Butchart Gardens

Butchart Gardens: Our most recommended tours and activities

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  1. Vancouver: Victoria, Gulf Islands Cruise, & Butchart Gardens

  View the spectacular British Columbia coastline by land and ship, followed by a stop at Butchart Gardens en route to the British-inspired city of Victoria. Board a BC Ferries vessel at Tsawwassen terminal for a 90-minute sail through the serene beauty of the Gulf Islands. Marine wildlife sightings from the outdoor ship decks are common, especially eagles, sea lions, and whales. Arrive at Swartz Bay terminal on Vancouver Island and continue to the enchanting botanical paradise of Butchart Gardens. Wander through a series of themed gardens, highlighted by the massive Sunken Garden complete with dancing fountain. The city of Victoria boasts many impressive architectural wonders, including the iconic Parliament Buildings and the waterfront Fairmont Empress Hotel. Visit the unique shops and cafes of Government Street and Chinatown. Stroll along the Inner Harbour for prime ocean views, and e...

  Great experience, great driver with sense of humour but gray line west coast sightseeing tour is short staff and we could not contact them the day before departure. Overall excellent!

  Reviewed by Neda, Canada, 9/21/2021
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  2. From Vancouver: Butchart Gardens & Victoria Sightseeing Tour

  Meet in central Vancouver and take a 90-minute scenic cruise aboard the ferry to Vancouver Island. Sail through the Strait of Georgia and enjoy the scenery. Be sure to visit the outside decks as it’s not uncommon to see all kinds of sea life, including porpoises and whales. Arrive on Vancouver Island and first visit the beautiful Butchart Gardens. Explore this world-renowned botanical garden which was once a quarry, featuring the Japanese Garden, the Ross Fountain, an Italian Garden, and other floral displays. Continue the trip with a ferry ride to the city of Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Discover the main sights of Victoria with your guide, starting at Mile O. See Ogden Point, Fisherman’s Wharf, Empress Hotel, and historic Chinatown, including the famous Fan Tan Alley. Later, enjoy some free time to explore on your own or book an additional optional activity. Your guide will be on hand ...

  Our tour guide and driver Ian was awesome. He was funny, informative and gave clear instructions on departure/arrival times and gave good tips on things to do on our stay in Vancouver.

  Reviewed by Shannon, 8/22/2021
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  3. Butchart Gardens Tour

  The famous Butchart Gardens exist on the site of an exhausted limestone quarry. The first garden, the Sunken Garden, was built when the Butcharts hired a Japanese landscape architect to transform the quarry space into something beautiful. On the 35-minute bus ride from Victoria, your experienced driver will provide an overview of Victoria’s history past, present & future. Once the bus gets you to Butchart Gardens, you will have the opportunity to explore the enchanting grounds for yourself. The gardens span 55 acres and provide a total sensory experience. The flowers and scents transform with the seasons, and you will have a spectacular experience no matter what time of year! As you wander the gardens, we encourage you to enjoy the view while sipping from a cup of coffee at one of the restaurants or seasonal cafés scattered across the grounds. The gardens have become a major attracti...

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  4. Vancouver to Victoria and Butchart Gardens

  Enjoy an extended 13-hour tour of Vancouver Island and Victoria, with return transfers from Vancouver or drop off in Victoria if you prefer. Once at Vancouver Island’s Swartz Bay on the Saanich Peninsula, drive by air-conditioned coach to Butchart Gardens and walk among the 50 acres of magnificent foliage. Then head to downtown Victoria, traveling through quaint Chinatown and the Inner Harbour. Take free time to explore the Inner Harbour, admiring heritage sites such as the Empress Hotel, the Royal BC Museum, and BC Legislature. Depart from downtown Victoria for your return journey to Vancouver in the late afternoon. Your return journey to the mainland will be on board a BC Ferry, where you can watch for whales, dolphins, sea lions, and other magnificent marine mammals. Arrival in Vancouver is scheduled for approximately 21:30, where you can be dropped off at your downtown hotel or di...

  Was a great experience! We love the flowers. The travel is long, but is great. The bus is incredibly clean and the driver was very nice person and knowledge. We want to come again.

  Reviewed by Jeanette, 9/27/2019
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  5. Victoria and Butchart Gardens Christmas Tour

  Benefit from pick-up at your hotel in downtown Vancover, and then board the boat at the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal to take a scenic 1.5-hour cruise around the Gulf Islands. Look for marine wildlife on the outdoor deck as you make your way to Schwartz Bay on Vancouver Island. Drop anchor to explore the provincial capital of British Columbia. Get a short introduction to Victoria and enjoy some free time to look inside the unique shops of Government Street and Chinatown. Stroll along the Inner Harbour and get amazing ocean views. Take souvenir photos of the festive decorations of the Victoria Parliament Building and Fairmont Empress Hotel. Continue to the botanical paradise of Butchart Gardens and wander through a series of themed gardens to see the Christmas lights and holiday wreaths. Hear carols being sung and much more to experience the Magic of Christmas. Return to Schwartz Bay for th...

