For the Adventure Seekers
Ultimate Marine Adventure Tour – Spend three hours exploring the marine ecosystem of the Salish Sea and its marine residents when you book this adventurous tour near Victoria. Your tour includes a cup of hot chocolate, a ride on a luxurious high-speed boat, and an expert marine naturalist who will help you navigate through the Salish Sea while teaching you about this unique marine ecosystem and its inhabitants. You’ll encounter rare marine species like killer whales and humpback whales along the way, too. With so much to learn and experience at sea, this marine adventure is ideal for curious sea-faring wayfarers and marine enthusiasts alike. Hop aboard the Salish, Shadow to begin your quest exploring the deep waters of the Salish Sea. You’ll learn about the Salish Sea from an expert marine naturalist as you zip across its waters in a high-speed luxury boat. As a vast marine ecosystem, the Salish Sea’s coastline and inland coastlines stretch about 4,642 miles from Canada to the United States and includes about 419 islands and the waters of Vancouver, British Columbia, the San Juan Islands and Puget Sound. This marine ecosystem, one of the largest of its kind in the world, is rich with marine life, including over 3,000 microscopic species that don’t have a backbone. Discover the Salish Sea’s resident mammal marine wildlife along the way, including humpback whales and killer whales. Catching a glimpse of the killer whale in its natural habitat is a unique experience since it is an endangered species. Get your camera ready to capture images of other Salish Sea inhabitants, including Dall’s porpoises, Steller sea lions, Pacific white-sided dolphins, blue herons, and tufted puffins. Take time to relax with your hot chocolate as you take in the panoramic views of the horizon and surrounding islands before returning to your port destination. From catching scenic views of the sea and cities to glimpsing the flips and fins of killer whales and Dall’s porpoises, there’s much to see and do on this exciting marine adventure. Sign up for this thrilling marine tour today and get ready for the ultimate whale-watching experience!
Great for families
A Tale of Two Gardens, Butterfly and Butchart Garden Tours – Indulge in the beauty of the Victoria Butterfly Gardens and the Butchart Gardens in Victoria on this serene garden tour in Canada. You’ll enjoy a tour of the national historic site of Butchart Garden and make a 30 to 45 minute stop to the Victoria Butterfly Garden along the way for a fully-narrated exotic insect encounter. Glimpse up to 70 species of tropical butterflies, gaze on gorgeous garden views of sprawling lawns and bedding plants and experience wildlife like flamingos and large iguanas. It’s the perfect tour for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Start your outdoor adventure with a 30-minute ride to the Victoria Butterfly Gardens. Here, you’ll spend 30 to 45 minutes among tropical butterflies and lush gardens. While this attraction is home to up to 70 species of tropical butterflies, it also is the residence of unique wildlife, including poison dart frogs, flamingos, tropical birds, and large iguanas. While you’re on this fully-narrated tour, make sure you stop by the Insectarium to encounter a diverse exhibit of insects, including leaf-cutter ants, glowing scorpions, and one of the world’s largest bird-eating tarantulas. Your garden exploration continues with a ride to the world-renowned Butchart Gardens, an acclaimed National Historic Site of Canada. Since 1904, locals and tourists alike have visited the Butchart Gardens to catch a glimpse of its manicured lawns that frame delightful flower beds and the gorgeous Japanese and Italian Gardens. With over 55 acres of green space, these gardens are the perfect place for a stroll to take in the scents of the trees and plants before heading back to your port in Victoria. From sprawling lawns that frame floral beds to a world of thousands of butterflies and exotic insects, there’s much to see on this exciting excursion. Book your exciting garden adventure today and get ready to experience the beauty of the Butchart Gardens and Victoria Butterfly Garden!
Victoria highlights and history walking tour – Embark on a 2.5-hour, fully-guided sightseeing stroll that lets you experience Victoria’s city highlights, as you discover the Inner Harbour, Thunderbird Park, Chinatown, Government Street and more notable landmarks along the way. Follow your guide as you head out on foot around the capital of British Columbia. Dig back into its British colonial past, admiring the ornate Victorian architecture that surrounds you and the colorful blooms filling Beacon Hill Park. A walk down Government Streets leads you past the Parliament Buildings where the Legislative Assembly gathers and then before the beautiful Fairmont Empress Hotel, an iconic luxury lodging dating to 1908. Along the Inner Harbour you’ll admire the sailboats and seaplanes docked near Wharf Street and breathe in the briny essence of seafood shacks lining Fisherman’s Wharf Park. Make your way to the Mile Zero Monument of the Trans Canada Highway and to Thunderbird Park, where First Nations long houses and ornate totem poles await you. You’ll wander through the oldest Chinatown in Canada and Fan Tan Alley, the country’s narrowest street, before completing your return route back at the ship.
For animal lovers
Victoria Whale Watching Tour – Whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and sea lions are waiting for you on this exciting Victoria whale watching tour. This environmentally-friendly tour in British Columbia uses a high speed expedition catamaran to transport you comfortably on your whale watching journey. During this three-hour tour, you will have the opportunity to see four different types of whales: orcas (killer whales), humpback whales, grey whales, and minke whales. Other marine life visible on the tour may include seals, porpoises, dolphins, sea lions, and marine birds. The veteran crew utilizes an eco-friendly and whale friendly approach while on the water. Listen to the sounds of the Salish Sea through the on-board hydrophone. For this whale watching cruise in Victoria, dress in comfortable layers and closed-toed shoes, and be prepared to get wet. Morning and afternoon tours are available from April to October. Please check in with the crew 30 minutes prior to your tour departure time.
Griffin Approved
While we have visited Victoria once, we didn’t purchase a shore excursion. Instead, we took the bus from the port to the business district, wandered on our own, and took a pedicab back to the port again. Victoria is a beautiful city and is very walkable with shops and restaurants.
