Somewhat charming, somewhat English, the oldest city in the province has seen its fair share of gold miners, carpet baggers, swagmen and political hucksters come and go. Don't miss it!
The provincial capital and "mother city" is the City of Victoria, where a range of quaint and curious treats await the casual visitor or dedicated tourist. See for example Attractions Victoria's list of attractions to visit. Other good sites are Victoria's Tourism Mall, and Go2Victoria, also WebVictoria or try CVC Production's Victoria and Vancouver Island, and Greater Victoria, which cover the southern end of Vancouver Island. Both are packed with information about what to do and see in the area. Looking for accommodation? See Victoria Hotel Canada for a suite of wonderful hotels, or Hotel Grand Pacific, Victoria Hotels/Motels or the Traveller's Inns for a range of idea, options and prices.
Around the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Recreation Victoria provides two sources of useful information for the traveler - places to stay (hotels, motels, B&Bs) and things to see. Another great site featuring B&Bs and lots of Victoria info is VictoriaLodging. Looking for trasnport as well as info on where to go? Check out Enchanted Tours of Victoria. Visit Victoria's West Shore B&Bs for other options.
Covering the length (and breadth) of Vancouver Island, BC's Adventure have pages on the areas beyond Victoria.
For selections across the province, Internet Vacations offers a wide range of bookable accommodations, plus discount vouchers, ideas on accommodation, latest weather reports, national parks, road conditions and more. And BC Travel provides a wide range of provincial travel information. Finally, how about Search BC for everything that's in that province?
The Royal BC Museum & IMAX Theatre is a must see. Call 1-888-447-7977.
Back to the top of the page
Eco-Tourist Sites
Victoria offers a wealth of fascinating opportunities to get off the beaten track, whether it be rainforest walks, kayaking, whale watching, First Nation visits, shoreline ecology tours, and much more. If this all seems to be overwhelming, use a tour operator such as Island Adventure Tours to get you the best deals, in the least amount of time.
Whale watching is growing in popularity, and there are lots of operators available. Select a tour based on how rugged you want to be -- some trips are fast and furious, in open vessels; others are more relaxed with covered cabins, such as the Victoria-San Juan Express. Where are the whales today? If they are off Orca Island, then try Sea Quest Adventures out of Sidney, to cut down on travel time.
The sheltered inland waters of the Juan de Fuca and Georgia Straits offer a range of kayaking adventures for the novice and experienced paddler alike. To cruise the Georgia Strait islands, contact Gulf Escapes Canada. Alternately, saddle up, and cycle the area.
Back to the top of the page
Tourist Attractions
Located on the Inner Harbour in downtown Victoria, the Rattenbury-designed Parliament Buildings are a must-see tour. Across the road, the Royal BC Museum and IMAX Theatre offers a wonderful range of exhibits and wide-screen movies. The natural history and native artifacts galleries of the museum are world class, and are a 'must-see' (even on sunny days).
Small is beautiful too. See the greatest little show on earth at Miniature World, a fabulous collection of all things tiny, from 18th century doll's houses; a little, operational sawmill; or the future in space. Located in the basement of the Fairmont Empress Hotel on the Inner Harbour. Talking of hotels & motels, why not stay at the Admiral Motel and enjoy what the city of Victoria has to offer?
Located on the Saanich Peninsula just a few miles north of Victoria, the Butchart Gardens are justifiably world famous, and worth visiting at any time of the year. As an added bonus, in the summer catch their evening concerts (Mon-Fri) and the Saturday fireworks at dusk - awesome!
If you have a thing about aircraft, then visit the BC Aviation Museum at the Victoria Airport, where 19 aircraft from 1910 to the present are under one roof.
Perhaps you enjoy traveling back in time to a simpler way of life. Heritage Acres, run by the Saanich Historical Artifacts Society, has acres and acres of fully functional items from bygone ages, including steam trains, combine harvesters, and more!
Catch the magic glitter in a flash of wings at the Victoria Butterfly Gardens, on the Saanich Peninsula.
Back to the top of the page
Childrens' Attractions
A great family adventure and one of the most popular attractions on the island for children, Mineral World & Scratch Patch is a combination of goldpanning, gem collecting, crystal hunting, & fossil digging. Plan to spend at least half a day there, and be prepared to go back again. And again!
For a great indoor children's entertainment centre with excellent facilities, visit Playzone Adventures, who provide hours of fun and amusement to children everyday.
Back to the top of the page
Transportation Links
Bringing the majority of the ferry passengers to the Island, BC Ferries provides a wide range of vessels, sailing times and routes to allow you to 'get over' as easily as possible.
The Port Angeles to Victoria car ferry is a 95 minute trip that, on clear days, offers spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains behind Port Angeles. The Victoria Express provides a passenger-only alternative on the same route.
For high speed marine transportation from Seattle to Victora and the San Juan Islands (passengers only) catch the Victoria Clipper that operates twice or more daily.
The Anacortes to Sidney ferry wanders through the Gulf Islands, with lofty Mt Baker behind, stopping at a number of ports along the way. Check the schedule for the different sailing times.
By air, there are a number of carriers who will be pleased to serve your needs. Both WestJet and AirCanada fly in regularly from Vancouver to Victoria. HeliJet Air fly from city centre to centre. Harbour Air offers floatplane service from Vancouver's inner harbour to Victoria's inner harbour.
From Seattle, Alaska Air and its server Horizon Air now fly non-stop to Victoria Airport, while Kenmore Air provides seaplane service from Seattle's harbor to Victoria's harbour.
Back to the top of the page
General Information Sites