tour sooke bc

An Exhilarating West Coast Marine Adventure that Will Thrill Your Senses, Led by Sooke’s Only Professional Whale Watching Team & Sooke's best value with our Whale Sighting Guarantee!*

Offering the perfect balance of excitement, safety, and education. Our experienced, knowledgeable crew will take you on an open water excursion lasting up to 3 hours, exploring Vancouver Island’s south western shores.

Rated 4.5 or above on all platforms!

Whale Watching Tours

Our adventures are 3 hours in length. June through October, are the ideal months to view Orcas (Killer Whales) in all their glory. The Juan de Fuca Strait is the perfect area to find the returning Humpbacks from June to November and with hundreds returning to their feeding grounds gives you ample opportunity to have your own close encounter of the deep. Some of most interesting encounters is of mammal hunting Transient Killer Whales that are now very regular visitors to our area. We also see a ever increasing amount of Humpback Whales and also the possibility of Gray, Fin and Minke Whales.

During peak months, our success rate for sighting whales is 97% .

*Whale Sighting Guarantee is during our peak months (July through September) and allows for guests to return for another marine adventure.

(when/if space is available)

Recent Whale Watching Tour Photos. Follow us on Facebook for more!

Frequently asked questions, do you really see whales.

Absolutely! Sooke Whale Watching is proud to announce that we have a success rate of almost 95% for the season. Please understand that we never guarantee whales sightings. Every day brings new and exciting unpredictable marine adventures.

What time of year is best for watching whales?

Transient Orcas are frequently sighted throughout the year when there are plenty of seals and sea lions to lure them. For the last few years, Humpbacks have been reliably sighted from March through November, while the elusive Gray whales are only occasional visitors as they are in transit seasonally. We also encounter Minke Whales and the White-Sided Dolphins.

How close will we get to the whales?

As a proud member of the Whale Watch Operators Association Northwest, Sooke Whale Watching’s number one priority is protecting the safety of the whales and other marine wildlife, as well as our passengers. When we’re within 100 yards of a whale we turn off our engines. As we drift along, whales will often swim right up to the boat. So, it’s up to the whales how close we get.

What else do you see on a trip?

In addition to Minke, Humpback and Gray whales, you may see Harbor Seals, Elephant Seals, Dall’s Porpoise, Harbour Porpoise, California Sea Lions, Stellar Sea Lions, bald eagles, common murres and cormorants.

What happens if we don’t see a whale?

Viewing sea life in their natural habitat is an incredible, unmatched experience, but the travel patterns and behaviors of these feral creatures are unpredictable. For this reason, we can’t guarantee you will see whales or wildlife on every tour. But, to offer our passengers the most enjoyable wildlife viewing experiences possible, we are part of a sophisticated, successful whale-spotting network. This gives you the best opportunity to view sea life in their natural environment.

What should we bring?

We provide Protective Flotation Suits for your safety. This will help keep you warmer and drier, but we strongly recommend you wear warm underclothes and flat closed-toed shoes.

We will be traveling at speeds of 30 miles per hour or more, so warm socks and a sweater or jacket will help you enjoy the outdoors even more.

• Warm clothing
• Proper footwear
• Tight-fitting hat or toque
• Sunglasses or other eye protection
• Sunscreen – it will protect you from sunburn and windburn
• Bring your camera and/or video camera
• We recommend that you bring a plastic bag to keep your camera dry while we’re moving or if it’s raining
• We always bring the boat to a complete stop for photo opportunities

How long are the trips?

Most Sooke / Victoria trips are up to 3 hours, but this will vary with weather and other conditions.

Should we make a reservation?

There is so much do and see throughout Victoria, Sooke and surrounding area that we highly recommended reservations so that we can offer you the best departure time that fits your busy schedule.

When should we check in?

Thirty (30) minutes prior to your scheduled departure time.

What is Sooke Whale Watching’s cancellation policy?

