Month guide · Victoria · Canada
Victoria in October
What October is really like in Victoria: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Smably at English Wikipedia, Public domain
Quick answer
October is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 14°C (57°F), lows of 6°C (43°F), about 13 rainy days and roughly 10.7 hours of daylight. Autumn colour and the return of the rains late in the month; whale-watching season winds down.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 14°C (57°F) / 6°C (43°F)
- Rainy days
- About 13
- Daylight
- About 10.7 hours
- Sea temperature
- 11°C (52°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in October
October is the 6th-warmest month in Victoria: days average 14°C (57°F) against a yearly average high of 14°C (57°F), and nights fall to about 6°C (43°F). Rain falls on roughly 13 of its 31 days. Compared with September (19°C (66°F)), October is cooler; by November highs drop to around 9°C (48°F).
- Sunrise (15 October)
- About 07:33
- Sunset (15 October)
- About 18:25
- Daylight
- About 10.7 hours
- Sea
- 11°C (52°F)
Autumn (September–November). Often a sunny, quiet September, then autumn colour, the Goldstream salmon run and heavier rain from late October.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, October rates 3 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in July). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in October
- Victoria Marathon (usually Thanksgiving weekend in October)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in October
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Neighbourhood · Downtown and Old Town
Chinatown and Fan Tan Alley
Founded during the 1858 gold rush, Victoria's Chinatown is the oldest in Canada.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Food
- Photo spot
Waterfront · Inner Harbour and James Bay
Fisherman's Wharf
Get there by harbour ferry from downtown, and eat fish and chips on the dock.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Kids
- Photo spot
Waterfront · Inner Harbour and James Bay
Dallas Road waterfront and Ogden Point Breakwater
A clifftop path runs along Dallas Road from Ogden Point to Clover Point and beyond, with the Olympic Mountains of Washington State across the strait.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Photo spot
Historic site · Colwood
Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse
Bring a picnic; the grassy grounds and views of the Olympic Mountains suit a long afternoon.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Views
- Outdoors
What to pack
For highs near 14°C, lows near 6°C and 13 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is October a good time to visit Victoria?
A shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Victoria in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is October a good time to visit Victoria?
It is a shoulder-season month. Autumn colour and the return of the rains late in the month; whale-watching season winds down.
+How warm is Victoria in October?
Average highs are around 14°C (57°F) and lows around 6°C (43°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Victoria in October?
Expect rain on about 13 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.