Take a Victoria Tour on Land or Water

Whether by vehicle, rail or horse-drawn carriage, there are myriad ways to take in Victoria's beautiful scenery. Here is a sampling of some of the most popular Victoria tours.

City and Garden Tours

Many companies in Victoria offer tours that will show you the best sights the city has to offer.

• Royal Blue Motor Tours – City or Butchart Garden Tour, Phone: (250) 360-2249
• Chemainus Tours – Eco/Sightseeing Van or Bus Tour of the Cowichan Valley, Phone: (250) 246-5055 or (250) 381-5109
• Hidden Dragon Entertainment and Tours – Explore Victoria's Old Chinatown on foot with local tour guides, taking in the history and sights of the district. A gourmet eight-course authentic Chinese dinner is included. Phone: (250) 920-0881
• Adventures Victoria – Join a field trip in town and country for those aged 50-80, Phone: (250) 595-5777 or 1-800-595-0388
• Discover the Past Tours – Year-round guided walking tours of Victoria by historian and author John Adams, Phone: (250) 384-6698
• Victoria Bobby Walking Adventures – A leisurely stroll around the Old Town with a former English Bobby, writer and storyteller, Phone: (250) 995-0233
• Gray Line of Victoria offers many sightseeing tours of Victoria, including The Grand City Drive Tour, a must to round out any visit to Victoria, Phone (250) 388-5248 or 1-800-663-8390
• Kabuki Kabs – Three-wheeled, pedal-powered vehicles-for-hire provide historical and sightseeing tours from a unique vantage point, Phone (250) 385-4243
• Victoria Inner Harbour Ferry – Renowned for its informative tours and friendly skippers. Discover Victoria's waterfront and enjoy a 45-minute tour, which leaves every 15 minutes.
• Harbour Air Seaplanes – Enjoy sightseeing on an air tour by seaplane! View panoramic views of the rugged West Coast.
• Travel with Taste Culinary Walking Tour …An urban forage by foot discovering culinary tour expert Kathy McAree’s favorite shops and cafés starting at 11:00am on Saturdays, May through September, Phone (250) 385-1527

Train Tours

Enjoy a scenic trip from Victoria to Duncan, Nanaimo and beyond, and return the same day with E&N Railway, one of the few remaining operational railways. Phone: 1-800-665-8630 for more information.

Horse-Drawn Carriage Tours

Tally-Ho Sightseeing: Enjoy a romantic 1-hour tour of downtown Victoria's Inner Harbour on a private horse-drawn carriage with Victoria's original horse-drawn carriage company. Phone (250) 514-9257 or 1-866-383-5067 for more information.

Victoria Carriage Tours: Take a tour through the streets of Victoria in a traditional decorative carriage. Phone (250) 383-2207.

Ocean Adventures

Whale Watching

Spring Tide Whale Watching offers a guided 3.5-hour expedition that takes you through the San Juan and BC Gulf Islands in search of Orcas and other interesting marine wildlife. Free shuttle pick-up by arrangement at the hotel. Phone (250) 384-4444 or 1-800-470-3474 or contact us for reservations.

Eagle Wing Whale Watching offers an educational and eco-friendly experience for the discerning traveler. View orcas (killer whales), gray whales, eagles, sea lions and porpoises. Free shuttle pick-up by arrangement at the hotel. Phone (250) 384-8008 or contact us for reservations.

Kayaking

Experience a 3-hour guided tour of Vancouver Island's coastal waters with Seawolf Kayaking Tours. Setting out from Oak Bay, you will paddle along some of Victoria's most picturesque shorelines. Full, half day and hourly kayaking tours are available to suit everyone from the novice to the experienced. Phone (250) 294-8424 or contact us for reservations.

Sailing

Blackfish Wilderness Expeditions offers sailing training courses, tours and crewed sailing charters of the Gulf and San Juan Islands. Full day and half day introduction to sailing cruises are available. Phone (250) 216-2389.

Victoria Marine Adventure Center

Day trips depart from this marina in the Inner Harbour for seaplane rides, sport fishing, whale watching, boat rentals and kayaking. A one stop shop. Phone (250) 995-2211.

Scuba-Diving

Discover the magic beneath Victoria's Inner Harbour. Book a scuba excursion with one of these recommended full-service scuba diving facilities.

• Ocean Sports caters to dive charters, daily trips and scuba diving holidays. Phone: (250) 475-2202 or 1-800-414-2202 for more information.
• Ogden Point Dive Center offers weekend dive charters, daily trips, scuba diving holidays and dive education. Phone: (250)380-9119 or 1-888-701-1177 for more information.