What to do in Gulf Islands

Activities, attractions and tours
Government Street showing a square or plaza, a city and heritage architecture

Places to Visit in Gulf Islands

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Let Expedia.co.nz help you find the most exciting and fun things to do in Gulf Islands, British Columbia while also allowing you to save a ton on travel arrangements. Regardless of whether you’re an urban explorer or an intrepid outdoor enthusiast, we can help you decide exactly what to do and see during your time in town.

Our thorough travel guides offer you an insider’s perspective on all of the best Gulf Islands attractions from NZ$25, making it easy for you to decide which places to visit and when. And by using Expedia.co.nz to set your sightseeing schedule, you can take in more of the enchanting attractions this area is famous for.

From group Gulf Islands tours and must-see landmarks to personal guides who take you off-the-beaten track, Expedia.co.nz offers you over 24 of the most popular events, activities, and attractions in this corner of the world. So whether you’re travelling alone, alongside a loved one, or with the whole family in tow, be sure to browse through our extensive travel guides prior to your plane touching down in this spectacular Gulf Islands. We even have a massive selection of flights, car hires, and accommodation for you to choose from. So what are you waiting for? Start your search today, and you’ll be having the time of your life before you know it.


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Top places to visit

1. Victoria Harbour

Come to Victoria Harbour to experience the spirit of the city at its most dynamic. Get a sense of the area’s modern atmosphere and culture as well as its history. Watch street performers flaunt their skills, visit some of Victoria’s most significant buildings and browse the markets for the perfect souvenir. All this against the backdrop of the sparkling waves, topped with vessels of all kinds.
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Victoria Harbour featuring heritage architecture and a bay or harbour

2. Butchart Gardens

The bright colors and glorious fountains of Butchart Gardens make it look like the set of an inventive fantasy film. Watch fireworks explode into colors as vivid as the flowers growing beneath them and enjoy concerts on the sloping, grassy lawn. Boat tours, carousels and magical nighttime illuminations add to the appeal of this popular Victoria attraction.
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Butchart Gardens featuring a garden as well as a couple

3. Victoria Fisherman's Wharf

At Fisherman’s Wharf you can feed seals, explore a picturesque floating village, enjoy fresh seafood, join whale-watching tours and watch a unique water “ballet.”
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Victoria Fisherman\'s Wharf featuring a house and a coastal town

4. Royal BC Museum

At the Royal BC Museum you can see totem poles and dinosaur footprints, learn about British Columbia’s human and natural history, and visit two of the oldest buildings in the province. Founded in 1886, the museum joined forces with the BC Archives in 2003 to create one of Canada’s most revered cultural museums.
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Royal BC Museum featuring interior views

5. Government Street

Government Street is one of Victoria’s most popular commercial and entertainment streets. Come to this lively area to shop for fashion and handicrafts, visit museums and historical buildings and discover Canada’s oldest Chinatown. If you follow the street south from the city’s downtown district to Holland Point Park you are rewarded with views over the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
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Government Street featuring street scenes, a small town or village and a house

Discover the most popular places to visit in Gulf Islands

Explore areas of Gulf Islands

Victoria featuring street scenes, a house and a city

Downtown Victoria

4.5/5(38 area reviews)

The captivating waterfront views and popular shops are just a few highlights of Downtown Victoria. Make a stop by Victoria Royal Theatre or Bay Centre while you're exploring the area.

Downtown Victoria
Victoria Harbour which includes heritage elements and a bay or harbour

Inner Harbour

The captivating waterfront views and popular shops are just a few highlights of Inner Harbour. Make a stop by Victoria Clipper Ferry Terminal or Victoria Harbour while you're exploring the area.

Inner Harbour
Victoria featuring a coastal town and a marina

James Bay

4.5/5(24 area reviews)

The captivating waterfront views and popular shops are just a few highlights of James Bay. Make a stop by Victoria Harbour or Victoria Clipper Ferry Terminal while you're exploring the area.

James Bay
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Esquimalt

Travellers come to Esquimalt for its colourful gardens, and you can see top attractions like CFB Esquimalt Naval and Militiary Museum and Esquimalt Gorge Park while you're in town.

Esquimalt
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Burnside

Burnside is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by MayFair Shopping Centre and Government Street while in the area.

Burnside
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Saanich East

If you're spending some time in Saanich East, Cadboro Bay and Mount Douglas Park are top sights worth seeing.

Saanich East

Day trip destinations from Gulf Islands