At the southern tip of Vancouver Island lies Victoria, British Columbia. Offering manicured gardens, colonial-style architecture, and orca-filled waters, this charming city feels like a portal to a slower, more picturesque pace of life. American Cruise Lines brings guests right to the heart of it all on the Puget Sound & San Juan Islands cruise, a voyage that captures the very best of the Pacific Northwest.
This guide spotlights some of the most popular and meaningful excursions available when you stop in Victoria, BC and the nearby port of Port Angeles, WA.
Butchart Gardens Experience
Just outside the city center lies one of the world’s most renowned botanical destinations: Butchart Gardens. Spread over 55 acres, the gardens are a visual symphony of color and design. Stroll through the dramatic Sunken Garden carved into a former quarry, inhale the sweet scent of 250+ varieties in the Rose Garden, and pause by the tranquil Japanese Garden's winding paths.
With American Cruise Lines, you’ll take the ferry over to Victoria where a motorcoach is waiting to take you to the gardens. With lunch included in this excursion, you can explore the gardens at your leisure.
Ferry Transportation
On a 90-minute ferry ride into Canada, enjoy a peaceful passage through emerald waters dotted with seabirds, sea lions, and sometimes even a passing whale. Enjoy panoramic views from spacious decks or take in the comfort of indoor lounges with wide windows made for sightseeing. Don’t forget your passport if you plan to head to Victoria, BC. Once you journey to Victoria, you’ll have to go through Canadian Customs to begin exploring.
Olympic Bluff Cidery & Lavender Farm
Just inland from Port Angeles, WA lies a peaceful retreat into the region’s agricultural side. This unique excursion brings you to a family-owned lavender farm, where fields of soft purple stretch under open skies (in bloom seasonally). Learn how lavender is harvested, distilled, and turned into a unique array of products.
The second half of the outing takes you to Olympic Bluffs Cidery, where small-batch ciders are crafted with apples grown on the property. Sip a flight of crisp, refreshing samples while overlooking the stretching Olympic Mountains.
Quinault Rain Forest and Ruby Beach Exploration
Get closer to the wild soul of the Pacific Northwest on a guided visit to the Quinault Rain Forest, part of Olympic National Park. Towering evergreens, moss-draped trees, and sparkling waterfalls make this a dream for nature lovers. This guided tour takes you deep into the heart of this beautiful temperate rainforest along well-maintained trails.
Then, it’s off to Ruby Beach, where sea stacks rise from the crashing surf, and tidepools reveal hidden marine life. It’s an otherworldly stretch of coastline that feels both ancient and alive.
Feiro Marine Life Center
Located in downtown Port Angeles, WA, the Feiro Marine Life Center offers an intimate and educational dive into the local marine world. See some of the water's most magnificent creatures including sea stars, scallops, crabs, anemones, moon jellies, and the smallest in the sea: plankton.
Complimentary for American Cruise Lines guests, this stop is a favorite for families and anyone curious about the ecosystems that make the Strait of Juan de Fuca one of North America’s most vibrant marine habitats.
Olympic Cellars, a Port Angeles Winery
Sip and relax at Olympic Cellars, one of Washington’s oldest wineries. Housed in a restored 19th-century barn and surrounded by rolling fields, this vineyard is as charming as it is historic.
Enjoy guided tastings that highlight the stories and techniques behind each varietal and see how five featured wines pair with chocolate oyster crackers. This relaxed excursion lets you enjoy the simple pleasures of good wine, fresh air, and warm company.
Experience the Best of Victoria & Beyond with American Cruise Lines
A visit to Victoria is an invitation to explore both natural beauty and cultural charm. From world-famous gardens to quiet beaches, mountain-backed wineries, and hands-on marine centers, the excursions offered by American Cruise Lines go beyond typical sightseeing.
Every stop has been thoughtfully selected for accessibility, comfort, and regional character, so you can experience the best of the Pacific Northwest with ease. Join us on a Puget Sound & San Juan Islands cruise to see this port and many more.
