OUR EXPERT LOCAL GUIDES
Elizabeth
Originally from Uruguay, Elizabeth is the heart of EV Tours in Victoria, BC.
Today, she welcomes travelers to discover Vancouver Island through private guided tours filled with beauty, history, and culture.
As a long-time Victoria resident, she knows the region’s landmarks and hidden gems.
Because of her experience, guests enjoy authentic stories and a genuine connection to place.
Fluent in Spanish and English, Elizabeth creates a warm, engaging atmosphere for every visitor.
Moreover, she crafts each itinerary to match her guests’ interests and pace.
Her passion for photography, local culture, and storytelling shines through each tour.
In addition, she works closely with travel agents and special-interest groups, ensuring seamless experiences from start to finish.
With Elizabeth, every journey across Southern Vancouver Island becomes personal, inspiring, and memorable.
Join her on a Victoria Drive and Walk private tour that blends local charm with professional care and heartfelt hospitality.
Richard
Richard brings deep expertise and a gift for uncovering hidden gems on every Victoria and Vancouver Island private tour. A passionate storyteller and local expert, he guides with warmth and precision, ensuring each experience matches your pace, interests, and curiosity.
Whether exploring Victoria’s historic landmarks, breathtaking coastlines, or the island’s vibrant culinary scene, Richard personalizes every journey with care. He especially enjoys leading the
Up-Island Wine and Culinary Tour,
where guests taste local vintages, meet artisans, and enjoy the region’s rich flavors.
With EV Tours, Richard turns sightseeing into connection. His thoughtful approach invites travelers to relax, engage, and truly experience the beauty and spirit of Vancouver Island.
Garth
Garth, a seasoned guide and wildlife photography enthusiast, brings a world of experience to EV Tours. Having explored all seven continents—from gorilla treks in Africa to Antarctica’s icy wilderness—he offers a perspective shaped by his love of nature, cultures, and travel.
Based on a Pacific West Coast gulf island, Garth designs private tours that go beyond sightseeing, blending adventure, education, and relaxation. He especially enjoys leading the Magic of Salt Spring Island Tour, where guests experience local markets, rolling farmlands, and serene ocean views.
With his warm, personalized approach, each journey with Garth feels like traveling with a friend who knows every hidden cove and island story. Through EV Tours, he invites you to discover the authentic beauty and soul of Vancouver Island.
John
John, a Pacific Northwest native and experienced guide, curates personalized tours that highlight South Vancouver Island’s rich history, culture, and natural beauty. With a background in wildlife conservation—he has created habitats for Purple Martins near Butchart Gardens and supported tropical bird research—John brings deep ecological insight to every adventure.
Known for his warm, easy-going style, John adapts each journey to your interests, whether it’s hidden waterfalls, forest trails, or secret city gardens. He especially enjoys leading the
Mystical and Enchanted Vancouver Island Tour,
where guests experience the island’s legendary landscapes and magical serenity. With his expertise and local passion, your visit becomes an intimate exploration of what makes Vancouver Island truly unforgettable.
Erik
Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Erik spent much of his life immersed in cultures around the world—from Switzerland and Australia to Singapore and the Philippines. In the 2020s, he and his family made their home in beautiful Victoria, where he proudly guides with EV Tours.
With a background in the restaurant industry and a lifelong curiosity for history, geology, and global culture, Erik brings a storyteller’s heart and a warm, hospitable spirit to every tour. He enjoys connecting with people and sharing the natural beauty, rich heritage, and hidden gems of Vancouver Island.
When he is not guiding, Erik can often be found exploring with his family, playing tennis or ultimate Frisbee, cooking, or planning their next adventure. He looks forward to welcoming visitors and helping make their experience truly special.
Customer Reviews
Just wanted to share that we had an excellent trip using EV tours on our recent tour of Victoria. Elizabeth was very responsive and helpful in helping us plan a quick tour of the city. Our driver Richard was wonderful as well. They both really know this city and its history , and were very informative . Thanks again Elizabeth and Richard . We will be back soon , as there is so much more to see , and we will definitely be using your services again .
Best ,Chris
Chris Beard
We had a fabulous tour if Victoria.
We only has 3 hours bur Elizabeth used the time well!