Cancellation Policy is 72 hours prior to trip departure time, unless agreed upon in advance with the office staff.

Sooke Whale Watching is a family owned and operated environmentally-friendly, independent marine and eco adventure touring company, serving Vancouver Island, Sooke, Victoria, Jordan River, and Port Renfrew.

Sooke Whale Watching owners are experts with the weather patterns, geography, wildlife and ancient history of Sooke, Victoria, and almost everything in between and beyond the western Vancouver Island shores. Your trip of up to 3 hours with us will be filled with a wealth of local knowledge and not a scripted spiel.

We are a Transport Canada certified Whale Watch Operator. When it comes to safety and vessel operation, we are as skilled as they come. What does this mean for you? It means a fun filled, exhilarating coastal adventure with all the facts and anecdotes you can handle. And, we bring you back to shore, safe and sound.

DAILY 11 AM DEPARTURES

*RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED*

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Your whale watching adventure begins in Sooke! The quaint, seaside town of Sooke is a scenic drive along Highway 14 (approximately 40 minutes) west of Victoria – British Columbia’s capital city.

Sooke boasts fabulous accommodations, restaurants, galleries and shops, as well as parks, unspoiled rain forests, tranquil beaches, and is well worth the short trip from the city. Sooke is easily accessible from Victoria by car, public transit, or if you’re up for the challenge, walk or cycle to Sooke along the breathtaking Galloping Goose Trail.

Ferries to Victoria from Vancouver, BC, and Seattle, Anacortes and Port Angeles, WA arrive daily via frequent scheduled sailings.

1581 Dufour Rd, Sooke, BC, V9Z 0T6 250-642-2343 // 1-855-642-2343 [email protected]

Accomodations

We welcome you to stay on the water at our location for whale watching, fishing trips, or just to get away from it all.

Make a Reservation Online

Meet the powerhouse duo behind Neptune Wildlife Tours!

Learn about our story, our mission and our values as we take on the role of Vancouver Island's newest ecotourism operator.

Local Expert Guide

Load up on fun facts about the local ecosystem from a professional Marine Biologist guiding you through the tour!

Family-Run Business

Enjoy the benefits and flexibility of a family-owned and operated company, with customer satisfaction and transparency as our top priority.

Immersive Experiences

Escape the congestion of Victoria's waterfront and enjoy a more personalized, intimate experience paired with breathtaking views out of Sooke.

13 Top-Rated Things to Do in Sooke, BC

Written by Michael Law and Lana Law Updated May 11, 2023

Authors Michael and Lana Law spent a winter living in Sooke. It's one of their favorite destinations on Vancouver Island.

This small town just 40 minutes from downtown Victoria is worlds away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Set just back from the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the town has a laid-back feeling, with some small shops, food trucks, great restaurants, and coastal attractions.

Things to do here revolve primarily around the outdoors. Whale watching, deep sea fishing, mountain biking in the Sea to Sea Regional Park, swimming at the local river, and long strolls along the Galloping Goose Regional Trail round out the activities. Nearby attractions include long walks on lonely Pacific beaches, a lighthouse, and surfing at Jordan River.

Discover the best places to visit in one of the best small towns on Vancouver Island with our list of things to do in Sooke.

1. Explore Sooke Potholes Provincial Park

2. go for a walk on whiffin spit, 3. hit the hiking trails, 4. enjoy the views or paddleboard on the sooke basin, 5. ride the bike trails, 6. enjoy dining in sooke, 7. tour the sooke region museum, 8. visit the sheringham point lighthouse, 9. buy fish direct from the fishermen, 10. soak up the views at french beach provincial park, 11. catch the big one on a deep sea fishing trip, 12. go whale watching, 13. visit the old-growth trees in port renfrew, map of things to do in sooke, bc.

If you mention the name Sooke to someone from out of town, the first response you will usually hear is "Sooke Potholes." This provincial park is the town's most famous attraction.

