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 Learn to Sail with Blackfish Sailing Adventures

Sail Victoria, the Gulf Islands and the Salish Sea!

Blackfish Sailing Adventures is an accredited sailing school with Sail Canada (CYA) offering sail training courses, day sails and skippered sailing charters around Victoria and adjoining Gulf Islands. We cruise as far north on Vancouver Island as Desolation Sound. If you are looking to combine a vacation featuring pristine waters and beautiful natural settings, while also improving your cruising skills, here are some great options:

• Half-day Sail
• Full-day Sail
• Exclusive Adventures
• Mileage and Skill Builders

Choose either a half day or a full day on the water.  We depart from Oak Bay which is a scenic 10 minute drive from downtown Victoria.  Experience great sailing among idyllic islands set against a backdrop of soaring mountain peaks. A memorable day for seasoned sailors and novices alike.

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A Sail Canada (CYA) cruising course is recognized the world over and provides you with the basic skills you will need to begin cruising.  With some additional navigational training and experience, you should have the ability to cruise or charter a boat anywhere in the world.

GO CRUISING

Do you want to familiarize yourself with sailing, develop some sailing skills, or find out the kind of boat you should buy?  Join us for a Customized Sailing Adventure through the islands and discover the pleasures of coastal cruising.

Learn to Sail

Live-aboard courses: – – 5 – 7 day Cruise-and-Learns (all levels) – – Mileage and Skill Builder Cruises – – Customized live-aboard courses

Day courses (non-live-aboard): – – One day Introduction to Sailing – – Two day Competent Crew Course – – Three day Skipper Training Course

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What are people saying?

• Ashley and I had so much fun sailing with Gary on Sunday. Thank you so much for helping me plan the trip and for being so accommodating. The boat was beautiful; Gary was an extraordinary teacher and captain; and the cake was delicious! We’re now addicted to sailing and British Columbia. John Just wanted to say thanks for the fabulous sailing experience. Gary was absolutely fabulous!!! Everyone immensely enjoyed the sailing experience and will definitely recommend your company to anyone wanting to experience sailing. Jaime
• We had a terrific time. Gary is a superb instructor. He impressed the pants off of the two of our number who have taken sailing lessons in Hawaii and British Virgin Islands; and he earned a position in my evaluation of instructors based on more years in university than I care to recount. Dr.Dennis Galon, MEd, PhD Today Tim and Riley had an awesome time sailing with Gary. He was a wealth of interesting knowledge and gave everyone ample opportunities for hands on experiences. This was Riley's first experience sailing and definitely not his last. Gary, Many thanks for a wonderful birthday present for Tim and a great father/son outing for both of them. They would highly recommend this day of sailing. Glenda

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Established in 1931, Sail Canada (formerly known as the Canadian Yachting Association) is the national governing body for the sport of sailing. The Association promotes sailing in all its forms including yachting through collaboration with their partners, the Provincial Sailing Associations, member clubs, schools, and many individual stakeholders.

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Phone: 250.885.2311 | Toll Free: 1.888.922.8822 | Email: [email protected]

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16 of the Best Victoria Tours

May 23, 2023 By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

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If you’re looking for the best Victoria tours, you’ve come to the right place!

Located on lovely Vancouver Island, Victoria is the capital of British Columbia and one of the most beautiful cities in Canada. Surrounded by rainforest and the Pacific Ocean, Victoria is the perfect place for quaint city exploration or outdoor adventure.

We’ve been to Victoria many times and have explored much of Vancouver Island . From whale-watching tours to culinary tours, walking tours, and more, there’s always something fun to do in this charming west coast city.

So whether you’re looking for the best transportation from Vancouver to Victoria, or truly looking to explore Victoria for multiple days, here are the best 16 Victoria tours…

Victoria Tours Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links, which means when you make a purchase, we get a small commission. Affiliate links cost you nothing to use and they help keep these travel guides free. It’s a win-win! For more information, visit our  privacy policy.

Don’t have time to read the entire Victoria Tours article? These are our four favourite tours overall:

• Best Whale-Watching Tour : If there’s one activity in Victoria that you shouldn’t miss, it’s a whale-watching tour. This is one of the best places in the world to see Orca Whales!
• Best Walking Food Tour : With more than 1,000 5-star reviews, this is your best chance to explore Victoria’s history and culinary scene on a walking food tour.
• Best Seaplane Flightseeing Tour : If you’re looking to get some incredible views of Victoria and the surrounding area, you’ll want to take a seaplane flightseeing tour.
• Best Comprehensive Tour from Vancouver to Victoria : If you’re in Vancouver and short on time, this 13-hour tour from Vancouver to Victoria will give you an excellent taste of British Columbia’s capital city.

1. Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure from Victoria

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (1,027+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  3+ Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

When you’re visiting British Columbia , you really shouldn’t miss the opportunity to go whale watching. After all, it offers one of the best chances in the world to spot orca whales! Join this 3-hour whale-watching adventure in Victoria for the chance to see beautiful Canadian wildlife. Hop aboard your semi-covered vessel built specifically for whale-watching trips, and cruise through the Haro Strait with your guide. Watch the waves from the open sun decks or stay protected from the spray in the heated indoor cabin. Stop off at points of interest through the Strait of Juan de Fuca. listen to fascinating commentary from marine naturalists, and keep your eyes on the lookout for beautiful orca whales, humpback whales, and minke whales.

I went solo, and had the best time. I met a lovely couple and we shared the day whale watching . The excitement of seeing the whales was phenomenal. Crew did a great job of locating them, following them and taking spectacular pictures of what we saw. The boat also took us to see a Gray whale. All crew were also very personable and friendly. A must do in Victoria, BC. -Melanie ( see more reviews )

This 3-hour whale-watching tour in Victoria BC includes:

• Captain and expert crew of 3-4 guides/naturalists
• Free photo package of your trip & wildlife, with personal photos of you and your loved ones
• Two washrooms
• Lifetime Whale Sightings Guarantee – new free tour from Vancouver or Victoria until you see whales!
• GST (Goods and Services Tax)
• $5 per person Salish Sea Conservation Fee (1% For The Planet Initiative) is included in the price
• Downloadable tour guides in English, Spanish, French, German and Dutch
• Kids colouring books and educational guides

Click Here to See Reviews, Pricing, and Availability.

2. Victoria Whale and Wildlife Cruise

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (561+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  3.5 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

Cruise the Salish Sea in comfort while you search for whales, seals, bald eagles, and otters on this half-day award-winning guided tour . Led by a certified naturalist, this whale-watching experience takes place on a custom-built, high-performance open boat or one of their semi-covered catamarans, allowing you to enjoy whale-watching in Victoria in comfort. Plus, If no whales are sighted, you can return for free.

The entire experience was excellent. Great communication pre-trip, engaging interactions on board, a very well-designed boat and fortunately it was a sunny day with beautiful blue skies and we saw a group of orcas as well as some bald eagles, sea lions and sea otters. The boat was fast and the wind felt cold so wrap up well. Wind breakers gloves and caps were a welcome offering. All in all a fun morning and a must do in Victoria. -Amit ( see more reviews )

This 3.5-hour Victoria whale-watching tour includes:

• Local guide
• Live commentary on board
• $5 Wildlife fee included in price
• Fuel Surcharge

3. Zodiac Whale Watching Adventure from Victoria

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (396+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  3 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

Get up close and personal on this adventurous 3-hour whale-watching tour in a zodiac ! Hop aboard your open-top boat in Victoria Harbour and cruise out into the rolling waves with your guide. This zodiac speedboat is built with stability in mind and remains buoyant even in rough seas. It also allows you to get a little closer to the whales and can move much faster than the bigger boats. Cruise through the Haro Straight to the Strait of Juan de Fuca as you watch the water for sightings of humpback whales, minke whales and orcas breaching the waves, and learn of their life cycle and migration habits.

We had a great time! We saw many whales . It was an incredible experience. Highly recommended. Our guide went above and beyond to find us whales and we got to see humpbacks and orcas. -Danielle ( see more reviews )

This 3-hour Victoria whale-watching tour includes:

• Whale and marine life watching tour on a 12-passenger open-aired zodiac boat
• Expert Guide/Skipper
• All-weather exposure flotation suits

4. Sunset Whale Watching Adventure from Victoria

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (250+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  3 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

Whale watching is already one of the top things to do in Victoria , but if you can combine it with a magical sunset, even better! Discover a new perspective on Victoria’s striking coastal scenery while having the chance to see Orcas and Humpback whales on this three-hour sunset whale-watching tour !

Make your own way to the dock in Downtown Victoria, and hop aboard their catamaran, equipped with three separate viewing decks where you can be on the lookout for whales, sea lions, eagles, and more. You’ll also get to admire the sunset while learning about the local wildlife from your guide’s commentary.

This was an incredible experience, far exceeded my expectations. I’m terrible with names but I think our guides name was Scott? He was awesome, very knowledgeable, a lot of fun, he made sure everyone was comfortable and enjoying themselves. And of course , the whales, what a phenomenal site to see not one but two separate pods of killer whales. If I’m ever in Victoria again I will definitely do this again. -Marie ( see more reviews )

This 3-Hour Whale Watching Tour in Victoria BC includes:

• Coffee and/or Tea
• Restroom on board
• All Fees and Taxes
• Lifetime Whale Sighting Guarantee – new free tour from any of our locations until you see whales!
• Downloadable tour guides: English, Spanish, French, German and Dutch

5. Victoria Whale Watch Tour

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars (229+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  3 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

If you’re looking for a more comfortable whale-watching experience, this is one of the top Victoria tours. Experience an up-close encounter with northern Pacific marine life on this 3-hour whale-watching cruise in a comfortable, motorized boat. Learn all about the local marine ecology from a naturalist guide while watching for humpback whales, gray whales, orcas, elephant seals, sea lions, bald eagles and more.

