Best Times to Visit Vancouver Island

One of the best things about Vancouver Island is that is stays mild and green all year long. You really can't go wrong with visiting during any season as it will always be beautiful.

But generally, our warmest and driest months are between May and September. This is definitely the most popular time for tourists to come.

More about the seasons on Vancouver Island:

• Spring (March to May): The weather is unpredictable during these months. It can feel like summer or winter, depending on the day. So wear layers and pack accordingly. There are still many rainy days and the snow in the mountains is beginning to melt, so this is peak waterfall hunting season! This is definitely a great time to visit the island.

• Summer (June to August): This is, of course, our warmest and driest season which makes it the most popular for tourists. Even though this is high season, you won't often see crowds outside of Victoria and Tofino. There is almost no rain during these months, which means wildfires and wildfire smoke are common (most often in August. Also, this is the worst time to see waterfalls as they have mostly dried up.

• Fall (September to November): The rainy season is starting to begin again but it is still very mild and quite warm most days. Waterfalls are starting to flow again and tourists have gone home. You can find autumn colours in some areas, but most of our trees are evergreens. And this is salmon spawning season. Many people come to the rivers to watch the salmon jumping and to watch the black bears feast. This is a beautiful time to visit the island.

• Winter (December to February): This is the coldest time of year, although temperatures stay fairly mild, especially in the southern regions of the island. In fact, Victoria is often credited as having the best weather in Canada. For example, the average daily temperature in Victoria during the winter months is between 3.6° (38°F) and 8.2°C (47°F). This is also our rainiest season on the island. And when it is raining in the cities, it's snowing in the mountains. There are two ski resorts on Vancouver Island, so this is the time to visit if you are into skiing, snowboarding, or snowshoeing. Alpine hiking is off limits during this season unless you are an experienced alpinist.