The Victoria Butterfly Gardens is an indoor tropical jungle near Victoria, British Columbia, home to thousands of free-flying butterflies alongside parrots, a flamingo, and an iguana.
This guide was updated in June 2026. One booking platform currently lists the gardens as open only 10am to 3pm, but the official site confirms summer hours run as late as 7pm on Thursdays through Sundays, so don’t let an outdated listing cut your visit short. You can book through Viator to confirm the correct hours and speed up your entry.
Victoria Butterfly Gardens quick facts
| Address | 1461 Benvenuto Avenue, Brentwood Bay, BC V8M 1J5 |
| Opening hours | Currently 9:30am–5pm (Mon–Wed) or 9:30am–7pm (Thu–Sun), through 4 September |
| Admission | Adult $20 · Student/Senior $16 · Child (5–12) $9.50 · Infants free |
| Nearest landmark | A few minutes from Butchart Gardens, about 20km north of downtown Victoria |
| Typical visit duration | 45 minutes to 1.5 hours |
Why book Victoria Butterfly Gardens tickets?
- 🏛️ A genuine tropical jungle: 12,000 square feet of rainforest kept at 26–30°C year-round, whatever the weather outside.
- 🎟️ Speed up your entry: online booking is recommended to skip the admission desk on busy days.
- 🌿 Up to 70 butterfly species: free-flying throughout the gardens, alongside macaws, poison dart frogs, and koi.
- 📜 The Insectarium: a close-up look at exotic insects, including a fully functioning leafcutter ant colony.
- 💰 Free on-site parking: a welcome perk for a destination often paired with Butchart Gardens next door.
Victoria Butterfly Gardens opening hours
Hours shift by season, with extended evening hours during the summer months.
| Season | Hours |
|---|---|
| Winter (1 Jan – 13 June) | Daily, 10am–5pm |
| Summer (14 June – 4 Sept), Mon–Wed | 9:30am–5pm |
| Summer (14 June – 4 Sept), Thu–Sun | 9:30am–7pm |
| Fall (5 Sept – 13 Dec) | Daily, 10am–5pm |
Last admission is always one hour before closing. The gardens are open every day of the year except Christmas Day, with shortened hours on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
Victoria Butterfly Gardens ticket prices
These are the gardens’ current standard rates, as per the official website, with tax added at checkout.
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (18–64) | $20.00 |
| Student (13–17) | $16.00 |
| Senior (65+) | $16.00 |
| Child (5–12) | $9.50 |
| Infant (0–4) | Free |
| Annual pass, adult | $70.00 |
Military discounts are available on request at the entrance. Booking through Viator is recommended to speed up entry, especially in summer when the gardens are paired with a Butchart Gardens visit.
How to get there
By car: The gardens sit in Brentwood Bay, a few minutes from Butchart Gardens, about 20km north of downtown Victoria.
By ferry: Visitors arriving via the Mill Bay or Brentwood Bay ferry routes are within a short drive of the gardens.
Combined visits: Many visitors stop here on the way into or out of Butchart Gardens, given the short distance between the two.
Parking
Parking is free and available on-site for all visitors, with no need to pre-book a spot.
How long to spend at the Victoria Butterfly Gardens
Most visitors spend 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, though the gardens note it’s hard to see everything in just one stroll through, so a second lap is worth the time if you have it.
Accessibility
The gardens are fully wheelchair accessible, including designated accessible parking and step-free entrances throughout. Strollers are also welcome, with pathways described as stroller-friendly. Service animals are permitted in line with accessibility policy.
What to see inside the Victoria Butterfly Gardens
The free-flying butterflies. Up to 70 species move freely throughout the jungle environment rather than being kept behind glass, often landing close enough to photograph.
Mango the flamingo. One of the garden’s best-known residents, this pink flamingo is a favourite stop for photos along the main path.
The koi pond. Long-lived koi, some capable of living up to 70 years, glide beneath a small stream that winds through the gardens.
The Insectarium. A dedicated space for exotic insects and invertebrates, including a transparent leafcutter ant colony in full working order.
The poison dart frogs and reptiles. Brightly coloured (though no longer poisonous) frogs share space with tortoises and a large iguana scattered throughout the foliage.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dress for the tropics | The gardens run at 26–30°C with around 70% humidity, so wear light, breathable clothing. |
| Check the season before you go | Hours change several times a year, and at least one third-party booking site lists outdated times. |
| Bring a water bottle | The warm, humid environment makes it easy to get thirsty during your visit. |
| Pair it with Butchart Gardens | The two attractions sit just minutes apart in Brentwood Bay. |
| Take two laps | The gardens note it’s genuinely difficult to spot everything in a single walk-through. |
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the current opening hours? | Currently 9:30am–5pm Monday to Wednesday and 9:30am–7pm Thursday to Sunday, through 4 September 2026. |
| Is the attraction wheelchair accessible? | Yes, fully accessible with designated parking and step-free entrances. |
| Is parking free? | Yes, free on-site parking is available for all visitors. |
| Is there food on site? | No full café, but light snacks and ice cream are sold in the gift shop, with restaurants nearby in Brentwood Bay. |
| Should I book in advance? | Not essential, but advance booking is recommended to speed up entry on busy days. |
Things to do nearby
Butchart Gardens sits just minutes away, one of the most famous ornamental gardens in Canada.
Brentwood Bay village offers a handful of restaurants and cafés for a meal before or after your visit.
The Mill Bay Ferry terminal is a short drive away, useful for visitors continuing further up Vancouver Island.
The Tod Inlet, a quiet inlet with walking trails, sits close to the gardens for a peaceful stop afterwards.
Saanich Peninsula wineries are scattered throughout the surrounding countryside, a popular pairing for an afternoon drive.
What to visit tomorrow
These are other butterfly conservatories and tropical indoor attractions within reach of Victoria.
Bloedel Conservatory, Vancouver. A domed rainforest conservatory with free-flying birds, about 2 hours away via ferry.
Greater Vancouver Zoo, Aldergrove. While not butterfly-focused, it’s a comparable family wildlife outing roughly 2.5 hours away.
Pacific Undersea Gardens, Vancouver Island, has closed in recent years, so isn’t a current option; the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea in Sidney is a closer alternative, about 30 minutes from the Butterfly Gardens.
More British Columbia travel
Other British Columbia travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- What you need to know before visiting the Malahat SkyWalk on Vancouver Island.
- Horse-drawn tour vs bike tour: What is the best way to explore Stanley Park? Romance vs practicality is the trade-off when visiting Vancouver’s world class park.
- Stanley Park attraction guides: The Stanley Park Totem Poles, Prospect Point Lookout, Siwash Rock and Third Beach.
- Guide to getting the best views from the Tantalus Lookout on the Sea to Sky Highway.
- Swimming, walking and family adventures in Alice Lake Provincial Park, Squamish.
