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Victoria & Butchart Gardens

Vancouver Island · Ferry Day Trip

Highlights

  • Butchart Gardens' 55 acres of themed display gardens
  • Victoria's Inner Harbour and the Parliament Buildings
  • A scenic BC Ferries crossing across the Strait of Georgia
  • Fisherman's Wharf's floating houses and food stalls

Itinerary

6:30 AM

Pickup & ferry crossing

An early pickup around Vancouver starts your day, heading to the terminal for the ferry crossing to Vancouver Island across the Strait of Georgia. Settle in on deck or in the lounge as the boat winds through the Gulf Islands, keeping an eye out for eagles, seals, and the occasional pod of orcas along the way, a scenic warm-up for the gardens and harbour views still ahead on Vancouver Island.

Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Butchart Gardens, BCButchart Gardens, BC
Victoria, BCVictoria, BC
9:30 AM

Arrive Vancouver Island

Arrive on Vancouver Island and begin the short drive toward the Saanich Peninsula, through rolling farmland and coastal scenery on the approach to Butchart Gardens. The transition from ferry terminal to garden gates is quick, giving you more time to explore the celebrated grounds that have made this one of the most visited attractions in all of British Columbia, drawing garden lovers from around the world each year.

Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Butchart Gardens, BCButchart Gardens, BC
Victoria, BCVictoria, BC
10:00 AM

Butchart Gardens

Spend about two hours at Butchart Gardens (admission optional), over 55 acres of world-famous display gardens transformed from a former limestone quarry more than a century ago. Wander through the Sunken Garden's dramatic terraces, the formal symmetry of the Italian Garden, and the tranquil Japanese Garden with its koi ponds and stone lanterns, all bursting with seasonal blooms tended by generations of gardeners since 1904.

Butchart Gardens, BCButchart Gardens, BC
Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Victoria, BCVictoria, BC
12:30 PM

Victoria Inner Harbour

Enjoy free time at Victoria's picturesque Inner Harbour, framed by the ivy-covered Fairmont Empress Hotel and the domed, illuminated BC Legislature Buildings. Grab lunch on your own at one of the many nearby cafes or seafood spots, then wander over to Fisherman's Wharf, a colourful floating community of houseboats and food stalls where you might spot seals begging for scraps at the water's edge.

Victoria, BCVictoria, BC
Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Butchart Gardens, BCButchart Gardens, BC
3:30 PM

Return ferry

Head back to the terminal for the return ferry crossing across the Strait of Georgia toward the mainland. As the boat pulls away from Vancouver Island, take a last look at the coastline and mountains before settling in for the crossing, with one more chance to spot marine wildlife from the open deck on the way back toward Vancouver and the end of the day.

Victoria, BCVictoria, BC
Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Butchart Gardens, BCButchart Gardens, BC
8:00 PM

Arrive back in Vancouver

After a long, rewarding day, roughly 13 to 14 hours door to door, you'll arrive back in Vancouver by evening. Your driver drops you off in the city, capping off a day that carried you from world-famous gardens to a historic harbour city and back, all in a single, memorable excursion across the Strait of Georgia and through the Gulf Islands.

Vancouver, BCVancouver, BC
Victoria, BCVictoria, BC
Butchart Gardens, BCButchart Gardens, BC

Route & Distances

  1. VancouverVictoriaferry crossing, ≈ 1.5–2 hr
  2. VictoriaButchart Gardens≈ 21 km
  3. Butchart GardensVictoria≈ 21 km
  4. VictoriaVancouverreturn ferry, ≈ 1.5–2 hr

Distances are approximate driving distances, for reference only — actual route and mileage on the day may vary.

Check Availability

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Departure dates are temporarily closed. This calendar will reopen here once we are officially operating. In the meantime, contact us to register your interest.

What's Included

Includes

  • Round-trip transport and ferry crossings
  • English-speaking guide (Vietnamese on request, subject to availability)

Excludes

  • Butchart Gardens admission
  • Meals and personal expenses
  • Gratuities for your guide

Own Expenses

Optional activities you can add on-site — not included in the tour price.

  • Butchart Gardens admission≈ $38 CAD / person

Cancellation Policy

CancelledRefund
21+ days before departureFull refund
7–20 days before departure50% refund
Less than 7 days before departureNo refund

Good to Know

  • Valid government-issued photo ID is required for every traveler on all departures.
  • Pickup and drop-off times are approximate and may shift by 15–30 minutes depending on traffic and road conditions.
  • Itinerary order and stops may change due to weather, road closures, or park conditions — safety comes first.
  • Comfortable walking shoes are recommended; stops involve short, easy walks rather than technical hiking.
  • Let us know about mobility needs, dietary restrictions, or large group sizes at the time of booking so we can plan accordingly.
  • Multi-day tours are priced based on double-occupancy hotel rooms; single-traveler and triple-occupancy rates are available on request.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this day, really?

About 13–14 hours door to door, with an early morning pickup and a late-evening return — it's a long but full day.

Is Butchart Gardens admission included?

No, it's optional, though most travelers add it since it's the main reason for the trip.

Is there a better time of year to go?

The gardens are open year-round — spring through summer for peak bloom, and December for the seasonal light displays.

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From $185 CADper person, CAD

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