Visiting Vancouver Island is a one-of-a-kind experience. The island, lying off the mainland of British Columbia, Canada, offers rugged beauty and breathtaking scenery, outdoor adventures, and spectacular natural attractions.
At the southernmost tip of Vancouver Island, you’ll find Victoria BC, the Provincial capital of British Columbia. With plenty of things to do in Victoria BC, you can plan your visit to the island to be as busy or as relaxed as you like.
15 Things To Do in Victoria BC
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Use Victoria as your homebase while visiting Vancouver Island and discover all of the amazing things to do around Victoria BC during your visit. Did you know that US News Travel ranks Victoria as #7 in Best Places to Visit in Canada, #8 in Best Cheap Romantic Getaways and #11 in Best Family Vacations in Canada?
Clearly it is a vacation destination you should add to your bucket list whether you are looking for a couples getaway or fun excursions that the whole family will love.
1. Take the Ferry from Vancouver, Canada to Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island, located in the Pacific Ocean, is about 60 miles to the west of mainland Vancouver, British Columbia. There is plenty to explore on the island and things to do in Victoria on the southern tip and Port Hardy in the north. Tofino lies to the west and Campbell River to the east.
If you are looking specifically for things to do around Victoria BC, you’ll want to take the ferry from Tsawwassen to reach the Swartz Ferry Terminal on Vancouver Island. It takes about an hour and a half by ferry.
Once you exit the ferry at the Swartz Ferry Terminal, get in line for the Pacific Stage Line Bus to Victoria. You could also go by shuttle or taxi or make arrangements for family or friends to pick you up.
2. Rent a Car for Day Trips from Victoria BC
You can rent a car in Victoria for some amazing day trips from Victoria BC as well.
There are so many places to visit in Victoria BC that you’ll want to be free to explore at your leisure. From Victoria, you can go north, west and east on your own schedule with a rental car.
3. Go on a Whale Watching Excursion

The peak season for spotting whales off the Canadian coast is from May through October. However, it is possible to see whales any time of the year.
In fact, Victoria is considered to be one of the ideal places for whale watching in Canada and around the world. The coastal waters make the perfect environment for whales and a variety of marine species.
You can go on boat tours, airplane tours, kayak tours, ferry tours, whale watching tours and maybe even spot a whale or two from the shore. An ideal spot for viewing from the shore is Race Rocks Lighthouse. This would be one of the ultimate day trips from Victoria BC!
4. Explore Fisherman’s Wharf and the Inner Harbour in Victoria

“Just around the corner from Victoria’s Inner Harbour, Fisherman’s Wharf is a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered. This unique marine destination offers food kiosks, unique shops and eco-tour adventures in a working harbour setting. Wander down the to the docks with your lunch, buy seafood fresh off the boat, check out the unique array of commercial, pleasure vessel and float home moorage, watch the commercial fishing vessels unload their wares, become a pirate, view wild seals and so much more!”
One of the fun things to do in Victoria BC is to visit the harbor and watch the seaboats landing and taking off. And yes, you can book direct flights from the mainland in Vancouver to Victoria. A scenic seaplane adventure is a fantastic way to explore Victoria from above.
Discover the Harbor and Fisherman’s Wharf on foot as you stroll past the Fairmont Empress, listed as one of National Geographic Magazine’s “Top 21 Iconic Hotels”. Join the Fairmont Empress for a spot of afternoon tea as one of the “cultural” best things to do in Victoria BC.
If you are visiting in the summer months, you can also enjoy festivals, panoramic skyline views, shows and music.
5. Take an “H20” Taxi in Victoria Harbor

The water taxis are pretty cool things to do around Victoria BC as they transport you to any of the 12+ designated ferry stops within the harbor and surrounding waterways. If you explored the harbor on foot, relax with a taxi ride back to your starting point.
6. Dallas Road Walk – Starting at Ogden Point Sundial

The flat paved walking path alongside Dallas Road, a waterfront street running from St. Charles Street in the Fairfield neighborhood to Erie Street in the James Bay area, makes the perfect place for an afternoon walk.
With views overlooking the beaches and ocean, you’ll love the stretch of path that starts at the Ogden Point Sundial to Clover Point. It is one of the perfect places to visit in Victoria with picturesque views.
On clear days, you get incredible views of the snow-capped Olympic Mountains (in Washington State across the Juan de Fuca Strait), outlined clearly against the blue sky. This trail is ideal for a sunset walk as it faces southwest, and on a windy day you can watch paragliders gliding above the cliff’s edge.
- Distance: 3.6 miles (6 km) roundtrip; 1.8 miles (3 km) each way
- Time: About 60 to 90 minutes at a regular walking pace
- Difficulty: Easy
7. Explore Beacon Hill Park
If you walk the Dallas Road Walk, break off at Douglas Street to explore Beacon Hill Park.
Beacon Hill Park boasts almost 200 acres of manicured flower beds with native Garry Oak meadows, sprawling lawns, and ponds with plenty of places to stop along the trails to rest or enjoy a picnic.
You’ll find parking on Dallas Road as well as on some side streets around the park.
Looking for something a little more adventurous? There are plenty of easy walks and hikes in Victoria.
8. Visit Craigdarroch Castle

Take a step back in time to the 1890s to Craigdarroch, meaning “rocky oak place” in Gaelic. This upper class home built by Robert and Joan Dunsmuir was considered a “castle” due to its luxurious interior and exterior.
This imposing castle has been meticulously restored and is now a National Historic Site and gives visitors a peek into the life of a privileged family and is one of the places to visit in Victoria. The Dunsmuirs were considered to be the wealthiest people in British Columbia at the the time Craigdarroch’s construction.
Schedule a tour today. You’ll find Craigdarroch Castle just off Fort Street on Joan Crescent—a twenty minute walk from downtown Victoria.
9. Take a Carriage Ride for Unique Things to Do In Victoria BC

