Victoria, British Columbia, has Canada’s mildest weather, so plan to get outside no matter which season you visit . This Vancouver Island city offers plenty of options for both leisurely and active outdoor explorations, whether you’d like to sample from its farms, cideries and breweries, understand its history or head onto the water in search of aquatic life. Tour the Inner Harbor by kayak Victoria’s Inner Harbor buzzes with activity, with ferries chugging through its waters and float planes swooping in to land.
But take a guided kayak tour for a more peaceful way to explore the waterways in the heart of the city. Kelp Reef Adventures , an outfitter based at Fisherman’s Wharf, offers two- and three-hour guided paddles around the harbor and the surrounding coastline. And despite all the human goings-on, you might spot harbor seals sunning on the rocks, river otters frolicking in the water or bald eagles soaring overhead.
Go whale watching Set out in search of the orca, humpback and minke whales that swim through the Pacific off the Vancouver Island coast. Several companies provide half- or full-day whale-watching trips that leave from Victoria’s city center. Some sail in larger, stable vessels, often with interior cabins or covered decks that protect you from the weather, while on more thrilling Zodiac tours, you can zip across the water in speedy open-top boats.
The whale-watching season typically runs from March through November, although some trips are available y.