10 City Tours in Vancouver Island That You Shouldn't Miss

August 5, 2021 Diedre Savory

Discover the best top things to do in Vancouver Island, Canada including Private Tour: Victoria and Butchart Gardens Day Trip, Picturesque Victoria City Highlights Private Tour, Private Small Group Tour of Victoria & Butchart Gardens, The Ultimate Group Package Tour of Victoria, Vancouver City Tour with Taste of India, Downtown Victoria Food & City Tour, Time Efficient Luxury City Tour of Victoria, Historical Chinatown Walking Tour, Victoria to Vancouver Seaplane Flight, Victoria Panorama Seaplane Tour.
Restaurants in Vancouver Island

1. Private Tour: Victoria and Butchart Gardens Day Trip

Vancity Tours
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Take a scenic ocean ferry ride to discover the capital of British Columbia on this 12-hour private tour from Vancouver to Victoria. Explore the famous Butchart Gardens, a 55-acre of a vivid floral display, visit the Royal British Columbia Museum, explore the British Columbia Parliament Building in the downtown Victoria area, and so much more. Stop for lunch in the heart of the city, surrounded by water, a fantastic view, and live music. Receive priority entrance to the parks which allows you to skip the long lines. This tour is family and child-friendly. 

Inclusions: Bottled water, Local, professional and fun guide, GST (Goods and Services Tax), Live commentary on board, Guaranteed to skip the long lines

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Airport pickup/drop off (additional charge for airport pickup/drop off)

Reviewed By Excursion678697

Erick was an absolutely phenomenal host!!! Exceeded all of our expectations. Our boys are 12 and 14 and Erick was relatable, entertaining, engaging and very knowledgeable. Highly recommend!!!!

2. Picturesque Victoria City Highlights Private Tour

Galavant Private Sightseeing Tours
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

See the best of our historical to modern day city through a true locals eyes: the colourful Fisherman's Wharf house boat community, the regal Empress Hotel and Parliament Buildings nestled within the inner harbour, eclectic Government Street, the LoJo art-filled shopping district, Canada's oldest Chinatown, see the ducks and peacocks at Beacon Hill Park and the world's tallest freestanding totem pole, and in Victoria's oldest neighbourhood we'll see the Government House and the Craigdarroch Castle - this is your day, stop and take photos along the way! We'll take a scenic waterfront drive stop at Mount Tolmie to take in a 360 degree view of the snow-capped mountains, city-scape, ocean and countryside.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions:

Reviewed By maninthewoods

The lovely young lady met us at our campground and showed us the finer parts of Victoria. Buses could not go where we went. We had a marvelous time and I'm sure you will also.

3. Private Small Group Tour of Victoria & Butchart Gardens

Fresh Air Tours
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

Come along for a private, personable tour of Victoria and to the beautiful Butchart Gardens in our large deluxe van! Wander along the paths of gorgeous floral displays, enjoy the amazing Sunken Garden, Rose Garden (in season), Italian and Mediterranean Gardens. Relax on a bench and enjoy the tranquility of the Japanese Gardens. We will also show you the best highlights of Victoria with a stop atop Mount Tolmie for the outstanding panoramic views, through charming neighbourhoods to view the outside of Craigdarroch Castle and Government House (where the Royal family stays). We will visit historic Chinatown, Old Town Victoria and the charming inner harbour surrounded by the impressive historic Parliament buildings and Empress Hotel. Wander through Fisherman's Wharf, an eclectic collection of colorful floating homes and foods kiosks.

Inclusions: Private tour, Local guide, Transport by air conditioned private vehicle, Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points, Hotel/port pickup and drop-off, Bottled water

Exclusions: Entrance Fees , Gratuities

Reviewed By swerner423

What a great time! We enjoyed the 4 wineries we visited. The tour guide was friendly and informative. And the van was comfortable.

4. The Ultimate Group Package Tour of Victoria

Victoria, Victoria, Victoria Capital Regional District, Vancouver Island, British Columbia Surfside Adventure Tours
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

"City Highlights, The Butchart Gardens, Butterfly Gardens, Wine Tasting, and the Craigdarroch Castle" This package is the best of Victoria, We will start out by going to the Butchart Gardens early to avoid the crowds, and you will have up to 2 Hours to explore the gardens and gift shop. We then go to the Butterfly Gardens, followed up with a local wine tasting at Church and State Winery. You will then have the option to have lunch at their Bistro, or we may have a simple lunch at the Red Barn Market where they make the best sandwiches on the island. From there we will enjoy a scenic country drive back to Victoria to make our way to the historical Craigdarroch Castle. We will then follow up with a city highlights tour visiting some of most beautiful sites of the city such as the Lieutenant Governor's Estate, the Beacon Hill Park, Mile 0, Fisherman's Wharf House Boat Community, and Canada's oldest Chinatown. We will take the time for photos at the Inner harbor.

