Aerial View of Sidney-by-the-Sea, Sidney BC

View maps of the area:
Map of Sidney
Map of Greater Victoria
Map of South Vancouver Island

• Sidney's Marine Museum is the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre

  Sidney is known as Canada's first Booktown - twelve unique bookstores all within easy walking distance of each other, feature a browser's bounty of new, second-hand, antiquarian and specialty books.

• The Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre is an aquarium and marine education centre showcasing the extraordinary marine life and amazing ecosystem in the waters surrounding the Gulf Islands and the Salish Sea. From microscopic plankton to Puget Sound King crabs, wolf eels to giant Pacific octopus, the vast aquatic exhibits fascinate visitors of all ages. With 87 tonnes of sea water and 17 habitats, the Centre’s ever-changing seascapes and touch pools offer an unforgettable and unique hands-on, hands-wet experience that reveals the mysteries of the ocean to all ages. Located on the waterfront in Sidney. Open daily from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.

• The Sidney Museum and Archives is devoted to the history of the early lives of Sidney and North Saanich pioneers, portrayed through photographs and artifacts. Photographs explore the stories of settlers such as the Brethour brothers, and the Roberts family, while brickmolds and egg crates create connections with Peninsula businesses of the past. Insight into turn of the century domestic life is given with displays such as Critchley's Store, The Classroom and The Kitchen. The museum is operated by the Society of Saanich Peninsula Museums and located at 2423 Beacon Avenue.

• Discover the incredible world of gems and minerals at Mineral World and Scratch Patch. A very popular attraction for children, the Scratch Patch is an outdoor adventureland designed to turn anyone into an enthusiastic rockhound. Pick and choose from millions of beautiful semi-precious stones and tropical shells, or try panning for gold.

• The British Columbia Aviation Museum is dedicated to preserving aircraft and aviation artifacts related to the history of aviation in Canada, with an emphasis on British Columbia. The showcase of Canadian aviation history displays twenty vintage airplanes, including Canada's first planes, wartime fighters, and a full-size replica of the Gibson Twin Plane that beat the Wright brothers' famous accomplishment set in 1903. Other displays at the BC Aviation Museum include engines, uniforms, memorabilia, a reconstructed radio control room, and a Memorial Room with aircrafts dedicated to the two world wars. Located on Norseman Road in Sidney, next to the Victoria International Airport.

• The world-famous Butchart Gardens are located just a short drive west of Sidney. The influence of the neighbouring Butchart Gardens is showcased in the community parklands and individual gardens of Sidney businesses and residents.

• The Saanich Historical Artifacts Society tells the story of farming, country life and industry on Vancouver Island, with rural artifacts dating back to the early 1800s. View one of Western Canada's largest collections of working steam engines, tractors, agricultural machinery, antique farm equipment, historic buildings, and household and industrial artifacts. The society hosts an annual Summer Fair on the farm and museum grounds, held on Father's Day each June, and Fall threshing on the third weekend in September. The 29-acre park offers picnic tables, nature trails and a pond. Located on Lochside Drive in Saanichton, alongside the Pat Bay Highway, between Victoria and Sidney.

• Stroll among hundreds of dazzling buttterflies in an indoor tropical garden. Butterfly Gardens, features the brilliant Blue Morpho, the delicately pattened Giant Owl and the huge Atlas Moth. Knowledgeable guides help you find well-hidden eggs, caterpillars and pupae in the lush rain forest vegetation. Rare South African Turocos and tropical ducks can also be found.

• Visit one of the local vineyards to sample the new and burgeoning vintages of Vancouver Island.

• Beacon Wharf in Sidney, British Columbia

  Beacon Avenue Market is held every Thursday evening (5:30pm to 9pm) from the first Thursday in June to the last Thursday in August, when Beacon Avenue is closed to vehicle traffic. Shopkeepers, businesses and pedestrians fill Beacon Avenue, creating a carnival atmosphere, with food, entertainment, and crafts and arts. Sidney bills the event as the largest outdoor market in Western Canada.

• Celebrate Canada's birthday at Sidney Days on the Canada Day weekend with activities and entertainment for the whole family.

• Local residents and visitors alike enjoy musical interlude at Sidney's Centennial Bandstand from July through August.

• Exciting horse racing is presented year-round in the area with live harness racing at the Sandown Race Track from June until Labour Day.

• Treat yourself to a two-hour sea cruise around the harbour and islands, with a close-up view of local wildlife, or enjoy a fully narrated horse-drawn carriage tour of Sidney.

