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Adventure Water Sports and Activity Ideas in the Greater Victoria Region

Victorians love the outdoors and adventure water sports are high on the list of fun activities we like to participate in. As a visitor to the region, you need to know the best places to go to participate, and where to book a tour, get lessons or rent the equipment you’re going to need. Look no further. Start planning your adventure water sports and activities here.

Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.

Boating

Boating near Victoria BC

Motor boating is a pleasure sport that utilizes some type of boat with a motor. Sometimes it is referred to as pleasure boating or recreational boating. Many people in the Greater Victoria utilize their motor boats for crabbing and fishing as opposed to other adventure water sports such as wakeboarding or water skiing. On a seasonal basis, you can rent a motor boat from Victoria Boat Rentals based out of Sidney. If you're under 25 you'll need a valid PCOC (pleasure craft operator craft) - although the PCOC is highly recommended for everyone. The Pleasure Craft Operator Card Study Guide by the Canadian Red Cross will help you prepare to get an operator card.

Fishing Charters

Fishing Charters are a terrific way to get out on the water, enjoy the incredible West Coast scenery and wildlife and spend an exhilarating afternoon catching the best fish on the planet.

When you book with a local charter company, you get experienced guides who not only know our waters – they know our fish. They know exactly what species live in the area, the spots to find them and can identify which ones you can keep and which ones you need to release.

We took my father-in-law out on the water for his 80th birthday and it was such a memorable experience. I highly recommend fishing in Victoria.

The local companies listed below all offer fishing charters in the region.

Adam’s Fishing Charters, 812 Wharf Street, Victoria Inner Harbour
Beasley’s Fishing Charters, 12 Erie Street, Victoria Fisherman's Wharf
Fantasea Charters, 1006 Wharf Street, Victoria Inner Harbour
Foghorn Fishing Charters, 475 Head Street, Victoria Inner Harbour
Good Time Dave’s Fishing Charters, 4901B East Sooke Road, Sooke Cheanuh Marina
King Coop’s Fishing Charters, 475 Head Street, Victoria Inner Harbour (also in Port Renfrew)
KingSize Adventures, 1327 Beach Drive, Oak Bay
Kuroshio Charters, 950 Wharf Street, Victoria Inner Harbour
Mark Grant’s Salmon Fishing, 6971 West Coast Rd, Sooke Harbour Resort & Marina
No Bananas Fishing Charters, 2922 Denice Place, Oak Bay
No Limit Fishing Charters, 1104 Wharf Street, Victoria Inner Harbour
Seawind Fishing Adventures, 925 Pedder Bay Drive, Victoria Pedder Bay Marina (also in Port Renfrew)
Sooke Salmon Charters Ltd. Sooke Harbour
Top Rods Guide Service, 6971 West Coast Road, Sooke Harbour
Victoria TailSpin Charters, 4901B East Sooke Road, Sooke Cheanuh Marina

Freediving

If you’ve ever held your breath and gone for an underwater adventure, you’ve been freediving. The sport of free diving though is much more than just holding your breath and exploring the shallow waters. It is about the freedom to explore – sometimes at great depths – the waters of the world, without the use of under-water breathing apparatus. Read more.

Sailing

Sailing is a wind-propelled boating activity that harnesses the power of wind to move the craft along the surface of the water. The sailor adjusts the alignment of the sails according to the wind direction in order to capture and utilize the power of the wind. Sail boats are very common in the waters around Victoria and annually the region is home to the Swiftsure International Yacht Race. Book your tall ship adventure with 3-Hour Sail, docked in the Inner Harbour.

Scuba Diving

Scuba diving is an underwater activity that involves wearing a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) to explore the depths of the waters. Whether you are here to discover the incredible marine life or check out some local wrecks, Victoria is a popular destination for scuba diving. The three local companies listed below offer rentals, lessons and guided experiences.

Frank White’s Dive Store

721 Kings Road, Victoria, BC
250-385-4713
Rentals: Yes
Lessons: Yes
Guided Tours: Yes
Sales: Yes

Rockfish Divers

3945 Quadra Street, Victoria, BC
250-516-3483
Rentals: Yes
Lessons: Yes
Guided Tours: Yes
Sales: No

Wilson Diving

105-1790 Island Hwy, Victoria BC
250-478-4488
Rentals: Yes
Lessons: Yes
Guided Tours: Yes
Sales: Yes

Skimboarding

Skimboarding is an interesting sport that is like surfing on shallow water. Skimmers use a board that is similar to a small surfboard without a fin. They will catch a wave after it has broken and ride it back to shore.

It is a popular activity for younger water enthusiasts because they stay close to the shoreline but participants of all ages can have fun riding the wave and learning tricks like skimmer Paul Lewis is here out at Witty's Lagoon.

We are not aware of any local companies currently offering lessons or renting equipment so you'll have to bring your own skimboard.

Photo Credit: Paul Lewis

Snorkeling

Snorkeling is one of those adventure water sports that is hugely popular in the warm clear waters of resort destinations. But it is also a fun and affordable activity that can be done in the waters surrounding Greater Victoria. The three local companies that offer SCUBA lessons, rentals and tours can help you out with snorkeling as well. Read more.

Frank White’s Dive Store

721 Kings Road, Victoria, BC
250-385-4713
Rentals: Yes
Lessons: Yes
Guided Tours: Yes
Sales: Yes

Rockfish Divers

3945 Quadra Street, Victoria, BC
250-516-3483
Rentals: Yes
Lessons: Yes
Guided Tours: Yes
Sales: No

Wilson Diving

105-1790 Island Hwy, Victoria BC
250-478-4488
Rentals: Yes
Lessons: Yes
Guided Tours: Yes
Sales: Yes

Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUPS)

Stand up paddle boarder at Clover Point in Victoria BC

Stand Up Paddle Boarding is a newer adventure water sport that seems to be gaining in popularity every year. Some people predict it will take over kayaking as far as most popular water adventure activity. Stand up paddle boarding is abbreviated to SUP and uses a surf style board and a long paddle. It has also been described as a cross between canoeing and surfing. Read More

Surfing

Catching the last waves at Jordan River, BC

Surfing is a surface water sport whereby the participants - known as surfers - swim out into the water with their board, stand on top of the board and then ride a wave back to the shore. Some people easily learn the basics of surfing and others spend hours just trying to catch one wave. Most surfing here on Vancouver Island is done out of either Jordan River or Tofino. There is one local company available to rent surfing gear to you but if you were to travel to Tofino, you would find many more and can compare some of the most popular surf packages here.

Sports Rent

3-1950 Government Street, Victoria, BC V8T 4N8
250-385-7368
rentals include SUPS, surf gear, bicycles and much more

Wakeboarding

Wakeboarding is relatively new as far as adventure water sports and is a cross between surfing, water skiing and snowboarding. With wakeboarding, the rider is fastened to the board and towed behind a motor boat. One advantage to this activity is you don’t have to wait for waves like a surfer, you just go create your own with a motor boat! We are unaware of any local companies offering lessons or renting equipment.

Whale Watching

Possibly the most popular of the adventure water sports listed as far as tourists go. Everyone wants to see whales and I can tell you even as a local, it doesn't matter how many times you see them, you still want to see more! Victoria is world-renowned for our whale watching and marine life tours and they are always highly recommended. Read more.

Windsurfing

Windsurfing photo by Ludomił on Unsplash

Windsurfing is another surface water sport that involves the participant riding on a fairly short board with a sail attached. The activity incorporates elements of both surfing and sailing and is sometimes called sailboarding or boardsailing. When the wind picks up here on Southern Vancouver Island, the windsurfers will take to the water. Read More.