Butchart Gardens from Your Alaska Cruise

Butchart Gardens is a 55-acre National Historic Site near Victoria, British Columbia, featuring themed gardens including Sunken, Rose, Japanese, Italian, and Mediterranean gardens. Located about 13 miles from Victoria’s cruise port, it’s accessible via tour bus, taxi, or public transit. The gardens showcase seasonal displays with over a million bedding plants annually.

Quick Facts

Want to know more about Alaska cruise ports and what to expect at each stop?

Getting There from the Cruise Port

Your ship will dock at Ogden Point in Victoria, and from there you have several options to reach the gardens. The ship’s shore excursion is convenient but typically costs double what you’d pay going independently. Here’s the honest breakdown of your choices:

• Shuttle Bus Services: Multiple companies operate shuttles directly from the cruise terminal. They run continuously and cost around $30-40 roundtrip per person. You can usually buy tickets right at the pier.
• Public Transit: The most budget-friendly option at about $5 per person, but it involves taking bus #14 downtown then transferring to bus #75. This takes roughly an hour each way and requires exact change in Canadian dollars.
• Taxi or Rideshare: About $50-70 one way. Great if you’re splitting with other cruisers but you’ll need to arrange return transportation.
• Ship’s Excursion: Usually $80-120 per person with limited time in the gardens (often just 90 minutes). The benefit is guaranteed return to your ship.

Here’s what most cruise veterans won’t tell you: the independent shuttle buses that wait at the pier are legitimate and reliable. They won’t leave until they’re full, which means you might wait 15-20 minutes, but they run all day and the drivers know exactly when ships are departing.

Timing Your Visit

This is where many first-time visitors mess up. Your cruise ship typically docks in Victoria, BC around 7:00 or 8:00 AM and departs between 5:00 and 7:00 PM. You absolutely must be back at the ship at least 30 minutes before “all aboard” time, which is usually 30 minutes before departure. Do the math backwards from your ship’s departure time.

The gardens open at 9:00 AM during most of the cruise season. If you arrive right at opening, you’ll experience the gardens at their most peaceful and photograph-worthy. By noon the tour buses arrive en masse and the pathways get congested. If you can only visit during peak hours, focus on the outer gardens first as most tourists head straight to the Sunken Garden.

Seasonal Considerations

Most Alaska cruises visit Victoria between May and September. Each month offers different blooms:

• May: Tulips and spring bulbs are finishing, early roses beginning
• June: Rose Garden hits peak bloom, rhododendrons still showing
• July-August: Summer annuals in full display, dahlias starting
• September: Dahlias spectacular, fall colors beginning

The gardens are genuinely stunning in any month during cruise season so don’t stress too much about timing your cruise around specific blooms.

What to Expect Inside

The gardens started as a limestone quarry that Jennie Butchart transformed starting in 1904. That former quarry is now the famous Sunken Garden, and yes, it’s as impressive as everyone says. But here’s what surprises most visitors: this isn’t a flat botanical garden you can breeze through. The terrain includes hills, stairs and pathways that wind through different elevations.

You’ll walk roughly 2-3 miles if you explore all five themed gardens thoroughly. The Japanese Garden sits at a lower elevation with serene ponds and carefully pruned trees. The Rose Garden (when in bloom) contains hundreds of varieties. The Italian Garden offers geometric precision and mountain views. The Mediterranean Garden showcases drought-tolerant plants in a sun-soaked setting.

Practical Walking Route

Start with the Sunken Garden when you arrive as it’s the most photographed spot. Then move counterclockwise through the Japanese Garden, Ross Fountain area, Italian Garden, Rose Garden, and Mediterranean Garden. This route flows naturally and saves your energy for the most spectacular areas when you’re fresh.

Money-Saving Tips

Admission runs about $40 CAD for adults during peak season. Here’s how to save:

• Book online in advance for a small discount and guaranteed entry during busy days
• Bring your own snacks and water (allowed in the gardens)
• Skip the ship’s excursion and use independent shuttles to save 50% or more
• Canadian dollars get you a better rate than paying in US dollars at the gate

The on-site restaurants are actually decent quality but expect theme-park pricing. The coffee bar near the entrance offers the best value if you just need a quick bite.

Hidden Gems and Insider Knowledge

Most cruise passengers rush through the main gardens and miss some legitimately cool details. The Seed and Gift Store sells seeds from plants actually grown in the gardens, making for unique souvenirs that weigh nothing in your luggage. The carousel near the Rose Garden is an original antique that kids love.

In the Japanese Garden look for the massive koi in the ponds. They’re decades old and surprisingly friendly. The viewing platform overlooking the Sunken Garden offers the postcard view, but for a unique angle walk down to the lower paths where you’re surrounded by the blooms.

Saturday nights in summer feature fireworks and live music, but your cruise ship won’t be docked late enough to experience this unless you’re staying overnight in Victoria.

Challenges to Consider

Let’s be honest about the downsides. The gardens are wildly popular and during cruise season you’re sharing the pathways with hundreds of other visitors. The worst bottlenecks happen at the Sunken Garden viewpoints and in the narrow Japanese Garden paths between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM.

The terrain isn’t suitable for anyone with serious mobility issues despite being technically wheelchair accessible. Those steep pathways into the Sunken Garden are no joke. Some areas have gravel paths that are tough for rolling suitcases or strollers.

