Victoria, British Columbia, has Canada’s mildest weather, so plan to get outside no matter which season you visit. This Vancouver Island city offers plenty of options for both leisurely and active outdoor explorations, whether you’d like to sample from its farms, cideries and breweries, understand its history or head onto the water in search of aquatic life.
Tour the Inner Harbor by kayak
Victoria’s Inner Harbor buzzes with activity, with ferries chugging through its waters and float planes swooping in to land. But take a guided kayak tour for a more peaceful way to explore the waterways in the heart of the city. Kelp Reef Adventures, an outfitter based at Fisherman’s Wharf, offers two- and three-hour guided paddles around the harbor and the surrounding coastline. And despite all the human goings-on, you might spot harbor seals sunning on the rocks, river otters frolicking in the water or bald eagles soaring overhead.
Go whale watching
Set out in search of the orca, humpback and minke whales that swim through the Pacific off the Vancouver Island coast. Several companies provide half- or full-day whale-watching trips that leave from Victoria’s city center. Some sail in larger, stable vessels, often with interior cabins or covered decks that protect you from the weather, while on more thrilling Zodiac tours, you can zip across the water in speedy open-top boats. The whale-watching season typically runs from March through November, although some trips are available year-round.
To see the various options or to book your tour, contact one of these local operators who operate Victoria whale-watching excursions: Eagle Wing Tours, Orca Spirit Adventures, Prince of Whales or Springtide Whale Watching and Eco Tours.
Try a walking tour
Run by local history enthusiasts John Adams and his son Chris, Discover the Past leads several educational and entertaining guided walks through Victoria’s downtown and Chinatown neighborhoods. You’ll learn about the region’s Indigenous heritage, hear tales of scandal and murder that shaped Victoria’s early years, and learn little-known facts about the city and its residents.
If you prefer more edible history, explore the city’s heritage and present-day food scene on a guided walk with Off the Eaten Track, which curates tasting tours of Victoria’s downtown and Chinatown districts. On the Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town tour, for example, you’ll sample the snacks at the Victoria Public Market, then stroll through Chinatown history with stops for housemade tempeh, Thai-style dumplings, Mexican tacos, Filipino pastries and more. On the Eat Like A Canadian Food Tour, your tasty trek might include bites of salmon candy, bannock (a traditional First Nations bread), poutine, maple syrup, the Canadian pastries known as “beavertails” and a uniquely Vancouver Island dessert, the Nanaimo Bar.
E-bike the “Flavor Trails”
Another way to combine outdoor explorations and food touring is to rent an e-bike and follow one of the “flavor trails” north or west of the city, stopping off at local farmstands, cideries and breweries. One easy-to-follow route takes you along the Lochside Regional Trail, an 18-mile former rail line from the city center north toward the Swartz Bay ferry terminal. You might detour to Babe’s Honey Farm to sample its Sparkling Bee Line, a fermented kombucha-like beverage made from honey, or pick up fresh strawberries at neighboring Galey Farms.
A delicious lunch stop is Harvest Road, an outdoor food stand at Michell’s Farm, where you might dig into a Lochside Burger, layered with double-smoked bacon, goat cheese and caramelized onions, or the vegan Bun O Love, heaped with locally grown vegetables and enlivened with smoked habanero mayonnaise.
If you still have more energy, continue pedaling north to Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse to taste its bubbly ciders. You can rent e-bikes from Pedego Electric Bikes Victoria and The Pedaler, which are a short walk from the Inner Harbor.
Pedal to “Hoppy Hour” or to local gardens
The Pedaler also organizes a guided Hoppy Hour bike tour, pairing leisurely cycling with tastings at several of the city’s craft breweries. Learn about local landmarks between flavorful flights at nearby beer makers. Or sign up for Pedal To The Petals, an e-bike tour where your guide will lead you to four local public and private gardens, highlighting Victoria’s reputation as Canada’s most floral city.
Enjoy biking and some wellness
Whatever adventures you choose, base yourself at the Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Fairmont Empress, overlooking the Inner Harbor. The hotel provides workout clothing and shoes for members of its complimentary loyalty program so you don’t need to pack your own. The Empress has bicycles available to guests as well. Take a short ride to check out the float homes at Fisherman’s Wharf or do a scenic pedal along Dallas Road, where the views over the water extend to Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.
And when you’re back at this grand hotel, head for Willow Stream Spa. Among the treatments you might try, the 90-minute Elements Ritual draws on nature’s earth, air, water and fire elements, combining an exfoliating mud wrap and relaxing face mask, aromatherapy, a refreshing shower and a warm ginger oil massage — a soothing way to conclude your outdoor adventures in British Columbia’s island capital.