James Brulte
We had a fantastic time with Garth. He is so knowlegable and customs the trip to what interest you most. He is also an entertaining and gracious host. We had a fabulous time. Sarah and Greg Agee
Sarah Agee
Wonderful experience. Richard was very knowledgeable, and the weather cooperated beautifully.
Jim Renforth
Elizabeth made my one and only day on Vancouver Island very special indeed. Prior to the day, we exchanged several emails, questions and answers, on the basis of which Elizabeth planned and delivered an itinerary which exactly matched my interests. I had high expectations and what Elizabeth delivered met and exceeded them. Elizabeth is a splendid host, warm, engaging and perceptive. Conversation with her was never dull, never forced and always informative and entertaining.
Geoff Sheldon
We had a wonderful 4 tour with Elizabeth at EV Tours to the Butchart Gardens and finished by being dropped off ant the Empress Hotel. Elizabeth was lovely, knowledgeable and great company for the day. We were picked up in an air conditioned van and Elizabeth told us all about the history of Vancouver Island and the Butchart Gardens. I highly recommend EV Tours and I’m so happy that our day was so great!! Thank you Elizabeth , Robin and Steve
Robin Rome
We booked a private wine and cider tour for our group of 5 in Victoria. Garth, our driver and guide was extraordinary!! He shared such interesting information about the region and was just a delight to spend the day with. 10/10 would recommend EV tours and Garth!!
Melissa McBean
I recently did a city tour with Elizabeth. She is a very informative guide and I especially appreciated her consideration for my current mobility issues with arthritis. Also, beautiful van.
Gail
This was such a great day!John was a great guide, we became family!! So relaxing and so informative! A great way to see Victoria! Definitely recommend, Elizabeth listen to our desires and nailed it!
Thank you!
Linda Cobb
We had an incredibly wonderful day touring Victoria with transportation to and from Butchart Gardens. Our driver/guide Erik could not have been better. Knowledgeable and totally in tune with what we needed and wanted. Loved the willingness to take us off the beaten path including a post-gardens lunch in Sydney which is gorgeous. We simply could not have asked for a better day.
Paul Morton
We had a fabulous time with Elizabeth. She’s extremely knowledgeable and eager to please her clients. Our day in Victoria is the highlight of our trip.
John Macaskill
I booked a tour with EV Tours and my guide, Erik, was fabulous. As well as being very knowledgeable, he was very friendly and attentive to my special needs and what i wanted from the tour. Our time together was very enjoyable.
Maxine Kossy
We took the Mystical & Enchanted Tour with Garth as our guide. We've taken many excellent private guided tours over the years, but this tour rates right up at the top for beautiful scenery and a great tour guide. Garth was exactly what you'd want in a guide: He's knowledgeable and personable and an excellent driver; that combination makes for an interesting and fun day. We were fortunate to have spectacular weather the day of our tour. We particularly enjoyed the walk through the forest - not something we normally get back home in Texas. We highly recommend this tour, and Garth.
Bobbi A
We had a wonderful tour with Garth around Victoria at the end of June. He was friendly, flexible, and accommodating of our intergenerational group (ages ranged from 12 to 86). Garth was very engaging and provided interesting information about the area and answered all of our questions. He also made great recommendations for lunch and other activities that might be of interest to us. The vehicle was comfortable and spacious. EV Tours was easy to work with and able to tailor the tour to our group's needs. Highly recommend.
Jennifer Pasinosky
Richard was so knowledgeable, conscientious and pleasant. He had vast knowledge about Victoria and about what distinguished it from Vancouver and the rest of Canada. I am especially grateful that he was so patient and took our requested multiple pictures of us with different angles, because we always put a picture from our trips on next year's holiday card. He took us all over Victoria, but Buchert Gardens was particularly spectacular.
Judy Chu
My family and I went out on a lovely tour of the Greater Victoria area. John was a thoughtful guide who gave us a great deal of history during our private tour. He customized our tour based on a unique set of requirements -- one senior citizen, two adults and an 11-year-old boy. To say that we all have different interests is an understatement. Yet, John found a way for us all to experience Victoria in all its splendor. Highly recommend EV Tours.
Kristan Ginther
We had arranged a custom tour of Victoria Island with EV tours, to include a stop at the Buchart Gardens and drives through various areas of the Island since we are considering moving there. Our driver/guide - Richard - was very accommodating to our requests. We highly recommend EV Tours.