Inclusions: Bottled water, Professional guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Private tour, Free Pick up at the Sea Planes, Helijet, the Victoria Clipper, and the Coho Ferry.

Exclusions: Gratuities, Admissions to the attractions, Wine Tasting fees and lunch, Cruise Port Passenger Pick up fee is not included. (Please inquire)

Reviewed By Sarah G

This was an amazing tour. I booked it for my birthday and I am a local. Darwin is a very knowledable guide. We were just outside the city and deep in pockets of old growth forest. He taught us all about the local wildlife and taught us how to identify trees. He also gave us tons of names of places to check out on our own. He is really nice and also taught us history about our area and even took us to Hatley Castle and gave us more history that was missed on the castle tour and talked to us about the xmen connection. (Hatley castle is where scenes of the mansion were filmed). This is a must do for locals and visitors.

5. Vancouver City Tour with Taste of India

Globalduniya
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

We provide custom tailor tour made including the Vancouver Lookout. Our Vancouver Day Tour is intended to cover major Spots in Vancouver like: i) Downtown ii) Chinatown iii) Robson St iv) Gastown v) Stanley Park vi) English Bay vii) False Creek viii) Canada Place ix) Coal Harbor x) Granville Island xii) Vancouver convention centre xiii) Yale town x!!!!} Vancouver Lookout The main Attraction would include the tour and tickets for Vancouver lookout and Our Lunch menu is inspired Specialty meat dishes including butter chicken and lamb curry and lots of fresh daily Vegan & vegetarian options, seasoned with a custom blend of spices as the key attractions for lunch The Lunch menu has over 70 food items to choose from with a perfect blend of vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisines. We offers a spectacular ambience for just having cocatails at our mega bar, for our different customer spectawhich will give you a chance to see the entirety of Canada without leaving Vancouver.

Inclusions: Pickup and Drop off from your Hotels, Cruise Port,Airport and all Railway stations., Snaps and Picture Stops allowed, Air-conditioned vehicle, All Fees and Taxes, Bottled water, Lunch, Private transportation, Spotify on demand

Exclusions: All PERSONAL EXPENSE

Reviewed By dilbaghsinghm

One of the best acutance with nature. This tour was amazing and attractions were picturesque. Sea to sky highway was great and it has spots with lot of historical importance. My guide was was proactive driver was well versed with attractions. Private vehicle given to me was luxurious setting. Moreover we enjoyed. Although the gondola in Squamish was closed due to covid restrictions but my guide given me extra additions in the tour which we liked.

6. Downtown Victoria Food & City Tour

812 Wharf St, Victoria, BC V8W 1T3, Canada Off The Eaten Track
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4.9 based on 26 reviews

DON'T BE A TOURIST, BE AN EXPERT FOODIE EXPLORIST! On this fun and tasty tour we take you to our favorite hidden gems in the downtown core serving up delicious multi-cultural cuisine that is unique to Victoria led by a local foodie expert guide. ON THE MENU: savoury baked goods from one of Canada's best bakery, a Bahn Mi sandwich, charcuterie from a local deli, Middle Eastern street food, authentic tacos, a unique tea, and a selection of macarons! Make new friends, meet local business owners, hear stories about history, get amazing insider tips about where to eat next, and avoid tourist trap eateries with the help of a local guide. VEGETARIANS WELCOME! WHY DO THIS TOUR? * You are an adventurous soul that wants to try new things * You have a passion for finding small hard-to-find local businesses that aren't tourist driven * You want a local authentic experience and want to eat food made by locals

Inclusions: Professional guide, Food and drink tastings, Afternoon tea, Lunch, Local guide

Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Gratuities

Reviewed By Rolie T

This was a fun and informative day for us. We have lived in Victoria all our lives and yet we learned all kind of interesting tidbits about its history. The guide was very knowledgeable. We discovered many great little shops that we will go back to in the future. highly recommend the tour.

