Brentwood Bay: Gardens, Water and Local History

Brentwood Bay in British Columbia offers a range of ways to shape a stay around garden visits, wildlife, culture and activities on the water. The Butchart Gardens is located in Brentwood Bay; the Victoria Butterfly Gardens and paddling options are also found here. HEL,HILEȻ Park is home to a historic school and two summer events. As you plan your trip, consider whether you would like to focus on gardens and butterflies, a boat tour, paddling on your own or local history.

Gardens and Butterflies

The Butchart Gardens was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 2004. A 45-minute electric boat tour departs from the gardens’ dock and explores the surrounding waters and wildlife, including seals, eagles and otters. It pairs a visit to the gardens with a view of the surroundings from the water. The set duration also gives you a concrete reference point when planning this tour as part of your stay.

The Victoria Butterfly Gardens, at 1461 Benvenuto Avenue in Brentwood Bay, offer a different kind of visit. There, you can experience a tropical jungle with thousands of tropical butterflies from up to 70 species. The attraction also includes an insectarium with insects and invertebrates in a lively, jungle-like setting. If you want to experience the diversity of tropical butterflies, this offers a clear contrast to the boat tour at The Butchart Gardens: one focuses on butterflies and other invertebrates, while the other takes you out on the water.

History and Summer Events

West Saanich School is a distinctive feature of HEL,HILEȻ Park. Built in 1908, the schoolhouse is the oldest public schoolhouse on the Saanich Peninsula still standing on its original foundation. Its role as a schoolhouse and its place in the park give local history a tangible connection to the area. The Brentwood Bay Festival is held in the same park every summer, and Music-In-The-Park takes place there every summer as well. These events add two recurring summer dates to the historical connections, without necessarily offering the same experience.

Getting Out on the Water

If you would like to paddle yourself, Pacifica Paddle Sports in Brentwood Bay rents kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and canoes. Guided tours and lessons are also available. The company matches each watercraft to the needs and abilities of its customers. Alongside the electric boat tour, you can therefore choose from paddling options: consider a guided tour or lessons, or rent a watercraft. Pacifica Paddle Sports also sells and repairs equipment, offers corporate programs and operates two locations on the Saanich Peninsula.

Brentwood Bay Terminal is also a useful landmark: ferries run from there to Mill Bay. When choosing a vacation rental in Brentwood Bay, you can start by deciding which of the local experiences matters most for your trip.

For the broader travel overview: Saanich.