Best whale watching tour we have been on. The boat was perfect size, not too small or too big. Was able to get close to the whales and follow along them easily. Great crew, super informative. Great views of Olympia and the islands which is a bonus Be sure to bring extra layers and jacket. Even during a heat wave we were frozen on the water. Worth it. -Monica ( see more reviews )

This 3-hour whale-watching tour in Victoria includes:

• Professional naturalists and biologists on board each trip
• 3 to the 3.5-hour tour departing downtown Victoria
• Choose either a morning or afternoon departure time

6. Hot Tub Boat Victoria

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (67+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1.5 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

If you’re looking for what’s perhaps the most unique of the many amazing Victoria tours, you’ve come to the right place! This is your chance to soak in a wood-fired heated hot tub while cruising through Victoria Harbour . This private hot tub boat is good for 3 to 6 passengers and lets you explore the historic waterfront while relaxing to music from a waterproof speaker. Cool off with a dip in the sea with the security of the boat ladder at your side while enjoying a really unique and relaxing attraction.

Booked as a birthday gift for my 20yr old son and his friends. They had a blast! They were able to jump into the cold water and climb back into the hot tub while out in the bay. The weather was perfect and they even got to see a fantastic sunset as they went in the evening. The instructor was friendly and excellent at covering all the knowledge needed for safety. I wish I had caught her name. Great experiences, memories and laughter and at a reasonable price! -Happy customer ( see more reviews )

This unique hot tub boat Victoria tour includes:

• Waterproof Speaker

7. Victoria and Butchart Gardens Day Trip from Vancouver

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars (1,646+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  13 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

If you’re staying in Vancouver and are short on time but still want to experience the city of Victoria, this tour is for you. This 13-hour full-day tour of Victoria travels from Vancouver by coach and ferry gives you the opportunity to witness the region’s stunning waterways and mountains en route to British Columbia’s capital.

Spend the day visiting some of Victoria’s top attractions like the world-famous Butchart Gardens, a 55-acre (22-hectare) haven for nature enthusiasts. This tour combines guided coach tours and free time to explore on your own and also includes hotel pickups and dropoffs at select hotels.

Our guide Baz, was full of poise, kindness, and hilarity! his knowledge of the greater Vancouver area and Victoria Island added such a great level of detail that no guidebook could ever provide. the butchart gardens! definitely a ++++ to visit the gardens later in the day (2nd half of tour). it was empty! we had the gardens to ourselves!!! after arrving, we were on our own. to experience the beauty without extraneous chatter or bustling crowds on the paths is key! the ferry experience was simplified by Baz’s thoughtful process, careful explanation to the group, and easy-going way with the ferry crew. He literally knows every inch of the tour route and then some! -Denise ( see more reviews )

This 13-hour comprehensive Victoria tour from Vancouver includes:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off (Please call to arrange)
• Professional driver/guide
• Local taxes
• Admission for the ferry
• Admission to Butchart Gardens

8. Vancouver to Victoria Seaplane Flight

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars (124+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  35 minutes | 🚀  BOOK NOW

There’s perhaps no cooler way of getting to Victoria from Vancouver than by Seaplane . This is your chance to not only see some incredible views as you fly from Vancouver to Victoria but to also arrive there in just 35 minutes!

Hop aboard your seaplane in Coal Harbour and take to the skies with your pilot as you look out the window at the Burrard Inlet, the Lion’s Gate Bridge, and Stanley Park’s Brockton Peninsula. You’ll then soar over the Salish Sea, admiring the Gulf Islands’ sandy beaches and dense forests. Just 30 minutes later, you’ll arrive in beautiful Victoria, BC! Flights depart hourly from morning till evening every day

Great way to see Victoria in a day – much faster & easier than ferry. Aerial views are amazing & stunning. -Yvette ( see more reviews )

This 35-minute scenic flight from Vancouver to Victoria includes:

• Taxes and fees
• One way flight

9. Pedicab Tour of Victoria from Cruise Ship Terminal

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (200+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  3 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

After your scenic ferry ride over to Victoria, what could be better than being picked up in your very own Pedicab with a knowledgeable guide ready to give you a 3-hour tour of the city?

Explore Victoria, British Columbia by pedicab 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 neighbourhoods, James Bay, to one of its oldest grocers. Continue on through Beacon Hill Park, admire the colourful peacocks, and then catch a glimpse of the famous Empress Hotel. For first-time visitors, this is one of the best Victoria tours.

