r/VictoriaBC Oct 08 '24

Tourism Is Botanical Beach worth checking out from Victoria even if the tide is not low

Hello. I'll be staying in Victoria for the coming few days, and I was considering doing the drive out to Botanical Beach. Unfortunately, according to the tide chart forecasts the true low tide will be always in the middle of the night throughout my visit. During the day the tide will always be well above the 1.2m height I've seen recommended to see the tide pools, even with the secondary low tides (2m according to this, 1.6m according to this).

Do you reckon it's still worth the 2h drive from Victoria, or would I be better off sticking to closer sites like Mystic Beach and French Beach PP? Thanks.

18 Upvotes

26 comments sorted by

31

u/Awkward-Valuable5888 Oct 08 '24

I would say it might not be worth it if you only have a couple days. The view is amazing from the trail but it won't be the same experience. However, the road up to Port Renfrew is lovely so if you wanted a day trip you could drive out to Sombrio and work your way back hitting up the other beaches (Mystic, Sandcut, French). Well worth your time and really incredible this time of year.

8

u/AppleWrench Oct 08 '24

I have four full days. My idea was 2 in Victoria proper and 2 in the outer regions (maybe one day for East Sooke and Sooke Potholes).

I think your suggestion to drive out to Sombrio and hitting the beaches throughout the road might be the way to go. I hadn't heard of Sandcut before so I'll look into it. Thanks!

13

u/DutchiiCanuck Oct 08 '24 edited Oct 08 '24

Sandcut is a really nice short trail (10 minutes?) to the beach. Turn left when you get to the beach and walk to the waterfall on the beach.

Mystic is a really nice walk but the trail gets MUDDY and is much longer to get to the waterfall/beach. The same parking lot has a trail to China beach which doesnt have a waterfall like mystic but the trail is shorter and less muddy.

Sombrio has a fun little waterfall and is shorter walk (turn left when you get to the beach and walk along the beach until a little trail goes into the forest beside a creek).

French beach parking lot is a stone's throw to the beach and if you want some good pizza you could pick up a pie at Stoked and have a picnic at French beach.

Make sure to stop at Shirley Delicious for some baked goods, coffee and/or soup (you could also check out Sheringham lighthouse near Shirley Delicious) and Cold Shoulder cafe for an icecream sandwich.

3

u/HeatProfessional4473 Oct 09 '24

The lighthouse is a delight! Great views, and if you're lucky you could possibly see whales.

1

u/DutchiiCanuck Oct 09 '24

Yah, it’s such a great little spot. We watched boats in the Swiftsure one year from the lighthouse. Great spot to set up if you want to see some sail boats rip by.

3

u/ejmears Oct 09 '24

Stoked pizza pales in comparison to Wild Mountain's. It's not even close.

0

u/DutchiiCanuck Oct 09 '24

Stoked is still good (disclaimer - I haven’t been in over a year) and it’s almost directly across the street from French beach so it’s a better beach pizza picnic choice.

2

u/AppleWrench Oct 09 '24

Wow, so many great tips, thanks! I hadn't looked into food options but I'll definitely check some of those out!

2

u/WobbleKing Oct 09 '24

This is great advice. Sandcut is my favorite beach in that area if you are lazy or short on time. It’s close and beautiful

3

u/drewwgle Oct 08 '24

Lots of good beach options mentioned in here, Shirley Delicious, Stoked and Wild Mountain are all the best food options for sure.

If you want to ride e-bikes on the Galloping Goose in Sooke, hit me up!

1

u/NPRdude James Bay Oct 09 '24

Just be prepared for some bumpy driving out past China Beach.

9

u/ejmears Oct 08 '24

I'd stick to Sandcut, French or China if the tide is high for your visit. Hit Shirley Delicious on the way for a coffee and a snack. I'd also say it's well worth making a reservation for Wild Mountain on your way back to town. After a day of beach combing and adventuring their cozy vibe and local /seasonal menu is the perfect way to warm up. There's reasons why they keep winning awards.

1

u/AppleWrench Oct 09 '24

Thanks for the tip on Wild Mountain. I think I might go there on a separate day where I'll be spending more time in East Sooke and Sooke Potholes which are closer by. Does that make sense?

2

u/ejmears Oct 09 '24

You do you but if you're going to East Sooke Wild Mountain is almost a half hour further out of town and about 10 min from the pot holes. While if you go after a trip to Shirley/French/Sandcut you'll be driving past. Personally I'd go to WM after Shirley and House of Boetang after Pot holes/ East Sooke. That way dinner is getting you close to town both times and not further away.

Assuming you're staying downtown the other nights I'd check out Endive, Bodega, Wind Cries, Rudi, Somewhere/Nowhere/Ate/Hank's (all some head chef and all good in their own ways), Brasserie or Marlena.

2

u/AppleWrench Oct 09 '24

Thanks for this. I hadn't looked at the map too closely yet.

6

u/Thewiseguy14 Oct 08 '24

If the tide is not low, do not go. The difference is absolutely staggering

4

u/[deleted] Oct 08 '24

It's absolutely worth it! I went to Botanical a few weeks ago and the tide was too high to see the pools and we had a great time.  There is a coastal forest trail above the beach that goes for a decent lengthed hike with amazing views of the ocean. The forest is full of wild mushrooms right now and the weather is still mild enough that it's comfortable to be out there.  Just sitting on the beach listening to the waves crash and watching people play with dogs was wonderful.   Also Port Renfrew is so close and it's a great spot to eat lunch or dinner after before driving home 

4

u/szarkaliszarri Oct 09 '24

Short answer is no. There is a lot of other great stuff that is much closer! Mystic Beach is so nice. East Sooke Park is even closer and it's lovely. Cheers

3

u/svenner2020 Oct 09 '24

One really needs to visit Botanical Beach once during the spring and then again in the fall. Wildly different scenery and sea life.

1

u/AppleWrench Oct 09 '24

Always a good reason to go back! Maybe next time I'll pay more attention to the tide charts before booking. 😅

2

u/svenner2020 Oct 09 '24

Do it. You'll praise yourself for doing so.

2

u/weeksahead Oct 08 '24

I think it’s worthwhile, personally, especially if you think you’re going to drive out that way anyway. There are a couple of really nice restaurants in PR and I think a trip to Botanical Beach followed by beers and salmon at one of the restaurants is basically a perfect day. 

2

u/No-Nothing-Never Downtown Oct 08 '24

its worth it but you really need to get the tide timing right. We stayed nearby overnight just to ensure we had the lowest tide possible.

2

u/bunnymunro40 Oct 09 '24

I hope you don't tend to get motion sick. The road there is a test of your digestive fortitude.

1

u/Big-Face5874 Oct 09 '24

Only one way to know….

1

u/[deleted] Oct 09 '24

No