If you are visiting Victoria this spring, a trip to The Butchart Gardens is certainly something you don't want to miss! Just 40 minutes from our Victoria terminal, The Gardens are bursting with thousands of vibrant blooms during the spring season.
Take the 8:20am sailing from Port Angeles, then hop on the 11:30am shuttle to The Butchart Gardens. Enjoy a scenic walk through of the beautiful gardens before catching the 2:30pm shuttle back to downtown Victoria. You can either take the 4:00pm sailing back to Port Angeles or stay overnight in Victoria to enjoy dinner and explore the city the next day. Check out our suggested overnight itinerary to make your trip as seamless and memorable as possible!
The Garden City's blooming month is on a SUPER sale! Overnight Magic of Spring packages are from only $169 USD pp/do.
Valid on stays from April 1 to April 30, 2025.
Spring at The Butchart Gardens.
Day One - Arrive in Victoria for an Overnight Stay
7:50am: Arrive at the Port Angeles Terminal.
8:20am: Depart from Port Angeles. We recommend taking the 8:20am sailing to maximize your time in Victoria!
If you are traveling in a vehicle, you must be at the terminal 60 minutes prior to your departure, 30 minutes prior for walk-on passengers.
9:50am: Arrive in Victoria, go through Canada Customs, and check into your hotel. If early check-in isn’t possible, our hotel partners offer complimentary luggage storage. If you prefer to check in after visiting The Butchart Gardens, you can store your luggage at The Gardens free of charge.
11:15am: Check in at the kiosk in front of the Fairmont Empress (721 Government Street) for your shuttle to The Butchart Gardens.
11:30am: Depart downtown Victoria for The Butchart Gardens.
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Spring at The Butchart Gardens.
12:10pm: Arrive at The Butchart Gardens and embark on a self guided tour through the jaw-dropping spring scenery. Be sure to grab a coffee and check out The Gardens' gift shop during your visit. You will have just over two hours to explore The Gardens at your leisure.
2:30pm: Depart The Butchart Gardens back to Downtown Victoria.
3:10pm: Arrive at the Fairmont Empress Hotel. If you have not already done so, check into your hotel, and then start exploring downtown Victoria! We suggest the following:
Fisherman's Wharf.
Visit Fisherman's Wharf. Just a 13-minute walk from the Black Ball Terminal, Fisherman's Wharf is a vibrant waterfront destination. This unique floating community is home to colorful houseboats, local food kiosks and shops. You may even see a seal or two!
Dallas Road.
Enjoy a leisurely walk down Dallas Road. After visiting Fisherman's Wharf, embark on a picturesque stroll down Dallas Road. Dallas Road spans several miles, is home to stunning coastal landscapes, fresh sea air and plenty of spots to pause and take in the beauty of the shoreline.
The Royal BC Museum.
Check out the Royal BC Museum! The museum is packed with alluring exhibitions, archives and collections. The museum is also home to BC's largest IMAX screen. Throughout the spring they are featuring educational documentaries like Arctic Our Frozen Planet and Elephants: Giants of the Desert.
Some of our favorite exhibitions are:
Wildlife Photographer of the Year: This exhibition is back for its 60th year at the museum, it showcases our planets beauty in a way it has never been seen before!
Our Living Languages: This exhibition was developed in partnership with the First Peoples' Cultural Council, in an effort to preserve the disrupted languages in BC.
Natural History Gallery: This exhibition showcases the natural history of our coastal forests, seashore, ocean, ice age and the Fraser River from Haida Gwaii to Vancouver Island.
Buy Royal BC Museum Admission Tickets
Il Covo Trattoria.
Enjoy dinner at one of Victoria’s many restaurants. Some of our favorites are:
Il Covo Trattoria (106 Superior Street): Rustic Italian dishes are the draw at this charming eatery with vaulted ceilings and a beautiful garden patio.
Bao (626 Fisgard Street): Cozy and casual place specializing in Asian street food such as baos, plus cocktails and beers.
10 Acres Bistro (611 Courtney Street): Farm-to-fork meals paired with delicious cocktails in a romantic setting.
Nourish Kitchen.
Day Two - Explore Victoria Before Heading Back to Port Angeles
9:00am: Eat breakfast at one of Victoria’s top brunch spots. We recommend:
Heron Rock Bistro (435 Simcoe Street): A Canadian bistro with occasional live music, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner 7 days a week.
Floyd’s Diner (332 Menzies Street): A popular Victoria diner with generous portions and a fun and friendly atmosphere.
Nourish Kitchen (225 Quebec Street): Farm-fresh mains and snacks in a Victorian house.
Or, visit one of Victoria’s many locally owned cafes for a smaller bite:
Habit Coffee (502 Pandora Avenue): Coffee shop that serves locally roasted coffee and some light snacks.
Rise and Grind (1294 Broad Street): Casual cafe with a wide range of breakfast and lunch sandwiches, wraps, and salads.
La Roux Patisserie (519 Fisgard Street): A French pastry shop that features macarons, croissants, and cakes.
Hop-on, Hop-off City Bus Tour.
After fueling for the day, spend the remainder of your time in Victoria exploring!
10:30am: Check out the Hop-on, Hop-off city tour — Experience Victoria like no other aboard an authentic British Double Decker bus! The Hop-on, Hop-off city tour features 14 stops that perfectly encapsulate the city's most iconic landmarks and attractions! Some of these stops include Fisherman's Wharf, Beacon Hill Park and Craigdarroch Castle. The route begins in front of the Fairmont Empress.
Afternoon Tea at The Pendray Tea House.
Enjoy Afternoon Tea at the Pendray Inn & Tea House. Enjoy a quintessential British Afternoon Tea experience in the heart of Victoria. The Pendray Tea house offers a variety of tea types, including Traditional Afternoon Tea, West Coast Afternoon Tea, Vegan Afternoon Tea, and Scottish High Tea. PLUS! Enjoy savings from $10 USD per person on your tea booking with the Pendray Tea House throughout the entire month of April!
Aerial view of the lower Johnson Street Shops.
If you choose to forgo afternoon tea, grab a bite at one of the following lunch spots:
Burger Crush (787 Fort Street) A modern burger shack with vegan options.
Italian Food Imports (1114 Blanshard Street): Classic Italian sandwiches and goods.
Superbaba (1325 Blanshard Street): Delicious middle eastern flavours.
Shopping Recommendations:
ANIAN (575 Johnson Street): Beautiful clothing made sustainably.
Cherry Pick Vintage (589 Johnson Street): One of Victoria's best vintage spots.
The Good Planet Co.(764 Fort Street): Knick knacks & goodies.
Victoria's Inner Harbour.
Explore Victoria's Inner Harbour. Surrounded by historic architecture, this bustling area is perfect for a scenic stroll. Watch seaplanes take off, visit local shops and iconic landmarks like The Fairmont Empress and The Parliament Buildings. If you're lucky you might spot some wildlife too!
4:00pm Depart from Victoria.
If you are traveling in a vehicle, you must arrive at the terminal 90 minutes prior to your departure, 30 minutes prior for walk-on passengers.
5:30pm Arrive in Port Angeles and go through US Customs.
