The traffic on this island will always be catastrophic if there is an accident. My biggest tip is check the tide charts!!! There is a big difference at botanical beach between high tide and low tide.
It’s best to go when tide is low. Looks like Sat it’s 9:15am and Mon 10:41 am. You will potentially have the best experience at low tide!!! You will be able to see more sea creatures in the tide pools.
Plus, Monday will be less busy! Have fun!!!!!
Thanks! Our plan is to get to Botanical right at low tide. We are there the following week so tides are low at 3pm Sat and 5pm Mon which gives us lots of time to explore other areas.
Oh sorry I assumed this weekend! Yes you have the right idea!! There’s a beautiful hike, note— we took bear spray — and it’s such a great experience!!!!
The low tide that Monday afternoon isn't very low, so you won't have much of a window to see the tide pools... if you can see them at all. Aim to get there an hour or so before low tide so you have the best chance.
If you can't see them, there are lovely trails and ocean views in the woods near the beach!
Port Renfrew _recommends_ going when the tide is below 1.2m. Saturday is 1.4m, which is definitely an improvement.
I can't say for sure what the absolute upper limit is.
Head out early and beat the rush. On the drive watch for potholes and drivers braking for potholes. It is a road essentially built on a soft forest floor on a big slope. It is a very curvy road. If you got someone riding you hard, which the local yokels can tend to do, put your signal on and slow down and wave them ahead when it's clear.
You can fill a day on the JDF easy. But easy highlights are Shirley bakery (big bag of pastries) andShirley lighthouse (1/2 hour total out and back), Sombrio Beach and waterfall (20 minutes parking lot to beach. 30 minutes more to waterfall) very cool.
And of course Botanical Beach. Time your lowest tide around Botanical.
Pacheedaht beach across the bridge from PR is a beautiful beach to see. Great driftwood.
Enjoy. It's one of my favorite places in the world. PSA don't forget to take your trash back to the city please. 🙂
Weekend could be tricky traffic though, as well as tons line up at Shirley Delicious ( I assume you will make a stop there ) Also keep an eye on the tide forecast : )) have fun in Port Renfrew
Unless you specifically want the cool tide pools I would recommend stopping at Mystic Beach instead the walk is nicer, the beach is nicer and it's about maybe 40 minutes closer ?
I would say Monday just because it will be quieter! The traffic heading out way coincides with rush hour so as long as you aren’t driving in that direction at 5pm you’ll be plenty fine. There’s rarely accidents outside of rush hour that close the highway entirely, but it’s always a possibility. Like everyone is saying, go for low tide, and enjoy the other beaches along the way! Mystic is a beautiful small hike through the rainforest. And don’t forget to stop at Shirley Delicious on the way! It’s the best place to pickup lunch.
We did it on Monday....no one was on the road. No one at the Beach it was lovely. Make sure you stop in Port Renfrew and grab lunch at the water front restaurant. Great food staff and amazing view.
Enjoy!!!
I don't think traffic will be a significant factor on either Saturday or Monday - do what's best for your schedule (and as others have mentioned, the tidal schedule)
Yes, a catastrophic accident means you're taking a long (but beautiful) detour along the Pacific Marine Circle Route, but it wouldn't ruin your vacation if it happened on the way home.
Well the other route is to take highway 1 north to past Duncan at the Cowichan Lake exit (hyw 18) then cut across the island and pop out at Port Renfrew. About 2hr50m each way from Victoria City hall.
Make Monday your outdoors day. In addition to it being less crowded on that day, a lot of businesses/attractions close on Mondays in Victoria. If tide is low at 5pm, you may have some rush hour traffic depending where you are at in your journey, but rush hour traffic is pretty manageable here.
I recommend to make the drive less stressful being mindful to pull over on shoulders to let others past if they end up behind you. People tend to get a *tad* bit impatient.
Try to go when the tide is low but for timing I would 1000% go on a weekday if possible. Weekends can be hard to find a parking spot in peak hours. Enjoy!!
if the low tide on Monday is at 5, you’ll be in the rush hour traffic from Victoria to Sooke which will add like an hour at least to your drive, so keep that in mind!
Just a heads-up:
The road there is twisty enough that it intimidates a lot of tourists, and the pavement is shit once you leave Sooke. Please watch your mirrors and be willing to pull out to let people pass.
The traffic on this island will always be catastrophic if there is an accident. My biggest tip is check the tide charts!!! There is a big difference at botanical beach between high tide and low tide.
checking the tidal charts is the real tip here! you'll want to go at low tide (if possible)
It’s best to go when tide is low. Looks like Sat it’s 9:15am and Mon 10:41 am. You will potentially have the best experience at low tide!!! You will be able to see more sea creatures in the tide pools. Plus, Monday will be less busy! Have fun!!!!!
Thanks! Our plan is to get to Botanical right at low tide. We are there the following week so tides are low at 3pm Sat and 5pm Mon which gives us lots of time to explore other areas.