  It was the best New Years Day I have ever had. Victoria is beautiful and the Christmas lights display at the Butchart Gardens was absolutely spectacular. We were blessed with perfect weather, and Hermann, our driver was funny, informative and well organised.

  Reviewed by Marina, 1/3/2020
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  6. From Vancouver: Victoria & Butchart Gardens Heli-Boat Tour

  Benefit from pickup at your accommodation in Vancouver, and then get stunning views of the city and spectacular Gulf Islands as you fly by Helicopter to Victoria on Vancouver Island. Use your free time to shop for linen, china, and antiques on Government Street. Go into one of the tearooms to enjoy an afternoon tea of cream puffs and dainty sandwiches, or stroll the manicured gardens at leisure.  Next, board a bus to Butchart Gardens, designated a National Historic Site of Canada for its rich array of plants, water features, and statues. Meet the ornamental birds of the elaborate birdhouses, go for a stroll in the Italian Garden, and more. Then, climb aboard a 74-passenger speedboat at a private dock in Butchart Gardens and take a 2-hour cruise back to Vancouver. Get stunning vistas from the outdoor viewing areas, and make use of the heated seating areas and small snack selection befor...

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  7. Victoria and Butchart Gardens: Private Day Tour

  Enjoy a private 13-hour adventure from Vancouver to Victoria and stop at one of Canada’s most beautiful public gardens. Following your morning pick-up by limousine, you will enjoy priority boarding on the British Columbia ferry service across the Strait of Georgia. Cruise through the breathtaking Gulf Islands, passing so close you can almost touch the trees on the shore. See seals in the sea and bald eagles looping the sky above. Sometimes, you can even spot whales. Upon arrival at Vancouver Island, head to beautiful Butchart Gardens. As a private tour, you will only have to leave when you are ready. Highlights include the wooded bog garden and landscaped Japanese garden. You can also take a break to sip some tea in the beautifully manicured gardens. Continue to Victoria for a guided tour of the city's heritage buildings, such as the Empress Hotel and Beacon Hill Park. With echoes of ...

  Guide showed up at pick-up hotel on-time, was very informative and courteous through-out the tour. Very accommodating of what we wanted to see and timing. Got us back to drop-off hotel on-time. It was a very good day.

  Reviewed by Brian, 9/22/2011
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  8. Victoria & Butchard Gardens Private Tour from Vancouver

  Enjoy complimentary pick-up from your hotel in Vancouver. At Tsawwassen, board the ferry and enjoy a spectacular 1.5-hour ferry ride through the Gulf Islands. Lookout for whales, dolphins, and sea lions. Be enchanted by the beautiful islands, and enjoy feeling the wind in your face on the top deck.  Make your first stop at Butchard Gardens, where you will be wowed by this oasis of lush green and colorful blooms, stretching for 55 acres of flowers, trees, pathways, and creeks. The garden features a sunken garden, a world-famous rose garden, and a wonderful restaurant serving high tea daily.  Take a scenic tour by the ocean en route to the city center of Victoria. Drive by the University of Victoria, Oak Bay, the Uplands, Beacon Hill Park, and finally Downtown Victoria with its BC Parliament Building, Empress Hotel, Chinatown, and Craigdarroch Castle. Have lunch or a small bite, at your ...

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  9. From Vancouver: Butchart Gardens by Seaplane and Speedboat

  Combine adventure and culture on this unique day trip to Victoria and the famous Butchart Gardens. Leaving from Vancouver in the morning, you will be picked-up from your hotel and taken for a thrilling journey in a seaplane over the fascinating islands of the Canadian Pacific coast. Land in Victoria city center at around 10:00 AM, giving you plenty of time to stroll the streets and admire the quirky English style. In the afternoon you'll be driven to the world-famous Butchart Gardens by bus. Once there, you'll have about 2 hours to admire the flowers and other plant life in these impressive gardens. Travel back to Vancouver city center in a comfortable, covered speedboat at around 04:45 PM. Arrive back at your hotel in Vancouver at around 07:30 PM.

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  10. From Vancouver: Victoria and Butchart Gardens Private Tour

  Take a private tour to discover British Columbia by land and sea. After pickup at your hotel, set sail from Tsawwassen terminal on a ferry cruise through the Gulf Islands. Stand on the open deck to enjoy coastal views and keep a look out for eagles, sea lions, and whales. Arrive at the Swartz Bay ferry terminal on Vancouver Island and head to Butchart Gardens. These botanical gardens are a National Historic Site of Canada. Wander through a series of themed landscapes, see the flowers in bloom, and watch the dancing fountain. Continue to Victoria to explore the city’s highlights. Admire the architecture of the Parliament Buildings and the waterfront Fairmont Empress Hotel. Enjoy free time to visit its shops and cafes or stroll by the harbor, before returning to Vancouver.