Victoria & 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 in advance. 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(55)
That garden tour was just what we wanted. Ferry trip was already included in the price and wow the gardens were so beautiful. Could have stayed there forever. A++ experience!
I am so happy I booked this garden tour. The place was just stunning. Beautiful plantlife and scenery. I could spend hours just sitting and admiring the place. What’s nice is it came with a ferry ride with the price so I didn’t have to worry about booking the ride too which made it super convenient. Highly recommend you try it.
A great and hassle free way to see Vancouver island, Victoria and Butchart Gardens all in one day. Comfortable bus with AC. Mark was a great and personable guide who with wit gave great tips and vignettes of history which all made for a great day out.
Everything was well organized from Vancouver and it was nice being able to sit back and enjoy the scenery instead of worrying about transportation. Butchart Gardens was the highlight for us. We found it to be absolutely beautiful and much bigger than we expected. We also enjoyed having some free time in Victoria before heading back.
Great value for the money…long day, but well worth it. Guide Jay was SUPER!!
Bus driver was very prompt and helpful. He explained the tour and history of the gardens and Vancouver and Victoria Islands as well. The gardens were beautiful and well worth the visit; exceded our expectations.
Everything was going well and our driver/tour guide was very nice and informative up until the van we were riding broke down on our way back from the trip. There should be proper maintenance and regular checkup of the vehicle to ensure safety of the passengers and driver. Fortunately, all passengers were accorded with a taxi ride back to their hotels within 30 minutes after the vehicle mishap.
Thank you so much for your review. We're so glad you enjoyed the tour! We're sincerely sorry about the mechanical issue. The vehicles go through regular checks through a government licensed facility and also get inspected daily before they go out. Unfortunately, sometimes issues can arise despite that. We really hope the rest of the experience made up for it. We hope you had a great time in Victoria.
My family and I really enjoyed the trip. Our tour guide Suki was very good. I would definitely recommend this tour.
Thank you for your kind feedback! We're delighted to hear that you and your family enjoyed the trip. It's wonderful to know that Suki provided such a great experience. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you on another tour in the future!
It was a great experience! Even though it was a long, but having so much fun and all new experiences from the ferry ride, the Butchart Gardens were great and the walk around the island was so much fun! I had great seafood Lunch! It was all a great experience and our driver Mark was great too! I recommend this tour
Thank you for sharing your wonderful feedback! We’re so happy to hear that you had a great experience and enjoyed every part of the tour, from the ferry ride and the beautiful Butchart Gardens to exploring the island and enjoying a delicious seafood lunch. We’re also delighted to hear that Mark helped make your journey even more enjoyable. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again for another memorable adventure soon!
Tour guide was very kind and helpful.
We're so glad to hear :)
