Top Vancouver Island Half-day Tours

Take a sweet-smelling stroll through Victoria’s famous Butchart Gardens, spanning 55 acres (22.2 hectares) of beautifully designed flower beds, lily ponds, footbridges, and thematic landscapes. With a convenient pickup location and a flexible return shuttle schedule, it’s an easy way to experience one of Victoria’s most popular attractions. Visit during summer or holiday season evenings to witness special luminous displays that add an extra touch of enchantment to the gardens.

Experience an up-close encounter with northern Pacific marine life on a 3-hour whale watching cruise off Victoria’s coast. Travel out into the open ocean aboard a comfortable, motorized boat to look for native species like humpback whales, gray whales, orcas, elephant seals and sea lions in their natural habitat. Learn about local marine ecology from a naturalist guide, and take in fantastic views of Vancouver Island in between animal sightings.

Explore British Colombia’s Victoria by pedicab with a guide on this 3-hour tour of the city, including convenient pickup and drop-off at the cruise ship terminal. Travel through one of Victoria’s oldest neighborhood, James Bay, to one of its oldest grocers. Then pass through Beacon Hill Park, and see the peacocks there. Plus, catch a glimpse of the famous Empress Hotel.

Share the waters with whales, orcas, and more on a wildlife watching tour. In addition to animal sightings, the aquatic adventure also offers great views of the San Juan and Gulf Islands, plus the Howe Sound. Stay warm inside the cabin, where you can purchase snacks and drinks. Your ticket comes with a whale sighting guarantee, with a free tour should you not spot any whales.

Discover the wines of the Cowichan Valley on a wine tour from Victoria, and taste your way through part of Vancouver Island's fascinating wine trail. You’ll visit three wineries for tastings and tours, and enjoy lunch at a boutique winery surrounded by rolling vineyards. This wine tour includes round-trip transport from downtown Victoria, lunch, and tastings, for the perfect introduction to Vancouver Island wine.

FOOD, WINE and SPECTACULAR SCENERY. We LOVE this revised tour to REFLECT COVID-19.Join Island Time Tours for a lovely relaxing adventure exploring the Cowichan Valley. We visit 3 (4 if time permitting) of the prettiest vineyards and do our own thing to avoid any line-ups. We offer you a wonderful experience at each vineyard.. First stop includes bubbly with orange juice (optional) w/ fresh warm bake goods. Relax, inhale and take in this beautiful countryside. LUNCH is filled with afternoon tea delights with WINE served weather permitting in the great outdoors. Dessert w/wine complete this tour at another picturesque vineyard. Great food, award winning wines and spectacular beauty. Let's go!

Explore Victoria's history and culinary scene on this walking tour of the British Columbian city. Follow a guide to highlights such as the Parliament Buildings, the Inner Harbor Causeway, Trounce Alley, Bastion and Market squares, Fan Tan Alley, the Harmonious Gates of Interest, and the Victoria Public Market. Along the way, stop for between food tastings of craft beer, chocolate, tea, tapas, cheese, bread, olive oil, and other local products.

Discover why British Columbia is one of the best places in the world to see whales and other marine wildlife on this 3-hour tour with Eagle Wing Tours at Victoria’s Fisherman’s Wharf. Hop aboard a comfortable semi-covered or open boat and help support Eagle Wing’s many conservation, education and research activities! Let certified and knowledgeable naturalists be your guides to the stunning wildlife and natural history of the Salish Sea. Watch for seals, sea lions, otters and porpoises as well as bald eagles and a mind-boggling assortment of marine birds. Hoping for something bigger? There’s always a chance to see humpback, killer, minke or grey whales!

Raise a glass to Victoria’s thriving craft beer culture on a guided brewery tour! Join a local beer-loving guide on a unique brewery tour the city’s finest boutique and small-batch breweries. Ride aboard a ‘brew bus’ to discover the hippest, hoppiest spots where locals go to enjoy a cold one, and sample seasonally inspired pilsners, porters, IPA’s and more.

North 48 Bicycles offers unforgettable guided bicycle tours in the Victoria BC region. Our rides range from Easy to Epic, and we cater to all manner of road cyclists from beginner to expert. Our groups are small (6-8 riders), and are led by experienced, knowledgeable guides. Our daily tours are all-inclusive, including bike, helmet, pre-ride coffee and snacks. Our bike fleet is from the world-renowned Colnago brand, and we offer the endurance-oriented CX Zero in aluminum (including women-specific geometries), as well as the race-oriented AC-R in full carbon. We start and end in historic Market Square, returning in time for a late lunch allowing you the rest of the day to enjoy Victoria. We have teamed up with other great Victoria companies to offer a full west coast experience.

Discover some of British Columbia’s most scenic and unspoiled stretches of land and water—and admire its wealth of wildlife—on this small-group, half-day boat tour. Choose from morning or afternoon tour times, and make your own way to Campbell River, where you’ll hop aboard. You can look out for orcas, humpback whales, grizzly bears, dolphins, sea lions, and more, and will learn all about the region’s history and habitats from your guide’s commentary.

