Top Vancouver Island Half-day Tours

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.

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.

Explore the beautifully historic center of Victoria, then trade downtown streets for the flower-lined paths of Butchart Gardens on a half-day, private tour of the city. You'll start with a trip to Fisherman's Wharf, then see the Parliament Buildings, the Empress Hotel, Beacon Hill Park, and Craigdarroch Castle, following scenic roads through the Vancouver Island countryside. With departures throughout the day, this tour of Victoria highlights is priced per vehicle, and can be tailored to your private group of up to seven people.

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.

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 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.

Explore Victoria while taking advantage of the city’s great network of cycling lanes on this small-group bike tour. You’ll visit a variety of Victoria landmarks, including Craigdarroch Castle, Government House, and Fisherman’s Wharf. Along the way, your guide will share a wealth of information about the history of British Columbia’s capital, along with a local’s tips and insights into the culture.

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.

Explore the city of Victoria and the famous Butchart Gardens on this half-day guided tour. On the way to the gardens, stop at several attractions including Beacon Hill Park, Craigdarroch Castle, and Mount Tolmie Park. While at the Butchart Gardens, take in the impressive floral displays and the many theme gardens. On the return trip, visit Chinatown, Parliament, and the Empress Hotel.

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.

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.

Hike through Vancouver Island's towering rainforest on a private, guided hike from Victoria that explores a fascinating ecosystem. You'll see waterfalls, native plants, and some of the world's tallest and oldest trees, walking alongside a guide as you watch for Vancouver Island's native wildlife. With pickup and drop-off in downtown Victoria or the cruise port, this private hiking tour includes roughly two hours of hiking time, and can be tailored to your schedule.

Get to know Victoria in an intimate way during this journey through the city's vibrant street art scene, indulging in craft beer along the way. Immerse yourself in art as each mural tells its own story, reflecting the moods, culture, and history of the area. Connect with the artists leave with a sense of connection to the community. Then, discover the rich beer culture of Victoria, where local breweries create their own flavors.

Participants embark on a leisurely journey hopping between waterfront pubs and bars, savoring local brews and delicious Victoria inspired cocktails along the way. What sets this crawl apart is the mode of transportation: instead of walking or driving between venues, attendees board charming harbour ferries to navigate the waters, enjoying scenic views of the city skyline and iconic landmarks. Led by fun and knowledgeable guides, this Pub Crawl promises not only a delightful culinary adventure but also a memorable exploration of Victoria's breathtaking waterfront. Whether you're a visitor looking to experience the city from a unique perspective or a local eager to discover hidden gems along the harbour, this tour offers a refreshing and unforgettable taste of Victoria's vibrant culture. Join this public tour and make some new friends in your new favourite city!

Enjoy a day of wine tasting in the Cowichan Valley without the hassles of driving, planning, or organizing. We'll pick you up at 11:30 and head out to sample the excellent wines at 3 renowned wineries. On the drive in between, play your favorite tunes and jump on the karaoke mic. No judgement, we promise!

Enjoy beer tastings only available in Vancouver on a neighborhood culture crawl among the city's most interesting local breweries. Walk along "Brewery Creek" to visit the best places to experience local beer while you learn about the craft beer movement and how it has evolved locally. Both veteran beer connoisseurs and curious beer newbies are welcome to join as we seek our next favorite Vancouver brew.

Join a fun group of beer lovers for a beer tour of Victoria’s craft breweries, sampling some of the city’s best brews along the way. Let someone else do the driving, so you can focus on exploring local beer, with a flight of four samples at each of three breweries. This Victoria beer tour includes beer and all transport, and it’s the perfect introduction to the energetic Vancouver Island brewing community.

Discover the best of Victoria as you explore with an expert guide on this half-day sightseeing tour. With a private guide, explore the Inner Harbor and Fisherman’s Wharf to see historic sights, floating homes, beautiful landscapes, and more. Then, enjoy a guided tour of the Butchart Gardens which are filled with floral displays ranging from Italian- to Japanese-style, ponds, and fountains.

Vancouver Island is known for producing great wines in a beautiful environment. Visit well-regarded wineries on Saanich Peninsula on this tour from Victoria, which includes private wine tastings at each location, a behind-the-scenes tour of a local winery, and a guide with extensive knowledge about the industry. This small-group tour is limited to 15 passengers or fewer for a more intimate experience.

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!

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!

Hidden behind the beauty of Victoria’s historic downtown area, lies a surprising and sinister past. This easy walking tour takes you back in time to the scenes of some of the city’s earliest and most shocking True Crimes, with cases that captured the attention of the entire nation and beyond. Whether it’s frontier justice, mysterious disappearances, or a shocking murder so heinous that it was compared to the Jack the Ripper murders, you’ll discover the gruesome tales of a city growing from the wilds of the west coast. CRIMEWALKS is a self guided, TRUE CRIME walking tour like no other. As you approach the scene of a true crime, immersive audio will begin to play automatically and you can access images and other media related to that story. Then your GPS will guide you to the next location on your CRIMEWALKS tour. Travel at your own pace, with the companions you choose. Start, stop and resume a tour whenever you are ready. Learn the whole story, only with CRIMEWALKS!