Gorge-Us Tours

Gorge-Us Tours

Private rowboat tours on Victoria's Gorge Waterway.

Handbuilt boats. A personal host. One gorgeous Gorge.

What You're Getting Into

A private 2-hour guided rowing tour for two through Victoria's Gorge Waterway. Your rower handles the oars and the storytelling. You just sit back and enjoy it.

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Your Private Boat

No strangers, no group tour vibes. Ideal for a romantic afternoon on the water — but just as good solo if you want the gorge to yourself.

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Music on the Water

We'll DJ or you can grab the aux. Your boat, your call.

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The Little Touches

Fresh flowers on the bow, a cooler for your drinks, and a crew that actually gives a damn. It shows.

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Gorge Lore

4,000 years of history, reversing tidal falls, and secrets of the gorge from someone who knows every bend.

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In Victoria on a Cruise?

Gorge-Us Tours is the perfect way to spend a few hours off the ship. We'll time your tour around your port schedule and the tides so you get the best possible experience on the water.

Text or call us with your ship name and port times — we'll handle the rest.

Book Your Tour

The Boats

Our boats are Whitehall Row Boats — a classic design with roots going back to 19th-century New York harbor. Ours are built right here on the west coast in Victoria, BC, by craftspeople who actually care about what they put on the water.

They're wooden, they're beautiful, they've got handmade bamboo oars, and yes — we hand-painted "GORGE-US" right on the hull. Each tour is private for up to two guests alongside your rower.

Crafted in Victoria, BC
As seen on CHEK News

The Rowboat Detective

Your tour guide Adam didn't just start rowing the gorge for fun. Well, he did — but then he accidentally became a local hero.

In the summer of 2025, Adam noticed something off while rowing his daily route. A faint smell. He kept coming back, kept investigating, and eventually tracked down a hidden pipe leaking sewage into the gorge from a nearby construction site. His detective work led to a public advisory, a fix, and a nickname that stuck:

"The Rowboat Detective" — solving mysteries one oar stroke at a time.

That's the kind of person leading your tour. Someone who knows every bend, every rock, and every secret of this gorge.

Read the full story on CHEK News →
🌸 Life's better from a boat. 🌸

Pricing

One tour. One price. No surprises.

The Gorge-Us Tour

$250 / tour

Private 2-hour rowing tour for up to two guests

  • Private boat — just you two and your rower
  • ~2 hours on the Gorge Waterway
  • Personal guided tour with local history & storytelling
  • Music & curated vibes on the water
  • Fresh flowers, cooler on board
  • Life jackets provided
  • Tour timed to the tides for the best experience
🍷 Bring your own snacks & drinks. There's a cooler on the boat — pack whatever you like. Charcuterie, champagne, PB&J — you do you.

When We Row

Tours run Saturdays & Sundays, spring through summer. But here's the thing — the Gorge has tides, and we work with them, not against them.

🌊 Every Tour Is Timed to the Tides

The Gorge Waterway is a tidal inlet, and conditions change throughout the day. At Tillicum Narrows, tidal currents create reversing falls that can reach up to 9 knots — it's one of the coolest things you'll see on the tour.

Instead of fixed time slots, we schedule each tour around the day's tide conditions to make sure you get the best experience — the smoothest rowing, the best sights, and (when timing is right) a front-row seat to the reversing falls.

How it works: Text or call us with your preferred date. We'll check the tides and get back to you with the best available window. It's that simple.

View current tide predictions for the Gorge →

Pickup Locations

Your pickup dock depends on the day's tide conditions. We'll confirm your exact meeting point when we schedule your tour.

Banfield Park Dock

521 Craigflower Rd
Victoria, BC

Public dock at Banfield Park. Street parking available along Craigflower Rd.

View on Google Maps →

Selkirk Landing

104–2940 Jutland Rd
Victoria, BC V8T 5K6

At the Glo / Victoria Harbour Ferry stop. Easy access with nearby parking.

View on Google Maps →

Pickup location is assigned based on tide conditions — we'll let you know which dock when you book.

Book Your Tour

Text or call to book. We'll match you to the best time based on the tides.

Get on the Water

Tell us your preferred date and we'll get back to you with the perfect time slot and pickup dock. Full payment at booking. Free cancellation up to 48 hours before your tour.

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Text or Call
(250) 555-1234
✉️
Email
hello@gorge-us.com
When you reach out, tell us: your preferred date, how many people (1 or 2), and if you're on a cruise ship — your ship name and port times. We'll handle the rest.

Questions You Probably Have

Is the tour really private?

Yes. It's just you (and your guest) with your rower. No strangers, no group. That's the whole point.

Can I book for just myself?

Absolutely. The price is $250 per tour whether it's one person or two. Solo gorge time is valid.

Why don't you have fixed time slots?

The Gorge is a tidal waterway. Conditions change with the tides — currents at Tillicum Narrows can hit 9 knots. We schedule tours around the tides so you get the safest, most scenic experience possible. It also means your pickup dock might change depending on the day.

Are the boats safe?

Yes! Our Whitehall Row Boats are built with care in Victoria, BC, and thoroughly tested. Your rower is experienced, and life jackets are on every boat.

Can I bring food and drinks?

Please do! There's a cooler on the boat. Bring whatever you want — snacks, drinks, a full charcuterie spread, champagne, whatever makes it your kind of afternoon. Just keep it reasonable — we're on a boat, not a buffet.

What if it rains?

We keep an eye on the weather. Unsafe conditions? We'll reschedule or give a full refund. A little drizzle? That's just atmosphere.

What's the cancellation policy?

Cancel at least 48 hours before your tour for a full refund. After that, no refunds — but we'll reschedule if we have availability.

I'm on a cruise ship — can you work around my schedule?

That's exactly what we do. Text or call us with your ship name and port times. We'll check the tides against your schedule and find the best window. Lots of cruise visitors do this — it's one of the best ways to actually experience Victoria beyond the harbor.