Encompassing the Sooke River as it descends from the highlands, Sooke Potholes Park is one of the most unique provincial parks on Vancouver Island. The most interesting part of the park is at the base of a large waterfall, where deep potholes have formed from millennia of erosion.

In the summer, the waterfall is just a trickle, and the water in the potholes makes an ideal spot for a swim. People come here to lounge on the dry rocks in the sun and dip in the water to keep cool.

Follow the trails down to the water's edge, clamber over some rocks, and jump in. Lay out on the sun-heated smooth rocks after your dip to warm up. Upstream from the potholes are two sandy beaches if you prefer easier access. In the winter during the rainy season, the river squeezes through this chasm and roars over the same area.

The entire area is covered with large trees and ferns. The Galloping Goose Regional Trail, a former rail line, traverses the park, and several access points are available. It's worth walking the trail toward the impressive and recently rebuilt Todd Creek Trestle.

The easiest way to enjoy the ocean when visiting Sooke is to walk out along Whiffin Spit. This long stretch of sand is a natural breakwater that extends just over a kilometer into the bay. A mostly level graveled walking trail runs the entire distance, and a walk to the end and back clocks in at just over 2.5 kilometers.

A favorite with dog walkers, joggers, and birders, this is one of the best trails in Sooke. On a sunny day, the Olympic Mountains in Washington State can be seen off in the distance. Good views back towards Sooke Basin and the town itself are seen on the return trip.

Check the tides prior to your visit. Wiffin Spit is especially interesting at low tide, when the large beaches facing the Juan de Fuca Strait emerge and make for additional walking areas.

Birders take note that all kinds of avian wildlife make the Wiffin Spit area their home, or a stop while migrating.

One of the best places to go hiking near Sooke is at the Sea to Sea Regional Park . An extensive selection of hiking and mountain biking trails weave their way through towering trees, while burbling brooks splash nearby.

The hiking trails are well marked, and the level of difficulty ranges from wide-open former logging roads right through to wet, rocky slogs uphill. Trails lead to two mountains in the park: Mount Brule and Mount Manuel Quimper. On a clear day, you can see out over the Sooke Basin across the Juan de Fuca Straight to the snowcapped Olympic Mountains.

The hike up Mt. Brule is a bit easier than Quimper. This six-kilometer round-trip hike rises just over 300 meters and follows a wide roadway for roughly 3.5 kilometers and a steep stony trail for 1.5 kilometers.

Access to the above-mentioned trails is from Harbourview Road in Saseenos, just south of Sooke. Here, you'll find a large parking area, detailed maps, washrooms, and a bike-washing station.

More great hiking trails can be found in East Sooke, including one of the best trails near Victoria : the Coastal Trail . This hike does not involve any great elevation as it follows the ocean. This trail is a one-way, 10-kilometer hike, but you can opt to do just a portion and start at either end.

For lighter hiking, hop on the Galloping Goose Trail . Particularly beautiful sections can be found near Sooke Potholes, both in the park and nearby. Trestle bridges along the route, including the Todd Creek Trestle, offer scenic points along the way.

The Sooke Basin is one of the most scenic spots in Sooke. The basin is protected on three sides by hills, with just a narrow entrance from the ocean, and as a result, it is generally calm. People come here to walk along trails, like the Galloping Goose , or enjoy the views from Billings Spit at low tide. This is also a great place to visit to see ducks, geese, and other waterfowl.

Sooke Basin is an ideal place to get out on the ocean, either on a stand up paddleboard or small boat. It's a wonderful alternative to heading out on the open ocean. Be sure to watch the tides if you are going out on the water.

One area of note in the basin is Anderson Cove . The entrance to Anderson Cove is narrow and makes for an interesting place to paddle through. You'll usually find a small fleet of sailboats anchored here sheltering from the wind and waves of the larger Sooke Basin.

