The 10 Best Vancouver Ferry Trips

1.Victoria & Butchart Gardens Tour with Ferry from Vancouver

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,703 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $228Our pick

Travel from downtown Vancouver to Victoria by coach and BC Ferries, with a 90-minute sailing through the Gulf Islands, two hours at Butchart Gardens, and two hours to explore Victoria. Guides such as Anthony, Bobby, Leslie, and Alex provide local stories and clear timing. Hotel pickup, garden admission, and transport are included.

“It is a lengthy excursion, but necessary due to ferry and bus ride to the gardens. Might have liked another 1/2 hr in Victoria.”

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2.Vancouver to Victoria Seaplane Adventure & Return via Bus & Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 354 reviews · 9 to 11 hours (approx.) · from $309

Take a 35-minute Harbour Air seaplane from Canada Place to Victoria, then spend several hours exploring the Inner Harbour, Chinatown, shops, cafés, and nearby sights on your own. Return by BC Ferries Connector coach and ferry, arriving downtown Vancouver around 7:40 PM. Bring photo ID and pack light.

“Float plane - We had lovely weather & saw everything clearly as we flew across to the Island. A great Experience.”

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3.Victoria Seaplane Tour with Return Bus and Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 146 reviews · from $297

Fly 35 minutes from Vancouver Harbour to Victoria’s Inner Harbour, with views of Stanley Park, Lions Gate Bridge, Burrard Inlet, and the Gulf Islands. Spend several hours exploring Victoria independently, then return by coach and BC Ferries through Active Pass. The trip costs $297 and usually takes a full day.

“What a fantastic experience, definitely would recommend. Sea plane was wonderful! Long day coming back on the ferry but the two sorts of transportation gave different views and made the day. All ticketing etc very efficient.”

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4.Granville Island Ferry Hop-On Hop-Off Day Pass

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 97 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $16Best value

Use a mobile day pass on False Creek Ferries to hop between nine Vancouver docks, including Granville Island, the Maritime Museum, Yaletown, Science World, and the Aquatic Centre. Boats arrive every five to 15 minutes, and operators often add local stories about the waterway. Admissions, food, and hotel transport are not included.

“There was little, if any wait time. The ride was smooth and the captains did a great job. We loved seeing the various buildings, boats, and sights in the area by boat.”

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5.North Vancouver Walking tour with Local Tastings and Ferry ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $108Top rated

You’ll cross by Seabus from downtown Vancouver, then walk North Vancouver’s Lonsdale Quay and Shipyards District with a local guide. Expect six food tastings, three alcoholic drinks, waterfront views, and stories about shipbuilding. Guides such as Rachel, Kelsey, Kate, and Anna have led past tours.

“Kelsey had a wealth of information about the various architectural and historical features during our walk. We highly recommend Kelsey!!!!!!!! Lots of delicious food!!!!!!!!!!”

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6.Butchart, Mile 0, Harbor 1-Day Tour from Vancouver

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 39 reviews · 10 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $181

Travel from Vancouver to Victoria by ferry, visit Butchart Gardens, and see Chinatown, the Inner Harbour, Beacon Hill Park, and Mile Zero. Your guide arranges the day, with pickup from three Vancouver-area locations, admission included, and about 10 to 12 hours on the road and water. English is offered, but confirm your guide’s language before booking.

“Victoria waterside and Butchart gardens. Great scenery and excellent tour guide. Thank you to Jim…….”

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7.Full-Day Victoria Tour with Ferry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 36 reviews · 1 day · from $176

You’ll travel from Vancouver to Victoria with an English-speaking driver-guide, roundtrip ferry tickets, and admission to Butchart Gardens. Jack has been praised for clear facts and easy handling of multilingual groups. Expect about three hours in Victoria, with short visits to the gardens, Inner Harbour, Chinatown, and Mile Zero.

“Jack made it interesting with lots of facts about the areas we were travelling through and to. He was easy going, answering questions and handled a multi lingual group with ease. Recommend.”

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8.Vancouver False Creek Ferry Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $22

Spend about an hour cruising False Creek from Granville Island aboard a quiet electric ferry limited to 10 passengers. Your captain guides you past marinas, condos, the former Expo 86 pavilion, Olympic Village, and ships near English Bay. Captains including Rusty and Graeme add local history and easygoing commentary.

“Our skipper was super-friendly, engaging, and very knowledgeable. The tour visited diverse locations within False Creek, and outwards to English Bay Beach, encompassing many aspects of the history and development of Vancouver. The small group size on the very quiet electric ferry promoted an inclusive and conversational environment.”

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9.Photography, Hiking & Ferry to Bowen Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $133

Join photographer Nafees for a six-hour Bowen Island outing from Vancouver. Ride the 20-minute ferry to Snug Cove, hike near Killarney Lake, practice photography with your own camera or a borrowed DSLR, and receive complimentary photos from the day. Pickup is available, and groups are limited to six.

“The tour was really great!! Nash was a good tour guide and he had a good knowledge of bowen island as well as vancouver area. We shared lot of stories and he showed me lot of beautiful parks. Moreover, I discovered a nice restaurant in the village and the food was excellent especially the soup and bread. Moreover, he took good pictures of me and the quality is excellent! I can litterally say it was much better than I was expecting and I wish to have Nash as a tour guide again. It's thanks to him if I really enjoyed my visit on Bowen Island!!”

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10.Victoria & Butchart Gardens Tour with Gulf Island Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 7 reviews · 12 to 13 hours (approx.) · from $169

Travel from Vancouver to Victoria by BC Ferries, tour the 55-acre Butchart Gardens, and spend two hours around the Inner Harbour. A guide accompanies you from the 8:00 am pickup at West Cordova Street. The $169.84 price includes transport, ferry crossings, parking, commentary, and garden admission, but not meals.

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