Top Vancouver Island Art & Culture

You might not guess from the pretty gardens and charming streets, but the city of Victoria is full of ghosts, or at least ghost stories. Walk with your guide through some of the most haunted spots in town, hearing the spooky and tragic tales from Victoria’s past. You never know, you may go home with a story of your own….

Spin through downtown Victoria on two wheels and discover top city attractions with ease on this Victoria castles and neighborhoods bike tour. Hop onto your bike and follow your guide through the city streets. Learn of Victoria’s colorful past through its historic buildings, and explore districts including the Inner Harbour, Cook Street Village, and Chinatown. Enjoy fine views over the Dallas Road waterfront and admire the eery Craigdarroch Castle. Cycle through Moss Rock Park and Beacon Hill Park, and soak up the artistic atmosphere in leafy Fernwood.

Explore Victoria while taking advantage of the city’s great network of cycling lanes on this small-group bike tour. You’ll visit a variety of Victoria landmarks, including Craigdarroch Castle, Government House, and Fisherman’s Wharf. Along the way, your guide will share a wealth of information about the history of British Columbia’s capital, along with a local’s tips and insights into the culture.

This is your opportunity to get as close to wild grizzly bears as it’s possible to safely get. Explore the wilderness of Bute from the water, discover its hidden natural gems, and keep a look out for its furry local inhabitants, also known as the Great Bears of Bute. Watch for whales on the inlet, and visit the Campbell River and meet the indigenous people who own this river.

FOOD, WINE and SPECTACULAR SCENERY. We LOVE this revised tour to REFLECT COVID-19.Join Island Time Tours for a lovely relaxing adventure exploring the Cowichan Valley. We visit 3 (4 if time permitting) of the prettiest vineyards and do our own thing to avoid any line-ups. We offer you a wonderful experience at each vineyard.. First stop includes bubbly with orange juice (optional) w/ fresh warm bake goods. Relax, inhale and take in this beautiful countryside. LUNCH is filled with afternoon tea delights with WINE served weather permitting in the great outdoors. Dessert w/wine complete this tour at another picturesque vineyard. Great food, award winning wines and spectacular beauty. Let's go!

Take a sweet-smelling stroll through Victoria’s famous Butchart Gardens, spanning 55 acres (22.2 hectares) of beautifully designed flower beds, lily ponds, footbridges, and thematic landscapes. With a convenient pickup location and a flexible return shuttle schedule, it’s an easy way to experience one of Victoria’s most popular attractions. Visit during summer or holiday season evenings to witness special luminous displays that add an extra touch of enchantment to the gardens.

Cruise the Salish Sea in comfort while you search for whales, seals, bald eagles, and otters on this half-day guided tour. This whale-watching experience is led by a certified naturalist, eager to share their knowledge on the area’s wildlife and natural history. If no whales are sighted—no worries! You can return for free.

Discover the heart of British Colombia’s capital of Victoria as you embark on a self-guided walking tour through the city. Download the app on your phone and walk around town to hear about the story of the city, from its indigenous routes to the Victorian era to the present day. Sights you see include the Inner Harbor, the Empress Hotel, Bastion Square, and Chinatown.

Discover the best of Victoria as you explore with an expert guide on this half-day sightseeing tour. With a private guide, explore the Inner Harbor and Fisherman’s Wharf to see historic sights, floating homes, beautiful landscapes, and more. Then, enjoy a guided tour of the Butchart Gardens which are filled with floral displays ranging from Italian- to Japanese-style, ponds, and fountains.

Explore quaint Victoria on this guided walking tour with a local historian. Along the way, take in picturesque views of the city’s Inner Harbour and wander the streets, alleyways, and town squares of Old Town, Bastion Square, and Chinatown, while learning about Victoria's history. Plus, hear about its past scandals like opium smuggling.

Art & beer are two of the best windows into the local soul of a place. The art reflects the local moods, the culture, the history, the current events, the struggles, the triumphs, and even the weather. Each mural has it’s story and each story has it’s author, and we’ll do our best to connect you to both. You’ll leave with a sense of connection to the art, their artists and the area. Local breweries use local products to get a flavor that is district and unique to what's available in the region. The beer culture in Victoria goes back a long time, and there are some special traditions to be enjoyed on this tour.