Boat access is primarily through beautiful Anderson Cove, a smaller bay off the larger Sooke Basin. If you want to walk, you can park at Roche Cove and stroll along the Galloping Goose for views across the basin.

Biking in and around Sooke is excellent. You'll have your choice of heart-pounding mountain biking ascents leading to screamingly fast descents down wicked trails or more sedate cruising along mostly level former rail lines. Biking in Sooke is primarily on trails in the forest. Road biking along Highway 14 is not recommended, as it is narrow, busy with car and logging trucks, twisty, and hilly.

Mountain bikers will want to head to the Sea to Sea Regional Park for an amazing array of trails winding their way through the forest. Routes are graded according to the difficulty level, and when the trail says black diamond, it is truly for experts only. The main access road for all the trails is a long slog almost straight up, with few areas to catch your breath.

At Sea to Sea, you truly "earn your turns"! Be prepared for a tough start to your biking day. However, all that effort is lavishly rewarded by uncrowded trails that challenge and excite at the same time. At the base area, you'll find a bike-washing station and washrooms. This is also where you can find the trail map.

Biking enthusiasts or families looking for something easier should try a ride along the Galloping Goose Trail . This former railway gently winds its way through the forest with an easy upward grade.

One of the most scenic sections is the portion from the parking lot approximately two kilometers up Sooke River Road on the right side up to the lookout area at Sooke Potholes Provincial Park. Along the way, you'll pass over two very impressive wooden trestle bridges and through areas of enormous trees.

For a town with a population of 13,000 (and growing), Sooke is well-supplied with amazing places to eat. Food Trucks, waterfront restaurants, in-town establishments with sunny patios, and fine-dining options for a romantic dinner will make your dining decision harder than you might think.

The city doesn't have a set area for food trucks per se; the trucks are spread around the city in various locations, and a bit of driving around is necessary to find them. A couple of key spots to look include just past the Sooke River bridge on the left side by the building that looks like a castle, the parking lot on the waterside of Highway 14 near the town's only roundabout, and, finally, about 500 meters up Otter Point Road on the right-hand side.

For true waterfront dining both indoors and on a wonderful outdoor patio, West Coast Grill is hard to beat. Big views out to Sooke Basin and to the Olympic Mountains combined with innovative and tasty fare will have you coming back time and again.

On the highway in the heart of Sooke, and across the street from the CIBC bank, is Route 14 . The restaurant has a patio out front, with picnic tables and a cozy interior space. Menu options are innovative and tasty, check out the daily feature.

Although not technically in Sooke, Mile 17 is an institution that is well worth a visit. This historical restaurant has a history dating back to 1894, the name comes from the fact that it is 17 miles from Victoria City Hall.

A quick trip to the Sooke Region Museum will bring you right up to speed on the history of this vibrant small town. The museum has a variety of interesting displays chronicling the development of the town through the years.

One of the highlights of a visit is the wonderfully restored Triangle Island Lighthouse dating from 1910. The bulb in this lighthouse illuminated a beam that could be seen from over 80 kilometers away.

A short stroll away is the 1928 steam locomotive used in the building of a nearby dam. The Moss Cottage is a must-see exhibit as well, it's the oldest pioneer home west of Victoria and dates from 1870.

A short drive along scenic Highway 14 towards Port Renfrew will take you past the turnoff to historic Sheringham Point Lighthouse. First operational in 1912, the lighthouse finally saw its last keeper depart 77 years later in 1989.

Now preserved as a historical site, Sheringham Point Lighthouse sits on a rocky promontory and provides expansive views out across the Juan de Fuca Strait to the Olympic Mountains in Washington state.

Access to the lighthouse is easy: turn off Highway 14 in the small town of Shirley and follow the narrow road and signs down to the parking lot. Here, a short trail will take you down across a paved road and to the entrance to the site. Enter and continue down the hill passing informational plaques along the way.

