The Ultimate Victoria, BC Travel Guide (From Vancouver)

The Ultimate Victoria, BC Travel Guide (From Vancouver)

Why We Chose Victoria, BC

If you’ve been following along, you know we usually explore around Alberta… but last summer we decided to switch things up.

We wanted something coastal, scenic, and slower paced.

So we headed to British Columbia—and it turned out to be one of our favorite trips yet.

From gardens to museums to ocean views, it had the perfect mix of everything.

✈️ Getting to Victoria, BC (From Vancouver)

We flew into Vancouver, picked up a rental car, and started our island journey.

Capilano Suspension Bridge

Before heading to the ferry, we made a stop here—and it was absolutely worth it.

Walking through the forest trails and suspension walkways felt like stepping into another world.

And honestly…

The temptation to jump on that bridge?? 😭

Like you KNOW you shouldn’t… but also… just one little bounce?

(We behaved… mostly.)

Ferry Lesson: Book It Early

To get to Vancouver Island, we took the ferry toward Brentwood Bay.

Here’s your real travel tip:

👉 Book your ferry ahead of time.

We didn’t.

And we ended up arriving after midnight 🫠

Thankfully, our Airbnb host was super kind and still let us in.

Where We Stayed: Brentwood Bay

We stayed in a cozy Airbnb suite in Brentwood Bay and it was perfect.

Why it worked:

  • Quiet, peaceful area
  • Close to major attractions
  • Relaxed coastal vibe

It ended up being the perfect base for exploring Vancouver Island.

Slow Travel Morning

The next morning, we slowed everything down.

We explored Brentwood Bay, grabbed breakfast, and actually enjoyed not rushing anywhere.

Highly recommend building in slow mornings like this.

Exploring Victoria

We headed into Victoria for a full day of exploring:

Everything is walkable, scenic, and very easy to explore at your own pace.

Royal BC Museum

A must-visit. It’s immersive, interesting, and one of the best museums we’ve been to on a trip.

Victoria Chinatown

Perfect for wandering, photos, and grabbing a casual bite while exploring the city.

Garden Highlights (Must-Do)

Butchart Gardens

This place is unreal.

Every corner looks like a postcard, and it’s just minutes from Brentwood Bay. Easily one of the most beautiful gardens we’ve ever visited.

Victoria Butterfly Gardens

Right nearby and feels like stepping into a tropical indoor jungle. Super unique and worth a stop.

Fisherman’s Wharf + Whale Watching Experience

Fisherman’s Wharf is such a fun waterfront stop with floating homes, food spots, and a relaxed coastal vibe.

But for us, it was more than just a stop.

This is where we boarded our whale watching tour with Eagle Wing Whale & Wildlife Tours.

We went in hoping to see dolphins… and we actually saw whales 🥹

It was such a surreal moment.

Did we get good photos? Absolutely not 😭

But honestly, it didn’t matter—we were fully in the moment and just taking it in.

Tip: Combine lunch at Fisherman’s Wharf with a whale watching tour for the perfect experience.

Views & Scenic Stops

Malahat SkyWalk

One of the most breathtaking viewpoints on the island. The views are incredible and the walk up is such a cool experience.

Hatley Castle 

This stop felt like stepping into a movie set.

We explored the grounds around Hatley Castle, which had so many different garden areas to walk through.

We didn’t make it inside the castle because we arrived a bit too late 😭 but even just the estate was completely worth it.

The gardens were stunning, each with its own personality:

  • 🇮🇹 Italian Garden
  • 🇯🇵 Japanese Garden
  • 🌿 Scenic walking paths throughout the estate

We just wandered without a plan and every turn felt better than the last.

And of course… classic travel moment:

my phone ran out of battery 🫠

No photos, no juice—just being fully present in the moment. Honestly, it made the experience even more memorable.

Cozy Night In (Budget Travel Win)

One night, we decided to grab groceries and cook at the Airbnb.

It ended up being one of the best decisions of the trip—cheap, relaxed, and a nice reset between busy days.

Final Stop: Vancouver Aquarium

On our way back, we visited the Vancouver Aquarium before heading home.

It was the perfect calm ending to an amazing trip.

Suggested 3–4 Day Victoria Itinerary

Day 1:

  • Fly into Vancouver
  • Capilano Suspension Bridge
  • Ferry to Vancouver Island

Day 2:

  • Brentwood Bay slow morning
  • Explore Victoria downtown
  • Royal BC Museum

Day 3:

  • Butchart Gardens
  • Butterfly Gardens
  • Chinatown + city walk

Day 4:

  • Malahat SkyWalk
  • Hatley Castle gardens
  • Fisherman’s Wharf + Whale Watching

Final Day:

  • Ferry back to Vancouver
  • Vancouver Aquarium
  • Fly home

Final Thoughts

This trip had the perfect balance of everything:

  • Adventure + relaxation
  • Planning + spontaneity
  • Nature + city life

Even with ferry chaos and missed castle entry times, it all added to the story.

And honestly? I’d do it all over again.

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