Beautiful Brentwood Bay

Brentwood Bay Village

A small developing community on the East shore of Saanich Inlet approximately 20 minutes north of Victoria, Brentwood Bay is home to the world-famous Butchart Gardens and the spectacular Butterfly Gardens. Brentwood Village has some excellent accommodation and restaurants.  It has a Marina, the BC Ferry dock to Mill Bay, and is a great place to access some excellent kayaking and scuba diving.

The Brentwood Bay-Mill Bay ferry is a convenient 25-minute route across the Saanich Inlet.  It is used for a short cut route to and from destinations north of Victoria as it bypasses Victoria and the Malahat.

A transformed limestone quarry, now Butchart Gardens is filled with flowers, trees, displays  and theme gardens (such as the Sunken Garden or the charming Rose Garden) spread over a luxurious 20-hectare estate.  It is the number one attraction, attended by over one million visitors a year.

Very close to Butchart Gardens is Victoria Butterfly Gardens where you can stroll amidst hundreds of exotic butterflies flying free in an indoor tropical rainforest. This indoor tropical paradise is full of spectacular flowering plants and foliage, fascinating exotic birds and water features. You will pass right by Butterfly Gardens on your way to Butchart Gardens.  Please save an hour or two to tour Butterfly Gardens, you will not be disappointed.

The Brentwood Bay Lodge and Spa is a great place to stay as it overlooks Saanich Inlet.  It sits next to Verdier Park.  As there was fog at Island View Beach and north to Sidney By the Sea, we chose to move our picnic to Brentwood Bay.  The conditions at Verdier Park were excellent.

Verdier Park is located at the foot of Verdier Avenue, next to the Brentwood/Mill Bay ferry dock. Special features of this park include: a canoe/kayak launch, public washrooms, gently sloping lawn, Douglas fir and arbutus trees, paved pathway, picnic tables and park benches. Short-term parking is available for loading/unloading of your craft.  There was a nice shade tree on the beach and lots of afternoon sun.
Visitors to Verdier Park will appreciate pleasant views of Saanich Inlet and activities typical of a vibrant marine setting. With development of the Brentwood Bay Lodge and marina, a public walkway was constructed from the public boat ramp southward, with stairs leading to the beach. Please note, access to, and along, this beach is dependent on tides.  There is a walking bridge to the Marina where you can rent kayaks or go scuba diving or snorkelling with Rockfish Divers. 
While in Brentwood, you may wish to try some of the excellent restaurants.  The Brentwood Bay Resort has a beautiful water view restaurant, the Seagrille Seafood and Sushi to enjoy or you can go into the pub for a great burger and beer overlooking Saanich Inlet.  Just across the road next to the Ferry Dock is the Sea Horse Café, where you can sit on the deck on the water.  On Verdier Avenue you can try the Orient Café.  Others in the Village are the Zanzibar and Sarpino’s Pizzeria. There are also a number of great vineyards near Brentwood worthy of exploring.  The views from the Devine Vineyard reflect its name.
Many tourists pass right by Brentwood on their way into Victoria.  We suggest you give it a good look.  For more pictures of beautiful Brentwood Bay, please go to our Facebook Page.