Top Vancouver Island Outdoor Activities

The sheltered waters of Ucluelet Harbour offer an ideal location for an introduction to sea kayaking on Vancouver Island’s west coast. Watch for wildlife, from intertidal life to black bears meandering along the shoreline and eagles soaring above. This kayak tour offers the opportunity to paddle up to a hidden waterfall, learn about the local fish hatchery, or explore the outer harbor limits. Paddling instruction is provided.

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.

Set out on the Pacific Ocean off of Victoria, British Columbia, in search of whales on this half-day tour. Travel through the Haro Strait and the San Juan de Fuca Strait in search of Minke whales, humpback whales, and orcas. Ride in an-open top Zodiac boat, suitable for 12 passengers or fewer, to ensure up-close wildlife encounters and an intimate atmosphere.

Hot drinks, certified marine biologists, and indoor and outdoor viewing areas set this Victoria whale watching tour apart from its competitors. Travel in luxury and style as you look out for whales in their natural environment in the one of the world's best whale-watching habitats in the Juan de Fuca and Haro Strait. Other sightings may include marine birds, seals, and sea lions, making this the ideal way to see more of the region's animal residents!

Come and meet the locals—the flippered, furred and feathered kind—on this guided 3.5-hour or more whale watching cruise 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. Find out how you’re supporting a leader in ocean conservation, education, research and sustainability. Watch for seals, sea lions, otters and porpoises as well as bald eagles and an amazing assortment of marine birds. Hoping for something bigger? Whales are guaranteed or you come back for free! Hotel transport included.

Explore the marble passages and crystal caverns created by the ‘Ice Age’ on this guided, 3-hour caving and hiking expedition in Qualicum Beach, British Columbia. Choose from a morning or afternoon departure time, strap on your complimentary light and helmut, and then start your exciting introduction to ‘wild caving.’ Frolic in underground waterfall and traverse everything from tight passages to steep ramps to short climbs.

Get a new perspective on Victoria’s beautiful, bustling harbor on a 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 stately skyline meets the harbor’s wild aquatic landscape. As you paddle, join the local traffic of seaplane, ferries and whale-watching boats, and keep an eye out for native wildlife like river otters and harbor seals.

Tour one of Victoria’s most stately and popular attractions in a unique way with a pedicab tour to Craigdarroch Castle. Enjoy the fresh air and leisurely pace from aboard a comfortable cab while a friendly guide pedals you from your hotel to the majestic, 19th-century baronial estate. Along the way, pass through the neighboring Lt Governor’s gardens and see some of Victoria’s most opulent churches and homes. Admission to the inside of the magnificent castle is included. 

Head out into the Salish Sea from Nanaimo in search of the abundant wildlife who inhabit the area. Your guide is an experienced marine expert who will take the time to help you learn about the sea life around Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. This 3-4 hour tour takes you to the habitats of killer whales (orcas) humpback whales, seals, sea lions, porpoises, and eagles.

Hit the waves with expert naturalists in search of Canadian sea-life on this whale-watching cruise from Victoria. Hop aboard your whale-watching boat and head out into the rolling seas with your guide. Gaze out over Victoria’s attractive coastline and watch the waves for sightings of graceful orcas. Listen as the two expert naturalists onboard explain the life cycles of the majestic creatures, and learn of their pivotal role near the top of the marine food chain. Enjoy fine views from the seating areas both inside and on-deck. 

Marvel at Canada’s west coast wildlife on this 3-hour sunset whale watching cruise 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. Whales are guaranteed or you come back for free! As the sun sinks to the horizon, cruise back into Victoria’s scenic inner harbour and enjoy the twinkling lights of British Columbia’s capital city!

Discover hidden alleys and local curios in Vancouver’s Old Town and Chinatown districts on this 75-minute pedicab tour. Head through Victoria's Old Town and Chinatown districts with your guide, where old shops and boutiques line the winding alleyways. Hear hair-raising ghost stories from centuries past and learn of the settlers, immigrants and colonists who have shaped the city we see today. Along the way, watch skilled street performers plying their trade the way they have for centuries. Admire Victoria’s traditional architecture and gain insight into the city’s colorful past.

Experience the majesty of Canada’s Sunshine Coast from the air with a 40-minute round-trip seaplane flight from Nanaimo. Take to the skies with a pilot and fly high over the Strait of Georgia. Enjoy panoramic views over the tiny islands dotting the waterway, and stop for up to four hours’ free time in the British Columbia town of Sechelt. Enjoy two take-offs and landings during your tour, and see the Sunshine Coast in a way many visitors miss.

