From Vancouver: Victoria & Butchart Gardens Tour with Gulf Islands Cruise

Summary Description

Experience a full-day adventure from Vancouver to Victoria, featuring a scenic ferry cruise, a visit to Butchart Gardens, and exploration of Victoria's historic sites.

Highlights
  • Scenic 1.5-hour ferry cruise through Gulf Islands
  • Explore the stunning Butchart Gardens
  • Victoria City Tour including Government Street, Chinatown, and the Inner Harbour
  • See Victoria’s rich architecture, enchanting ocean views, and artisan cafes
  • Travel in comfort with round-trip transportation from Vancouver
Description

Your trip starts with a relaxed coach ride from Vancouver to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal. From there, board a roomy BC Ferries ship for a 90-minute sail through the picturesque Gulf Islands. Spend time on the open deck, enjoy the ocean air, and watch for wildlife—eagles circling above, sea lions lounging on the shoreline, and possibly even whales moving through the water.

 Once you reach Vancouver Island, you’ll head straight to the famous Butchart Gardens. Explore a breathtaking collection of themed landscapes filled with colour, texture, and fragrance. Must-see areas include the impressive Sunken Garden, the vibrant Rose Garden, and the peaceful Japanese Garden.

 The journey continues to Victoria, a destination that mixes classic British style with West Coast personality. Wander around the historic Inner Harbour, framed by the striking Parliament Buildings and the elegant Fairmont Empress. You’ll have free time to browse unique shops, relax with a drink by the water, or explore neighbourhoods like Chinatown and Government Street. With its coastal charm, cultural landmarks, and inviting atmosphere, Victoria appeals to families, couples, and solo travelers alike.

Included / Excluded
  • Round-trip ferry ride through the Gulf Islands
  • BC Ferries cruise between Vancouver and Victoria
  • Butchart Gardens admission
  • Leisure time in Victoria
  • Professional driver and guide
  • Meals and beverages
Commentary

Guide : English

Important Information
Know Before You Book
  • Hotel pick-up is available from select downtown Vancouver hotels; confirm your pick-up location at the time of booking.
  • The tour operates rain or shine; please dress appropriately for the weather conditions.
Know Before You Go
  • Guests may activate ticket in Big Bus app or in person with Big Bus staff
  • Bring a camera to capture the stunning landscapes and historic architecture.
Cancellation

Cancellation Cutoff: 24 hours

Cancellation Notes: Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund

Options and Pricing

Round Trip Option from Vancouver: Plan for 12–13 hours. Tour begins at 8:20 or 9:20 am (depending on season). Includes a BC Ferries cruise, admission to world famous Butchart Gardens and a leisure time in Victoria before heading back to Vancouver.

Victoria + Butchart Gardens Tour (Round Trip) RETAIL PRICE
Adult (13 - 99 years) N/A
Child (3 - 12 years) N/A

One Way Option from Vancouver: Plan for 10.5 hours. Tour begins at 8:20 or 9:20 am (depending on season). Includes a BC Ferries cruise, admission to world famous Butchart Gardens before being dropped off in Victoria.

Victoria + Butchart Gardens Tour (One Way) RETAIL PRICE
Adult (13 - 99 years) N/A
Child (3 - 12 years) N/A
Additional Information

Hotel pick-up is available from select downtown Vancouver hotels. If your hotel is not listed, please select the closest available location. Please be ready at your selected pick-up point at least 30 minutes before the scheduled tour departure time. We do not provide luggage transfer services, and drop-offs at Vancouver International Airport are not included in this tour. **Late arrivals may not be allowed to join the tour and will not receive a refund."

Redemption Information

Your voucher will be collected or scanned on redemption

FAQ

How long will we spend on BC Ferries?

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It takes about 90 minutes on the BC Ferries to reach Vancouver Island from the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal. Onboard amenities include a self-serve restaurant, kid’s entertainment area and washrooms.

How much time will we spend at Butchart Gardens?

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You will have approximately 1.5-2 hours of free time in the Butchart Gardens depending on the departure time, with the 8:30 departure offering the most time at the gardens.

Are the Butchart Gardens wheelchair accessible?

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Yes, all public areas are wheelchair accessible with the exception of a viewpoint area within the Sunken Garden known as “The Mound.”

How much free time will we have in Victoria?

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Depending on the season, during the Spring and Summer tour guest will have approximately 2-2.5 hours of free time. During the Winter season, guests will have approximately 1.5 hours of free time in Victoria.

How long is the tour?

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The round trip tour length is between 12 & 13 hours depending on the season

About operator:

Big Bus Tours is the world’s largest operator of open-top sightseeing tours, inspiring the spirit of adventure in 26 world-famous cities across four continents. Beginning its journey 28 years’ ago, with a fleet of only three buses, Big Bus Tours has swiftly expanded to a global fleet of hundreds of open-top buses, turning 6 million tourists into explorers, every year. Big Bus Tours operates in Prague, Boston, Madrid, Munich, Los Angeles, Singapore, Dublin, London, Dubai, Hong Kong, New York, Las Vegas, Chicago, Abu Dhabi, Budapest, Miami, Muscat, Rome, Paris, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Darwin, Sydney, Vienna, Washington DC and Berlin, with a sightseeing concept designed to provide a flexible approach to city discovery. Each open-top bus tour provides a hop-on, hop-off facility at a
variety of interesting locations, with complimentary additions to enhance the visitor sightseeing experience.

We envision to be the number 1 thing to do in every world-famous city. Our vision is to be the #1 thing to do in every world famous city. In doing so, we are dedicated to providing the highest quality Hop on Hop off service in the industry. Our tours are enriched with state-of-the-art digital audio-guides that are not only informative, but also entertaining for individuals of all ages. Covering all major landmarks and points of interest in each city, our buses offer the flexibility for customers to hop on and off at their convenience throughout the duration of their ticket. We pride ourselves in offering a wide variety of products tailored to meet the needs of every traveller, with many tickets even including additional exciting activities such as boat tours, walking tours, and attraction tickets.

Basic Information
  • Duration: 12.5 hours
  • Trip difficulty: Easy
  • Category: Day Trips & Excursions
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