Enjoy a classic and unique experience as you discover the beauty and many unique things to do around Victoria BC. Relax and be charmed by the historical tales, local folklore and scenic beauty of Victoria in a horse-drawn carriage with your tour guide. Tickets are available through a variety of companies online.
For a FREE tour of the downtown during the holidays, the Victoria Business Association offers horse-drawn trolleys that circulate through downtown. It’s another unique, yet charming way to explore things to do around Victoria BC, enjoy the scenery, get in the holiday spirit, and have a rest.
10. Markets
It is always fun to experience the local markets anywhere you visit. Whether you are looking for farm fresh produce, local artisans and crafts, or baked goods and treats, you’ll be sure to find something to suit your fancy at the markets (Saturday and otherwise) in and around Victoria.
- James Bay Market – Corner of Menzies and Superior in James Bay
- Oaklands Sunset Market – Oaklands Community Centre, 2827 Belmont Avenue
- Moss Street Market – Moss Street
- Bastion Square Public Market – Bastion Square: Wharf Street to Government Streets
- Victoria Public Market at the Hudson – The Hudson, 6-1701 Douglas Street
11. Marvel at Butchart Gardens

Butchart Gardens is a National Historic Site on Vancouver Island. As one of the best things to do in Victoria BC, you will find that the gardens offer an explosion of color all year long and are a feast for your senses.
Except for maybe a few fallen leaves in the fall, the gardens are immaculate and weed free. One section of the garden is filled with dahlias in an explosion of color and varieties. Another area with roses.
With humble beginnings as a quarry, these immaculately kept gardens are tended by 50+ full-time gardeners who care for 55 acres, 900 varieties of bedding plants, and 26 greenhouses.
No matter the time of the year, there is always something blooming in Canada’s treasured garden. And whether you spell it colorful or colourful, you’ll be delighted by what you see.
If you choose to visit on your day trips from Victoria BC, plan for at least four hours to wander through the gardens and give yourself plenty of time to explore these highlights:
- Ross Fountain
- Rose Garden
- Japanese Garden
- Star Pond
- Italian Garden
- Mediterranean Garden
12. Visit Fisgard Lighthouse

Fisgard Lighthouse is a National Historic Site located on Fisgard Island. The lighthouse is accessed via the historic Fort Rodd Hill, a coast artillery fort overlooking the entrance to Esquimalt Harbour. The lighthouse is definitely one of the places to visit in Victoria that isn’t too far from the city.
The lighthouse was built in 1860 and was the first lighthouse built on Canada’s western coast. You can tour the former keeper’s house to see hands-on displays, exhibits, children’s games, and artifacts. The lighthouse is still in operation today.
13. See Niagara Falls at Goldstream Provincial Park
Goldstream Provincial Park is just 10.6 miles (17 km) from Victoria. The hike to Niagara Falls—not to be confused with the famous falls in Eastern Canada—is just a short distance from the day-use parking lot off of Highway #1. The falls are narrow and drop over 150 feet (47.5 meters). Follow the posted signs to reach Niagara Falls.
14. Experience the Salmon Run

Goldstream Provincial Park happens to be a great place to witness the spectacular salmon run each fall. See the FAQs below for additional information.
The park provides an interpretive trail and observation platform perfect for viewing the salmon run. To cut down on the glare from the water, it is recommended that you wear sunglasses with polarizing lenses. From mid-October to early December, you are likely to witness the salmon working their way upstream or digging their redds, or nests, in the gravel.
Keep an eye out for bald eagles that love to feast on the salmon.
For more ideas on what to pack for your trip to Victoria BC, visit my Amazon Store.
15. Buy Timbits at Tim Hortons Donuts

Buying donuts is always on my girls’ wish list. And Timbits at Tim Hortons in Canada is a must. There are a number of Tim Hortons Donuts places to visit in Victoria to satisfy your donut cravings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Vancouver Island from Vancouver?
Taking the ferry is the most common way to travel from Vancouver to Vancouver Island and on to Victoria, BC. You catch the ferry at Tsawwassen for the 1.5 hour ride to Swartz Bay on BC Ferries. Once you exit the ferry at the Swartz Ferry Terminal, get in line for the Pacific Stage Line Bus for the ride to Victoria. You can also take a taxi, shuttle or car.
What is the best time to visit Vancouver Island?
While August is the hottest month with temps possibly reaching the mid-80s, anytime between mid-May to October is a good time to plan a visit.
What are the rainiest months on Vancouver Island?
November and December are the wettest months on the island.
What is the salmon run and when can I see it?
This fascinating event is when salmon that have migrated to the ocean, return to inland rivers and streams of their birth to spawn a new generation. Mid-October to December is the best time to witness the salmon run.
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Final Thoughts on 15 Best Things To Do in Victoria BC
If you are looking for cool places to visit in Victoria while exploring Vancouver Island, be sure to plan a few places to visit in Victoria as well as day trips from Victoria BC.
Victoria is rich in history, boasts a temperate climate all year long, offers culture and charms and is small enough that many of the main attractions are within easy walking distance of the city center. It makes the perfect destination for travel anytime of the year.
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The area behind Butchart Gardens used to be something of a “ghost town” (Tod Inlet). I totally didn’t spend my teen years exploring that ghost town and hopping the fence into the Gardens, absolutely not! ?
Butchart Gardens reminds me of a different era altogether. So beautiful.
I can’t wait to explore Canada this summer!
Definitely saving this one, so many cool things to do!
I have been to those gardens when I took an Alaskan cruise and they simply took my breath away. One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen!
Amazing!! I would love to see the salmon run one day xx
Would love to have a whale-watching excursion one day!