Victoria Pier
Victoria Pier
4.5
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Neighbourhood: Downtown
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
299 reviews
Excellent
171
Very good
109
Average
17
Poor
1
Terrible
1
magicien2
Victoria, Canada112 contributions
Dec 2019
We love to walk the area of the wharf. There is always a little something going on. Street entertainers, beautiful view of the boats and the parliament area, the Empress hotel and the quietness of the water even if we are in the downtown area.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelvin
Dunedin, New Zealand592 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
There is plenty to see and do here, and the little water taxis made getting around the entire area as easy as. We spent a half day here and could have done more. There are a plethora of really nice eateries and some really interesting house boat arrangements on one of the wharves. Great place to explore.
Written June 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia50,924 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Victoria Pier is a lovely area to walk around and take in the fresh air and the wonderful views. There are plenty of boats, there is a range of eateries and other shops as well. A place to relax and enjoy.
Written December 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jerry S
Windsor, CA6 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
My wife and I took an Alaskan cruise and one of the ports was Victoria, BC. Stay away from the pedicabs tours; it is the biggest rip-off there. My wife and I along with another couple from our cruise ship took a pedicab to tour Victoria. We could have walked faster and seen more than what the pedicab was offering. At one point because we were traveling so slowly that a single horse drawn carriage full of people asked to pass us. We made many stops at non-tourist locations and provided very trivial information. He finally got us to the Empress Hotel and followed us in. It was until he started sharing information about the hotel that we realized the meter was still running. When we told him that his services were no longer needed, he charged us an hour and a half at $30 per person plus 12% tax. The worst $100 dollars I spent on the entire trip.
Written July 7, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
La Jolla F
Seattle8 contributions
Aug 2011 • Friends
I hope this is the same pier walk out to the lighthouse. The pier walk is located next to where the cruise ships dock. Walk to the Fisherman's Wharf and then keep walking about 1/2 mile down the street to the cruise ships. Walk into the parking lot and you will see to your left a pier that extends quite a way out to a lighthouse. The pier is about 7 or 8 feet wide with no side rails and the drop on each side is about 25 or 30 feet. This is an A Ride at Disneyland. The walk out to the lighthouse is about 1/3 of a mile (i"m guessing) and the scenery is amazing. There are benches and seats out at the end by the lighthouse. I also heard that you can see octopus off the side by the end. Do at your own risk.
Written September 12, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leigh
8 contributions
Jun 2022 • Friends
This is just another waterfront and people are walking. Same as you will find in any other town by the sea.
Written June 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PookyCake
Victoria, Canada14,490 contributions
Sept 2020
I admit that the “Victoria Pier,” as an attraction on TripAdvisor, confused me. Based on the great majority of the reviews written here, they’re all in reference to the Inner Harbour . . . ditto for pretty much all the pictures. As such, one may be tempted to suggest the pier is a duplicate entry; however, it isn’t. Consider the definition of “pier:” According to the Cambridge dictionary, a “pier” is a “long structure sticking out from the land over the sea, where people can walk or large boats can be tied, sometimes with restaurants or places of entertainment on it.” Within the context of this definition, one can surmise that the “Victoria Pier” is the lower level walkway below Wharf, Government and Belleville Streets. This makes sense; after all, the walkway is adjacent to the water, boats can safely moor on the adjoining docks, and there are a number of casual eateries & entertainment along the pier. In a technical sense, I guess one would refer to “Victoria Pier” as a “pleasure pier” and a key segment of Victoria’s larger inner harbour area.
As a tourist attraction the Victoria Pier is quite lovely. You can walk along the pathway, enjoy the fresh sea air, admire Victoria’s classic architecture from unique vantage points (I’m thinking, especially, of the Legislature and Empress), watch the water taxis tootle about, hear the singing of the gulls, or dine in one of the restaurants. From Spring to early Fall, one of my favourite sights in this area of YYJ are the many, many beautiful flower baskets out on display. The pier, when understood within the context of Victoria’s Inner Harbour, highlights and displays the vibrancy of our capital city.
I previously described the Inner Harbour as “a bastion of all that is Victoria.” I maintain those words because it is exactly that. If you explore the Inner Harbour, you get to experience Edwardian and Victorian-era architecture; classic and contemporary history of the city and Province; Victoria’s vibrant art culture; and aspects of its social and economic milieu. The Victoria Pier is an important part of that experience.
