A Tour of Vancouver Island Seasons with a Naturalist From Sandy Seashores to Mountain Meadows
The mild Vancouver Island climate provides year round access to nature hiking, wildlife viewing and bird watching. Subtleties mark your passage from the months of the leaping salmon, vibrant moss, herring spawning, singing frogs, brant geese, blazing flowers, alligator lizards, berries and back again. Thereâs plenty to do and see every month for the avid eco tourist on Vancouver Island.
The herring return to spawn in March and in hot pursuit come thousands of sea birds and hundreds of sea lions, seals and eagles. April to June is the best time for wandering down fragrant paths alight with spring wild flowers. Salmon berry, red currant, fawn lilies, bleeding heart, trilliums and violets are just a few of Aprilâs flowers.
Summer is a parade of berries beginning in June with the orange salmon berries and black raspberries, then trailing blackberries, red huckleberries, Himalayan blackberries, blueberries, black huckleberries and cranberries. Where there are berries, there are bears and lots of birds. More than 300 species of birds use the island and surrounding waters at least part of the year. Summer brings some of the lowest daytime tides revealing tide pools with a colourful array of bizarre marine life. Visit during a full or new moon to take advantage of the lowest tides and the greatest variety of marine life. Snorkelling the lush eelgrass forests or wading through the sparkling phosphorescence at night are magical experiences not to be missed. Alpine flower meadows peak in July and August, popping up as the snow melts.
The pink salmon usher in autumn in early September, followed by Chinook salmon peaking in October, then Coho salmon and Chum salmon continuing through November and December. You can watch them leaping over obstacles, jockeying for position or stare eyeball to eyeball with a 50 pound Chinook the size of a garbage can in an underwater viewing area. Black bears and eagles gather to enjoy the feast. Massive bird migrations pass through in the fall, especially along the coast, so bird watching is a delight while autumn rains spark technicolour explosions of mushrooms.
The winter moisture makes the Vancouver Island mountains among the snowiest places on earth, receiving up to 10 meters of snow. When you want snow, you can have it by driving up Mount Washington between December and May and enjoy snow shoeing in the winter wonderland
Unique nature exploration opportunities are available every month of the year on the island. In addition to each seasonâs unique features, beaver, mink, otter, seals, eagles, juvenile salmon, many bird species and tide pool life can be seen year round. During the September to May season the trails are less busy and offer some fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities. Discover natureâs delights in the secret corners of Vancouver Island with a private nature tour by a professional biologist.
Patrick Walshe, R. P. Biologist, 1-866-954-0110
Coastal Revelations Vancouver Island Nature Tours
http://www.coastalrevelations.com
I am going to British Columbia Canada inc, Vancouver Island in early June. Suggests re clothes please!!?
The weather seems varable. I will be on a coach tour so dont want to take too much luggage. Thanks if you can help
June is great on the island. For hiking I would bring some wickable layers, including fleece and a breathable waterproof layer. We can certainly get some rain in June but it tends to be warm on the east side of the island. The alpine and west coast can be cooler. There will likely be some snow still in the alpine in June. The flowers are good then, lots of eagles and bears around too.
vancouver will be beautiful at this time. mostly shorts and tshirts. bring a sweater and pants just in case.. but you're going at the right time of year anyways weatherwise. have fun in canada!
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I've never actually been to BC, but I know a lot of people who have. You should bring an umbrella cause apparently it rains a lot there but other than that it usually pretty warm so maybe a nice hoody just in case and t-shirts and shorts :). Hope it helps!
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I live in Vancouver, and so far the weather has been pretty bad. Normally in early June it's fairly sunny, and only need to wear shorts and a tshirt, or a light pair of pants in the evening. We have been getting alot of rain lately, so I would suggest bringing an umbrella or buying one here. Other then that though the weather has been fairly nice. You should have a great time, Vancouver is a beautiful city! If you want to know any good sights to see feel free to email me through here!
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I live on the Island in Campbell River and the weather here in june is nice but can get cool in the eve so bring a light jacket. The senery and the wildlife here is amazing and there are tons of things to do for all ages. Make sure to get up Island and check out the whales and bears. Hope you have a great time.
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If you are coming in June, you should be safe with one or two pairs of light pants or shorts, one pair of jeans, a couple favorite t-shirts or tank tops. You may want to bring a light jacket (depending on the climate that you are from) but you probably won't need it. Bring some comfortable walking shoes, because if you are going to Vancouver or Victoria, you are goign to want to take some walks to check them out!!
Don't worry, it won't snow on you in June, and if it does, than the apocolypse is here and you won't have to worry about what to where anyways!!
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BC resident for 27 years
To do the touristy day stuff, bring jeans or pants, as well as shorts and tshirts, tanktops, some sandals, good walking shoes, a rainproof shell with hood to wear over your shirts (or umbrella). Maybe a sweater for nights. Dress up wear for nights out. Keep in mind, BC is a huge province with many variations in climate. On the coast where the highest density of population is, June can be rainy, but it also can be hot and sunny. The temperature can go from 5c to 25c in a day. Some people comment they feel chilled, but it is because of the high moisture content in the air. Heavy jackets and heavy clothes aren't really necessary unless you feel the cold easily. You could also buy a souvenir sweattop if needed!
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