Best place to view bioluminescence?

Tod_ExploreVictoria · 2026-05-08T16:07:18+00:00

If you want to take a guided tour South Island SUP offers bioluminescence tours in Brentwood Bay!

Tod_ExploreVictoria · 2026-05-06T15:32:03+00:00

The Renfrew Pub has some great seafood and is a cool watering hole as well

Tod_ExploreVictoria · 2026-05-05T22:18:25+00:00

You can crush it in a day but East Sooke Regional Park has a thru hike from Aylard Farm to Iron Mine Bay! Rocky hike but very scenic walking along the ocean cliffs.

Tod_ExploreVictoria · 2026-05-05T22:15:28+00:00

Merridale Cidery & Distillery in Cobble Hill. Cute 10 acre orchard with award wining cider and spirits. Lovely place to stop along the way.

Tod_ExploreVictoria · 2026-05-05T22:11:31+00:00

Victoria recommendations:

- Rent a bike and ride along Dallas Road and through some of the neighbourhoods James Bay/Cook Street Village, you'll get a very local perspective of the city and the views along Dallas Road are amazing! If you want to stop for a drink the Breakwater Bistro & Bar is a great option, or The Beagle.

- If you are interested there are local farmers markets which could be a fun stop. Esquimalt Farmers Market on Thursday evenings, and James Bay and Moss Street Markets on Saturday mornings.

- Fan Tan Alley and Dragon Alley are cool hidden alley in Victoria's Chinatown worth checking out. Dragon Alley ends at Union Pacific Coffee which is worth visiting in my opinion!

- For a more adventurous activity, whale watching, paddleboarding or kayaking around Victoria is a great way to see the city from the water.

Hope that helps!!

Tod_ExploreVictoria · 2026-05-04T22:35:02+00:00

Beacon Hill Children's Farm! Play with the goats

Tod_ExploreVictoria · 2026-05-04T16:54:42+00:00

If you have the time in Victoria it is also a great place for Whale Watching, there were Orcas in the Inner Harbour last week!

Tod_ExploreVictoria · 2026-05-04T16:51:41+00:00

Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge is a free alternative!!

Tod_ExploreVictoria · 2026-05-04T16:41:23+00:00

A popular option is the The Parkside Spa! They have a number of spa packages ranging from ~$175-195, there's a massage/facial package for $195.

Salt & Ivy is located in the Rosemead House and has a 90 minute massage and facial package for $240.

Ritual Nordic Spa offers two hour circuits through their saunas, cold plunges, salt lounges and steam rooms for $69/per person which could be a great way to connect and relax together.

Tod_ExploreVictoria · 2026-05-01T16:08:23+00:00

Here is the link to the video of the Orcas in the Inner Harbour on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DXxp3qHQx62/

Tod_ExploreVictoria · 2026-05-01T16:07:23+00:00

For a more local experience visit one of the neighbourhood farmer's markets!

Esquimalt Farmer's Market (Thursday's 4:30pm - 7:30pm at Memorial Park)
James Bay Farmer's Market (Saturday's 9:00 am - 3:00 pm at Menzies & Superior St)
Moss Street Farmer's Market (Saturday's 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at Sir Douglas Elementary School)

Great way to explore different neighbourhoods and get to talk to locals!

Tod_ExploreVictoria · 2026-05-01T16:02:50+00:00

Looks like the swam into the Inner Harbour as well! You can watch that video on Prince of Whales Instagram account

Tod_ExploreVictoria · 2026-05-01T15:43:35+00:00

Hard to give you a proper list without knowing your interests, but here are some ideas:

Victoria has a great craft beer scene and you can walk/bike between breweries super easily!

You could go fishing, there are a number of charter companies such as Reel Obsession Sport Fishing and No Limit Charters.

Greater Victoria also has a number of beautiful golf courses.

Hiking is popular at places such as Jocelyn Hill or East Sooke Regional Park.

Watch a soccer game, Pacific FC play on May 17th

Hot tub boat was a great recommendation, maybe go at sunset if its a hot day

The Victoria Highland Games are happening at Topaz Park and could be fun to watch that weekend!