• Experience the thrill of a guided whale watching tour. The waters off Sidney are home to three Southern resident pods of orca whales, Dahl porpoises, sea lions and seals. From Port Sidney Marina you will view the islands from high speed boats that track the whale pods and wildlife to ensure a memorable trip every time.

• Golf: Glen Meadows Golf and Country Club in Sidney is a challenging 18-hole championship golf course. Nearby golf courses include Sunshine Hills Golf Course (9 hole - Par 3) on Central Saanich Road in Saanichton and the challenging 9-hole Prospect Lake Golf Course on Prospect Lake Road in Central Saanich. The Victoria area boasts 8 championship golf courses in close proximity, including Cordova Bay Golf Club, Olympic View Golf Club, Gorge Vale Golf Club, Royal Colwood Golf Club, and Bear Mountain Golf and Country Club. Nearby Oak Bay has the Victoria Golf Club and Uplands Golf Course. Golf Packages in Victoria.

• Tulista Park is a little gem of a seaside park and boat launch at the very end of Lochside Drive, next to the Washington State ferry terminal. With emerald green lawns and sparkling ocean waters, Tulista offers a place for picknickers and boaters to relax, have a barbecue, and toss a frisbee. The park offers a children's playground, concession stand, walking trails, plenty of free parking, and is wheelchair accessible. There's a covered picnic area with ample benches and picnic tables as well as public washrooms. The paved waterfront walkway joins with the scooter-friendly Lochside oceanfront walkway. Visitors can access beaches, benches and take in the fabulous view. The double-wide boat launch off Lochside Drive is open daily and tickets can be purchased on site.

• Sidney is a hub for saltwater fishing excursions. Year-round salmon fishing is available, as well as cod, snapper, halibut, sole, crab, prawns and shrimp in local waters. Landlubbers can cast off the Bevan Avenue fishing pier. Boaters can launch at the Van Isle Marina, or at the Tulista Park boat ramp on Lochside Drive, beside the Anacortes Ferry Terminal.

• Diving: Sidney has a reputation as one of the most sought after dive sites on Lower Vancouver Island. Underwater marine parks rich in spectacular natural scenery attract divers from around the world. Divers can explore the wrecks of the G.B. Church and the HMCS Mackenzie, two sunken diving reefs providing opportunity for some great underwater exploration. Graham's Wall, Tozier Rock, The White Lady, Burial Islet, Octopus Point, and other hot spots off the peninsula's coast are all accessible from Sidney, either as day charters or liveaboards.

• Kayakers will find the sheltered waters, secluded coves, islands, and nearby marine parks ideal for exploring. Take a guided multi-day expedition to D'Arcy Island Marine Park, Reay Island, Rum Island or Princess Margaret Marine Park on Portland Island.

• Port Sidney Marina, Sidney, British Columbia

  Sidney is the centre of the largest concentration of marinas on Vancouver Island. Several marinas and boating facilities are located along Sidney's eastern shoreline, including the fabulous Port Sidney Marina. Sidney is popular with the Northwest boating fraternity, with boaters from California, Oregon, Washington and Vancouver choosing Port Sidney as the best destination marina on the west coast!

• Take the little ferry to Sidney Spit Marine Park and spend the day beachcombing - no stores or restaurants here, so pack a picnic lunch!

• Be sure to visit the Gulf Islands National Parks Reserve Operations Centre in Sidney - it's certified as the most environmentally friendly in the country. Ocean water provides the heat, low-flush toilets use rainwater and even the temperature rises and falls depending on the number of people inside.

• Nearby McDonald Park provides an overnight stop for campers arriving on a late ferry. You'll find a lot of marine traffic swirling around the area during the day, in the evening the pulse slows to a sleep-inducing rhythm, especially once the last ferries have sailed or docked for the night.

• Island View Beach Regional Park south of Sidney offers a gentle cobble- and driftwood-strewn beach, with good views of James and Sidney Islands and wildlife viewing in the open fields behind the beach. Locals use the beach area fronting Indian reserve land north of the park for discreet, clothing-optional tanning. Island View Beach is a favourite beachcombing area, and a boat ramp is conveniently located at the entrance to the park.

• Other parks near Sidney include Horth Hill Regional Park in North Saanich, and John Dean Provincial Park to the southwest of Sidney.

• North of Sidney are the alluring Gulf Islands, snug in the Georgia Strait between the BC mainland and the east coast of Vancouver Island.

• South of Sidney is Saanichton, well known for flowers and rose gardens. Bed and breakfast homes and riding stables are nestled alongside parks, campgrounds, old-growth forests and small farms.

• More Photographs of Sidney