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Things To Do In Victoria, BC

Victoria is a friendly, interesting, and fun place to visit — a city of gardens that is very accessible and easy to explore. Victoria’s mild climate invites you to visit all year round! If you’re visiting for the first time, why not talk to our staff? We would be pleased to answer any questions and suggest activities in Victoria, British Columbia for a complete vacation experience.

The is close to excellent Victoria, British Columbia shopping districts — Chinatown, Government Street/Trounce Alley/Bastion Square and the Fort Street shopping district, also known as Antique Row. 

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Victoria, BC Lodging and Accommodations

The Boutiqe Room
For travelers who need extended-stay lodging, we have our Boutique Rooms. These rooms provide extra features and extra space that ensure comfort during a longer visit. More spacious than our Standard Room, our Boutique Rooms provide a comfortable alternative to home, year round.

The Suites
Our boutique suites offer charm and elegance at a very attractive price. From the oak paneling to the French doors and coronet drapery over the king- or queen-sized bed, our boutique suites are an elegant and cozy sanctuary for the night. Some boutique suites have a fireplace or a step-out balcony; all have an entertainment centre. The boutique suite bathroom offers granite counter tops with sleek, contemporary fixtures. The Hotel Boutique Suite is ideal for newly married couples.

Standard Room
For the budget conscious traveler we offer solid, comfortable accommodation at a competitive rate with our standard room. The standard room offers you a choice of two queen size beds or a single king size bed with luxurious duvets. Each standard room is finished in rich, warm earth tones with an 18″ television with full cable access in each room, plus complimentary coffee and tea service. There is an up to date information directory in each room to help you make the most of your stay in Victoria.

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Victoria’s Best

The Best in Downtown Victoria, BC Hotels

The Royal British Columbia Museum


The Royal British Columbia Museum is a place of discovery. Through three unique galleries, the Museum showcases the human and natural history of British Columbia, and features periodic exhibitions of international renown. Highly realistic and inviting displays, such as the Ice Age and Coastal Forest dioramas, provide visitors with a sense of having truly experienced the authentic settings of many exhibits.
    

The Butchart Gardens


World Famous family gardens celebrating its 100th year in bloom. Fifty-five acres of wonderful floral display are open to the public, offering spectacular views from the many paths that meander through the four main gardens.

Arbutus Ridge Golf Club

6,400 Yards, Par 71, Rating 72, Slope 131


Set atop a plateau overlooking the spectacular southern Gulf Islands, Arbutus Ridge Golf Club is a beautiful course that will please the eye as much as it pleases your discerning golfing appetite. Between the precision requirements of the opening hole of Arbutus to the raw power demands of it’s famous 18th hole, you will find a fantastic variety of rolling terrain, tree-lined fairways, manicured greens and breathtaking views that help make the Arbutus Ridge course a must-play of the south island.

The Butterfly Gardens


Enjoy hundreds of exotic free-flying butterflies, brightly coloured fish, tropical birds, hundreds of ornate plants including an exquisite orchid display. Meander along the pathways or take a free guided tour. A family treat and a photographer’s paradise. Explore a world of butterflies, plants, fish, and birds, en route to Butchard Gardens.
    

Craidarroch Castle


Craigdarroch Castle is a beautiful historic Victorian-era mansion, built in the 1890s by wealthy BC coal baron Robert Dunsmuir. It is now owned by the Craigdarroch Castle Historical Museum Society and almost totally funded by its 150,000 annual visitors.  

Ghostly Walks

Walking tours leave every night during summer at 7:30 from the Visitor Information Center on Wharf St.  Other tours are aso available and they can custom design a tour for groups.

Point Ellice House


1867 Heritage House and Gardens. Overlooking the waters of Victoria’s scenic Gorge Waterway, Point Ellice House is where the ‘locals’ go to enjoy Afternoon Tea!  
    

Royal London Wax Museum


While you are looking at them, they are looking back at you! In Victoria’s world of wax, you can visit the famous and infamous, from royalty to rogues with the real and the unreal. Feature scene: Event of the 20th Century.  
    