This was the absolute best excursion!! Soren was our pedicab guide and driver. He was so fun and went above and beyond. He gave us so much historical and current info about Victoria. He was also very funny and engaged the kids as well. Don’t miss out on this excursion. 5 stars!! -Paola ( see more reviews )

This 3-hour Pedicab tour of Victoria includes:

• Port pickup and drop-off
• Professional guide
• All taxes, fees and handling charges

10. Victoria Panorama Seaplane Tour

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars (76+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  30 minutes | 🚀  BOOK NOW

You’ve seen Victoria from the ground so now it’s time to see it from the sky! Fly over downtown Victoria on this 20-minute seaplane flight , including the harbour, coastline, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Olympic Mountains towering in the distance. With up to only five passengers, this is an intimate, small-group ride navigated by an expert pilot.

A great tour around the Victoria harbor. Wonderful views and fun experience for the whole family. The 20-minutes flight provides unbeatable sights of the area. -Nicholas ( see more reviews )

This 30-minute seaplane tour of Victoria includes:

• 20-minute flight
• Carbon Offset Levy

11. Victoria Harbour Kayak Tour

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (28+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  3 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

Everyone sees the harbour from the city but not everyone sees the city from the harbour! Get a new perspective on Victoria’s beautiful, bustling harbour while getting some exercise on this guided 3-hour kayak tour .

Glide through the historic waterways in a state-of-the-art sea kayak, soaking up fantastic views of where Victoria’s stunning skyline meets the harbour’s wild aquatic landscape. Paddle along the local traffic of seaplanes, ferries and whale-watching boats while keeping an eye out for native wildlife like river otters and harbour seals. Choose between a morning and afternoon departure to suit your schedule.

Relaxing and informative. We saw a side of Victoria that we would otherwise probably not see. Guide was considerate, well-trained and well-informed. -Sunit ( see more reviews )

This 3-hour kayak tour of the Victoria harbourfront includes:

• Kayak equipment

12. Victoria Guided Food and History Tour

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (1,277+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  2 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

More than 1,000 5-star reviews? Yup, this is definitely a great tour. Explore Victoria’s history and culinary scene on this walking food tour of Victoria, BC . 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 while, and this important, stopping along the way for tasty samples of craft beer, chocolate, tea, tapas, cheese, bread, olive oil, and other local products. What more could you want?

The variety of food stops and pace were excellent! Delicious samples. Highly recommend. It was great to travel down streets with a guide. Victoria is beautiful! -Joyce ( see more reviews )

Choose between morning or afternoon tours on this 2-hour food walking tour of Victoria that includes:

• Accommodation as per itinerary

13. Downtown Victoria Food & City Tour

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (75+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  2 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

Food and a tour of Victoria? Ah yes, please!

When it comes to Victoria tours that involve food, this one is hard to beat. Treat your taste buds to a walking food tour of Victoria’s bustling Fort & Blanshard Streets , which was once known as Antique Row for its abundance of vintage shops. This hip neighbourhood is now filled with trendy restaurants, modern boutique shops, and the arts district, making it one of the top places to visit in Victoria. Follow a local gourmet guide to some of the best eateries in the area including a tea salon, a European-style deli, an authentic taqueria, Middle-Eastern street food, and more. Chat with shop owners and chefs along the way to gain insight into Victoria’s thriving culinary scene. This tour is also limited to 12 for a more personalized tasting experience.

Great tour! Lots of stops, wide variety of samples, nicely balanced! The businesses were very welcoming to our group and the food was excellent! Our guide was exceptional!! We had to leave for the airport before the last tour stop; she made arrangements to get us a take away treat from the last tour stop AND called us a cab!! -Sara ( see more reviews )

This 2-hour food tour of Victoria includes:

• Food and drink tastings
• Afternoon tea

14. Castles, Hoods & Legends – Bike Tour

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (103+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  2 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

If you like biking, this is your chance to spin your way through downtown Victoria and discover some of the top attractions with ease on this Victoria Castles and Neighbourhood bike tour . Hop onto your bike and follow your guide through the city streets while learning about Victoria’s colourful past through its historic buildings and exploring many districts such as the Inner Harbour, Cook Street Village, and Chinatown. You’ll also enjoy beautiful views over the Dallas Road waterfront, admire the eery Craigdarroch Castle, cycle through Moss Rock Park and Beacon Hill Park, and soak up the artistic atmosphere in leafy Fernwood.

This was a fun and easy bike tour! Our guide, Mike, was very interesting and incredibly friendly. We got to see a number of Victoria areas and learn some history too. Would absolutely recommend! -Lynn ( see more reviews )

This 2-hour Victoria tour includes:

• Local Guide
• Use of Equipment

15. Vancouver to Victoria – Coach Bus Transfer

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars (56+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  4 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

While this isn’t so much a tour as it is transportation, it’s still a great option for those without a car that is trying to get to Victoria from Vancouver. Book a first-class transfer from downtown Vancouver to downtown Victoria , and enjoy a stress-free journey through western British Columbia with this simple, cost-effective option that offers multiple departure times, seven days a week. Transport is by comfortable motorcoach and the BC Ferry. Once you arrive, book one of the many Victoria tours we mention in this guide.