After visiting the lighthouse, you can retrace your steps back to the parking lot or, for a short hike, turn left at the paved road and walk a short way to the spot where the trail loops up through large trees. This will take you on a 2.9-kilometer hike back to the parking lot. If, after leaving the lighthouse, you pass through a set of gates while walking along the paved road, you have gone too far and missed the trailhead for the hike.

After your visit, stop in at Shirley delicious for a sandwich, a sweet treat, or a cup of coffee. Picnic tables are situated under the pine trees, and a new enclosed patio is available if the weather is iffy.

Sooke has a long maritime history, and today working fishing boats still ply the offshore waters catching tuna, salmon, and other fish. Depending on the season, you'll have a good chance of finding a fisherman selling his fresh catch direct off the boat. The Government docks are located just a short distance north past downtown off Maple Avenue.

If the boats are all out at sea during your visit, don't despair, a bit farther along West Coast Road is another marina where you'll find a small retail store selling the same products, albeit frozen and at higher prices. Turn down the unnamed road just past the turnoff from the Prestige Hotel. Usually, there's a sign with a picture of a crab on it directing the way.

At French Beach Provincial Park a long, lonely beach backed by towering trees provides the quintessential British Columbia experience. This park, free to visit, has a wonderful green space, with picnic tables, a playground, fire pits, and informative placards on whale migration.

Views across the Juan de Fuca Strait to the Olympic Mountains are spectacular on clear days. The beach itself is 1.6 kilometers long and is best walked at low tide. If the tides are not in your favor, a walking trail runs behind the beach to the south. A forest trail with boardwalks winds its way through the wetlands behind the beach, and it's here you'll see large trees, and in the spring the colorful skunk cabbage, also known as swamp lanterns, bloom beside the trail.

One of Vancouver Island's best campgrounds is located here and has recently been upgraded with new washrooms and wider access roads.

The waters off Sooke teem with fish, especially salmon. Fishing here is legendary, with trophy catches of Chinook, coho, sockeye, and pinks. Sizes range from 5 to 20 pounds. In the summer, the Chinook get up to nearly 50 pounds! Also available to catch from March to May are halibut.

These bottom-feeding fish average around 30 pounds, but lucky anglers have occasionally caught ones over 300 pounds. The best time to catch these beasts is when the herring run, usually tied to a full moon event in March.

Fishing here is a pleasant experience and has all the advantages of deep-sea fishing without the downside. The reason it's so great is that the protected waters of the Juan de Fuca Strait mean that large rolling waves are a rarity and, as a result, motion sickness is less of an issue. As a bonus, the views out to the Olympic Mountains on clear days are spectacular.

Several different local outfitters operate out of Sooke, and they keep their eyes and ears peeled as to where the fish are running. Charters usually leave very early in the morning, and trips are usually half or full day in duration. Demand can be high in the summer; be sure to do a bit of research and call well ahead of your planned trip.

Sooke is ideally positioned as a jumping-off spot to see whales. The Juan de Fuca Strait is prime whale watching territory. Orcas as well as humpback and grey whales are all frequent visitors, especially in the spring and summer.

In addition to seeing whales, most tours take in the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve and the rugged coastline of East Sooke Regional Park. Whales are not the only animal sightings - seals, otters, sea lions, and bald eagles also make regular appearances and sometimes steal the show.

A trip to see these majestic giants should be on everyone's to-do list when visiting Sooke. Silent sentinels to what this area of British Colombia used to look like, these amazing trees must be seen so they can be protected for future generations.

The trees, primarily Douglas fir and western red cedar, are stupendously huge, many are over 12 feet (four meters) in width at the base. They tower overhead, their tops not visible from the ground.

The most spectacular area is called Eden Grove . You'll need a high-clearance 4WD to drive there. Or park before the road gets too rough and walk in. Along the way, you'll pass by Big Lonely Doug, a 1,000-year-old tree standing all by itself; Eden Grove is about a kilometer past him.

