
Visitors arrive to the island by sea or by plane, each an opportunity to view the city from a unique perspective. The towering masts of private yachts glide into the Outer Harbour alongside ferries, buskers and vendors greet newcomers at the water's edge of the Inner Harbour, and the historic faces of the Provincial Parliament and Empress Hotel invite people to explore the city deeper.
CITYSCAPES
The friendly, relaxed pace of a walking tour is an enjoyable way start exploring Victoria from the Inner Harbour area. Excursions are available in many languages, all with opportunities to ask questions and make friends.
Visitors can wander though the Old Town district, a historic area imprinted by every period of Victoria's past. Journey back to a time when First Nations people made their home here and imagine the spirit of European explorers meeting them when they first came to this remote outpost. Visit the Hudson's Bay Company in its original location to relive the dreams of entrepreneurs starting a fur trading enterprise, and feel the fortunes of the gold rush, when the town grew from a population of 500 to 20,000 in a few short weeks. And in the country's oldest Chinatown, rediscover the dream that inspired people to find a new home in Canada.
Other parts of the city can be explored by booking a bicycle, motorcycle or limousine tour through a sightseeing service. Both Classic Limousine and Excel Limousine operate in Victoria but will take visitors sightseeing outside of the city as well, even across the straits to Vancouver and Seattle. Bus tours are a popular option for those who haven't booked ahead, giving visitors the opportunity to hop on and off at convenient locations, including the harbour, museums, galleries and historic sites.
Learn about specific aspects of Victoria's culture and history by taking a specialty tour. Garden tours are unsurpassed, especially with the inclusion of the world-famous Butchart Gardens. Discover a corner of Victoria's past with a mining tour or rail tour, or indulge on a culinary or brewery tour. Heidi Fink, an accomplished chef and writer, offers afternoon culinary tours in Chinatown.
LANDSCAPES
Victoria is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. The temperate climate makes it easy to include adventure in any visit, any time of year. The population of British Columbia, and specifically the island, is particularly eco-sensitive so there are plenty of opportunities to explore the landscape and wildlife in a low-impact manner. Enjoy the rugged coastline, ancient rainforest and rolling countryside on one of the many walking and hiking trails winding through the area. Ecosummer Expeditions takes visitors on short and multi-day excursions around the island, including expeditions into the vast wilderness along the West Coast Trail in Pacific Rim National Park.
The rugged terrain can also be traversed on a day-long trail ride or a longer pack trip. Guests can expect a relaxing experience travelling by horseback to spectacular vantage points. These same vantage points can also be reached by keen sports enthusiasts on mountain bikes. There are plenty of opportunities to rent cross-country, downhill and mountain bikes for all ages.
SEASCAPES
Victoria is an oceanic playground. Relaxed vacationers will enjoy sailing, fishing and wildlife viewing while adrenaline junkies can try all manner of exhilarating water sports.
Coastal British Columbia is well known for its magnificent sea life, particularly whales, dolphins, seals and sea lions. Many species inhabit this coastline but a glimpse of killer whales (also known as orcas) is an especially rewarding and unforgettable sight. Several seal-watching and whale-watching tour operators such as Orca Spirit Adventures work in this area, taking visitors up close to these gentle giants.
The deep, gentle straits around Victoria are calm enough for most water sports, including kayaking, kite boarding and surfing. Sea kayaking is a great way to enjoy the fresh ocean air and cool waters. Participants of all ages and athletic abilities can enjoy this invigorating sport.
Scuba diving and snorkelling excursions give adventurers the opportunity to explore the ocean from a unique vantage point. Dives can be taken from the coast or from a boat with many companies, including the Ogden Point Dive Centre. Novices need not worry, equipment and thorough instruction are provided, as well as the opportunity to gain various levels of certification. The cool waters are home to a great variety of marine life, providing an excellent opportunity to combine an exhilarating sport with close-up wildlife viewing. Specialty dives are also offered, including night diving and underwater photography opportunities.
SKYSCAPES
Victoria is a busy city, on land and sea. People bustle through the streets, motorboats buzz on the water and pods of whales travel along the coastline. View the activities from a unique perspective; rise above it all and float in silence while paragliding on the gentle air currents, or take a thrilling ride over the city on an airplane tour. Seaplanes depart from the Inner Harbour, carrying visitors over the city, straits and farther north along the coastline. Many operators, including Ocean Air Floatplanes and the Victoria Marine Adventure Centre, offer customized packages, allowing visitors to design their own adventures.
DO IT ALL
It is a difficult feat to experience all of Victoria's adventures in a short visit. An all-inclusive tour is an ideal way to maximize a vacation by creating the opportunity to see all of the major sites without pre-planning. Tour operators such as Anderson Vacations plan itineraries to include Victoria's major attractions, meals at popular restaurants and free time to be used by participants to return to a favourite site, do some shopping or take a leisurely stroll around the Inner Harbour.
Wildlife Tours
Historic Charm
Abigail's Hotel
A distinguished boutique bed and breakfast hotel located minutes from Victoria's picturesque Inner Harbour!
Limo Transport
All-inclusive Tours
Waterfront Hotel