It was very convenient. We’re on vacation and getting from Vancouver to Victoria can be a challenge. Getting on the bus and off at our destination made the crossing easy. The bus was clean and comfortable and the driver was safe and professional. Thank you for the service. Cheers. -Jim ( see more reviews )

This 4-hour trip from Vancouver to Victoria includes:

• One-way shared transfer
• BC Ferries Fare

16. Historical Victoria Walking Tour

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (86+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1.5 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

Last but not least, one of the best ways to explore a city is by foot, so this is your chance to explore lovely Victoria on this guided walking tour with a local historian . Along the way, take in stunning views of the city’s Inner Harbour while wandering the streets, alleyways, and town squares of Old Town, Bastion Square, and Chinatown, learning about Victoria’s history as you go. The tour is an inexpensive addition to a day of sightseeing and is ideal for first-time visitors. Headsets are also provided to help you hear the guide.

This was a very comprehensive explanation of the history of the Victoria area of Vancouver Island. My wife and I really appreciated starting the story with the indigenous people who lived in the area for thousands of years prior to European settlement. When we finished we felt we had been given an accurate and concise overview of how Victoria became the place it is today. In the top two of tours of this kind that we have participated in. -Tony ( see more reviews )

This 1.5-hour walking tour of Victoria includes:

• Professional local guide
• Headsets to hear the guide clearly

We hope you enjoyed this guide to the best Victoria tours. If you have any questions or would like to recommend another tour, leave us a comment below!

About Matthew G. Bailey

Matthew G. Bailey is the founder and editor-in-chief of Must Do Canada. Growing up in Alberta to a mother from Quebec and a father from Newfoundland, Matt spent his childhood playing hockey under the Northern Lights and hanging out in the forest before moving to Calgary and travelling to more than 250 cities spanning 42 countries and 6 continents. He loves travel, learning new things, playing sports, writing, making videos, photography, and scuba diving. You can also find him at LiveLimitless.net .

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Harbour Ferry Tours in Victoria, BC

• Hour Glass 45 Minutes

Victoria Harbour Tour

Explore and experience Victoria’s Harbour.  Since the 1800’s, the harbour has been the heart of the city –  the link to Alaska and Yukon gold passage ways, the world-famous Empress Hotel and more.

• Hour Glass 75 Minutes

Victoria Gorge Tour

Step back in time hundreds of years. Ride in an all-electric beautifully appointed custom vessel with zero emissions. This is a unique guided tour featuring historic neighborhoods, working shipyards and more! Given the length of time and absence of washroom on board, this tour is best suited for Adults. 

Pickle Pub Crawl

Experience Victoria like never before with Victoria Harbour Ferry & Hidden Victoria!

Available 12 months a year thanks to our new heated boats. Join us for a unique Victoria experience with views of the city, harbour and nearby Gorge Waterway! Choose from one of our fabulous vessels, either a classic quaint “Pickle Boat” or one of our gorgeous environmentally-friendly electric boats.

$500 per hour per boat. Additional boats $450

Purchase the perfect gift: any dollar amount to use towards any of our activities!

Gift Certificates

Purchase a fantastic gift or gifts: each gift certificate is the exact value of one of our offerings. Gift certificates are only valid for the related offering and cannot be

Sleigh Boat Ride

Join us for a Sleigh Boat Ride and create lasting holiday memories! A fun holiday activity for all ages — includes hot chocolate or coffee and churros!

THE 5 BEST Victoria Boat Tours

Boat tours in victoria.

• Nature & Wildlife Tours
• Equipment Hire
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• The Butchart Gardens
• Royal BC Museum
• Inner Harbour
• Orca Spirit Adventures
• Five Star Whale Watching
• Fan Tan Alley
• First Express Travel
• Beacon Hill Park
• Hot Tub Boat Victoria
• Lotus Land Tours
• Eagle Wing Whale & Wildlife Watching Tours
• Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Full Day Guided Tour in Victoria with Butchart Gardens

2. Ultimate Marine Whale & Wildlife Tour

3. Victoria Marine Wildlife Tour

4. Zodiac Marine Wildlife Excursion from Victoria

5. Hot Tub Boat Victoria

6. 8 Hour Private Tour in Salt Spring Island

7. Victoria Whale Watching Adventure by a Seaplane

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure from Vancouver

Granite Falls Zodiac Tour by Vancouver Water Adventures

Cowichan Bay Half Day Whale & Wildlife Adventure

Whale-Watching Tour from Vancouver

Vancouver City and Seals Scenic Boat Tour by Vancouver Water Adventures

Sunset Whale Watching Adventure from Vancouver

Whale Watching Nanaimo Open Boat Tour

Sea Vancouver City and Harbour Tour

4-Hour Sailing Adventure on The Strait of Juan de Fuca

Nanaimo Whale Watching in a Semi-Covered Boat

Vancouver Harbor Sightseeing Cruise

Sea Vancouver City & Nature Tour

Sea Vancouver City and Waterfall Tour

Bowen Island Dinner and Zodiac Boat Tour by Vancouver Water Adventures

Bowen Island Boat Tour with Drinks

Sunset Whale and Wildlife Adventure in Cowichan Bay

Vancouver West Coast Lunch Cruise

Pacific Rim Tour (Ucluelet & Tofino)

Vancouver Evening Dinner Cruise

Sailing Charter around Vancouver Harbour Private Tour

The Ultimate Day Tour!

