Whether you have an hour to spend on the way to a ferry, or the whole day, Sidney and the Saanich Peninsula are among the Island's most charming destinations.
The transport hub of south Vancouver Island, the region is home to the international airport and ferries sailing to the B.C. Mainland, the Gulf Islands (including Saltspring Island), Sidney Marine Park and Anacortes, WA.
Much of Sidney's activity is found along the main streets of Beacon and Bevan and the waterfront. The best way to enjoy your visit is to park the car and take a leisurely stroll. Everything is conveniently close, and you'll find a surprising diversity, including more than 100 independent stores. You'll also notice an abundance of bookstores, not by accident, but as a conscious effort to create Canada's only BookTown. Indeed, Sidney boasts more bookstores per capita than anywhere else in the country!
The attractive main street is also home to numerous coffee shops, bakeries and chocolate stores. Some visitors never make it any further! But if you're a collector, the town is also packed with art galleries, gift shops and antique stores. On Thursday evenings during summer, Beacon turns into a pedestrian mall with stalls selling everything from wild salmon and fresh produce to clothing and crafts.
A wonderful sea walk follows the shoreline for several kilometers, passing the old federal wharf and the fishing pier. Soak in the wonderful views across Georgia Strait – on a clear day glimpse the snow-capped summits of Mt. Baker to the east and Mt. Olympus to the south – and enjoy not-to-be-missed waterfront attractions such as Scratch Patch at Mineral World. Hunt for gemstones, pan for gold and more. In Port Sidney, the Marine Ecology Centre explores the world of undersea life with aquaria, touch-tanks, microscopes and friendly staff to advise and instruct.
If all that natural science has sharpened your interest, sign up for a trip with SeaQuest Whale Watching or Emerald Sea Adventures. In addition to the summer-visiting orcas, highlights included eagles, seals, sea lions and otters.
Enjoy a guided EcoTour Cruise around the bays and headlands or make a memorable trip aboard the passenger-only ferry to Sidney Spit Marine Park where you can spend the day on the finest white sand beaches in Georgia Strait.
The waters around Vancouver Island are also famous for diving. Sign up with a local dive shop and experience the spectacularly clear waters of the Saanich Inlet, or explore the 110-metre-long destroyer HMCS Mackenzie and the coastal freighter GB Church submerged just off-shore.
A little outside of Sidney, on the Saanich Peninsula, excellent attractions include the world-famous Butchart Gardens and beautiful Butterfly Gardens. Family fun awaits at Heritage Acres and at the Centre of the Universe, where you can visit the stars. For flying fans, stop by the B.C. Air Museum, located on the airport lands.
Birding is a popular pastime (the bays and wetlands are crowded in the spring and fall); try a round of golf at Glen Meadows or Ardmore, where visitors are most welcome, or visit one of the local vineyards to sample the new and burgeoning vintages of Vancouver Island.
The Peninsula is also famous for its thriving arts community – visit artisans' studios and see the art as it's made, a memorable experience – or enjoy the performing arts at Sidney's Mary Winspear Centre.
Come for an afternoon, but be careful, you may never leave.