Victoria Butchart Gardens Excursion Reviews

It was pitch dark by the time we got there! We could tell Gardens were beautiful, but we could only see the flowers directly beneath the dim lighting at the pathways! So disappointing that we can't be there before almost 8:00 p.m.!

Provider: Princess Cruises

In the daylight, this tour would be great. In the dark, it was an almost total waste of money. The only reason I didn't give it a 1 rating is that the tour guide was really awesome, and it's not his fault I was stupid enough to book this tour at night.

Provider: Princess Cruises

At this port, due to the lateness and we only had 6 hours, we just went to the gardens. Unfortunately since it got dark and there was lack of time, we didn't get to see all we wanted to. The gardens are about 1.5 hours away and we were allowed only 2 hours there. When we got back on ship, it was very windy.

Provider: Celebrity Cruises

Best gardens you will see anywhere!

Provider: Celebrity Cruises

VERY VERY CROWDED. Difficult to see and appreciate all I know is there. Time was very short as well. The fireworks were the most unusual I have ever seen.

Provider: Norwegian Cruise Line

This is a lovely garden and once you get there on the bus it is a self guided tour. Our bus guide was nice and we went to the gardens and then to Craigdarroch castle. He gave us lots of info before we got to the gardens on the drive there so we had a lot of background prior to walking around them. It was hotter than we had thought it would be. Mid august and it was about 80 degrees. We had to buy water and I wish I had worn lighter clothes. But the gardens are lovely and I'm glad we went. We got some beautiful pictures. The gift shop has a lot of expensive items and some cheaper ones.

Provider: Royal Caribbean International

The rating says it all. 5+! These gardens are absolutely fabulous and should not be missed. Whatever else you do in Victoria which is a lovely city, you have to get to these gardens.

Provider: Norwegian Cruise Line

I had heard about the gardens from friends and family for years, so looked forward to this stop. The gardens were beautiful, and the tea was nice, but I wish I had signed up for the garden and butterfly garden tour instead. It was less expensive and included more.

Provider: Independent Operator

The Saturday night fireworks display is great!

Provider: Princess Cruises

See ship review. DO NOT BOOK THIS TOUR. Ship was an hour late getting into port-it usually is. Instead of extending the tour or offering to let us not take it, the excursions desk insisted they would extend the time of the tour. The result was less than 40 minutes at the gardens and not enough time to see them-even in dark. Had we started when scheduled, we would have had an hour of daylight which would have made all the difference.

Provider: Holland America Line

NOT worth the $$$ Wine is watery, low on flavor and there was no time to see the gardens because when the wine & pairings ended ... the firewors were beginning.

Provider: Norwegian Cruise Line

Described above and the Butterfly Gardens and Butchart Gardens were included in the same tour.

Provider: Independent Operator

The gardens are magical. This is a must take excursion. If you do not see this then you have missed it all. Breath taking there just aren't words for the wonders you will find here.

Provider: Celebrity Cruises

This is another Must See when you come to Victoria. However we were only in this port about 5 total hours and only had two hours to visit these gardens, You Need several hours to enjoy this amazing place.

Provider: Princess Cruises

You must go there. There is plenty of time to see everything and it stays light late there. So even though the boat gets in late there is no reason not to go if you haven't ever been.

Provider: Independent Operator

Beautiful Gardens. The staff were so-so, and food at the snack shack was ho-hum.

Provider: Royal Caribbean International

This was least exciting part of our trip. We did the Buchart garden tour. We're from PA where we have Longwood gardens. If youre familiar with that place, itll spoil you. Buchart was nice, but not all that big and really full of people. We got very few pictures that didnt have people in the background. It probably wouldve been better if there were fewer people there. In fact, the bus driver said when they do fireworks theres like 10,000 people there! I cant even imagine being there for that! We paid for just the gardens but the bus took us on the city tour anyway so, that was a real plus!

Provider: Norwegian Cruise Line

Beautiful gardens, but there was just not enough time. We had to speed through the gardens and did not get to thoroughly enjoy it.

Provider: Norwegian Cruise Line

See review

Provider: Princess Cruises

The gardens were just beautiful. I liked that we were able to progress through the gardens at our own pace without a guide. I thought it was interesting that with all the plantings, I did not see anyone doing maintenance. Don't know when they do that but at least it did not detract from our enjoyment of the gardens. While I enjoyed the gardens, next time I would visit the Craigdarroch Castle or have High Tea at the Empress. I was sorry we were not there long enough to do more.

Provider: Norwegian Cruise Line

Took a guided tour 22 miles outside of town to the Butchart Gardens. We took a day tour, however, some cruise lines get into Victoria after 6 PM and may have night tours with fireworks. We had approximately 2.5 hours to walk around to the various gardens. There was also a coffee house, cafe, and souvenir shop available. On the particular day we visited there was drizzling rain. The gardens provided clear umbrellas free of charge--available throughout the gardens.

Provider: Independent Operator

You arrive in Victoria at 6:30 pm or so and have to be at the bus at 7:20 pm. We booked an excursion just to Butchart Gardens (not the combo with the Butterfly House). This allowed us to spend more time in the gardens. We had good weather (no rain) so we were lucky. It takes 45 minutes to get to the gardens so you depending on time, you have 2 hours in the gardens. You could easily spend an entire day in the gardens. They are exquisite. The rose garden was not in bloom in May, but many other flowers were in bloom that would not be in bloom later in the summer. Many things will always be in bloom at the gardens whenever you visit. In May, it is light when you arrive and then gets dark later in your visit. So move at balanced pace, but don't rush. If you like gift shops, it is a beautiful gift shop -- so leave yourself time as the lines can get long to pay for your purchases. Our guide on the bus was very informative all along the ride about Victoria, its history, its culture and lifestyle, etc. He answered any and all questions that were asked of him on the bus. This stop is a short one on the cruise -- it would have been nice to spend all day there.

Provider: Princess Cruises

This evening tour of the gardens was spectacular!! Gorgeous settings and flowers. Had two hours to walk around so plenty of time to see everything without rushing around (takes a little over an hour at a leisurely pace to see these). The bus driver gave a narrated city tour of Victoria both ways so got to see some lovely spots/landmarks of the city as well.

Provider: Princess Cruises

Although it was a well maintained site I thought that $27.55 pp to walk through the gardens was too much. This was highly recommend to me and I was very disappointed. If you are in Victoria try the queens garden instead.

Provider: Princess Cruises

Great gardens. Unfortunately due to rough sailing we got into Victoria a few hours late and we had to rush through the gardens.. Well worth the trip.

Provider: Holland America Line