Sidney is just a quick drive from Victoria, and offers a range of experiences for a day packed full of adventures.
For starters, why not go for the full adrenaline rush of a skydiving experience? Victoria Skydiving operates out of the Victoria Airport, with drop zones that allow you to see the entire Peninsula from a bird’s eye view. If that’s a little too adventurous, you can always hike to the top of Horth Hill or ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱/John Dean Provincial Park for gorgeous views (but with your feet planted firmly on the ground!).
To explore by sea, the entire Peninsula is rich with life above and below the waves, and you can rent kayaks, stand up paddleboards and even a sailboat from local marinas or from companies like Blue Dog Kayaking, Pacifica Paddle Sports and A Paddle in the Park. Some of these companies also offer guided day tours, with trips to the nearby Gulf Islands and even the long stretch of sand we call Sidney Spit.
Cyclists have access to the 9.3 km bike trail around the airport, plus Lochside Trail, which stretches all the way from Victoria to Swartz Bay. Here’s an idea: if you’re travelling from Victoria, why not cycle out, grab lunch at one of the fabulous local restaurants or cafes, and then cycle home again? There’s plenty to see along the way as you tour past Cordova Bay and through Peninsula farmlands.
Does golf count as adventurous? If so, Ardmore Golf Course offers 9 or 18 holes in a lovely setting near Coles Bay. If you’d like something more active and you don’t mind getting cold, the scuba diving off the bottom of Beacon Avenue comes complete with two submerged wrecks to explore. Just follow the huge, hand-carved statue of a diver, posed head-down as though making his descent into the Salish Sea.