Top 10 Nature & Wildlife Areas in Victoria Capital Regional District, Vancouver Island

May 5, 2022 Leonardo Torrence

Discover the best top things to do in Victoria Capital Regional District, British Columbia including Race Rocks, Aylard Farm, East Sooke Regional Park, Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary, Witty's Lagoon Regional Park, Victoria Butterfly Gardens, Island View Beach Regional Park Campground, Esquimalt Lagoon Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Quimper Park, McNeill Bay Park.
Restaurants in Victoria Capital Regional District

1. Race Rocks

British Columbia Canada +1 250-387-4363 http://www.racerocks.com/
Excellent
75%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 24 reviews

Race Rocks

A marine reserve featuring killer whales, seals and sea lions.

2. Aylard Farm

East Sooke Reginal Park, Sooke, British Columbia Canada +1 250-642-6351 http://www.crd.bc.ca/parks/eastsooke/
Excellent
88%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 43 reviews

Aylard Farm

Reviewed By pandbmcmillan5 - Vernon, Canada

Beautiful sandy beach ~ great for taking a dip! KIDS LOVED IT! Short walk through field/orchard area!

3. East Sooke Regional Park

East Sooke Road, Sooke, British Columbia Canada +1 250-478-3344 http://www.crd.bc.ca/parks-recreation-culture/parks-trails/find-park-trail/east-sooke
Excellent
84%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 269 reviews

East Sooke Regional Park

Reviewed By loreng518 - Victoria, Canada

Lots of trails here and they are now pretty well marked but also be certain you know the way - how to get in and out! Easy 45 minute walks to 5+ hours of moderate to strenuous hiking over rocky terrain and along the ocean with lots of ups and downs and hills to scramble! Exquisite ocean views and charming spots to picnic or take a break; it's so worth the hike. Lots of friendly people and their dogs along the way; also be prepared to step aside for trail runners! Also breathtaking views along East Sooke Road if you just want to drive.

4. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary

3873 Swan Lake Rd, Saanich, British Columbia V8X 3W1 Canada +1 250-479-0211 http://www.swanlake.bc.ca
Excellent
78%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 32 reviews

Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary

Reviewed By gulfcoastbreezes - St. Petersburg, United States

Visited here in February 2020. Walk was beautiful and there were a lot of birds. Nature center was interesting and volunteers were helpful and informative. Amazing to be surrounded by the city but feel like you were out in the country.

5. Witty's Lagoon Regional Park

Metchosin, British Columbia Canada http://www.wittyslagoon.com
Excellent
59%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 95 reviews

Witty's Lagoon Regional Park

Nature reserve with a long stretch of rocky shoreline, perfect for birdwatching and strolling.

Reviewed By Raroboy - Canada, null

First stop was the Parking lot for the Tower Viewpoint: Over some green space with lots of flowers and then it went up towards the viewpoint: with amazing views as well as some huge Garry oaks – this is such a beautiful part of the Shoreline: then we hear some funny noise – and see there on the island in front of us are a lot of seals!! From here we walked along the outside on a teeny tiny path over branches and along the bluffs all the way down to the sand: at the moment it is low tide so there is a lot of sand – you could walk endlessly – it is kind of super cool. We admired and walked along the shoreline until we came to some “natural” stone steps and went back up and back to the motorhome.

6. Victoria Butterfly Gardens

1461 Benvenuto Ave, Central Saanich, British Columbia V8M 1J5 Canada +1 250-652-3822 [email protected] http://www.butterflygardens.com
Excellent
55%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,075 reviews

Victoria Butterfly Gardens

A Vibrant Jungle Experience. A unique opportunity to experience the beauty and curiosity of a tropical jungle up close. Meet our family with surprises at every turn. You’ll encounter tortoises, large iguanas, poison dart frogs, free flying tropical birds and more. Enjoy tropical fish, ducks, flamingos and koi fish in our serene pond and stream circulated by a stunning waterfall. Thousands of tropical butterflies (up to 70 species) fly through our large facilities the size of almost 3 basketball courts. Stroll through and marvel at our lush gardens including tropical flowers, carnivorous plants and fruits of the world. Wander in our newest Exhibit, the Insectarium, full of impressive insects & invertebrates from around the world. Your jungle adventure awaits.

Reviewed By caligirl0105 - California, United States

As you walk into the gift shop, you are welcome by the most amazing ant colony, at first it’s hard to identify what you are looking at, since it is such a captivating spectacle... then all of a sudden, it hits you and you are in awww to see the difference in body size that they are capable of carrying in such an organized manner. Nature has a way of surprising you... but that’s just the beginning... as you walked through the double doors, you will actually feel as if you are in the middle of a forest. The melodies of running creeks, birds, warmer and humid climate, butterflies from all sort of colors and sizes flying freely, turtles eating flowers and humans actually smiling.... it is such a beautiful and educational place. My sever year old loved every moment we were there, she was able to explore, ask questions, feed the turtles and take lots of pictures. She didn’t want to leave... but now it is something we are looking forward to going back to.

7. Island View Beach Regional Park Campground

Island View Road, Central Saanich, British Columbia V8M 2J7 Canada [email protected] https://www.centralsaanich.ca/our-community/parks-recreation-culture/parks/island-view-beach-regional-park
Excellent
57%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 105 reviews

Island View Beach Regional Park Campground

This seasonal government-run campground on the ocean offers affordable RV and tent camping in nature with fabulous panoramic seascape views. It features a long sandy beach, bird watching, nature events, a variety of walking trails, including a user-friendly loop trail. It is close to the ferry, airport, downtown Victoria and the Lochside Regional Trail. The campground has 18 beach front RV sites, 5 treed tent trailer sites and 24 treed tent sites. All the camping sites are self-contained. $15/night tenting; $20/night RV's. Payable online by Visa or Mastercard. Payable on site by Visa, Mastercard or cash. Book online from May to September.

Reviewed By janetj953 - Victoria Capital Regional District, Canada

Island View is a great off leash area and a good area to explore with kids. One can choose between the beach route or a path slightly inland if it's too windy or rainy.

8. Esquimalt Lagoon Migratory Bird Sanctuary

Ocean Boulevard, Colwood, British Columbia V9C 1B6 Canada +1 800-668-6767 http://www.esquimaltlagoon.com/
Excellent
58%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 69 reviews

Esquimalt Lagoon Migratory Bird Sanctuary

Reviewed By Oilsandsgal - Leduc, Canada

My friend took me here while visiting for the first time to the island. loved the wood birds creative artists. A nice walk in the beach with a beautiful view.

9. Quimper Park

Sooke, British Columbia Canada http://www.sookeregionmuseum.com/quimperpark.htm
Excellent
78%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 23 reviews

Quimper Park

10. McNeill Bay Park

Beach Drive, Victoria, British Columbia V8S 2L9 Canada
Excellent
0%
Good
100%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 3 reviews

McNeill Bay Park

Nice little ocean view park with great trail where you can walk out onto the rock little island. Great views of the ocean.

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