Brentwood Bay is located in British Columbia, Canada, and is home to The Butchart Gardens. Several themes come together here for a stay: a garden destination designated as a historic site, tropical butterflies and invertebrates, water activities, and summer events.

Garden and Butterfly Experiences

The Butchart Gardens was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 2004. Victoria Butterfly Gardens is located at 1461 Benvenuto Avenue in Brentwood Bay. Its tropical jungle experience features thousands of tropical butterflies from up to 70 species. The Insectarium also includes insects and invertebrates in a lively, jungle-like environment.

The two garden destinations offer different highlights: at The Butchart Gardens, the historic designation is a distinctive point of interest; at Victoria Butterfly Gardens, butterflies and other invertebrates take center stage. This lets you decide whether the historic status or the tropical jungle experience is more important for your trip.

Boat Tour or Paddling

A 45-minute electric boat tour departs from the dock at The Butchart Gardens. It explores the surrounding waters and wildlife, including seals, eagles and otters. Seasonal availability may vary.

Pacifica Paddle Sports offers kayak, stand-up paddleboard and canoe rentals in Brentwood Bay, as well as guided tours and lessons. Each watercraft is matched to the needs and abilities of its customers. You can choose between a boat trip of a set duration and various paddling options. Check the seasonal availability of the boat tour and Pacifica Paddle Sports’ current offerings before your trip.

Local History and Summer Events

Built in 1908, West Saanich School is a prominent feature of HEL,HILEȻ Park. It is the oldest public schoolhouse on the Saanich Peninsula still standing on its original foundation. The park combines this historic building with recurring summer events: both the Brentwood Bay Festival and Music-In-The-Park take place there every summer.

If you want to plan your travel dates around one of the events, check the specific event dates before making plans. The recurring summer season is a useful seasonal guide, but it does not replace checking the dates.

Ferry Service to Mill Bay

The Brentwood Bay terminal offers ferry service to Mill Bay. If you plan to use this connection, check the schedule and conditions before your trip, as both may change.

The Broader Regional Context

In the broader destination of the Capital Regional District, Regional Parks protect and manage more than 13,350 hectares of natural areas across 34 regional parks and four regional trails. The parks extend across southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. One example of the scale of the regional trail network is the 55-kilometre Galloping Goose Regional Trail, which runs from Victoria to Sooke through urban, rural and wilderness areas. These details provide a broader perspective on the region’s nature and landscape, alongside the specific garden, history and water experiences in Brentwood Bay.

For the broader travel overview: Saanich.