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!

Soar through the air like an eagle in flight on this zipline adventure! Just a half hour from central Victoria, this Vancouver Island zipline park features eight different ziplines that span more than 1,000 feet (305 meters). Your small group will also go on a 10-minute ATV ride and you'll traverse two suspension bridges high above the forest floor. Two tour guides accompany you on this two-hour tour; they'll share insight about the environment and answer any questions to ensure a safe, fun and exhilarating experience in the British Columbia temperate rainforest.

See whales and all manner of marine life in this whale watching expedition. From Nanaimo, head out in a 23-seater jet boat into the Salish Sea. Humpbacks and orcas can be found off the coast of Vancouver Island, as well as sea lions, porpoises, eagles and lots more. Your guide is seasoned mariner and wildlife expert who will answer any questions you have about what you see.

Soar over downtown Victoria and surrounds on a thrilling, 20-minute seaplane flight! Take to the skies right from the water and enjoy an unforgettable aerial perspective of the harbor, coastline, Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains towering in the distance. With a maximum of five passengers, it’s an intimate, small-group ride navigated by an expert pilot.

Enjoy swift travel and breathtaking views over British Columbia on this Victoria to Vancouver seaplane flight. Hop aboard your seaplane in Victoria’s Inner Harbour and take to the skies with your pilot. Enjoy panoramic views over local landmarks including Ogden Point, the Fairmont Empress Hotel and the BC Parliament Buildings. Soar over the Gulf Islands’ sandy beaches and dense forests, and look out for the mighty Lion’s Gate Bridge and Brockton Peninsula.

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.

Watch for wildlife along the scenic coast of Vancouver Island on a 3-hour boat tour from Victoria with an experienced marine naturalist. You’ll travel by high-speed catamaran with heated indoor cabins and outdoor decks, and scan the water for whales, seals, porpoises, sea lions, and many species of marine birds. This 3-hour wildlife tour departs from a central location in the heart of historic Victoria.

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.

The Neck Point Roaming Game is an outdoor adventure game set up for you to have fun and enjoy Neck Point Park in Nanaimo with its beautiful beaches and awesome views. You have to find clues, solve puzzles and maybe learn some new skills to open the locks of the treasure chest and save the citizens of Nanaimo from a looming disaster. The clues can be found in the park but no physical objects are hidden in the park. There is no strict time limit; this game can be played in a morning or afternoon. A group size of 2 or more people and age 12 years and older is recommended but not mandatory (minors have to be accompanied by a responsible adult). Do you have what it takes to save Nanaimo??? Note: participants are requested to stay on the trails.

Our professional historian is able to include many significant sites not offered in other tours. Enjoy the tour in our rare 1997 Bentley New Turbo R Exl built by Rolls Royce. Only 823 were built, all between 1995-97. Our Grand City and Butchart Gardens Tour covers all the main attractions in Victoria, the city of flowers, and the world-famous gardens located 15 miles outside of the city. For over a century, Butchart Gardens has been the premier attraction for travelers visiting Victoria. Enjoy BUTCHART GARDENS, a one and a half hour stop for a unique and remarkable experience, including 900 varieties of flowers and 120 varieties of trees. This finely crafted tour includes more attractions than we can list in the "What to Expect" section.

Join this small group helicopter tour to see Vancouver Island’s coastline from a whole new angle.  Start with a safety briefing with your experienced pilot, then head up, out over the Georgia Strait. Enjoy stunning mountain and ocean views as you fly over the Discovery Passage, Quadra Island and the beautiful Rebecca Spit Marine Provincial Park before returning to Campbell River.

Sailing on Starlight, Prime time or Sea Wolf in the Strait of Juan de Fuca is different each time. From Humbacks, Orcas, Sea lions, Seals, Eagles and water birds there is always something to see while you are learning the skills to sail one of our 3 sailing vessels.

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!

The tour starts off with an exciting half hour ride by cruiser boat in the early morning with our kayaks, guide and gourmet picnic lunch. On route to the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve guests will have the opportunity to take in the spectacular scenery of rocky bluffs with wind whipped trees, sights of the open Pacific Ocean, a noisy sea lion colony, and a historic native whaling beach. We watch for gray and humpback whales as we travel across Barkley Sound. Whale spotting is all about anticipation, and sightings are truly memorable, so if you watch closely you may get a chance to see whales and other marine life throughout the season.