The Art Gallery Of Greater Victoria


Six contemporary wings feature more than 30 exhibitors a year with associated programs and special events. See the work of Emily Carr on permanent display, a king-sized doll house, North America’s only Shinto Shrine which complements the finest collection of Japanese art in Canada, and an impressive range of contemporary art.

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Getting to Victoria

By Sea

British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.
Frequent daily scheduled service is provided (passengers and all types of vehicles) between Tsawwassen (south of Vancouver) and Swartz Bay (north of Victoria), between Tsawwassen and Duke Point (south of Nanaimo) and between Horseshoe Bay (West Vancouver) and Departure Bay (Nanaimo). BC Ferries also serves the Gulf Islands and other ports in coastal BC. Buffet and/or full cafeteria service as well as other amenities are found on main-route ships.

Victoria San Juan Cruises
Daily passenger-only service between Bellingham, WA. and Victoria’s Inner Harbour (May to October only).

Victoria Express
Passenger ferry between Victoria and Friday Harbor on San Juan Island (2 1/2 to 3 hour crossing), and Victoria and Port Angeles, Washington (1 hour crossing). On the San Juan cruise, enjoy whale watching and marine wildlife adventures. Hotel and tour packages available for both Friday Harbor and Port Angeles. Online booking available.


Prince Of Whales
A truly unique way to travel between the harbours of Vancouver and Victoria. Aboard the stunning Ocean Magic between Vancouver and Victoria, you will have a +90% chance to view whales and other marine mammals in their natural habitat. The sheltered waters of the Canadian Gulf Islands and the American San Juan Islands have some of the most beautiful west coast scenery to be found. Our crew of professional naturalists will provide a fun and educational perspective of the local oceanographic, geographic and cultural features. The extraordinary approaches of both Vancouver Harbour and Victoria Inner Harbour provide guests with a truly unique experience. Dress warmly to enjoy the ocean air.

Black Ball Transport – M.V. Coho
The M.V. Coho is a vehicle and foot passenger ferry offering year-round daily service between the beautiful inner harbour of Victoria, BC and Port Angeles, WA, gateway to the Olympic National Park. Reservations available online or by phone. M.V. Coho website offers Great Value for Hotel & Attraction packages.

Victoria Clipper
Scheduled daily high-speed catamaran service (passengers only) between Seattle and Victoria harbours.

Washington State Ferry
Scheduled ferry service (passenger and vehicles) between Anacortes, WA. and Sidney, BC.

By Air

Harbour Air Seaplanes
Scheduled daily flights between Victoria and Vancouver and Gulf Island harbours. Daily tours of Victoria, the Gulf Islands, the San Juan Islands and the Olympic Peninsula.

Helijet International Inc.
Daily scheduled service from early morning to early evening serving Vancouver Harbor/Airport and Victoria Harbour. Fly in comfortable 12 and 23 passenger twin-engine Sikorsky helicopters.

Kenmore Air Seaplanes
Scheduled daily flights between Seattle and Victoria harbours.

Salt Spring Air
Scheduled flights between downtown Vancouver and Vancouver International Airport, and charter flights between Vancouver and the Gulf Islands.

West Coast Air Ltd.
Six scheduled daily flights Monday-Friday between Victoria and Vancouver Airport, Richmond floatplane base. Scenic tours and charters flights throughout coastal British Columbia, including whale watching and Victoria & Butchart Gardens flight tours. New convenient shuttle drop-off service available for Downtown Vancouver.

WestJet Airlines Ltd.
Scheduled daily flights linking Victoria with destinations across Canada. Including five daily flights from Calgary and five daily flights from Edmonton to Victoria.

Victoria International Airport Authority

By Ground

Motorcoach / Bus Companies

British Columbia Transit (Public Bus Service)
Public bus service for British Columbia.

Gray Line of Victoria
Victoria’s largest tour and sightseeing operator with bus tours to The Butchart Gardens, Victoria City Tours, Craigdarroch Castle, Empress Hotel High Tea and Whale Watching. Choose English double decker or deluxe mini-coaches for the best value in sightseeing tours. Scheduled services: Vancouver Island to Vancouver Airport pick-up/drop-off available. Charters available.