As a tourist attraction the Victoria Pier is quite lovely. You can walk along the pathway, enjoy the fresh sea air, admire Victoria’s classic architecture from unique vantage points (I’m thinking, especially, of the Legislature and Empress), watch the water taxis tootle about, hear the singing of the gulls, or dine in one of the restaurants. From Spring to early Fall, one of my favourite sights in this area of YYJ are the many, many beautiful flower baskets out on display. The pier, when understood within the context of Victoria’s Inner Harbour, highlights and displays the vibrancy of our capital city.
I previously described the Inner Harbour as “a bastion of all that is Victoria.” I maintain those words because it is exactly that. If you explore the Inner Harbour, you get to experience Edwardian and Victorian-era architecture; classic and contemporary history of the city and Province; Victoria’s vibrant art culture; and aspects of its social and economic milieu. The Victoria Pier is an important part of that experience.
Written December 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Condu
Nanaimo, Canada8,655 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
Victoria's Pier is located at the foot of Wharf Street along Victoria's inner harbour. The area showcases some of Victoria's most iconic tourist attractions. The Fairmont Empress Hotel with it's pricy & grand high tea, the Parliament Buildings, Royal B.C. Museum which houses an Imax Theater, Bill Reid Art Gallery, the docks with a wide variety of boats, pickle boats which are foot passenger ferries for exploring the bay, sea planes, cruise ships, whale watch-boats, & much more. Huge flower baskets hang from antique street lights. Buskers, artists, First Nation's craft sales, musicians, out-door & in-door restaurants all vie for your attention. Also, it is a great area for people watching. Be sure to check out the tourist center, here. The well-trained staff will suggest many things to do while you are visiting Victoria.:)
Written December 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CEA1
North Vancouver, Canada208 contributions
Jun 2014
Victoria is compact, so the main urban area is easy to cover on foot. Start at the pier, right on the water, walk around + enjoy the food carts, restaurants, entertaining
buskers and yachts + ships in port. Then move to the Inner Harbour with its galleries, restaurants, pubs and hotels. Walk through James Bay Village + over to Dallas Road, the cruise dock and the seawall walk from the
cruise ship pier. Or alternately, you can cross the Inner Harbour in the opposite direction and walk through the interesting downtown area.... some lovely older buildings, alleys and shops. Unless you have only a day here, the Hop On, Hop Off Bus is not necessary, as you can easily cover the sights on
foot.
buskers and yachts + ships in port. Then move to the Inner Harbour with its galleries, restaurants, pubs and hotels. Walk through James Bay Village + over to Dallas Road, the cruise dock and the seawall walk from the
cruise ship pier. Or alternately, you can cross the Inner Harbour in the opposite direction and walk through the interesting downtown area.... some lovely older buildings, alleys and shops. Unless you have only a day here, the Hop On, Hop Off Bus is not necessary, as you can easily cover the sights on
foot.
Written November 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Millie N
Victoria15 contributions
Jul 2014 • Friends
You have to see it to believe it. It,s vibrant, clean, interesting....full of sights and sounds of music. Bustling little harbour taxis drop off and pick up visitors hourly.....crafts galore.....entertainment for all and food for every taste.
Written July 3, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What is the walking distance between the cruise port and the Empress Hotel in Victoria ?
Written July 4, 2022
What is the best way to get from the cruise port to the Empress Hotel in Victoria?
Written April 10, 2022
What is there to do from 6-10pm in Victoria when off a cruise ship? Thx everyone! Appreciate the help!
Written March 19, 2019
Is there much to see
or do at the pier where Royal Caribbean docks?
Written August 11, 2018
It is a nice walk through quaint neighborhoods of old houses. It leads into the heart of down town Victoria, the marina, harbour, Empress, Government Street , ect.
You do not need a ship excursion if you are capable of a 30 minute walk.
Written August 22, 2018
mgsom
Redwood City, California
About how much would a taxi or Uber cost from the cruise ship dock to Butchart Gardens?
Written July 24, 2018
dsperrin
Chelmsford, Canada
Where does the ferry to Vancouver leave from in Victoria?
Written June 8, 2018
Brian V's answer is complete and accurate. There are other options, such as Helijet, if you are in a hurry. But, check at the Visitor Centre, very close to Victoria pier, ferry schedules.
Written June 8, 2018
Is this a good destination to stay and hotel near the Victoria pier, also fresh seafood restaurant?
Written March 18, 2018
Well I was jogging so it was s bit chilly but overall it's shorts and sweater, probably warmer around noon but this was end of July, in April is long pants and jacket.
Written July 22, 2016
Is the Empress Hotel in Victoria, BC an easy walk from the cruise ship? Or is a taxi / bus recommended? I have limited mobility and cannot walk long distances.
Written June 18, 2016
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