Written by: Lori, Naturalist
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia and is one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. It is truly a city that comes alive in the spring as locals and visitors alike flock to its scenic beaches, blossoming flower gardens, and numerous tourist attractions. With endless activities to choose from it can be difficult for travellers to decide how to spend their time in our beautiful city. Fortunately, our hard-working team has picked 7 things to do in Victoria that you shouldn’t miss out on if you want to experience the city!
1. Experience the Wild with a Whale Watching Tour
Vancouver Island – and Victoria in particular – is one of the best places in the world to see some of the most spectacular animals on the planet – whales! Victoria is one of the best places in the world to see killer whales, humpback whales, sea lions, porpoises, and seals. Not only will you have the opportunity to see some incredible animals, but also landmarks, islands, and mountain ranges that make this part of the world so special and unique.
Book your whale watching/ tour with Orca Spirit!
2. Butchart Gardens
Boasting 55 acres of gardens and over 900 plant varieties, Butchart Gardens is a must-see while you’re in Victoria. Enjoy their sprawling gardens and ponds, and even stay for lunch or tea. The gardens change dramatically from season to season and are worth visiting throughout each transition.
Orca Spirit offers a whale watching and Butchard Gardens package so you can have the ultimate adventure day!
3. Butterfly Gardens
After you’ve travelled by sea on a covered vessel or zodiac and visited miraculous gardens, perhaps you would like to experience the jungle up close. Butterflies are just part of the experience at the butterfly gardens. In addition, there are also frogs, tortoises, tropical birds, fish, and more. At Orca Spirit Adventures we offer a package that includes whale watching, Butchart Gardens, and the butterfly gardens so you can experience the full range of what Victoria has to offer.
Are you ready to experience the butterfly gardens and a whale watching tour? Orca Spirit offers a full day of fun in Victoria with this package!
4. Harbour Air Panorama Tours
Combine any 3-hour whale watching tour with a 30-minute panoramic seaplane tour with Harbour Air. You’ll enjoy spectacular views of downtown Victoria, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Olympic Mountains.
If you’re looking for the ultimate thing to do in Victoria, this whale watching and seaplane tour is it! From sea to sky all on the same day.
5. Adrenaline Zipline
Adrenaline is certainly for the adventurous at heart. After exploring the Salish Sea on one of our vessels, top off the day by riding eight exhilarating ziplines over the sprawling Sooke hills. You’ll be travelling at nearly 60km per hour on an unforgettable adventure!
Get ready for an exhilarating day and when you’re ready to book, check out our whale watching and zipline package. You won’t want to miss this on your Victoria getaway!
6. Rent a Bicycle and Bike down Dallas Road
Are you looking to explore Victoria’s beautiful beaches and seaside views? Dallas road is Victoria’s 4 mile long scenic walkway along the ocean. It is a beautiful paved trail with multiple places to access the beach. It is a fantastic place to walk your dog or rent a bicycle and enjoy one of the most scenic waterfront views in Victoria. It is right at the edge of Beacon Hill Park as well, so you can enjoy Dallas Road right after a stroll through the ponds and gardens of this neighbouring park.
7. Tea at the Pendray Inn
With all of these active, outdoor things to do, it’s nice to find an opportunity to relax and unwind. Take a break from the hustle of daily life and enjoy a victorian-style cup of tea at the Pendray Inn and Tea House. Located by Victoria’s scenic harbour, this is a fantastic place to decompress before exploring all that Victoria has to offer.
There are so many things to do, see and explore in Victoria and we hope that this list offers you some ideas that will assist you in creating the perfect vacation. For tourists and locals alike, Victoria offers both the allure of city life and the beauty of the natural environment. We hope you’ll experience the wild with us through a whale watching tour from Victoria one of our many whale watching packages – and see the city in the process!
