things to do in Victoria BC
Victoria BC

Victoria is just 25 miles from Port Angeles, the closest American shore. That’s 25 miles closer to America than its Canadian mainland. But the quaint British Columbia capital feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of US city life thanks to its walkable streets, historic architecture, and friendly culture. 

Like its residents, its gardens tend to be bright and cheerful — thanks in large part to Victoria’s weather patterns. Tucked within the Olympic Rain Shadow, the small metropolitan hub gets 308 days a year with sunshine! So whether you’re looking for indoor activities or plenty of fresh air, there’s a wide variety of things to do in Victoria, BC. 

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Photo by Jack Riley

You don’t have to be a boat lover to enjoy this boater’s paradise. Roche Harbor’s richly preserved history offers nineteenth-century clapboard buildings, old gardens, and incredible sunsets – all perfect for relaxing. Enjoy local seafood, some of the best doughnuts in the Pacific Northwest, and views of the surrounding mountains. 

Whether you arrive by boat or seaplane, be sure to keep an eye out for pods of local orcas. They can frequently be seen playing in the waters surrounding the San Juan Islands, especially during the summer months.

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When summer hits the South Sound, Tacoma comes alive. From waterfront trails to skyline views, indie eats to stunning waterfront dining destinations. And what better way cap your perfect day in T-Town by taking to the sky with a scenic seaplane adventure.

Introducing Wings + Woven – a dream day trip built for adventurers, food lovers, and anyone looking to shake up their weekend routine. The ideal curated summer experience combining a jaw-dropping 25-minute scenic seaplane flight over the South Sound along with happy hour and dinner at Woven (NOTE: our official Wings + Woven package is good for 1 scenic flight + 1 beverage of choice and 1 appetizer of choice at Woven for $135 per person) Tacoma’s stunning waterfront restaurant. Both are steps apart, right on Ruston Way, offering one seamless and unforgettable summer outing.

Here’s how to plan the ultimate Wings + Woven day with no passport or ferry ticket required.

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Downriggers San Juan Island Waterfront Restaurant
Downriggers on San Juan Island

Tamed, just enough to be welcoming, San Juan Island is rugged and rural in all the best ways. Thanks to its remote location, chefs aren’t just inclined to source locally, they need to. As a result, San Juan Island is one of the best foodie destinations in the Pacific Northwest. 

Want to maximize your time noshing? Catch a quick and easy flight from Seattle to Friday Harbor Airport, where you can start exploring immediately. 

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Friends enjoying summer on San Juan Island
Summer on San Juan Island

Rolling pastoral farmland, rocky shorelines, and windswept hills offer a pristine, sun-filled oasis in the far reaches of the Salish Sea. Here, outdoor activities abound, ranging from thrilling whale watching adventures to brilliant sunset strolls. Among the most popular of the archipelago, you’ll find a plethora of things to do on San Juan Island this summer. Discover some of our favorites!

Looking for the fastest and most scenic way to travel up to San Juan Island from Seattle? Skip the ferry lines and hop aboard a scenic seaplane flight from Lake Washington or Lake Union. Direct flights aboard our wheeled aircraft, Kenmore Air Express, are also available from Boeing Field to Friday Harbor Airport.

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top things to do in Victoria this summer
Victoria BC summer activities

Renowned for its breathtaking beauty, walkable streets, and preserved historical elegance — this compact urban hub is rife with things to do. While Victoria’s mild climate lends it to year-round exploring, the city shines during the summer — and not just in the picturesque downtown, where floatplanes land in the harbor and whale watching tours depart.

The rich diversity of British Columbia’s capital glows among its neighborhoods, stretching up the coast and into the interior of Vancouver Island. It is a captivating mix of cultures, from Canadian and First Nations to Chinese and European. Castles. Wineries. Totems. Wildlife. Views. There are more than 70 unique and exciting things to do in Victoria this summer (and throughout all of Vancouver Island)! So whether you make it a Victoria day trip, weekend or extended stay, you’re sure to have fun.

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Seaplane docked at Friday Harbor Marina in the San Juans
Seaplane docked at Friday Harbor Marina

Nestled on San Juan Island in Washington, Friday Harbor is a picturesque town exuding coastal charm and historic allure. Framed by scenic harbors and surrounded by lush landscapes, this waterfront gem captivates visitors with its vibrant community and maritime ambiance. Quaint streets are adorned with shops, cafes, and galleries.

Notable sites, such as the historic San Juan County Courthouse and The Whale Museum, showcase the town’s rich heritage. The bustling marina offers whale watching excursions, adding to the town’s allure.

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There are landscapes that move you, and then there are landscapes that reshape the very definition of awe. The Pacific Northwest is home to the latter—wild and raw places where fire, ice, and time have sculpted a topography so dramatic, it feels almost mythological. Nowhere is this more evident than in the glacier-laced crown of Mt. Rainier and the scarred bowl of Mt. St. Helens. And while trails and overlooks offer a taste, there’s only one way to take it all in: from the sky.

Kenmore Air’s Volcanoes Scenic Flight Tour is a two-hour aerial expedition over some of the most breathtaking and geologically significant peaks in North America. Departing from Boeing Field just south of downtown Seattle, this high-altitude experience delivers something few adventures can promise: a front-row seat to the epic scale of nature’s power seen from above.

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kenmore air seaplane flying into victoria inner harbour
kenmore air flying into victoria inner harbour

While Victoria is closer to American soil than its British Columbia mainland, it feels a bit like traveling to Europe. (It’s 75 miles from the Emerald City and just 28 miles from the closest US town, Friday Harbor.) Sure, the watery border can make you think twice about the best way to get to Victoria BC. 

But if you know your options, getting there can be just as much fun as being there. The following outlines the five top ways to travel between this Vancouver Island metropolis and Washington’s high-tech hub — including a scenic seaplane flight!

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Kenmore Air Otter and Cattle Point Lighthouse
Kenmore Air de Havilland Otter flying past Cattle Point Lighthouse

Though the quaint archipelago tucked within the Salish Sea is technically part of Washington State, it feels a bit like its own country. Heck, some of its rocky inlets are closer to Canada than they are to the American mainland. But the 172-plus islands in the Olympic Rainshadow don’t require a passport and are relatively easy to access — if you know what you’re doing. 

The following outlines 9 ways to travel from Seattle to the San Juan Islands. But at its most primitive level, there are only two ways to get here: by boat or plane. The nature of being surrounded by water on all sides makes this remote destination exactly that, remote. That’s part of the charm, part of what keeps this paradise a destination worthy of visiting year-round.

And the great news is, whether you’re flying from Boeing Field to Friday Harbor or catching a seaplane from Lake Union to Roche Harbor — the views are endless and check-in is a breeze!

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