The Victoria Butterfly Gardens with some 3,000 specimens from over 50 species of free-flying butterflies is close to the famed Butchart Gardens and Sidney, BC on Vancouver Island.
The Gardens are a 1,100 sq m (12,000 sq ft) simulated rainforest that is aply described as a tropical jungle, with the numerous plants, exotic butterflies and more – all indoors in a warm and fragrant environment. There is a waterfall that flows into a meandering stream.
A lot more than Butterflies
The Victoria Butterfly Gardens go well beyond butterflies and moths. The Gardens are home to:
• Butterflies – some 75 different species with an overall population of 4,000
• Moths
• Over 200 species of orchids and tropical plants - some even that are the carnivorous variety
• Exquisite Caribbean flamingos and rare tropical birds: parrot, turaco, parakeets, finches and canaries.
• Sulcata and Red Footed Tortoises
• Large Koi swimming in the pond and stream
• Tropical ducks that chirp instead of quacking
• Tree frogs and poison dart frogs
• Chameleons
Nursery Window at Victoria Butterfly Gardens
The Gardens have a nursery window where you can watch the development of butterflies from the larva stage to beautiful specimens – around 500 per week. The wide selection butterflies come from butterfly farms in Costa Rica, Malaysia and London.
The Gardens
The gardens are more of a picturesque rain forest with trees, vines and bushes all nicely placed to house the butterflies and birds. The gardens also serve as a source of food and breading areas. There are daily tours included in the price of the ticket.
Contact Info
Open all week but they have seasonal hours when they are open, so check in advance. Children under 14 years need to be accompanied by an adult. Children under 5 years are admitted free. They have season passes and group rates.
Victoria Butterfly Gardens
1461 Benvenuto Ave., Brentwood Bay, BC
Toll free 1.877.722.0272 Tel 250.652.3822 info@butterflygardens.com
www.butterflygardens.com
Getting to the Victoria Butterfly Gardens
From Victoria – Travel north on Highway #17 (Patricia Bay); take exit 18 going west – Keating Cross Road which becomes Benvenuto Avenue (same road as Butchart Gardens) - 1461 Benvenuto Ave.
From Sidney, BC Ferries terminal or Airport - Travel south on Highway #17 (Patricia Bay); exit right at McTavish Road, left on West Saanich Road which becomes Benvenuto Avenue (same road as Butchart Gardens) - 1461 Benvenuto Ave.
Sidney Accommodations:
There are a number of hotels, motels and bed & breakfasts to pick from including our sponsors, Best Western:
The BEST WESTERN PLUS Emerald Isle Motor Inn is a charming hotel located just minutes from the Victoria International Airport in Sidney, British Columbia. This hotel is near the Centre of the Universe Observatory, the Butterfly Gardens and the Saanichton Fairgrounds.
The BEST WESTERN PLUS Emerald Isle Hotel and the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre have joined forces to provide guests with the best deals possible. Bring the whole family. Stay at the BEST WESTERN PLUS Emerald Isle Hotel and receive free Discovery Centre admittance for one child (up to 17 years old) with the purchase of one adult entry ticket.
The Sidney hotel offers spaciously-appointed guest rooms and suites, microwave, refrigerator, and cable satellite television and free wireless high-speed Internet access. Additional amenities include a fitness center, dry cedar sauna, hot tub, full business services and the Mary Winspear Conference Centre. Pets are welcome with restrictions.
Contact info:
Best Western Emerald Isle Motor Inn, 2306 Beacon Avenue, Sidney, British Columbia V8L 1X2,
Canada Toll Free: (800) 315-3377 Phone: (250) 656-4441 Fax: (250) 655-1351
Email: frontdesk@bwemeraldisle.com
Come and enjoy Sidney on Vancouver Island and please tell your friends about us.
Re-published from www.amazingvancouverisland.com under creative commons license.