Victoria Bug Zoo

The Victoria Bug Zoo is a great little museum in downtown Victoria that’s all about bugs, spiders, insects and other creepy-crawly creatures.

This article contains the following information about the Bug Zoo Museum:

Goals of the Bug Zoo | Admission | Location | Tips and Advice | Other Information

The Bug Zoo Museum

The Victoria Bug Zoo showcases over 50 different species including everything from stick bugs and praying mantises to scorpions and tarantulas. In addition to having display cases full of bugs, the zoo also has educators to tell you about the various critters. Join one of the complimentary tours and you might even get to hold some of the creatures.

The zoo isn’t large, consisting of just a couple of rooms. It has a fair bit to see though, and there is always an educator leading a tour who is more than happy to give you some in-depth information on the crawly residents of the zoo.

Goals of the Bug Zoo

The Victoria Bug Zoo aims to allow its visitors to interact with insects in a safe environment. The zoo’s goals are to re-align the negative stereotypes most people have of bugs by giving them helpful information on why they’re so cool. The place also provides a space where people with phobias of insects are able to interact with them at a comfortable level. The Bug Zoo is also a perfect place for children to discover bugs they might not normally get to see.

Admission

As of February, 2025, admission is $18 for adults, $12 for seniors and university students, and $8 for children (ages 5 to 17). Kids under the age of 5 are free. An annual pass costs $36.

The zoo is open seven days a week. On weekdays it’s open from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm and on weekends the hours are 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Bug Zoo Location

The Victoria Bug Zoo is located at 631 Courtney Street just off Douglas Street not far from Miniature World and the Empress Hotel right downtown. There are entrance signs on Douglas Street and Humboldt as well, although entering via those streets means walking through a bit of an indoor maze to get to the zoo. Especially if you have mobility issues, it’s best to head straight to the main Courtney Street entrance.

Tips & Advice

Below are a couple of suggestions and bits of information to help you make the most of your Victoria Bug Zoo experience.

TIP #1: Join in one of the mini-tours. The educators are full of knowledge and are happy to share interesting facts and information. This is what makes the admission worth paying for.

TIP #2: Unless you are truly petrified of bugs and fear you might drop it, be brave and volunteer to hold a bug if you get the opportunity to. It might be freaky at the time, but it’s not every day that you get to actually hold a tarantula or scorpion in the palm of your hand! (Note: To hold a bug you need to be of a minimum age.)

TIP #3: The facility is wheelchair accessible. They even have an accessibility hour for the first hour of every day, where wearing masks is mandatory to ensure everyone can feel comfortable in the zoo.

TIP #4: The Victoria Bug Zoo is an especially good place for young children. Children ages 12 and under, however, must always be accompanied by an adult.