About this tour
When Charlie from our team ran this Victoria tour, we got the sweet spot between two major attractions without the usual coach-tour sprawl. The 6.5-hour loop takes in the Malahat Skywalk's elevated boardwalks (genuinely impressive views over the Saanich Inlet and beyond) and Butchart Gardens, the 55-hectare horticultural showpiece that lives up to its reputation. Small group means you're not jostling with 40 others, and the air-conditioned van handles the winding roads between spots. Victoria's a polished, leafy destination that draws a mixed crowd — families, garden enthusiasts, active retirees — and this tour threads the needle for people wanting highlights without faff.
Highlights
- Malahat Skywalk's elevated platforms deliver real vertigo and forest canopy views
- Butchart Gardens' themed zones bloom year-round with surgical precision
- Small group size meant our guide actually remembered our names and questions
- Air-conditioned vehicle takes the sting out of Vancouver Island's winding roads
- Accessible design throughout — wheelchairs, prams, and varying fitness levels catered for
- No herding into a massive coach; you move at a sensible pace
- Combo hits both the 'outdoorsy' and 'horticultural' boxes in one morning
What to expect
You'll kick off with a scenic drive through Vancouver Island's leafy hinterland to the Malahat Skywalk. The elevated boardwalk system is the real deal — you're threading through old-growth forest on platforms that climb and dip, with sightlines down to the inlet and across the straits. It's not extreme, but it's immersive and beats a flat walk. Allow a couple of hours here; the pace is leisurely, and your guide fills in the ecology and history without lecturing.
Then it's back into the van and down to Butchart Gardens, near Brentwood Bay. This is manicured horticulture at its finest — sunken gardens, Japanese sections, rose beds, all of it maintained like a Swiss watch. You'll do a self-guided wander through the themed zones (usually 1.5–2 hours depending on your flower enthusiasm). It's busy, especially midday, but the scale means crowds disperse. By lunchtime you're heading back to Victoria.
What travellers say
- Malahat Skywalk is a genuinely different experience, not run-of-the-mill sightseeing
- Butchart Gardens justifies its fame — horticulture done to obsessive standards
- Small group beats the stadium-coach vibe; guide knows your name
- Fully accessible — wheelchairs, prams, variable fitness all accommodated
- Air-conditioned comfort on scenic but winding island roads
- Butchart Gardens entrance fee and Skywalk entry stings the budget further
- Peak-season crowds at both attractions; early timing essential
- No lunch included; bring snacks or plan a paid stop
- Moderate walking with uneven terrain; not ideal for very limited mobility
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
Both attractions are genuinely worth seeing, and pairing them saves you a second trip. The Skywalk is unusual — most coastal tours skip it — and Butchart's reputation is earned. Small groups feel personal without being awkward. Fully wheelchair accessible, pram-friendly, and pitched at all fitness levels, so families and less mobile visitors aren't left behind. The van is comfortable and air-conditioned, which matters on winding island roads.
Butchart Gardens has an entrance fee (not included in the tour price), and it's not cheap. The Skywalk is busier than you'd hope in peak season — arrive early or expect queues. The tour doesn't include lunch, so budget for food or bring your own. Walking is moderate to steady across both stops; if you've got bad knees, the Skywalk's uneven terrain may bite. Gratuities aren't included, so factor that in. Peak times (summer holidays, weekends) mean both attractions heave with tourists.
Bring layers — island weather shifts. Comfortable shoes essential. Sunscreen and a hat for Butchart's open sections. The tour includes the vehicle and guide; attractions and meals are separate. Groups are kept small (exact cap not specified in our notes, but genuinely small), and the itinerary suits all ages and abilities.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.