The Maritime Museum of British Columbia — Attraction in Victoria

A shadow of its old self at the Douglas location. There are two small rooms with displays. The main room is mostly a dozen or so models of ships and a few small artifacts, and a little over half of the space is currently the "Queer at Sea" exhibit (with sometimes-graphic testimonies and stories from LGBT people on placards above seemingly unrelated artifacts). Most artifacts had no explanation provided so we didn't know what they were beyond a small caption. This room was also unbearably hot and stuffy. The second room seemed to host a few interactive displays on tablets as well as a thing on knots and anchors, but the space was filled with a group doing a sea glass wrapping class so we weren't able to access any of those displays (as it seemed to be a closed event- we were not invited to join, lights were dimmed for a projector with instructions, and displays were pushed against walls etc). This was particularly frustrating for my youngest as they offer a scavenger hunt worksheet for little kids but she wasn't able to look at many of the exhibits in the booklet. I understand they're in the process of finding a permanent home but this was a really disappointing experience. I'll be happy to return when you can see more of the collection and more on nautical history, not just a few models and a special...

What a gem in the heart of downtown Victoria! Visiting The Maritime Museum of British Columbia on Community Day was an absolute delight. The energy was welcoming, the staff were passionate and knowledgeable, and every exhibit told a story that felt both personal and profoundly connected to the coast we call home.

From beautifully preserved ship models to heartfelt stories of maritime life, the museum weaves together history, culture, and the spirit of the sea with care and creativity. The hands-on elements and interactive displays added something special—accessible and engaging for all ages.

Community Day made the experience even more meaningful, with open doors and open hearts. It was a reminder that our shared history is worth preserving, exploring, and celebrating.

Highly recommend for locals and visitors alike—there’s something here for everyone, especially if you love the ocean and the...

Major disappointment. I went to this museum originally some years ago when it was in Bastien Square, before it was kicked out because of earthquake upgrades or something. It was a very fine museum at that time, with plenty of info about the Royal Canadian navy and its presence in Victoria going back many decades. It is now on Douglas St. and is a shadow of its former self. The main theme of half the exhibits seems to be gays serving on ships. An interesting topic but completely out of proportion. And there is nothing - nothing - about the RCN. If you are interested in things nautical, you will find the models interesting....there are eight or so and quite beautiful. But I was very disappointed. A complete waste of the $10 admission. Finally, love to know what became of all the fine artifacts that were previously in the Bastien...