Victoria Travel Forum

My husband has a meeting in early April in Seattle. We wanted to visit Victoria Island but are wondering if this is totally the wrong time of year for this trip. Please advise us about weather and available beauty to appreciate at this time of year. Thank you

Hi,
The city of Victoria on Vancouver Island probably will have rain and the temperatures will be cool. July, August and September are the best months. The Buchart Gardens will be in full bloom during the summer and Victoria at its best.

Mike

Victoria in April can sometimes be cold, but usually the weather is always pleasently warm when compared to Alberta. Back home in my old country (Denmark) we have a saying that goes like this:
"There is no such thing as bad weather, ...Only bad clothes" !
Now, in Danish the words clothes and weather rhymes, so the saying makes you smile. But it doesn't work in english. too bad, most jokes don't translate well.
ANYoldHOW, ....don't forget your raincoat and you'll be fine!
For a couple of things NOT to miss if it rains ....The Provincial Museum combined with a tour of the Parliament buildings and high tea in the afternoon at the Empress Hotell are given things you must do. The Hattley House Castle and grounds in the subburp of Langford is supposed to be opened up to the public 2007, the grounds and garden always were free before and allthough they are smaller than Buttchart Gardens, they rival them in wonderful flowerbeds as well the views toward the Olympic mountains across the Strait of Juan de Fuca, on clear and sunny days are unparalelled. The Castle is run and used by the University of Victoria and they have seen how many tourist visits the other castle in town, Glencedarroch I think its called. It's a 'Cindarella' type
of castle and is an absolute must, if you are into antiques and 'living in yesteryear'! At night the castle is lit and Cindarella realy comes to mind!

For a trip to some unbelievable cusine DO NOT miss a trip to "POINT NO POINT"
It is a resort about 30 miles out of Victoria past Sooke but before you get to Jordan River. Lunch or supper here are the stuff culinary dreams are made from! Make sure you get the code to the grounds so you can stroll down to the rocky coast and really get the salty air into your nostrils after your meal!
On a sunny day you might encounter walrusses and sealions licking up the sun!

Back in Victoria you CANNOT miss the small harbour Ferries either. For a small fee they will take anywhere in the harbour and you can get off and stroll for example at the Fishermans whaff, grab a bite to eat and continue your trip on the next little 'steamer'

Well...llll IF you have the chance to go to Victoria, DO NOT MISS THE BOAT !!!
have a nice trip and ENJOY !
StormP

A good friend of mine went in April of this year. They had a few days of rain, but she described it as a fine misty rain, not an unpleasant downpour. The rest of the time it was lovely and warm. She spent about 2 weeks there.

I agree, the Sooke area is beautiful and amazing. If you like to hike you can do sections of the Juan de Fuca trail. Have fun!!

April can be absolutely beautiful. It's often mild, spring weather. The spring flowers should be in full bloom by then, making Butchart Gardens spectacular.

By the way, the name of the island is Vancouver Island. Victoria is merely a city on Vancouver Island.

I was in Victoria the first week of April 3 years ago and there was sun every day. I did not want to leave . On the return ferry , basking in the sun on the deck, I thought " This is a business trip? " . I returned with the family the following summer.

As noted by a few VT'rs here, Victoria is the 'Capital city' of the Province of British Columbia on (Vancouver Island). Spring would be a good time to visit, as you will see many beautiful floral displays; especially if you take-in Butchart Gardens. Victoria is known as the "City of Gardens"; and they have their annual flower count each spring. I just spent a full week there October, 2006; and the weather was very nice. Experienced some light rain a couple of days, but mostly it was very pleasant. There was still many flowers to view. What with 'Global warming' any time of the year and you'll be happy.