Victoria and Butchart Gardens 1-Day In-Depth Tour from Vancouver
Description
No Football Match Today? Here's the perfect way to spend your off-days around Vancouver & surrounding areas Discover the charm of beautiful Victoria, BC, on this full-day tour from Vancouver. Cruise through the stunning Gulf Islands on a scenic ferry ride, taking in breathtaking coastal views. Once in Victoria, explore the city’s highlights, from the historic Inner Harbor and Mile Zero landmark to vibrant Chinatown. Wander through the world-famous Butchart Gardens (or Butterfly Gardens during winter closures) and soak up the city’s relaxed coastal vibe. With picturesque streets, waterfront views, and cultural gems around every corner, this day promises unforgettable scenery and experiences. Make sure to share all your booking confirmations so your group can travel together seamlessly!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Start your day with a short drive to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal and get ready to sail through the beautiful Gulf Islands towards the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal. Keep your camera ready for seagulls, islands, whales and maybe even dolphins! Tour guide will arrange the itinerary. The BC ferries company that you will take on the tour will depend on which one is available on that day. Please ask the tour guide for more information.
Step into one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. The Butchart Gardens is a horticultural masterpiece, featuring themed gardens that range from vibrant floral displays to serene Japanese and Italian sections. Meander along pathways lined with colorful blooms, take in the fragrant scents, and enjoy the peaceful ponds and fountains. Perfect for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts alike, this garden is an iconic Vancouver Island destination that shouldn’t be missed. The temporary itinerary for the closure of Butchart Gardens during the period 19 Jan – 1 Feb 2026 we will visit Butterfly Garden instead.
Victoria’s Chinatown is Canada’s oldest and the second oldest in North America, full of history and cultural charm. Wander its narrow streets, admire ornate gates, and explore local shops, markets, and cafes. Surrounded by cultural landmarks and close to downtown Victoria, it’s a small but rich glimpse into the city’s heritage. Even a brief stop offers insight into Victoria’s vibrant multicultural past.
Victoria’s Inner Harbour is one of the most picturesque waterfronts in the world. Surrounded by historic architecture, charming cafes, and bustling docks filled with colorful boats, this area perfectly captures the city’s energy and charm. Stroll along the waterfront, watch seaplanes land, admire the Empress Hotel, and enjoy the relaxed yet vibrant coastal atmosphere. It’s a hub for sightseeing, shopping, and people-watching, making it a must-visit stop.
A true urban oasis, Beacon Hill Park is filled with manicured gardens, open green spaces, ponds, and even free-roaming peacocks. It’s the perfect place to stretch your legs, snap photos, and enjoy a quiet moment in nature without leaving the city. The park’s pathways lead to scenic viewpoints, providing a lovely contrast to the bustling city streets nearby.
Located within Beacon Hill Park, Mile Zero marks the starting point of the Trans-Canada Highway—the world’s longest national highway. Spanning a whopping 4,860 miles (7,821 kilometers), it runs across all 10 of Canada’s provinces, crossing the Rocky Mountains and the wide-open prairies of central Canada. Standing here, you can reflect on the scope of Canada’s vast landscapes while snapping photos at this iconic landmark. It’s a small stop with a big symbolic meaning, making it a fun and unique addition to your Victoria itinerary.
Conclude your day with a relaxing ferry ride from the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal back to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal in Vancouver. Reflect on the sights you’ve seen, from stunning gardens to historic streets, and enjoy the scenic views of the Gulf Islands once more. It’s a peaceful way to end a day of exploration.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
(1 Feb – 30 Apr 2026) 06:00 - Hyatt Regency Vancouver 06:05 - Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre 06:10 - Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 06:20 - Fairmont Waterfront 06:30 - Fairmont Pacific Rim 06:35 - Pan Pacific Vancouver 06:45 - River Rock Casino Resort (1 May 2026 – further notice) Pick-Up Time & Locations: 08:30 - Hyatt Regency Vancouver 08:35 - Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre 08:40 - Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 08:45 - Fairmont Waterfront 08:50 - Fairmont Pacific Rim 08:55 - Pan Pacific Vancouver 09:45 - River Rock Casino Resort Pickup time may differ from voucher start time. Confirm with operator after booking. Check “Meeting & Pick-up” for details. Arrive 5–10 mins early. Return time may vary depending on the itinerary, traffic, and weather conditions. Please allow a 5–10 minute window before and after your pick-up time, as the guide may arrive slightly early or late due to multiple stops. The drop-off locations are same as pick-up locations
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Age and Safety: Customers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Pregnant women may join if under 24 weeks by the trip's end.