Another impressive area that you'll reach on your way to Eden Grove is Avatar Grove . This area is easier to get to and has two trails with stairs and boardwalks that will take you past the largest trees. The upper trail will take you to a very unique cedar nicknamed "Canada's Gnarliest Tree."

Count on a full day to drive to and from Port Renfrew along with time to explore the trees. A map of the area shows how to get to both of these places.

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THE 10 BEST Sooke Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in sooke.

• Fishing Charters & Tours
• Kayaking & Canoeing
• Dolphin & Whale Watching
• Scuba & Snorkeling
• Stand-Up Paddleboarding
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• Good for Kids
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Good for Couples
• Budget-friendly
• Adventurous
• Good for Big Groups
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Adventures By H.I.P.

2. Bluefin Fishing Adventures

3. Goin Coastal Fishing Charters

4. Blue Wolf Charters

5. Mystic Beach Adventures Inc

6. West Coast Outdoor Adventure

7. D and D Fishing Charters

8. Warrior Fishing Charters

9. Sooke Coastal Explorations

10. VIP Fishing Charter

11. Good Time Dave's Fishing Charters

12. Crab Shack Sportfishing

13. Day Trip Drea - Day Tours

14. Rush Adventures

15. Sooke Salmon Charters

16. Fishwestcoast Sportfishing Charters

17. Spencers Sport Fishing

18. Starlight Sailing Adventures

19. Gotcha Salmon Charters

20. Reel Life Charters

21. Last Chance Fishing Adventures

22. Ocean Dreams Charters

23. Vancouver Island Pacific Charters

24. SEAWIND Fishing Adventures

25. Duffy's Salmon Charters

26. Port Renfrew Fishing Adventures

27. Ocean Planet Adventures - Dive Sooke

28. 2 Reel Fishing Adventures

29. Fijian Son Fishing Charters

What travellers are saying.

• Adventures By H.I.P.
• Bluefin Fishing Adventures
• Blue Wolf Charters
• Goin Coastal Fishing Charters
• Warrior Fishing Charters
• Day Trip Drea - Day Tours
• Sooke Coastal Explorations
• Mystic Beach Adventures Inc
• West Coast Outdoor Adventure
• Good Time Dave's Fishing Charters

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• Adult & Corporate Groups
• Youth, Sports & School Groups
• Zipline & Whale Watching Package – closed for the season
• Media & Press Contact
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• Meet The Team
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Toll Free: 1-866-947-9145

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See nature from the trees. Explore the beauty of Southern Vancouver Island.

The staff were fantastic and made the experience fun and exciting. We are already making plans to go again.

We had a large group, and they were so accommodating, kind and communicative when we had add-ons/cancellations/late comers. they booked our party for us at the pub after and we experience awesome personal service. the guides were so fun, clear and patient. everyone loved their time, and i could recommend this adventure more to tourist and locals alike, i was a bit nervous prior to arriving to adrenal line. however, right from the start ian and sydney (our guides) put you at ease immediately from harness instruction to the spider-man, cannonball and superman tricks. before you know it you are on your last zip line passing 150’ above the ground. it’s safe fun and i’ll be sure to recommend, this is coming from someone who hates heights., shout out to the entire crew who were incredibly friendly and welcoming. extraordinary experience with professional guides that made us feel at ease from start to finish. not to mention a sweet ride to the top with lots of laughs. highly recommend, get in touch.

[email protected] Phone: 1-250-642-1933 Toll-free: 1-866-947-9145

2034C Gillespie Rd Sooke, BC, V9Z 0E2 Canada

Adrena LINE offers shuttle service from downtown Victoria during peak season.

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“The whole experience was great and we felt very safe. The views were spectacular!”

TripAdvisor Reviews

12 Best Things To Do In Sooke, BC

Beata Urmos

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Sooke on Vancouver Island is one of those small towns where there’s “nothing to do”, yet it has endless opportunities for outdoor lovers. At Sooke the rainforest meets the sea, the rugged coastline and giant trees offer the unmistaken West Coast beauties – and tons of places for hiking, mountain biking, swimming, kayaking, paddling, surfing. Or camping on the beach. So…

Is Sooke worth visiting?