3 Hour Kayak in Vancouver with Coffee on the Beach

Jetski to Bowen Island Tour

What travellers are saying.

• Ultimate Marine Whale & Wildlife Tour
• Victoria Marine Wildlife Tour
• Full Day Guided Tour in Victoria with Butchart Gardens
• Zodiac Marine Wildlife Excursion from Victoria
• 8 Hour Private Tour in Salt Spring Island
• BC Whale Tours
• A Day in Victoria - Kayak & SUP - Tours, Rentals and Courses
• RJ's Charters
• Aaron Miller
• Eagle Nest Charters
• SpringTide Whale Watching & Charters
• Eagle Wing Whale & Wildlife Watching Tours
• Prince of Whales - Whale Watching Adventures
• 3-Hour Sail
• Victoria Harbour Ferry

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BOOK YOUR WINTER WHALE WATCHING TOUR TO #EXPERIENCETHEWILD

Experience the Wild

THRILLING WHALE WATCHING TOURS IN VICTORIA

Nothing quite compares to watching a thirty-foot killer whale launch its twenty thousand pound body into the air before sliding gracefully back to the ocean depths with a slap of its tail. Experience BC’s enchanting marine wildlife on a Victoria whale watching tour or a Port Renfrew whale watching tour. You’ll have the chance to see orcas, porpoises, sea lions, humpback whales, bald eagles and more, while respecting the natural environment along the spectacular coastline of Vancouver Island.

TOURS FROM VICTORIA

Wildlife Tours

Winter wildlife tours.

Private Tours

Charters & private tours.

TOP RATED BY GUESTS ON TRIPADVISOR

Brilliant! Amazing! A Dream Come True! It’s easy to see why guests give Orca Spirit whale watching tours a big thumbs up.

WHALE SIGHTING GUARANTEE

We don’t stop at a 98% success rate. If your tour doesn’t experience a sighting, we’ll invite you to join us again.

BEST SELECTION OF OPEN & COVERED BOATS

From luxury yachts to wind-in-your-hair zodiacs, we operate Victoria’s biggest fleet of fully equipped and certified vessels.

FREE DOWNTOWN HOTEL SHUTTLE SERVICE

Hop on our courtesy shuttle for a short trip from your downtown Victoria hotel to our dock and back.

WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!

The trip lasts about 3 hrs – and it is awesome!! The staff is extremely knowledgeable and attentive. We saw orca and humpback whales – an amazing experience. This is an extremely professional organization with a group of very professional staff. Having sponsored a whale for many many years it was, for me, a dream come true – an experience that will stay with me for the rest of my life – thank you Orca Spirit Adventures.

BEST EVER WHALE WATCHING TOUR!

Superlatives galore! No doubt aided by the most fabulous weather and a calm sea, today my family and I had an unforgettable day out sighting Orca, Seal, Sealion and Humpback with Greg and his crew. Beautiful scenery and the crew’s humour and local natural history knowledge really enhanced our experience.

FANTASTIC TRIP, GREAT WILDLIFE!

Fantastic trip – wasn’t just about the Orcas (although they were brilliant!), we saw humpback whale, sea otter, bald eagle, sea lions, harbour and elephant seals too. Staff onboard were really knowledgeable and the backdrop of the mountains in Washington State was just spectacular. All in all, a great trip and sensitively done.

TOP-RATED VICTORIA WHALE WATCHING

MOST EXPERIENCED & KNOWLEDGEABLE TEAM

VICTORIA’S LARGEST & BEST SELECTION OF BOATS

MULTIPLE AWARD WINNING COMPANY

LEADERS IN RESPONSIBLE ECO-TOURISM

Serious about sustainability.

We believe that our presence shouldn’t have a negative impact on the environment, so we’re doing everything we can to preserve the spectacular natural surroundings we do business in. From carbon neutral tours and local sourcing, to extensive recycling and energy and water efficiency initiatives, our many sustainable business practices are helping protect the planet for future generations.

TOP RATED PACKAGES

Whale Watching & Butchart Gardens

Whale Watching & Harbour Air Adventure

WHALE WATCHING & HARBOUR AIR PANORAMA SEAPLANE TOUR

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THE 10 BEST Victoria Tours & Excursions

Victoria tours.

