What to do in Vancouver Island

Activities, attractions and tours

Tofino showing tranquil scenes and a lake or waterhole
Tofino showing tranquil scenes and a lake or waterhole
British Columbia Parliament Building showing a garden, night scenes and heritage architecture
Port Alberni featuring landscape views, tranquil scenes and a sunset
Englishman River Falls Provincial Park featuring forests and a bridge

Places to Visit in Vancouver Island

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Let Expedia.co.nz help you find the most exciting and fun things to do in Vancouver Island, 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 Vancouver Island attractions from NZ$8, 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 Vancouver Island tours and must-see landmarks to personal guides who take you off-the-beaten track, Expedia.co.nz offers you over 318 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 Vancouver Island. 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 showing flowers and a park

3. Mount Washington Alpine Resort

Experience exhilarating snow sports and adventure on an island in the Canadian Pacific, at Mount Washington Alpine Resort. This resort offers skiing, trekking and hiking activities throughout the year in a locale bounded by the Strait of Georgia on one side and the expansive wilderness of Strathcona Park on the other.
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Mount Washington Alpine Resort showing landscape views, mountains and snow

4. Chesterman Beach

Grab a board and tackle the gentle breakers at Chesterman Beach or sit back and look on as rookies and experts surf the waves together. The 1.7-mile (2.7-kilometer) white sandy expanse is a popular place for learning how to surf. It's also where you can walk to an island, see migrating whales and explore tidal pools for marine life.
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Chesterman Beach which includes landscape views, general coastal views and a sandy beach

5. 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 which includes a bay or harbor and a coastal town as well as a family

What to do in Vancouver Island


Discover the most popular places to visit in Vancouver Island

Explore areas of Vancouver Island

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 showing 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 showing a marina and a coastal town

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 Legislative Assembly of British Columbia or Victoria Harbour while you're exploring the area.

James Bay
Victoria_UniversityofVictoria_6072293-3

Saanich East

If you're spending some time in Saanich East, Cadboro Bay and Cedar Hill Golf Course are top sights worth seeing.

Saanich East
EyeEm Custom Shoots Q4 2018

Esquimalt

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

Esquimalt
C51DMA Viewpoint looking towards suburbs of Victoria BC Canada. Fairfield. Sunny calm summer morning. Calm seas blue skies

Fairfield

Unique features of Fairfield include the historical sites and seaside views. Make a stop by Cook Street Village or Abkhazi Garden while you're exploring the area.

Fairfield

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 


 

Day trip destinations from Vancouver Island

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