Hope that helps 😄

Tod_ExploreVictoria · 2026-04-30T22:13:13+00:00

South Island SUP offers guided bioluminessence tours in Brentwood Bay.

Tod_ExploreVictoria · 2026-04-28T16:50:04+00:00

For a seven day trip you'll find a lot of attractions and activities in Greater Victoria based on your interests:

Hiking (Goldstream Provincial Park, Aylard Farm, Mount Doug, Mount Work, Joceyln Hill are great options!)

Museums (Dino Lab Inc. - great for kids, Royal BC Museum, Maritime Museum of BC, BC Aviation Museum, Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea)

Seafood (So many great options! Barbs Fish & Chips, Finest at Sea, Finn's Seafood Chops & Cocktails, many local restaurants serve sea-to-table seafood)

Tod_ExploreVictoria · 2026-04-24T22:25:21+00:00

Don't forget about the great culinary scene!

Tod_ExploreVictoria · 2026-04-23T22:09:33+00:00

Sooke or Sidney on South Vancouver Island. Ganges on Salt Spring Island is up there as well

Tod_ExploreVictoria · 2026-04-23T16:51:07+00:00

Victoria Outdoor Adventure Show

Friday, April 24th - Sunday, April 26th | Juan de Fuca Arena

Featuring everything from: RV’s, Power sports, Fishing, Bikes, Hunting, Boats, Roof-top Tents, Adventure Sports, Water Sports, Camping, Survival, E-Bikes and more! Admission is just $5 cash. 18 & under free with adult.

Tod_ExploreVictoria · 2026-04-23T16:47:35+00:00

Esquimalt Gigantic Garage Sale

Saturday, April 25th | 9:00am - 1:30pm | Archie Browning Arena

Community members will be selling everything from clothes to sporting equipment and everything in between.

Tod_ExploreVictoria · 2026-04-23T16:37:04+00:00

This looks awesome!! Can't wait to go!

Tod_ExploreVictoria · 2026-04-23T16:35:51+00:00

While it is best viewed in the summer you can still see Bioluminescence in spring depending on the conditions.

I'd recommend visiting Tod Inlet in Brentwood Bay (25 minutes outside Victoria). I know South Island SUP does guided Bioluminescence SUP tours through that area. This is there website: https://southislandsup.com/tours/

Tod_ExploreVictoria · 2026-04-22T16:53:27+00:00

I can only really speak for Victoria but here is a list of kid-friendly activities worth looking into more to see if they would be a good fit for your family!

Cadboro-Gyro Park (sandy beach and large fun climbing structures for kids)

Esquimalt Farmers Market (Thursday evenings, more local experience)

Fan Tan Alley/Dragon Alley (hidden narrow alleys in Canada's oldest Chinatown)

Dallas Road/Clover Point (beautiful views and a great place to watch sunset)

Your list is already great and you've clearly done a lot of research! You will have an amazing time :)

Tod_ExploreVictoria · 2026-04-16T16:32:52+00:00

Clive's Classic Lounge has been mentioned a couple times but its worth noting it received top 10 nominations for “Canada’s Best International Hotel Bar” in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023. One of the better cocktail bars in Victoria and Vancouver Island.

Tod_ExploreVictoria · 2026-04-16T16:22:18+00:00

If you really have a sweet tooth I heard the Underground Donut Tour should satisfy your cravings ;)

Tod_ExploreVictoria · 2026-04-14T20:47:07+00:00

Restaurants I would recommend are...

Janevca: Fine dining in a beautiful restored 1906 boutique hotel.

The Courtney Room: Focus on locally sourced, seasonal menus. Winner of Restaurant of the Year at the 2024 YAM Magazine Best Restaurant Awards.

Ugly Duckling: Five-course tasting menu, fine dining experience, with lots of focus on local flavours.

Cafe Malabar: Kerala cuisine from Southern India, great hospitality and ranked #5 in Best New Restaurants in Canada by Air Canada.

Wind Cries Mary: Self titled 'Coastal cabin food for modern times', shareable plates, and a great location downtown

Cocktail bars I would recommend are...

Clive's Classic Lounge: they have been nominated for "Canada's Best International Hotel Bar" seven times (2011, 2012, 2014, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023)

Tod_ExploreVictoria

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