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.

Discovery Island and its surrounding archipelago lies just off the coast of Victoria, but the rocky coastline makes it hard to reach. On this tour, explore the marine scenery by kayak and admire panoramic views over the Olympic Mountains. With all the necessary safety equipment included, spot native eagles, seals, and other wildlife, and embrace Canada’s great outdoors just moments from downtown Victoria.

Our professional historian is able to include many significant sites not offered in other tours. Enjoy the tour in our rare 1997 Bentley New Turbo R Exl built by Rolls Royce. Only 823 were built, all between 1995-97. Our Grand City Tour covers all the main attractions in Victoria, the city of flowers. This finely crafted tour includes more attractions than we can list in the "What to Expect" section.

Wine, whales and a west coast sunset—it’s the ultimate Vancouver Island experience! Sip some of the region’s best wines and enjoy a sunset tour with whales and other marine wildlife on this full-day combo tour. On a 4-hour wine tour, discover Saanich Peninsula, one of Canada’s must-visit locations for all wine and cider lovers. Enjoy tastings at three wineries. Later, on a 3-hour whale watching tour, hop aboard a comfortable semi-covered or open boat with Eagle Wing Tours at Victoria’s Fisherman’s Wharf. Whales are guaranteed or you come back for free! As the sun melts into the horizon, certified and knowledgeable naturalists will be your guides to the stunning wildlife of the Salish Sea! Hotel transport included.

Take off from Campbell River on a tour that is unlike any other. You’ll fly over the Comox Glacier and get a bird’s eye view of the spectacular scenery over the Vancouver Island Mountain Range. See British Columbia’s oldest provincial park, Strathcona Provincial Park from high above, and marvel at the sights that are often only for experienced hikers and mountaineers!

Mystical Rainforest Tours: Embark on a mindfulness based stroll through the wild enchantment of a Temperate Rainforest. Experience Forest Bathing: Being immersed in the healing energies of a Forest. Seeing, touching, tasting, smelling & listening to the vibrant presence & ecosystem that brings the forest to Life. Practice the art of Nature Mysticism: Come to the realization that you are part of something much greater than yourself. Tune into the life force of a mystical rainforest while listening to the uplifting sounds of a Tibetan Singing Bowl. Participate in a guided visualization exercise - Imagine that you are a tree, feeling grounded to the earth beneath you, while listening to a selection of music blending in with the peaceful sounds of the surrounding forest. Cap off your tour with an encounter with a 650 year old Douglas fir, acknowledging Mother Nature as your host.

Nestled in Vancouver Island’s northern bounds, Telegraph Cove is an intimate haven for whale watchers and conservationists. A former fishing village, today Telegraph Cove plays host to our quintessential whale watching adventure. Departing from Telegraph Cove Resort aboard a 12-passenger open-air Zodiac-style boat, this adventure will take you on a 3 hour fully-guided whale watching & marine wildlife viewing tour.

Hot tub on the water Explore the Gorge Waterway Listen to music Go swimming Enjoy a one of a kind experience with your significant other or some friends

We ultimately want our guests to have the best time possible. Where most companies make you book unique tours separately, we like to incorporate them all into one. This gives you a better bang for your buck with an option to customize the trip to your groups interests.

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.

We want to give our guests the best time possible. Where other companies require you to book each activity separately, we like to combine everything into one epic trip. This will give you the best bang for your buck as well as allow you to customize your trip to your groups interests.

Our 6-Hour trips give us the opportunity to venture out further and explore some of the more pristine and remote areas of the coast. Increase your chances of seeing some of the larger marine life, like whales and dolphins! In the spring and fall we have a very good chance of spotting black bears and Grizzly's scavenging on the beach! We frequently encounter resident Orca's, humpback whales, pacific white sided dolphins, porpoises, bald eagles and more! Tour Length: 6 Hours Includes beverages, snacks, and lunch

Join Orca Spirit for an unhurried adventure along the glacier-carved shoreline of the Juan de Fuca Strait, BC. In addition to whale and wildlife watching, we’ll cruise by the Lighthouse at Carmanah, Sea Lion Rock, and the West Coast & Juan de Fuca Trails. Keep your eyes peeled for telltale blows off in the distance and black bears, deer, bald eagles and other wildlife playing hide and seek in the majestic old growth forests nearby.