Here’s what’s happening for Ocean Week in and around Victoria

Ocean Week is back, Victoria!

On Vancouver Island, we have the privilege of living in one of the most incredible places on earth—on an island completely surrounded by the Pacific Ocean.

Ocean Week is an opportunity to celebrate that, and make some time to acknowledge everything amazing about the Salish Sea and the ocean beyond.

Hubs across Canada will be celebrating the week-long event running from Saturday, May 30th to Monday, June 8th, and Victoria has an amazing list of events planned for you to get out and celebrate with the community.

This annual celebration is a flurry of activity across the city, offering activities for all ages and welcoming thousands of people every year.

You may have already noticed some things happening early around the city in celebration of Earth Week, like the radio trivia on The Zone and The Q!, or maybe you’ve already gotten the chance to check out Sea Otters at IMAX Victoria.

The Gage Gallery has also been showcasing Tanya Bub’s ocean art in the exhibition Wild Art for the Big of Heart, and has hosted several events at the gallery to celebrate.

The festivities officially kick off, though, with The Gorge Spectacular Ocean Festival on Saturday, May 30th. The festival runs from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Gorge Waterway Nature House and will feature ocean-inspired crafts, marine invertebrate touch tanks, a live ocean painting by Dana Batho, a scavenger hunt around Esquimalt Gorge Park and more!

But the fun doesn’t stop there, the whole week is filled with activities to enjoy.

While there’s a calendar available here to help make sure you don’t miss anything, here’s a list of some highlights happening throughout the week:

Saturday, May 30th

• Marine Exploration by Paddleboard along Gonzales Bay from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
• The Gorge Splashtacular Ocean Festival at the Gorge Waterway Nature House from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday, May 31st

• Open Water Diving Drop-in at Wilson Diving from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• World Ocean Day at Fisherman’s Wharf from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Ocean Week Canada Film Screening at Star Cinema in Sidney from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday, June 1st

• Ocean Week Pub Trivia at Christie’s Carriage from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Tuesday, June 2nd

• How to Train Your Glider at the Royal BC Museum from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 3rd

• Gorge Beach Clean-up of the Gorge Waterway starting at Regatta Point Park from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Print-making with ocean specimens at the Royal BC Museum from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Science at the Bottom of the World at Camosun Campus from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 4th

• Screening of Ocean with David Attenborough and a discussion with Pacific Wild at the Vic Theatre from 6 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.
• DRIFT with Impact floating sound meditation at 810 Humboldt Street from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 6th

• Marine Birds of Island View Beach bird watching at Island View Beach from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Art with Impact live art for conservation at 810 Humboldt Street from 12 p.m. to 3/4 p.m.
• Entanglements: a scientifically accurate ocean circus show at 903 Devonshire Road from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.,. to 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 7th

• Kelp Float at 1809 Crescent Road from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• World Ocean Day Celebration in Beacon Park at the waterfront from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Monday, June 8th

• SṈIDȻEȽ Resiliency Project at Tod Inlet Trailhead from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Marine Ecology Exploration by Paddleboard along Gonzales Bay from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

From start to finish, there are dozens of events happening around the city, brought to life by local organizations and businesses that are devoted to ocean conservation and education.

Ocean Week Victoria was launched in 2020 by a group of marine educators to engage and connect ocean-oriented organizations by expanding World Ocean Day (June 8th) into a full week of wonderful activities.

Get out there, have fun and learn something new about the majesty of the waters that surround us and the creatures that call it their home!