Trying to find the best Vancouver Day Tours?
If you are visiting Vancouver, nearby Victoria and Whistler are a must-see, and so is a whale-watching cruise. You will want to take one of these guided tours to get the most from your visit.
I have gone through and ranked 6 of the best trips, as while they all include the best tour and make an easy day trip, I will be highlighting their unique features so you can find the best day trips from Vancouver.
Most Popular Day Tour from Vancouver
Our pick is the Victoria Day Tour because it is one of the most complete and highest-rated tours. Includes Gulf Island Ferry rides, Butchart Gardens, and Victoria Inner Harbour.
My Top 3 Picks: Best Vancouver Day Tours
These 3-day tours have been chosen as they are within an easy drive of Vancouver and showcase what the area has to offer.
My Top 5 Picks: Vancouver Day Trips
1. Butchart Gardens, Victoria, & Gulf Islands Cruise
Most Popular Tour
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars with more than 2,822 positive reviews
Why choose this tour: This is perfect for those who want to see Victoria and its best attractions, as it includes the Gulf Island Ferry, 2 hours at Butchart Gardens, 2 hours walking the beautiful Inner Harbour of Victoria, and a return ferry ride, a perfect balance.
What this tour includes:
- The scenic 90-minute BC Ferries ride to and from Swartz Bay (near Victoria), cruising through the Gulf Islands
- Tours in Vancouver and Victoria
- Round-trip transportation from Vancouver
- Butchart Gardens admission
- Free time to explore Victoria with a downloadable Inner Harbour walking tour
Check rates and availability for this tour
2. Whistler, Sea to Sky Gondola, & Shannon Falls Tour
The best way to see the mountain scenery
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars with more than 1,842 positive reviews
Why choose this tour: A very scenic tour through BC’s fjords and inlets, before stopping along the Sea to Sky Highway for a gondola ride in Squamish and nearby Shannon Falls. Then it’s through the mountains to Whistler, site of the 2010 Olympics. But like you, my visit was in the summer.
Whistler offers superb views, hiking trails, mountain biking, ziplines & bungee, or you can just explore the village.
What is included with this tour:
- Vancouver hotel pickup from most downtown hotels
- Driver/guide on an air-conditioned motorcoach
- Sea to Sky Gondola ticket
- Three hours of free time in Whistler with a downloadable walking tour
- Stop at Shannon Falls, the 3rd highest in British Columbia
3. Vancouver Whale Watching Adventure
Best Vancouver Whale-watching tour
Rating: 4.9 out of 10 stars with more than 5,105 positive reviews
Why choose this tour: You are guided by a naturalist on this half-day whale-watching adventure from Vancouver on board a luxurious catamaran with washrooms. There is a chance to see whales and other marine animals, including seals and eagles.
What is included with this tour:
- Cruise aboard a 95-passenger vessel featuring an indoor, heated cabin with floor-to-ceiling windows and open-air decks
- Expert crew of 3-4 guides/naturalists plus the Captain
- Complimentary tea, coffee & hot chocolate
- Free photos featuring the wildlife
- Whale Sightings Guarantee with complimentary tours until you see whales (fees apply)
After I departed Vancouver, I went on a Victoria Whale-Watching tour, and you can read about my experiences viewing the humpbacks, orcas, and seals. There is also a Vancouver to Victoria Seaplane option with whale-watching when you arrive.
Check rates and availability for this tour
4. Capilano Suspension Bridge, Skyride & Grouse Mountain
Includes 2 of the most popular attractions
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars with more than 1,313 positive reviews.
Why choose this tour: A tour outside the city to North Vancouver to visit Grouse Mountain and a Skyride Gondola ride, where there is hiking, resident bears, and shows. Also, a stop at the Capilano Bridge, which has a cliff walk and other activities such as the Treetop walk, which some like better. The tour also includes a stop at the Capilano River hatchery.
What is included with this tour:
- Guided transportation for the tour (about 6 1/2 hours)
- Hotel pickup at most downtown locations
- Grouse Mountain visit, including Skyride Gondola
- Capilano Suspension Bridge entry with Treetop Adventure and Cliffwalk
- Visit to Capilano River Salmon Hatchery
There is also another option to just do a 4-hour tour to Grouse Mountain and the Skyride to admire the views and attractions.
Check rates and availability for this tour
5. Fraser Valley Wine Tour with a Light Lunch
Award-winning wineries close to Vancouver
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars with more than 52 positive reviews
Why choose this tour: Visit the Fraser Valley just outside Vancouver, tour 3 wineries and taste some wines, and enjoy a light lunch on this small-group tour. There is a behind-the-scenes tour at one of the wineries. At each, you will be surrounded by picturesque views of vineyards
What is included with this tour:
- Local guide and comfortable van transportation
- Guaranteed to skip the long lines
- Enjoy a light lunch of cheese and charcuterie platter at a local winery
- Visit Township 7 Vineyards & Winery, known for crafting premium small-lot wines with traditional techniques
- Backyard Wineries, including a guided behind-the-scenes tour followed by a sit-down for a relaxing charcuterie-style lunch in the charming tasting room or on the patio (weather permitting). The tasting includes a flight of handcrafted wines
- Glass House Estate Winery, where you will sample a variety of handcrafted wines while learning about the winery’s commitment to small-lot production and sustainable farming.
6. Vancouver City Tour with Scenic Sea Plane Ride
See Vancouver from the ground and then from above by seaplane
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars with more than 84 positive reviews
Why choose this tour: A 5 to 6 hour awesome way to see Vancouver, starting with a tour of Vancouver, including the Bloedel Conservatory, Stanley Park, Canada Place, Gastown, and Granville Island. Followed a flight over the city by seaplane, where you will see breathtaking aerial views of Coal Harbour, downtown Vancouver, sparkling skyscrapers, Stanley Park, the coastline, and surrounding natural beauty.
What is included with this tour:
- City tour of Vancouver
- A seaplane flight which offers a guaranteed window seat
- Fly Guide in-flight commentary
- Complimentary pre or post-flight beverage!
What to Bring on your Day Tour
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Camera
- Comfortable clothing and walking shoes. If taking the whale-watching cruise, wear warm clothing as it is colder on the water
- Water bottle and maybe a snack
Final Thoughts: Best Vancouver Day Tours
Combined with Vancouver Sightseeing tours, these 6-day tours let you see the area, and expect to be impressed, as I was.
They feature a variety of experiences from a ferry ride to Victoria and the impressive gardens, a gondola ride up a mountain, Whistler Village, whale-watching offshore, the local wineries, the attractions of a suspension bridge, plus Grouse Mountain and a seaplane ride over Vancouver and the coast.
If you are visiting Vancouver, know that these tours do fill up quickly, especially in the busy summer season, so start your planning now!