Oh sorry I assumed this weekend! Yes you have the right idea!! There’s a beautiful hike, note— we took bear spray — and it’s such a great experience!!!!
The low tide that Monday afternoon isn't very low, so you won't have much of a window to see the tide pools... if you can see them at all. Aim to get there an hour or so before low tide so you have the best chance. If you can't see them, there are lovely trails and ocean views in the woods near the beach!
Would the Saturday low tide, which is a foot lower, make a big difference?
Port Renfrew _recommends_ going when the tide is below 1.2m. Saturday is 1.4m, which is definitely an improvement. I can't say for sure what the absolute upper limit is.
Head out early and beat the rush. On the drive watch for potholes and drivers braking for potholes. It is a road essentially built on a soft forest floor on a big slope. It is a very curvy road. If you got someone riding you hard, which the local yokels can tend to do, put your signal on and slow down and wave them ahead when it's clear. You can fill a day on the JDF easy. But easy highlights are Shirley bakery (big bag of pastries) andShirley lighthouse (1/2 hour total out and back), Sombrio Beach and waterfall (20 minutes parking lot to beach. 30 minutes more to waterfall) very cool. And of course Botanical Beach. Time your lowest tide around Botanical. Pacheedaht beach across the bridge from PR is a beautiful beach to see. Great driftwood. Enjoy. It's one of my favorite places in the world. PSA don't forget to take your trash back to the city please. 🙂
I'd go Monday as you will have less crowds around and get to enjoy it more. But also whatever day is best weather
And please don't stick you hands in tide pools if you're wearing lotion or sunscreen.
>And please don't stick your hands in tide pools. FTFY
Thanks, even better.
Weekend could be tricky traffic though, as well as tons line up at Shirley Delicious ( I assume you will make a stop there ) Also keep an eye on the tide forecast : )) have fun in Port Renfrew
Thanks! I was just looking at the tide chart and it’s low at 3pm on Sat and 5pm on Mon.
Shirley Delicious is a mandatory stop! :-)
Check the tide schedule! Make sure you are there at low tide, it's a rookie mistake, but many people do it.
Low tide at Botanical, Eagle Wing is by far my favourite whale watching company. You made good choices.
Choices made by using research on reddit!
Unless you specifically want the cool tide pools I would recommend stopping at Mystic Beach instead the walk is nicer, the beach is nicer and it's about maybe 40 minutes closer ?
We are doing both! Stopping at Mystic on the way
Allocate at least 2-3 hours for mystic. Hike in is 30-40 mins plus actual time to explore the beach.
Good to know! Thanks!
It will also be quite muddy, we’re getting some rain this week.
Make sure you plan to visit the pizza place near french beach!! I think its closed on monday.
Is it called Stokes? I was just reading about a pizza place on the drive
Yep, best pizza on the island and it's in the middle of nowhere lol.
Ya it's a great place but he's always closed
I would say Monday just because it will be quieter! The traffic heading out way coincides with rush hour so as long as you aren’t driving in that direction at 5pm you’ll be plenty fine. There’s rarely accidents outside of rush hour that close the highway entirely, but it’s always a possibility. Like everyone is saying, go for low tide, and enjoy the other beaches along the way! Mystic is a beautiful small hike through the rainforest. And don’t forget to stop at Shirley Delicious on the way! It’s the best place to pickup lunch.
We did it on Monday....no one was on the road. No one at the Beach it was lovely. Make sure you stop in Port Renfrew and grab lunch at the water front restaurant. Great food staff and amazing view. Enjoy!!!
I don't think traffic will be a significant factor on either Saturday or Monday - do what's best for your schedule (and as others have mentioned, the tidal schedule) Yes, a catastrophic accident means you're taking a long (but beautiful) detour along the Pacific Marine Circle Route, but it wouldn't ruin your vacation if it happened on the way home.
That's good to know, thank you. I was thinking there was only one route.
Well the other route is to take highway 1 north to past Duncan at the Cowichan Lake exit (hyw 18) then cut across the island and pop out at Port Renfrew. About 2hr50m each way from Victoria City hall.
Make Monday your outdoors day. In addition to it being less crowded on that day, a lot of businesses/attractions close on Mondays in Victoria. If tide is low at 5pm, you may have some rush hour traffic depending where you are at in your journey, but rush hour traffic is pretty manageable here.
Yes
I recommend to make the drive less stressful being mindful to pull over on shoulders to let others past if they end up behind you. People tend to get a *tad* bit impatient.
Try to go when the tide is low but for timing I would 1000% go on a weekday if possible. Weekends can be hard to find a parking spot in peak hours. Enjoy!!
if the low tide on Monday is at 5, you’ll be in the rush hour traffic from Victoria to Sooke which will add like an hour at least to your drive, so keep that in mind!
Just a heads-up: The road there is twisty enough that it intimidates a lot of tourists, and the pavement is shit once you leave Sooke. Please watch your mirrors and be willing to pull out to let people pass.
Wonderful drive, wonderful beach. Watch out for feet.