Ocean Island Backpackers Inn

791 Pandora Avenue Victoria, BC | Map and Directions

About Ocean Island Backpackers Inn

We offer all the standard hostel amenities, and also some unique features:
* As well as dorms, we offer a wide variety of private rooms to suit every taste and budget.
* Weekly, 2-week and monthly super-discounted rates, especially October-May. Please note, during our peak season (May 13 - Oct 13) we require a minimum two night stay on the weekends (either Friday & Saturday or Saturday & Sunday)!
* Our own licensed lounge with frequent events - live music, open mic, movies, parties etc.
* Our very own 'Ocean Island Victoria & BC Guide,' on the web and in our lobby, which happens to be the best source of insider info on the city!
* Tons of useful info sheets we've put together ourselves to help you get around, find the essentials, and have fun!
* Best bathroom situation ever - six bathrooms per floor means so you don't have to wait *or* share!
* Internet access galore: free for travel research, high-speed terminals, super-cheap wireless and wired internet access.
* Awesome and cheap daytrips in our 8-seater funmobile to show you the natural wonders surrounding Victoria (and take you to the beach).

...In short we've got it all - 78 rooms of comfort and style.

We want your feedback - If you do book through Hostelworld, please take a minute after your stay to rate us and leave your comments about us on the Hostelworld site, and on our guest surveys.

Read what the guidebooks have to say about us:

'This is one of the best spots in Victoria for pleasant and inexpensive lodging, and it's located right downtown, just a few blocks from Bastion Square and the Inner Harbour. All sorts of travelers make their way to this hostel (an alternative to the Hostelling International network), from families wit children to on-the-go seniors and young adults with global wanderlust. There's a big, comfy lounge/common area with all kinds of stuff going on, including live music and open mic evenings. You can buy cheap meals and snacks, use the kitchen, or kick back with a beer or glass of wine. In addition to the dorm rooms, there are 60 private rooms, in various configurations, including some with their own bathrooms. The staff here goes out of its way to help guests make the most of their time in Victoria and on Vancouver Island, including arranging day trips to out of the ordinary places.'
-Frommer's Vancouver & Victoria 2007 edition

'Part hostel, part budget hotel, this hopping heritage property is a maze of different-sized rooms. It's a great place to meet other travelers - there's a large communal kitchen and a licensed lounge where bands and DJs perform - and the front desk is a mine of information on local happenings. Clientele ranges from solo backpackers to traveling families....'
-Lonely Planet British Columbia 3rd edition

'Ocean Island is more than a hostel, it's an experience - an experience akin to being kidnapped by 100 of your closest friends... The large exuberantly friendly place has about 150 beds and spacious common areas. Amenities include organized hiking trips, parties... a licensed cafe, internet access, bike rentals and 24-hour staffing.'
-Lonely Planet Canada 8th edition

'This is one of Victoria's best-kept secrets - a sort of youth hostel come historic apartment building come backpackers' layover, which attracts all ages and families. If you enjoy meeting other travelers, then this is the place since the lounges, bar, and dining room are hot gathering spots. If you're a twosome, rates are so reasonable that you might find it worthwhile to book a [private room] all to yourselves.'
-Victoria & Vancouver For Dummies

'This colorful hostel boasts a better lounge than many clubs, a fantastic staff, and accommodations comparable to many hotels. Undoubtedly one of the finest urban hostels in Canada. The Victoria Guide on their website is a great and in depth guide to some of the more out of the way places in the city.'
-Let's Go Pacific Northwest 2005

'If you're looking for plain ol' fun, staying at this super-colourful hostel near downtown is a good start... friendly, attitude-free staff.'
-Lonely Planet British Columbia 2nd Edition

'Full of life and art... both the young and the young-at-heart will feel right at home.'
-Lonely Planet Pacific Northwest 3rd edition

'This bright and cheery four-floor veteran... rooms of all shapes and sizes... Spacious facilities (including a great kitchen) plus fridges in all rooms... boosted by the truly friendly atmosphere they've got going here.'
-Lonely Planet Canada 9th edition

'...this fun, colourful hostel has a licensed lounge, and quality staff plan cheap day trips...'
-Lonely Planet Vancouver 3rd edition

' ...the lodging is clean, modern, and welcoming throughout. There's also plenty of room to relax.'
-Moon Handbooks Vancouver & Victoria 3rd edition

'The restored 1893 Heritage building has a wide variety of dorms and rooms (singles and doubles with and without bathroom)'
-The Rough Guide Canada 5th edition