Weather in Victoria is unpredictable even in summer. Bring layers and a light rain jacket. The gardens are beautiful in light rain but miserable in a downpour, and there’s limited covered area.

Photography Tips

Butchart Gardens ranks among the best photo spots in Victoria, BC for good reason. For the best shots arrive early before crowds fill the frame. The Sunken Garden photographs beautifully from multiple angles, but the elevated viewpoint right as you enter that section gives you the classic shot.

Overcast days actually produce better flower photos than harsh sunny conditions. The soft light brings out color saturation without harsh shadows. During sunny weather the best light happens before 11:00 AM and after 4:00 PM.

Skip the selfie stick as they’re awkward on narrow pathways. The gardens have plenty of spots where you can set your phone on a ledge or wall for group photos.

Combining with Other Victoria Activities

If you’re planning a full day exploring Victoria, BC in one day, Butchart Gardens works best as either your first stop (arriving at opening) or your final stop (arriving around 2:00 PM and staying until 4:00 or 5:00 PM). This lets you explore downtown Victoria during the middle of the day.

For families, the gardens pair well with other family activities in Victoria, BC like the Royal BC Museum or a harbor tour. Just don’t try to cram too much into one port day or you’ll spend more time in transit than actually enjoying anything.

Bonus Tips

• The free Wi-Fi at the gardens is spotty so download your ship’s departure information before leaving
• Restrooms are plentiful and clean (located near the restaurant and by the Italian Garden)
• The gift shop is massive and stays open until closing time, so browse on your way out rather than fighting crowds earlier
• If you use a mobility scooter, reserve one from the gardens in advance as they have limited quantities
• The gardens use over 900 hanging baskets, replanted seasonally by their full-time team
• Benches are scattered throughout but fill up quickly during busy times
• The original Butchart family still owns and operates the gardens
• Dogs aren’t allowed except service animals
• There’s no re-entry once you leave so make sure you’ve seen everything before exiting

What to Wear and Bring

Comfortable walking shoes are non-negotiable. Those cute sandals will leave your feet screaming after an hour on gravel paths and stairs. A small backpack or crossbody bag works better than a purse for keeping hands free on pathways.

Bring a refillable water bottle as there are water fountains throughout the gardens. Sunscreen matters even on cloudy days because you’ll be outside for hours. A hat helps but secure it well as Victoria can be breezy.

Your phone camera is probably sufficient for great photos, but if you’re a photography enthusiast this is the place to bring your good camera. Just be mindful of other visitors when setting up tripod shots.

Common Questions and FAQ

Can I bring food into Butchart Gardens?

Yes, you can bring your own snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. There are picnic tables near the entrance if you want to eat before exploring.

Is there luggage storage at the gardens?

No official luggage storage exists, but the admissions staff will sometimes let you leave small bags with them if you ask nicely. Don’t count on this for large suitcases.

How much time should I budget for the visit including travel?

Plan for 4.5 to 5.5 hours total: 30 minutes each way for travel, 2.5 to 4 hours in the gardens, plus buffer time for waiting on shuttles.

Will my US credit card work at Butchart Gardens?

Yes, all major credit cards are accepted. You’ll be charged in Canadian dollars and your bank will convert the currency.

Are the gardens worth visiting if it’s raining?

Light rain actually makes the colors more vibrant and the gardens provide a magical misty atmosphere. Heavy rain is less pleasant as there’s minimal shelter, but the gardens stay open unless weather is severe.

Can I buy tickets at the entrance or must I book online?

You can buy tickets at the gate but online booking guarantees entry during capacity-limited days and often saves you a few dollars plus lineup time.

Is the gardens visit suitable for young children?

Children who can walk for extended periods will enjoy it, especially the koi ponds and carousel. Toddlers in strollers can manage most paths but will struggle with some gravel and stairs. There’s nothing specifically designed for kids’ entertainment though.

What happens if I miss my ship because I stayed too long at the gardens?

You’re responsible for getting to the next port at your own expense. Ships will not wait. Always build in extra buffer time and check your ship’s all-aboard time.

Personal Experience

When our Alaska cruise stopped in Victoria, visiting Butchart Gardens was honestly the highlight of my entire trip. I’d seen photos online, but nothing prepared me for how breathtaking it actually is in person. We booked our tickets online a few weeks before the cruise, which saved us about 20 minutes of waiting in line at the entrance. The garden is about a 30-minute drive from the cruise port, and we grabbed a shuttle right from the terminal instead of doing the pricey ship excursion – totally worth the small savings. My biggest tip? Get there right when it opens if you can. We arrived around 9:30 AM, and the pathways were peaceful enough to actually take photos without crowds of people in the background.

The Sunken Garden absolutely took my breath away with its layers of colorful blooms cascading down the former quarry. We spent about three hours wandering through all the different garden areas, and I’m so glad we gave ourselves that much time instead of rushing through. The Japanese Garden was incredibly peaceful, and the Rose Garden smelled amazing. Bring comfortable walking shoes because you’ll be covering a lot of ground, and definitely grab lunch at the Blue Poppy Restaurant if you have time – their food is surprisingly good for a tourist spot. Just make sure you know when your ship departs and give yourself at least an hour to get back to the port. Nothing stresses you out quite like worrying about missing your cruise ship!