Discover hidden alleys and local curios in Vancouver’s Old Town and Chinatown districts on this 75-minute pedicab tour. Head through Victoria's Old Town and Chinatown districts with your guide, where old shops and boutiques line the winding alleyways. Hear hair-raising ghost stories from centuries past and learn of the settlers, immigrants and colonists who have shaped the city we see today. Along the way, watch skilled street performers plying their trade the way they have for centuries. Admire Victoria’s traditional architecture and gain insight into the city’s colorful past.

When you make port in Victoria, discover top city attractions in style on this 2-hour Victoria castles and neighborhoods bike tour. Follow your guide by bicycle through Victoria and gain insight into the city’s colorful past. Explore diverse districts such as the Inner Harbour, Cook Street Village and Chinatown. Take in panoramic views over Dallas Road’s waterfront and marvel at the creepy Craigdarroch Castle. Spin through pretty Moss Rock Park and Beacon Hill Park, and enjoy the creative buzz of leafy Fernwood.

Delve into the colorful past of Canada’s oldest Chinatown, in Victoria, British Columbia. This guided walking tour will lead you through the streets and storied allies of the historic neighborhood, as your historian/guide tells you the fascinating, sometimes tragic tales of the people who helped build the city and shape Canada as well as modern China.

Get a history lesson mixed with food as you wander around downtown Victoria on this walking tour. Explore historic areas of the city, which started out as a fur trading outpost, as you taste the local cuisine. Plus, Victoria boasts one of the oldest Chinatown sections in North America. The tour covers some of the oldest parts of the city, including the Victoria Public Market, Chinatown, Fan Tan Alley, and Emporium Dragon Alley.

Experience the capital of British Columbia as you embark on this express tour of Victoria. With a private guide, travel in a deluxe van and cover the highlights of the city including the Inner Harbour, Chinatown, Craigdorrach Castle, and Fisherman’s Wharf. Your guide explains the history of the city and provides tips on other places that you can explore.

Tour one of Victoria’s most stately and popular attractions in a unique way with a pedicab tour to Craigdarroch Castle. Enjoy the fresh air and leisurely pace from aboard a comfortable cab while a friendly guide pedals you from your hotel to the majestic, 19th-century baronial estate. Along the way, pass through the neighboring Lt Governor’s gardens and see some of Victoria’s most opulent churches and homes. Admission to the inside of the magnificent castle is included. 

Our special Halloween walking tour explores Victoria's darkest past. Every year, we change our Halloween route and add new stories that we don't get a chance to tell on our regular walks. Join us for gruesome tales of murder, mayhem and ghosts on the streets and alleys of Victoria's Old Town.

Experience the charm of Victoria's historic neighborhood, James Bay, and Beacon Hill Park. Our guides will both educate and entertain as they explain the history of the city as it evolved from a small fur trading outpost to a thriving Gold Rush town to the present day capital of British Columbia. Bring your camera along for the fantastic photo opportunities. Let us know if there is anything you are particularly interested in, or if you would like different start times.

Get some exercise while seeing the sights of Victoria Harbour with a self-paced walking tour accessed via an audio-app. Listen to your tour guide through your smartphone, going at your own pace and stopping and starting whenever you want. You’ll benefit from the structure of a guided tour without having to chase around a live tour guide or strain to hear through the crowds.

Travelers interested in history will enjoy touring Victoria in style on a 75-minute horse and carriage tour. Your guide will tell you all about Victoria’s history and how the “garden city” became the capital of British Columbia. Enjoy the views as you are pulled through the Old Town, Chinatown, the Inner Harbour, and elsewhere. Kids especially will love the horses.

See Victoria by horse-drawn carriage on a private tour that explores the Inner Harbour, Downtown, Chinatown, and more. The traditional, open-air carriages offer unobstructed views perfect for photography and sightseeing. Since the carriage is booked for just your group, you’ll enjoy personal service from beginning to end.

What sets our tour apart is the unique combination of intimate group experiences, convenient services, and the opportunity to explore remarkable attractions such as the Malahat Skywalk and Butchart Gardens. One of our standout highlights is the Malahat Skywalk, where you can experience awe-inspiring views from elevated walkways and observation platforms. This breathtaking vantage point allows you to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Victoria's surroundings in a unique way. Additionally, our tour includes a visit to the world-renowned Butchart Gardens. These stunning gardens offer a mesmerizing blend of floral displays, lush landscapes, and tranquil settings. You'll have the opportunity to explore the various themed gardens, witness the vibrant colors, and appreciate the meticulous design and care that goes into maintaining this horticultural masterpiece. Join us on this small group tour experience to get up close and personal with the best of what Victoria has to offer.