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Whether you’re looking to explore the great outdoors, eat some amazing food, or take it easy and relax, Victoria has something for everybody!
Is seeing a whale with your own two eyes on your bucket list? Victoria is the perfect jumping-off point for whale watching, with many tours operated by local certified naturalists and experts that can take you to the best spots to see an orca, gray, humpback or minke whale. You might also be lucky enough to see a sea lion, seal, porpoise or one of the many marine birds that frequent the area. A highlight that most tours visit is Race Rocks Ecological Reserve, which is the southernmost part of Vancouver Island and as well as Canada’s first Marine Protected Area.
Did you know Canada’s oldest Chinatown is in Victoria? Take a walking tour and visit a temple, a herbalist shop and a bakery to discover all that this historical neighbourhood has to offer! If scary stories are more your thing, take a Ghostly Walk and learn about some of the spooky encounters the guides have collected, along with the truth behind some of the city's most gruesome crimes and accidents.
Whether you prefer salty or fresh water, you can find it all around Victoria. Surrounded by ocean, lakes and provincial parks, you can always find the perfect beach for relaxing. There are also many places to go kayaking, fishing, boating or any number of water activities. If you want an ocean view, try one of the beaches along the rugged coast of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, or if you’re looking for the perfect place for a lakeside picnic, take a drive to Kemp Lake or Durrance Lake Regional Park.
As the capital of British Columbia, Victoria is home to many world-class museums where you can learn all about the natural and human history of the area. The Royal BC Museum has been rated the best museum in Canada five times, which is a testament to the unique and educational exhibits featured there. If you’re interested in learning about British Columbia’s maritime history, the Maritime Museum of British Columbia is a must-see.
Written by Andrea Zakaib
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