The 10 Best Things to do on Vancouver Island, Victoria, Canada

Located on Vancouver Island is the gorgeous city of Victoria. Here you can find a range of things to do, from scenic trails, beautiful swimming spots, rich history and joyfilled activities. We spent just under a month here and with so much to do, we've gone ahead and compiled the best things to do to ensure you don't miss out on the best. So without further ado let's begin!

#1 Fishermans Wharf

Located about a 30 minutes walk from the centre of Downtown Victoria is the Fishermans Wharf. The walk there is beautiful and once you arrive you will be greeted with colourful floating houses which make for a cute picture. While at the wharf, take some time to explore the local shops, but the must-try experience is enjoying the world-famous fish and chips at Barb's Fish & Chips. The food is absolutely delicious, and we highly recommend giving it a try!

#2 Hatley Castle

When you look up Hatley Castle, you'll discover that it was used in the filming of the X-men series. This fact alone made us eager to visit this impressive structure, and the stunning scenery around it made our stay even more enjoyable. Near the castle, you'll find beautiful gardens, including a Rose, Japanese, Italian, and Fern garden, all of which you can explore for free. Exploring the castle's surroundings was also amazing, but unfortunately, you'll need to pay for a tour to see inside. An adult ticket for the tour costs $24 CAD (approximately $27 AUD), and there are multiple tour times throughout the day. To book a tour, simply head to the entrance of the gardens, which is just a 1-minute walk from the castle's entrance.

#3 The Bubble Tea Place

Now if theres anything we love more than travel, it's bubble tea. Located in Chinatown is a shop called 'the bubble tea place' which was one of the most expansive bubble tea stores we have ever been too. They had a variety of unique and classic flavours that just showed they were pushing the limits of bubble tea creation. The place definitely had more of a bar vibe which we loved and of course the taste did not disappoint either! If you love bubble tea, you can not miss visiting this place. For reference I chose one off the menu called 'Nude fortune teller' which was a chocolate, vanilla and taro creation. Bree opted to create her own which included Mango, Honeydew and Vanilla with lychee jelly. Both were delicious but if you can't decide which one, definitely ask for the bartenders choice, they'll be sure to create something delicious!

#4 Beacon Hill Park

If you're looking for a more relaxing activity, a leisurely stroll around Beacon Hill Park is the perfect choice! You can enjoy a leisurely walk through the park, surrounded by large trees and calming lakes. While you're there, you'll come across a few interesting sights. There's an open stage where local artists and bands sometimes perform, which is really nice. You'll also find a stone structure titled the Moss Lady, and the largest totem pole in the park. For families (or anyone who enjoys animals), there's a delightful children's petting zoo. It only requires a $5 donation, and you'll get to interact with a variety of animals such as goats, rabbits, and pigs. All in all Beacon Hill Park is a wonderful place to unwind and escape the hustle and bustle of the city so we would highly recommend spending some time there!

#5 Lookout Lake Park (Hidden Gem!)

Lookout Lake Park is situated in the stunning area of Braemar Heights (Colwood), offering a peaceful and less crowded experience compared to other touristy lakes. If you're looking for a tranquil spot to unwind or take a refreshing dip to escape the sun, we highly recommend this hidden gem. The park is easily accessible, with a nearby bus stop and it also offers a pleasant walking trail that circles the lake. For those seeking a hidden gem in the Victoria area, Lookout Lake Park is the perfect choice!

#6 La Belle Patate (Poutine)

When we think of Canada, some of the first things that come to mind are maple syrup, beautiful scenery, and poutine! On Vancouver Island, there's no better place to enjoy some poutine than La Belle Patate. If you're not familiar, poutine is a Canadian dish consisting of french fries topped with brown gravy and cheese curds. They offer many variations of the classic, such as the smoked meat poutine with added bacon, which we found to be delicious. In addition, they also serve spruce beer, a drink originally from Quebec but brewed on-site, making it a unique find in BC. If you're a food enthusiast who enjoys trying new and exceptional dishes, this place is a definite must-visit.

#7 Galloping Goose Trail

If you enjoy bike rides, then you must experience the Galloping Goose Trail when you're on Vancouver Island. The trail stretches for about 55km and typically takes 2-3 hours to complete, but even a short ride offers a relaxing experience. Along the way, there are several points where you can stop and take a break, including the tranquil Thetis Lake, which we'll discuss later. We were fortunate to borrow bikes from friends, but there are plenty of places along the trail where you can rent bikes, such as West Coast Outdoor Adventure and Electric Alpine Biking, who are very knowledgeable about the trail.

#8 Thetis Lake

If you're seeking a beautiful spot to bask in the sunlight or take a leisurely stroll through Canada's breathtaking scenery, Thetis Lake is the place to visit. There are numerous walking trails around the lake, providing a delightful opportunity for a peaceful and scenic stroll. Additionally, Thetis Lake is swimmable, offering a refreshing way to cool off after some physical activity. Many locals bring their paddle boards to the lake, and you can easily join in by renting from the nearby stores. Our experience at Thetis Lake was incredibly relaxing, and we highly recommend it for anyone seeking a peaceful getaway.

#9 Kinsol Trestle Bridge

The impressively stunning Kinsol Trestle Bridge is located about an hour and north of Downtown Victoria. It is one of the tallest free-standing and most spectacular timber rail trestle structures in the world, standing at 187 metres in length and 44 metres above the salmon bearing Koksilah River. To see it for yourself you will most likely need to look at renting a car as unfortunately there is no public buses from Victoria. Thankfully, in Canada, there are various 'car sharing' apps like 'Modo' that make the car rental process quite easy. For example, the Modo app allows you to find one of the various modo cars available to rent in the area closest to you. Once you find one, you can rent it on the app and then you will be given the instructions on how to unlock the car. Using a car sharing app provides a hassle-free and cost-effective way to explore beyond the reach of buses and we highly recommend checking it out! Now once you are there, apart from admiring the breathtaking structure, you can also enjoy a swim in the small river below which is quite a relaxing spot. If you wan't a place where not many tourists visit then the Kinsol Trestle is the place for you!

#10 River Tubing

Located about an hour and 45 minutes north of Downtown Victoria is the Cowichan river where you can take part in their famous activity of river tubing. Here you get to tube down the beautiful Cowichan River for roughly two and a half hours while enjoying the crystal clear water and pristine scenery. To take part, you first want to head to one of the tube rental shacks if you don't already have your own. To take part, we would recommend you rent a tube from the 'Tube Shack' for only $20 CAD ($23 AUD), which includes transportation back to the starting point. If you have your own tube, you can still head to the Tube Shack, as it is the common start point for tubing. The Tube Shack also provides free sunscreen, but it's recommended to bring your own and apply it, especially on your feet. You are allowed to bring your own waterproof bag or rent one from the shack. They say no alcohol is allowed on the river but no one follows that rule so just pack it in your bag and start sipping once your comfortably on your way. Overall, tubing on the Cowichan River is a relaxing and enjoyable experience, and it was definitely one of the highlights of our trip!

Summary

So there you have it, those are in our opinion the best things to do in and around Victoria, Canada. If our blog has inspired you and got you excited about visiting this beautiful island and city then we would really appreciate if you left a like, comment and share it using the buttons below.

Also, click here if you would like to have access to our personally created google map which shows the the location of each attractions that we have mentioned :)

Until next time,

Bree & Aiden