Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2021]
This article contains affiliate links to Amazon and other vendors. We may earn commission from purchases made through these links. Traveling to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada? If you're planning to go to Vancouver Island, the following is some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack.
Contents
- When to go to Vancouver Island
- Important essentials for Vancouver Island
- Vancouver Island in January: weather and what to pack
- Vancouver Island in February: weather and what to pack
- Vancouver Island in March: weather and what to pack
- Vancouver Island in April: weather and what to pack
- Vancouver Island in May: weather and what to pack
- Vancouver Island in June: weather and what to pack
- Vancouver Island in July: weather and what to pack
- Vancouver Island in August: weather and what to pack
- Vancouver Island in September: weather and what to pack
- Vancouver Island in October: weather and what to pack
- Vancouver Island in November: weather and what to pack
- Vancouver Island in December: weather and what to pack
When to go to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
Based on the climate and weather in Vancouver Island, the best time to go is August. See below for details.
Important esssentials for Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
Here are some general tips on what to wear in Vancouver Island, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there.
IMPORTANT COVID-19 PACKING ESSENTIALS
- proof of COVID-19 vaccination if you have it
- vaccine card protector
- N95 masks for top protection
- kids' KN95 masks
- hand sanitizer
- touchless thermometer
- travel disinfecting wipes (for plane, etc)
- A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. This one should work in most areas, but check with your hotel.
- A portable power bank, like this one
- A SIM card that works in Vancouver Island. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying. In some locations you may need a satellite phone. We recommend this satellite phone
- If you plan to visit a church, make sure to bring appropriate clothing
- Bicycle friendly attire, if you plan on biking anywhere
- Emergency water purifier
- For families with young children:
- Mount Myra visitors may do a lot of walking, so a lightweight backpack like this is essential
- Airplane or car necessities:
- Photography items that we like:
- cell phone photography gimbal
- camera drone for outdoor shots
- extra batteries
- extra memory cards
What to wear/what to pack for Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada by month
January
If you go to Vancouver Island in January, you will notice that it is frosty. Daytime temperatures are in the high 30s F (single digits C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Gloves or mittens
- Heavy jacket
- Heavy socks, such as:
- Sweaters
- Lip balm
- Insulated water bottle
- Warm pants or jeans
- Cold weather footwear
February
If you go to Vancouver Island in February, you will notice that it can be brisk. Daytime temperatures are in the low 40s F (single digits C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Lip balm
- Socks
- Fleeces
- Light gloves or mittens
- Jacket or coat
- Warm pants or jeans
- Standard footwear
March
March in Vancouver Island is pretty cool. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the low 30s F (single digits below 0 C), with a few days below 28 F (single digits below 0 C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Warm pants or jeans
- Jacket or coat
- Lip balm
- Light gloves or mittens
- Socks
- Fleeces
- Standard footwear
April
April is pretty cool. Temperatures average in the 50s F (low 10s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Fleeces
- Socks
- Jacket or coat
- Light gloves or mittens
- Lip balm
- Warm pants or jeans
- Standard footwear
May
If you vacation in Vancouver Island during May, you may see that it is chilly.
Temperatures tend to hover around the low 60s F (high 10s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 40s F (single digits C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Socks
- Long skirts
- Long sleeve shirts or blouses
- Dresses
- Pants or jeans
- Standard footwear
- Light jacket or fleece
June
June in Vancouver Island is balmy. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the high 60s F (low 20s C), although night temperatures can dip into the 30s F (single digits C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Standard footwear
- Dresses
- Socks
- Long skirts
- Light jacket or fleece
- Long sleeve shirts or blouses
- Pants or jeans
July
Traveling to Vancouver Island in July, you will notice that it is warm. Daytime temperatures are in the 70s F (mid 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Skirts
- Light footwear
- Bug repellent
- Dresses
- Shorts or short pants
- Sandals
- Sunscreen lotion
- Long and short sleeve shirts
- If you're going to the beach,
August
If you vacation in Vancouver Island during August, you are likely to notice that it is warm.
Temperatures tend to hover around the high 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 50s F (low 10s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Shorts or short pants
- Dresses
- Skirts
- Bug repellent
- Sandals
- Long and short sleeve shirts
- Light footwear
- Sunscreen lotion
- If you're going to the beach,
September
September in Vancouver Island is balmy. Temperatures average in the high 60s F (low 20s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Socks
- Pants or jeans
- Standard footwear
- Light jacket or fleece
- Long skirts
- Dresses
- Long sleeve shirts or blouses
October
October in Vancouver Island is cool. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the low 40s F (single digits C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Long sleeve shirts or blouses
- Light jacket or fleece
- Standard footwear
- Dresses
- Socks
- Pants or jeans
- Long skirts
November
If you visit Vancouver Island during November, you might find that it is pretty cool.
Temperatures tend to hover around the low 40s F (single digits C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the 30s F (single digits C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Fleeces
- Light gloves or mittens
- Warm pants or jeans
- Socks
- Jacket or coat
- Lip balm
- Standard footwear
December
December in Vancouver Island is frigid. The rain/snow can amount to several inches/centimeters.
During this time, temperatures average in the low 30s F (single digits below 0 C) to 30s F (single digits C), although night temperatures can dip into the high 20s F (single digits below 0 C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Insulated water bottle
- Sweaters
- Heavy jacket
- Gloves or mittens
- Warm pants or jeans
- Heavy socks, such as:
- Lip balm
- Cold weather footwear
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