- Tickets and Charges: City Passes and personal attraction tickets are not accepted. Attraction prices may change, and tickets are non-refundable.
- Booster Seats: For state law, Children under the age of 6 require a booster seat in order to participate in the tour group. Please understand that the violations and fines are borne by the guests themselves. There is no need for a booster seat for bus travel on the day of travel.
- Leaving the Group: If leaving the group early, inform the tour guide and sign a departure form. No refunds for unused portions.
- Gifts and Refunds: Gifts provided during the tour may change due to unforeseen factors like weather. Fees will not be refunded for changes.
- The perfect non-matchday escape for football fans
- The price in the system is US dollars including tax. If you need to pay in CAD dollars, all CAD dollar prices do not include 5% GST.
- Booking Details: Ensure all booking details (name, contact, flight info) are accurate. Errors will result in personal costs.
- Itinerary Changes:Tour operator reserves the right to adjust the itinerary for smooth operations.
- Health Requirements: Guests with disabilities must provide advance notice. Wheelchair-accessible buses are not guaranteed without prior approval.
- Tour Adjustments:The tour guide may alter schedules based on weather, traffic, or other conditions.
- Terms and Conditions: Terms and conditions may change—check the product website for updates.
- When Butchart Gardens is closed (January 19 – February 1, 2026), the itinerary will be adjusted to visit Victoria Butterfly Gardens for a 90-minute experience.
- Closed Attractions: If a scenic spot is closed, an alternative will be provided.
Reviews(228)
Brilliant trip and Jason was a fantastic tour guide, made the effort to show us everything and very knowledgable! We even got to spend extra time on the island as we made it to the ferry terminal for the earlier trip.
It is a long day. Expect a 12 hour day from start to finish. Most of it will be spent on the road or ferry. However, Alan, our guide was very kind, outgoing and accommodating to everyone’s needs. The markets at the ferry stations have an eclectic mix of shops and food stalls so you should be able to find something for everyone in your group. The ferry ride was pleasant and relaxing in both directions. The cafeteria line can get long so line up early. If you are just wanting a salad, sandwich or pre-prepared items (fruit, etc) on the ferry, you can skip the long line and just grab these items and pay. Butchart gardens was a wonderful way to spend 2 hours walking amongst the beautifully manicured grounds. My only regret is that there was only time enough to spend an hour in Victoria. Overall, a long but worthwhile experience.
Alan was a great guide on our trip to the Burchart Gardens and Victoria. He has a great personality and very easy to talk to. Demonstrated lots of patience with large group and was very accommodating. It was a long day but he was always happy and cheerful.
Tour guide was knowledgeable, kept schedule, caring about passengers, and did his best to make the experience a pleasant one. Also ensured we were all dropped off at convenient drop off points.
Tour guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and caring for his passengers. Ensured we were all dropped off at convenient drop off points late in evening.
I drive Jody young was out standing and he’s also a guy he was also outstanding but unfortunately it took way too long to get there and way too long to come back so we spent six hours traveling for a two hour step
It made seeing all the included sights very easy and everything was beautiful. Our tour guide, Joe, was excellent.
Thank you very much for your feedback! We are so happy to hear you enjoyed the service we've provided! We look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit!
The pick up location for us was convenient. The driver was professional and knowledgeable. The ride was a tight fit as the mimi bus was full and I'm slightly claustrophobic. Inner Harbour was a delightful stop, my husband and I stopped to sip a glass of wine and enjoyed watching the sea planes after taking a few pictures of the historical Parliment building. Butchart Gardens was inspiring, and peaceful. The imagination of Mrs Butchart to create such a magnificent sanctuary leaves me speechless. Simply stunning.
Thank you very much for your feedback! We are so happy to hear you enjoyed the service we've provided! We look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit!
Joe the guide did a great job. He was very organised, informative and friendly. A note for management: we received emails from you stating one pick-up time, and also texts from our guide stating a different time. This was an unnecessary confusion. This was the Company’s fault, not Joe’s. I thought you should be aware.
Thank you very much for your feedback! We are so happy to hear you enjoyed the service we've provided! We look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit!
Joe did a great job guiding us through all the traffic and rain. Some narration a little hard to understand but he was full of so much information and wanted to make sure we heard it all! Great tour.
Thank you very much for your feedback! We are so happy to hear you enjoyed the service we've provided! We look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit!