7. Time Efficient Luxury City Tour of Victoria

Victoria, Victoria, Victoria Capital Regional District, Vancouver Island, British Columbia Surfside Adventure Tours
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4.8 based on 5 reviews

This 2-hour tour is perfect for those visitors on a tight schedule. Visit some of Victoria's top attractions - including Fisherman's Wharf house boat community, the historical shopping district, Canada's oldest Chinatown, and Beacon Hill Park to view beautiful flowers, Peacocks, and the world's tallest Totem Pole. Journey through the Lieutenant Governor's Estate, then view the exterior of the Craigdarroch Castle. You will enjoy panoramic views from the highest viewing point in Victoria overlooking the San Juan Islands and Victoria itself. Pass though the larger estates to view some of Victoria finest homes as you make your way to Oak Bay Marina to visit the local harbor seals. Enjoy a nice seaside drive back into downtown.

Inclusions: Fully narrated tour, One bottle of water for each passenger, Umbrellas supplied, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Free pick-up at downtown locations, such as local hotels, harbor seaplanes, the Victoria Clipper, and the Coho Ferry, Plenty of stops for photo opportunities

Exclusions: Entrance fees (No attractions require admissions on this tour, we only stop to view the Craigdarrochs Castle's exterior only), Gratuities, Cruise Port Passenger Pick up Fee is not included (Please inquire)

Reviewed By Sarah G

This was an amazing tour. I booked it for my birthday and I am a local. Darwin is a very knowledable guide. We were just outside the city and deep in pockets of old growth forest. He taught us all about the local wildlife and taught us how to identify trees. He also gave us tons of names of places to check out on our own. He is really nice and also taught us history about our area and even took us to Hatley Castle and gave us more history that was missed on the castle tour and talked to us about the xmen connection. (Hatley castle is where scenes of the mansion were filmed). This is a must do for locals and visitors.

8. Historical Chinatown Walking Tour

1681 Government St, Victoria, BC V8W 0A1, Canada Ghostly Walks Walking Tours
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4.8 based on 16 reviews

Savor the sights, sounds and stories of Canada's oldest Chinatown on this 90-minute walking tour. Follow in the footsteps of gold miners, merchants, laborers and revolutionaries as you weave your way along Chinatown’s main streets and then into Fan Tan Alley (the city’s most infamous thoroughfare).

Inclusions: Local guide

Exclusions: If visiting the Tam Kung Temple, an optional donation of $1/person is recommended, Gratuities

Reviewed By BarN417

Brynne was an excellent host, I had so much fun and learned a lot about Victoria history. And I was definitely a bit spooked at the end of the night!

9. Victoria to Vancouver Seaplane Flight

950 Wharf St, Victoria, BC V8W 1T3, Canada Harbour Air Seaplanes
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4.7 based on 22 reviews

This 35-minute seaplane flight is a quick and easy way to travel from Victoria to Vancouver, and adds a little excitement to boot. In Victoria, capture prime aerial views of Inner Harbour, Fairmont Empress hotel and BC Parliament Buildings. Fly north over the Salish Sea and the Gulf Islands, and then make a splashy ending at Vancouver’s Coal Harbour.

Inclusions: Taxes and fees

Exclusions: Hotel pickup, Gratuities

Reviewed By MyNameIsNotTomas

I traveled on business between Vancouver and Victoria during the pandemic. Harbour Air is my first choice when traveling between Vancouver and Vancouver Island, but after seeing all the precautions they have taken to help me feel safe, I can only recommend them more and more times. Thanks to my pilots Steve and Francisco and to all the helpful front counter agents.

10. Victoria Panorama Seaplane Tour

Harbour Air Seaplanes, 950 Wharf St, Victoria, BC V8W 1T3, Canada Harbour Air Seaplanes
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4.7 based on 42 reviews

Admire the spectacular panorama of downtown Victoria and the Strait of Juan de Fuca on this memorable half-hour (20-minute flight) seaplane trip. See the stunning rugged coastline and the inviting mountains in the distance. This is a small group tour with a maximum of 13 passengers per aircraft.

Inclusions: 20-minute flight, Carbon Offset Levy, GST (Goods and Services Tax)

Exclusions: Gratuity (optional), Hotel pickup and drop off

Reviewed By MyNameIsNotTomas

I traveled on business between Vancouver and Victoria during the pandemic. Harbour Air is my first choice when traveling between Vancouver and Vancouver Island, but after seeing all the precautions they have taken to help me feel safe, I can only recommend them more and more times. Thanks to my pilots Steve and Francisco and to all the helpful front counter agents.

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