Day Trip to Victoria BC from Vancouver
- Anju Chandna
- Nov 23, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: May 19
Let me start by saying that Victoria, the capital city of British Columbia, is picture-perfect. It's located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the majestic Olympic Mountains.
The city is renowned for its vibrant art scene, culture, international cuisine, beautiful parks, a plethora of outdoor activities and an unmistakable old-world charm by way of its colonial architecture, which has been very well preserved.
In this blog, you will get all the useful information about planning the perfect day trip to Victoria BC from Vancouver.
Best Way to Travel from Vancouver to Victoria BC
There are many ways to travel from Vancouver to Victoria BC, you can fly, go by bus, ferry or take a seaplane. Some more luxurious options like V2V are also available for travelling between these two cities.
We took a BC Ferry, which is quite a popular option since you can drive straight onto the ferry parking in your vehicle. There is a ferry every two hours, so availability is not an issue. You must book your tickets in advance, though.
Also, the ferry is spacious, there are eateries, washrooms, a play area for kids and an open deck with seating.
The ride lasts 90 minutes from the Tsawwassen Terminal to the Swartz Bay Terminal in Victoria. The ride is fun, and your sightseeing will begin from here as the ferry sails past a beautiful coastline over the Strait of Georgia in the Salish Sea.
Once you reach Victoria, plan to stroll around the stunning waterfront before heading on to any activity. See the entire city come alive here, no words are needed to describe this ....
This was our second trip to Victoria. After having visited the city twice, both times on a day trip from Vancouver, I've concluded that we should have ideally kept aside at least two to three days in the city.
Things to Do in Victoria in a Day
Whale Watching Cruises in Victoria
Victoria is one of the best places in British Columbia for whale watching tours. Cruises departing from the Inner Harbour take visitors into the Salish Sea, where it is possible to spot orcas, humpback whales, grey whales, seals and sea lions depending on the season.
Useful Tips for Whale-Watching Cruises in Victoria
Most whale watching tours last between 3 and 5 hours, making them a popular activity for visitors spending a full day in Victoria.
If you're short on time, book an early morning cruise so that you have time for other activities like Inner Harbour and Butchart Gardens.
The best season to do these cruises is from May to September.
Even in summer, dress in layers because it gets very windy on the water.
Morning cruises usually have calmer waters, but if you're prone to motion sickness, carry your medication.
Zodiac boats are faster and more adventurous, but they can get really cold owing to the wind.
On our last visit, we opted for a whale-watching cruise. I'm sharing my experience via a video.
This was in 2011, please bear with me, the video quality is not as per today's standards, but the excitement of seeing Orca whales in their natural habitat so close to our boat was thrilling...
This time, though, we decided to drive around the city, see the world-famous Butchart Gardens, and spend the sunset at Ogden Point Breakwater, a beautiful walking trail close to Downtown Victoria.
Visiting the Butchart Gardens in Victoria
Butchart Gardens is a haven of colour, and if you visit it in spring, then flowers like cherry blossoms, daffodils and tulips are in full bloom.
But regardless of the season, the garden with its beautiful Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, exquisitely arranged lush green foliage, water bodies with fountains, small winding paths, colourful totem poles and even a cute-looking carousel, is a treat to visit. The carousel is paid with a nominal ticket of $2 per person. Close to the entrance is a nice souvenir shop and some eateries, too.
The gardens are located at a distance of 22 km from Downtown Victoria. It's easily accessible by both private and public transport. Parking facilities are good. You should plan to spend at least 3 to 4 hours inside the gardens to fully appreciate their beauty. They are open till 11 pm on most days of the year except on holidays and Christmas Day.
We, like most people, visited the gardens during the day. But I've heard some rave reviews from people who visited it at dusk when the garden is illuminated. To have the best of both worlds, you can plan to go there in the evening and stay on till dusk falls.
You don't need a conducted tour of the garden, the paths are wheelchair-friendly and there are adequate spaces to sit and relax.
What more can I say about these gardens....the pictures are self-explanatory...
This was in summer, one can only imagine the glorious hues in spring!!
Driving to Ogden Point Breakwater in Victoria BC
After having spent a leisurely first half of the day amidst the beauty of Butchart Gardens, we decided to go to the Ogden Point Breakwater, a walk near Downtown Victoria.
It should take you about 5 minutes to drive to Breakwater Point from Downtown Victoria, or if you're up for walking, it will take about 35 minutes to reach the Breakwater. Walk towards Dallas Road and turn right onto the wide path leading to the Breakwater.
A 1.6-kilometre-long round trip of this scenic walk can take about 30 minutes to an hour. At the end of the walk is a lighthouse from where you can get glorious views of the sunset and the Juan de Fuca Strait.
The walk is incredibly beautiful with planes flying overhead and cruises passing by. You will be able to see the busy Victoria Harbour with ferries and sailboats on the water and helicopters whirring overhead.
That sums up our day trip to Victoria. My parting tip is that one should plan to spend more time than just a day in this vibrant city to soak in its many wonders.
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