Many whale-watching cruises stick close to the shoreline, but this small-group tour increases your chances of seeing whales by heading out onto the open ocean. Cruise by the Carmanah lighthouse, Sea Lion Rock and the West Coast and Juan de Fuca Trails while keeping your eyes peeled for telltale blows, as well as black bears, deer, bald eagles and other wildlife.

We'll cruise the local inlets, bays, and tidal rapids in search of large marine animals. we'll provide you with snacks and refreshments while we look for humpback whales,orcas, playful sea lions, harbour seals, colourful seabirds, and maybe even catch dolphins riding our wake.

Go whale watching in Victoria on a 12-passenger boat that’s designed for seeking out whales and marine wildlife on Vancouver Island’s spectacular coast. With a heated cabin, onboard bathrooms, and outdoor viewing decks, this whale watching tour is a comfortable alternative to an open speedboat that still provides the maneuverability and personal experience of a small craft while searching for orcas, humpback whales, minke whales, seals, and more.

We are Island locals and we want to share some of our wilderness with you! Experience breathtaking mountain viewpoints, amazing valleys with waterfalls, pristine rivers, lakes, rainforest. Wildlife viewing opportunities include Eagles, Black Bear, Roosevelt Elk and more. Your safety and comfort is our top priority. RIde along as passengers and have our local professional guides chauffeur you through the temperate rainforests on Vancouver Island. This is a must do experience for all, reserve your spot today. Our tours are great for friends, families and couples. Book your private tour, vacation, celebration or event today!

Get up close and personal with the ocean and its incredible marine wildlife during this whale watching excursion from Victoria. Climb onboard a Zodiac boat equipped with padded bench seats and cruise the sea at up to 35-knots while your marine naturalist explains the area and animals around you. Head for the Juan de Fuca and Haro Strait and lookout for humpback whales, otters, seals sealions, and birds.

Join us on a Whale and Wildlife tour as we explore the waters of the Salish Sea, Discovery Passage, and Johnstone Strait. With an abundance of wildlife in our area, we are likely to encounter Humpback Whales, Killer Whales, Pacific White-Sided Dolphins, Bears, Steller Sea Lions, and so much more. While we can’t guarantee all of these animals on every tour, we take pride in each of our tours and take every opportunity to show our guests everything that is possible during their tour.

Dedicate a morning to whale-watching in Desolation Sound and the Salish Sea with this small-group, family-friendly experience. You'll head out to look for whales on a high-speed zodiac boat, with plenty of stops along the way to take pictures and see historical sites. As an added bonus, snacks and soft drinks will be served to all.

Trade your cruise ship for a whale-watching vessel on a 3-hour shore excursion from the port of Victoria. Travel into the open waters of the northern Pacific Ocean to spot native marine life including orcas, humpback whales, harbor seals and minke whales. Learn about British Columbia’s amazing aquatic ecosystems from onboard naturalist guides, who will help point out passing species along the way. It’s an exciting and educational voyage for the whole family!

Immerse yourself in some of British Columbia’s s most spectacular seascapes—and enjoy an active way to explore—on this small-group, half-day Ucluelet Harbour kayaking tour. Pick from several convenient start times, meet your guide on the waterfront, and get acquainted with your gear. Then, set off on the water. You’ll learn about the region’s history and biodiversity, look out for wildlife like bears and eagles, and otherwise soak up the scenery.

Search for Vancouver Island's marine wildlife on a whale-watching tour by Zodiac boat that takes in the Salish Sea, Discovery Passage, and Johnstone Strait. Since Zodiacs are more nimble than large vessels, you’ll be able to maneuver for views of animals such as humpback whales, orca whales, dolphins, bears, sea lions, and more. The open-sided boats also offer unobstructed vistas, ideal for photographing animals in their dramatic natural habitats.

Tour the through the beautiful Discovery Passage and Seymour Narrows, and witness the history and beauty the coast has to offer. Common visitors on these tours are the friendly harbour seals, shy Harbour Porpoises, and the Mighty Bald Eagle. If we're lucky we will be greeted by our larger friends, such as humpbacks, orca's and pacific white-sided dolphins!

Join us on a 6 hour Whale Watching Tour as we explore the waters of the Salish Sea, Discovery Passage, and Johnstone Strait. With an abundance of wildlife in our area, we are likely to encounter Humpback Whales, Killer Whales, Pacific White-Sided Dolphins, Bears, Steller Sea Lions, and so much more. On this tour you will enjoy: Traveling to see a variety of nature and wildlife in a well maintained, 12 passenger vessel Nature interpretation by your certified Naturalist Guide and Captain Onboard washroom An onshore lunch of fresh made wraps, snacks of homemade baked goods and granola bars, and beverages such as coffee, hot chocolate, tea, and water. Great opportunities to safely use cameras and binoculars (tripods not recommended)

We are Island locals and we want to share some of our wilderness with you! Experience breathtaking mountain viewpoints, amazing valleys with waterfalls, pristine rivers, lakes, rainforest. Wildlife viewing opportunities include Eagles, Black Bear, Roosevelt Elk and more. Your safety and comfort is our top priority. RIde along as passengers and have our local professional guides chauffeur you through the temperate rainforests on Vancouver Island. This is a must do experience for all, reserve your spot today. Our tours are great for friends, families and couples. Book your private tour, vacation, celebration or event today!