There’s something about seeing Victoria from the water that gives you an entirely different appreciation for the city.
Victoria Buzz recently hopped aboard Victoria Harbour Cruises’ new sightseeing boat for a 75-minute guided tour through the Inner Harbour and surrounding waterways.
The new experience officially launched on August 1st and is operated by the team behind Vancity Cruises, an established Vancouver sightseeing company now expanding across the Strait of Georgia.
The tour begins along the Inner Harbour Causeway before taking passengers past some of Victoria’s most recognizable waterfront landmarks.
It was a touch on the windy side during our trip, but the Canadian-built vessel handled the small waves with ease.
High sides, comfortable bench seating and plenty of overhead cover made it easy to enjoy the views without worrying about the sun beating down for the full 75 minutes. There is also a washroom onboard, along with snacks and drinks available for purchase.
The length of the tour felt just right. It was long enough to see a good portion of the harbour without feeling drawn out, especially for the children aboard.
Even the younger passengers remained entertained throughout the trip.
One of the biggest laughs came when several of Victoria’s floating hot tub boats appeared nearby, filled with boaters wearing captain hats and relaxing in the warm water.
Even some of the adults and tourists aboard appeared unsure whether our tour guide, Sam, was joking when he announced that a floating hot tub was approaching.
He wasn’t.
Our tour initially headed out from the Inner Harbour toward the Ogden Point Breakwater.
Along the way, passengers watched seaplanes take off and land, while sailboats and other vessels passed nearby. One sailboat even looked as though it could have sailed directly out of a pirate movie.
Before reaching the breakwater, our vessel turned back toward the city and travelled beneath the Johnson Street Bridge.
From there, it passed under the Bay Street Bridge and continued through the Gorge Waterway toward the Selkirk Trestle before turning around and returning to the Inner Harbour.
While that route differed from the regular itinerary advertised on the company’s website, there was a good reason for it.
According to Zach Dose, co-owner and Operations Director of Victoria Harbour Cruises, our group experienced the company’s heavy-weather route because of the strong winds that afternoon.
“Safety is always our top priority, and on such days the tour defers to exploring Victoria Harbour and continues through the Gorge Waterway, giving passengers a different perspective of the city and some of its bridges and waterfront neighbourhoods,” Dose told Victoria Buzz.
On calmer days, the regular 75-minute tour travels past the cruise ship terminal and follows Victoria’s coastline toward the Fisgard Lighthouse area before returning to the Inner Harbour.
Weather, wind, marine traffic and other activity on the water can all affect the exact route taken during a particular departure.
Throughout our cruise, Sam provided live commentary over the vessel’s sound system, sharing information about the harbour, surrounding neighbourhoods, and Victoria’s history.
The commentary helped bring the experience together, particularly for tourists who may be unfamiliar with the area. Even longtime residents are likely to learn something new about places they have passed countless times from shore.
Wildlife sightings are also possible during the tour.
Dose said passengers have already spotted orcas, sea lions and numerous harbour seals since the Victoria operation launched. Bald eagles, porpoises and other marine animals may also make appearances, although sightings can never be guaranteed.
The boat was designed with comfort and stability in mind, making the experience approachable for families and passengers who may not regularly spend time aboard boats.
“Our goal is for people to be able to relax, enjoy the scenery and learn about Victoria without needing any previous boating experience,” Dose said.
The decision to expand to Victoria followed the company’s experience operating sightseeing cruises in Vancouver.
“We have such a beautiful capital city with an incredible history and relationship to the water,” Dose said.
“We wanted to bring the same kind of relaxed, informative sightseeing experience that we offer in Vancouver to Victoria, while creating something that would be fun and informative for both visitors and locals.”
During its busier season, Victoria Harbour Cruises offers five daily departures across its two sightseeing experiences.
The company is currently concentrating on a primary operating season between April and October, although Dose said the team would eventually love to offer tours year-round.
Private charters are also available, with the company already hosting private parties and group outings aboard the vessel.
The 75-minute guided tour costs $59 for adults and $49 for children between the ages of three and 17.
Tour schedules, availability and booking information can be found through their website.
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