Vancouver Island, BC : Victoria Inner Harbour

Victoria Inner Harbour

Capital Area

Victoria

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Address Johnson Street Bridge to Belleville Street Victoria, BC

Directions
The Inner Harbor is in downtown Victoria, just west of the Fairmont Empress Hotel, just north of the government buildings.

Description:

The Inner Harbour is the bustling, vibrant, center of the action in Victoria. Stroll along the waterfront and enjoy the many street musicians, jugglers, and artists, all against a picturesque backdrop of yachts, the legislature buildings, and the Fairmont Empress Hotel. Whether you’re looking for a whale watching adventure, kayak rental, or just to sample the many wonderful cafes, pubs, and restaurants, you’ll find it on Victoria’s beautiful Inner Harbour.

Walk past the Port Angeles ferry terminal on Belleville St., watching for a small pathway on your right. This peaceful, paved walkway follows the waterfront, winding past the gardens and ponds of the Laurel Point Inn and Coast Hotel. Relax on a bench to watch the tugboats and floatplanes drift by. From the Coast Hotel you can stroll through quaint James Bay for a few blocks to the cruise ship docks for an up-close view of these floating palaces. Stop at Fisherman’s Wharf to see the funky, multi-colored floating homes, and to sample the best fish and chips in Victoria.

From back in front of the Empress, walk north past the restaurants and wharves, then over the Johnson St. Bridge. Here you can begin the delightful Westsong Walkway, which skirts the harbour for about 5 miles. You’ll eventually arrive at Westbay Marina in Esquimalt, where you can enjoy a break at the casual and inexpensive Dockside Cafe. Return on the walkway or board one of the frequent water taxis.

Also known as Victoria Harbour Ferries, these charming little boats are a great way to see Victoria from a different perspective, or to travel between the many hotels, restaurants and pubs that line the waterfront. At 9:45 am on Sundays the water taxis gather in front of the Empress for a marine version of the Blue Danube Waltz. Watching the little boats pirouette and "dance" around one another, as music wafts over the harbour, is something not soon to be forgotten. On a warm summer evening try a ferry ride past the city lights, with the colorful reflections lighting up the water. It’s a magical end to a perfect day.

Written By: Richard Brunt
Photo Credit: Mike McQuaide

Features
Kid Friendly | Bathrooms | Picnic Area | Picnic Tables | Wheelchair Accessible | Walking Trails

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