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Victoria and Butchart Gardens Tour from Vancouver

2. Victoria Whale Watch Tour

3. Victoria and Butchart Gardens Day Trip from Vancouver

4. Discover Victoria & Butchart Gardens Tour from Vancouver

5. Victoria Guided Food and History Tour

6. Same Day Round Trip from Seattle to Victoria

7. Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure from Victoria

8. Beacon Hill Park Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour of Victoria

9. West Coast Big Tree Beach and Waterfall Adventure

10. Downtown Victoria Food & City Tour

11. COMBO Victoria City Tour & Butchart Gardens & Entry Tix

12. Full Day Guided Tour in Victoria with Butchart Gardens

13. Whale Watching Cruise with Expert Naturalists

14. Indulge in a Wine & Food & Farms (Cheese) Tour - Cowichan Valley

15. Whale Watching Tour in a Zodiac Boat in Victoria

16. Zodiac Whale Watching Adventure from Victoria

17. Small Group Cultural and Historical Walking Tour in Victoria

18. Victoria and Butchart Gardens Tour from Vancouver

19. Vancouver to Victoria Seaplane Day Trip with Butchart Gardens

20. Sunset Whale Watching Adventure from Victoria

21. 3-Hour Bike Tour of Victoria City & the Coastal Shoreside

22. 60-Minute Beacon Hill Park Tour

23. Victoria Whale and Wildlife Cruise

24. Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria

25. Victoria BC Ferry Mile Zero 1 Day City Tour from Vancouver

26. Premier Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour of Victoria

27. Pedicab Tour of Victoria from Cruise Ship Terminal

28. Ultimate Marine Whale & Wildlife Tour

29. Butchart & Beyond: The Grand Victoria Tour

30. Victoria Panorama Seaplane Tour

What travelers are saying.

• Victoria and Butchart Gardens Tour from Vancouver
• Victoria and Butchart Gardens Day Trip from Vancouver
• Victoria Whale Watch Tour
• Downtown Victoria Food & City Tour
• Victoria Guided Food and History Tour
• A Taste of Victoria Food Tours
• Island Time Tours
• Surfside Adventure Tours
• The Pedaler
• Victoria Carriage Tours
• Fresh Air Tours
• Alset Tours
• Classic Car Tours
• Come See Victoria, History & Architecture Walking Tours
• Vancouver Island Wine Tours - Tours
• BC Whale Tours
• Sidecar Victoria
• Harbour Air Seaplanes
• RIDE THE GLIDE - RTG E-Bikes Inc.
• Eagle Wing Whale & Wildlife Watching Tours
• SpringTide Whale Watching & Charters
• Victoria Kayak

Seattle – Victoria Ferry

FRS Clipper offers the only direct fast ferry service between Seattle and Victoria, BC—the Victoria Clipper.

The Victoria Clipper ferry operates year-round service, round-trip 1 time per day. The fast ferry features three main classes of service including Economy (lower deck), Vista (upper deck) and Comfort Class (upper deck) each with an upgrade option within each class. Comfort Class includes leather seating in a private spacious class cabin on the upper deck, panoramic views along with complimentary snacks, coffee and tea.

Victoria Clipper V Onboard Menu | Seating Classes and Chart | FAQs | ID & Travel Requirements | Clipper Fares | Current Special Offers

Ferry Schedule

Feb 1 – mar 13*, mar 14 – mar 27*, mar 28 – may 16, may 17 – sep 28, double sailings: may, double sailings: jun - sep, sep 29 – oct 13, oct 14 – nov 4, nov 5 – nov 26*, nov 27 2024 – jan 12, 2025*, double sailings: dec, double sailings: dec 2024, travel fares.

Schedule and fares subject to change. Rates are $10 USD higher per person/segment of travel for Fri/Sat departures from Seattle and Sun departures from Victoria.

Schedule and fares subject to change. Rates $10 USD higher per person/segment of travel for Fri/Sat departures from Seattle and Sun departures from Victoria.

Additional Fare Notes

ADVANCE Fare – Round-Trip only: Advanced purchase fares must be purchased a minimum of 2 days prior to travel date, non-refundable.

STANDARD Fares – Round-Trip only :  Standard fares are fully refundable for cancellations received 2 or more days prior to travel, non-refundable within 48 hours of travel date.

Hotel Package :  Non-refundable within 4 days of travel date.

Adult : Rates are $10.00 higher per segment of travel for Friday & Saturday departures from Seattle, and Sunday departures from Victoria. Additional fees apply to class upgrades. Child (1-11 yrs old) : Children pay 50% of adult fare.

All fares include applicable taxes. A security fee and fuel surcharge will be added to all Seattle/Victoria fares & packages. Non-cancelable; date, voyage restrictions may apply. Actual fares may vary based on booking and travel dates. All rates in US Dollars. Rates are based on economy class seating. Schedule is subject to change.

Group travel discounts available for 10+ people, traveling together. Please contact us to inquire.

