Bus Tours

Gray Line of Victoria, 700 Douglas St. (tel. 800/663-8390 or 250/388-6539), conducts a number of tours of Victoria and Butchart Gardens. The 1 1/2-hour "Grand City Tour" costs C$21 (US$17/£9) for adults and C$10 (US$9/£4.50) for children ages 5 to 11. There are daily departures throughout the year, usually at 12:30 and 2:30pm. For other tours, check the website.

Specialty Tours

Victoria Harbour Ferries, 922 Old Esquimalt Rd. (tel. 250/708-0201; or visit the website), offers a terrific 45-minute harbor tour for C$20 (US$17/£9) adults, C$18 (US$16/£7) seniors, and C$10 (US$8/£4.50) for children under 12. Harbor tours depart from seven stops around the Inner Harbour every 15 or 20 minutes daily 10am to 5:30 (May-Sept daily 9am-8pm). If you wish to stop for food or a stroll, you can get a token good for reboarding at any time during the same day. A 50-minute Gorge Tour takes you to the gorge opposite the Johnson Street Bridge, where tidal falls reverse with each change of the tide. The price is the same as for the harbor tour; June through September, gorge tours depart from the dock in front of The Fairmont Empress every half-hour 9am to 8:15pm; at other times the tours operate less frequently, depending on the weather. The ferries are 12-person, fully enclosed boats, and every seat is a window seat."