Pacific Coach Lines
Daily scheduled service between Vancouver, Vancouver International Airport and Victoria via BC Ferries. Victoria city tours.

Greyhound Vancouver Island Coach
Greyhound Vancouver Island Coach offers regularly scheduled service to Victoria from points throughout Vancouver Island. Charters available.

Tofino Bus
Regular scheduled pick ups in Victoria, Vancouver, Nanaimo and Tofino/Ucluelet. Once in Tofino enjoy the use of the Beach Bus, a local shuttle bus, to explore all the local sights.

Wilson’s Transportation & Victoria Guides
Full-service coaches, mini-coaches, vans, school buses of all sizes. Charter, rental and tours. Tour Guides.

Vehicle Rentals (Cars, Trucks, Vans)

Budget Car & Truck Rental of Victoria
Choose from over 1000 cars, trucks, vans and bicycles.

Discount Car & Truck Rentals
Full selection of new vehicles at competitive rates. Complimentary customer pick-up and return.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Competitive rates, current model cars, minivans and 4X4’s.

Island Auto Rentals
Rentals featuring cars, trucks and mini vans.
Island Auto Rentals

National Car and Truck Rentals
Car and truck rentals, minivans, sport-utility and more!

Thrifty Car Rentals
Rentals of both cars and trucks from economy through full-size, including minivans.

Recreation Vehicle (RV) Rentals

True North RV
A full-service recreational vehicle dealership specializing in the sales and service of recreational vehicles and also operates a quality motorhome rental fleet.

Other Transportation (Rail)

E&N Via Rail Canada Inc.
Via’s and E&N Railiner offers comfortable train transportation between Victoria and Courtenay. Discover Vancouver Island as only the train can show you. Affordable. Advance purchase discounts available. Scheduled services available. Hand-carried baggage only.

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We also Have Cottages…

If you own a cottage, you know the importance of having a place to get away and spend time with family and friends. Whether it is for a weekend, the summer or a full-time residence, a cottage is an investment in yourself and those you care about. You want to protect this investment, not only for financial reasons, but to preserve this special place and all its memories. If you live in or around Ontario, cottage insurance is an important way to ensure protection of your cottage and its contents.

Also known as recreational property insurance, cottage insurance covers the structure and contents of your cottage, much like homeowners insurance. There is a difference, however, in that insurers often take several factors into consideration when determining your policy. These are factors such as: how frequently the property is used, how often it is occupied and whether or not it is rented to others. Answering these questions will also help determine what kind of coverage you want. Sometimes, an insurer will only insure your cottage if they insure your primary residence as well.

Due to the fact that cottages are often only occupied part-time, insurance coverage differs from that of a regular homeowners policy. Coverage is usually provided as a named perils policy, rather than a comprehensive policy. This means that you have coverage for specific named risks such as fire, smoke damage or an explosion. Other certain risks, such as flooding or vandalism, may not be covered or may be more expensive or difficult to insure. This is usually because of the part-time occupancy; it can take longer for this kind of damage to be discovered, leading to greater repair expenses.

It is important to maintain liability coverage for your cottage, as well. This type of coverage protects you in case someone gets hurt on your property or if you cause damage to a neighbor’s property. Even if you are only there part of the year or on weekends, it’s impossible to predict when an accident may occur, so having adequate coverage is very important.

You will also want to find out what other specific items are covered (or not) through your policy. This includes outbuildings such as a garage, shed or boathouse. Items like these may not be included in the policy or may have limited coverage. Personal items and contents of your cottage may be covered, but only if they remain permanently there. Items that you take back and forth with you, such as clothing, would be covered under your regular homeowners policy. If you own a boat, canoe or other watercraft, this may also be covered or have limited coverage. Be sure to check with your agent to find out exactly what is covered and what is not, so there will be no surprises down the road.

Your cottage in Ontario is a source of relaxation, fun and great memories. Don’t leave any of that to chance by not obtaining proper and adequate insurance coverage. Whether is it part-time, full-time or only sometimes, your cottage is your home away from home and needs the same kind of consideration and protection. Contact an agent today to find out which policy is right for you. It is worth the effort and expense to protect your investment for yourself and those you love.