Fare Classes

Economy Class Includes:

• Main cabin seating
• Table/group seating in select areas
• Onboard locally sourced food, spirits, and beverages available for purchase
• Onboard gift and duty-free shop

Vista Class Includes:

• Spacious leather seating with panoramic views

Comfort Class Includes:

• Comfort class priority check-in and boarding*
• Exclusive forward and top deck seating
• Panoramic views
• Luxury leather seats with individual tables
• Complimentary welcome drink
• Unlimited premium coffee, tea, soft drinks, and snacks
• Free checked luggage**

Travel Information and ID Requirements

Anytime you’re traveling between Canada and the United States, you’ll have to pass through Customs and Border Protection. That means no matter how you’re traveling from Seattle to Victoria or Victoria to Seattle, you’ll need a Passport, Passport Card, Enhanced Driver License or an Enhanced ID Card (EDL/ID). Learn more about ID and Travel Requirements.

Directions & Parking

Seattle clipper terminal.

2701 Alaskan Way, Pier 69 Seattle, WA 98121 (206) 448-5000

Nearby parking

Bell street pier garage.

Entrances on: 9 Wall St & 2323 Elliott Ave

Garage hours: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Cost: $10.00 per calendar day for Clipper passengers. Must obtain parking validation from the Victoria Clipper terminal. Garage has a height restriction of 6’6″

Victoria Terminal

Victoria ferry terminal.

Belleville Street Victoria, BC V8v 1W9 Canada (250) 382-8100

Belleville Street Terminal

Daily Parking

Hotel Grand Pacific Garage

Daily & overnight parking

463 Belleville St, Victoria, BC V8V 1X3, Canada

Customers should not use the meters located in the parking garage, but check-in at the hotel’s front desk to obtain a parking ticket either prior to parking or immediately after parking their vehicle in the garage.

2701 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA, United States

2701 Alaskan Way Pier 69, Seattle, WA 98121

254 Belleville Street, Victoria, BC, Canada

Save on Hotel Packages

We've done the hard work for you and vetted a wide array of Victoria's top hotels! You'll receive a special discount on your Victoria Clipper fast ferry when adding an overnight hotel stay and an even greater discount for a 2-night stay!

Visit The Butchart Gardens

Immerse yourself in more than 300,000 blooms at world-renowned The Butchart Gardens with a hotel package deal or day trip to Victoria from downtown Seattle on our high-speed Victoria Clipper V fast ferry!

"Being able to take the Clipper from downtown Victoria to downtown Seattle is a perfect way to travel."

- Mistuhree, Duncan, CA TripAdvisor

"I loved the speed, comfort and convenience of how to get to Victoria. It drops you within walking distance of great hotels and all the Inner Harbour activities."

- Doug M., Seattle, WA TripAdvisor

"No TSA hassles. No long lines at the US-Canada border. Our trip was smooth and scenic."

- Tom_Fiala, Orlando, FL TripAdvisor

Traveler Specials

Get a great deal on Clipper travel with our best available rates, military and first responder appreciation fares, kids and senior discounts.

Victoria Overnight Packages & Day Trips

A short and scenic ride through the Salish Sea, Victoria is the perfect day trip destination from Seattle. Save on your Clipper cruise when you book an overnight hotel package!

Victoria Overnight Packages

Victoria Day Trips

Seattle Overnight Packages and Day Trips

Get the best Seattle travel deals with a package that bundles transportation, Seattle hotel accommodations and activities to best suit your travel needs!

Seattle Overnight Packages

Seattle Day Trips

Choose an Option to Begin Planning Your Trip

For guests traveling internationally, please review our ID and Requirements carefully before booking travel.

• Includes one-way or round trip travel via the Clipper ferry.
• Routes available between Seattle and Victoria
• Includes travel to any of our destinations with activities or hotel stay or both.
• Enjoy the convenience of booking the entire trip all at once.

Need help planning your trip? Call our Clipper Pacific Northwest travel experts at 800-888-2535 between 9am-6pm PDT (Mon-Fri), 9am-3pm PDT (Sat-Sun).

Plan Your Trip

Children's ages

Clipper defines a child as 11 years and younger, but hotels and tours may have different child ages. Please enter the ages for all children 18 and under. Infants under 1 (<1) are free on the Clipper, but are not provided a seat.

Agent Login

Travel Advisors with existing accounts can log in to create new bookings. If you are a Travel Advisor and would like to view/edit an existing booking, please visit the Agent Dashboard.

For your guests traveling to Canada, please read our ID and Requirements page carefully before booking travel. Thank you!

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• Sailboat Guide

Victoria 18

Victoria 18 is a 18 ′ 6 ″ / 5.6 m monohull sailboat designed by G. William McVay and built by Victoria Yachts Co. between 1977 and 1983.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Derived from the earlier MINUET. Two versions were built; A sloop and a very limited edition cutter with a bowsprit. The number built listed is only a rough approximation. Just before the factory closed, a VICTORIA 17 was introduced, a shortened version of the 18 with an outboard rudder. It is thought that they exist in very small numbers.

Victoria Yachts was a company founded by the designers son, Bill McVay. The location was: 203 Benson Junction Road DeBarry, Florida 32713 USA

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• About Sailboat Guide

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