Victoria and Butchart Gardens Tour with Gulf Island Ferry
Description
Embark on an unforgettable full-day tour through British Columbia’s most iconic sights, starting with a scenic ferry ride from Vancouver through the Gulf Islands to Vancouver Island. Along the way, keep an eye out for seals and whales as you cross the Georgia Strait. Upon arrival, visit the world-famous Butchart Gardens, where you’ll spend two hours exploring 50 acres of vibrant, year-round blooms in one of the world’s premier floral show gardens. Next, journey through historic Chinatown and the picturesque Inner Harbour on your way to downtown Victoria, BC’s capital city. Enjoy free time to explore Victoria’s top attractions, including the iconic Empress Hotel, the Royal BC Museum, and the BC Legislature. Along the way, your expert guide will share fascinating insights into the region’s rich history and cultural heritage. Book this unforgettable adventure today and experience the perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural charm!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Our accredited guide will meet you at the pickup location and accompany you to the BC Ferries terminal.
BC Ferries is the primary mode of transportation between Vancouver and Victoria. During the journey, you’ll enjoy stunning coastal views of the scenic Gulf Islands, with forested shorelines and tranquil waters. Keep an eye out for wildlife—seagulls often soar above the vessel, and if you're lucky, you might even spot sea lions lounging on rocky outcrops or swimming nearby. Onboard, BC Ferries offers a range of services to make your trip more enjoyable, including cafes, gift shops, comfortable seating areas, and outdoor decks where you can take in the fresh ocean air.
Step into a floral wonderland at The Butchart Gardens, one of Victoria’s most iconic attractions. Spanning over 55 acres of beautifully manicured landscapes, the gardens feature five distinct areas, including the enchanting Sunken Garden, vibrant Rose Garden, and tranquil Japanese Garden. Meander along winding paths, relax by serene fountains, and take in the seasonal blooms that delight visitors year-round. The peaceful drive through the countryside only adds to the charm of this unforgettable botanical experience.
Located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria is a city that blends old-world elegance with West Coast charm. As British Columbia’s capital, it offers a unique mix of colonial architecture, lush gardens, and a laid-back coastal lifestyle. With its mild climate and walkable downtown, Victoria is perfect for a day of relaxed exploration, culture, and scenic beauty.
One of Victoria’s most iconic highlights is the Inner Harbour—a picturesque waterfront hub surrounded by historic landmarks. Watch boats glide across the water, visit charming local shops, or take in views of the stately Fairmont Empress Hotel and the grand BC Legislature Buildings. Street performers, food vendors, and waterfront cafés bring the area to life, making it a must-see spot for first-time visitors and returning travelers alike.
Enjoy a peaceful return journey aboard the BC Ferry to Vancouver. Watch the sun dip below the horizon, casting golden light over the Gulf Islands and sparkling waters. The gentle ocean breeze, soft evening glow, and stunning coastal views create a calm, romantic atmosphere—perfect for reflecting on a day well spent.
Welcome back to Vancouver. Transfer back to your original pickup location or designated downtown drop-off point. Sit back and relax as we conclude the day’s journey—thank you for joining us!
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Our formal meeting point is 909 W Cordova St. We do offer the selected other pickup points if requested. We will contact the customers the day prior with the actual pickup time and locations, depending on the latest ferry schedules.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(24)
Great pace to the tour, with time to rest between walking sections. Friendly and knowledgeable guide, who made the tour informative and enjoyable. The sites were amazing and breathtaking.
4 of us booked a trip to Victoria and Butchart garden and we got emails and tickets saying that bus should leave at 9. However the day before the trip should start we got an email saying trip should start at 7 and in same email also stating starting at 9. We waited for the bus at 9 but no bus at 9. So we had to do a private tour. The operator and Tripadvisor reject our refund request.
Excellent tour, good communication from guide. Loved Victoria & Butchart Gardens, even in light rain! Lynn was a wonderful tour guide/bus driver!
The gardens are so beautiful, well worth the long trip from Deep Cove. So many stunning flowers, plants and trees to see and photograph.
Operator late for pick-up. Hot day with no aircon, only hot wind blowing. Gardens also not up to expectations.
The tour was wonderful sights and the tour guide / bus driver did a great job of providing relevant information. It is a really long tour starting at 7 AM and scheduled to end at 8 PM. The bus as a disaster. The passenger door didn’t fit and would not lock down without multiple tries. The A/C was not working so it hotter in the bus than outside. The worst part was the bus got a flat tire and rather than sending a new bus to pick us up to complete the tour. The company sent a tow truck to fit the flat tire which was adding about two hours more to the trip. Rather than wait we finally took an Uber back to our hotel at a cost of $44. I’m still recommending the tour but if you use this company hope you get a better bus.
The garden was beautiful, worth exploring we truly enjoyed that part of the tour. However, the transportation experience was horrifying, the bus didn’t have any air conditioning in the back of the bus and there were no windows to open. It was 94f/34c in the bus as we drove from the gardens to Victoria. We requested numerous times to have the air in the back increased. The air in front by driver was working, so he was fine and when we repeatedly mentioned how hot it was, he made it seem like we were just complaining. It was pure torture, like we were in a sweat box. It ruined our tour experience, we were so hot I had to create a fan to try and keep my kids cool. Once we got to Victoria we requested the driver fix the air conditioning, he mentioned when we returned to the bus fixing it wasn’t an option to fix. We asked if we could open emergency door hatch to get some air in the back. Driver wouldn’t allow it. On top of the air conditioning being broken, the bus was also smoking from burning oil smell, by the end of the tour I felt sick. It was truly a nightmare experience.
It was very good, the bus driver/ tour guide was very informative , it made the day interesting and pleasant. The gardens were so spectacular and so worth the long day. If you’re time constricted the day trip is good but a stay in Victoria would be better,allowing more time.
We traveled from Norway to Vancouver and wanted to visit Victoria and Butchart Gardens. All the emails we got up front and the tickets showed that the bus trip should start at 09:00 from the meeting point. But the bus left at 07:10 so we lost the bus.
Amazing but long day. Butchart Garden was spectacular. In Victoria we went to our guides lunch recommendation at Red fish Blue fish. So delicious. Finished our day on the terrace at the Fairmont in Victoria sipping wine. Lovely!