This region of Vancouver Island is home to one of the most picturesque coastal trails on the British Columbia coastline, and also to some of the loveliest beach waterfalls in the world. If you still need persuasion, in this post I collected the best things to do in Sooke. Yes, I do think that it makes for a great getaway either from Victoria or Vancouver, and I’d definitely add it to any Vancouver Island itinerary.

Best accomodations in Sooke, BC:

• Luxury: Prestige Oceanfront Resort (central location)
• Mid-range: Arbutus Cove Guesthouse (with private beach)
• Budget: Sterling Cove B&B

Best time to visit Sooke, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Where is Sooke? On Vancouver Island and in British Columbia. It’s a good indication of the weather you can expect.

Like Vancouver and Victoria, Sooke has the mildest weather you find in Canada, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors all year. Though it’s a year-round destination, different seasons bring different weather. The warmest and driest part of the year is from late May to September. It’s the best time for hiking, swimming, kayaking, but it’s also the best time for whale-watching.

Fall comes with nice colors, but also with more frequent rain. Winter temperatures are not freezing, but winter is an extremely rainy season. Storms can look quite spectacular though, storm-watching is a thing on the coast, and it’s one of the most impressive things to do in Sooke in winter.

Do you find planning your British Columbia road trip a bit overwhelming?

What if I told you that someone has ALL the planning done: get our compact, easy BC Road Trip Guide! Read it, then go and enjoy.

Best things to do in Sooke, Vancouver Island

It takes only about 40 minutes to drive from Victoria to Sooke, but the hustle and bustle of the city is washed away. Sooke is a laid-back coastal small town, with lots of parks, trails and beaches nearby, but also with restaurants, breweries and food trucks.

What to do in Sooke? I’m sharing my favorites with you:

Hike the Coast Trail in East Sooke Regional Park

One of the best Sooke activities is outside of town, but get used to this. The very best things to do in Sooke are actually the very best things to do near Sooke. Like hiking in East Sooke Regional Park.

If you only have time for one thing, head to East Sooke Regional Park and do the Coast Trail. It’s 10.5 km one-way, starting from Aylard Farm and ending at the Iron Mine Bay. It’s our favorite coastal trail in British Columbia!

Unlike the famous Juan de Fuca Marine Trail (which is a multi-day hike), the East Sooke Coast Trail runs directly on the coast, rewarding with wonderful ocean vistas all the way – and even with views of the Olympic Mountains. You’ll notice the huge fir trees, arbutus trees and the countless wildflowers. But similarly to the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, it involves a surprising amount of ups and downs on the rugged coastline .

Ideally, you can arrange transport and do the Coast Trail as a one-way hike. But don’t worry if it’s not the case. You can do just a portion of the trail, and start at either end. We did it as a loop, starting from the Aylard Farm parking lot and hiking to Cabin Point, then getting back to the parking on the Interior Trail. It was a 9 km loop , suitable to do as a half day hike.

If you start from the Aylard Farm Trailhead, we recommend adding the short trail to Creyke Point . It’s a tiny addition, but Creyke Point has amazing views!

Hiking essentials:

• Trailhead & parking: Aylard Farm parking lot
• Length: 10.5 km one-way
• Difficulty: medium
• See the park map here!

Take a dip in Sooke Potholes Provincial Park

Sooke Potholes Provincial Park in May

Mention Sooke to anyone living on Vancouver Island, and they will think of “Sooke Potholes”. Sooke Potholes Provincial Park is just 10 minutes drive from the town, and the most famous attractions there are the deep rock pools naturally carved into the bedrock of the Sooke River by glacial activities. 

They’re popular swimming holes in the summer (even though they don’t get really warm). You can also walk the trails that run above the canyon walls , go to the lookouts and get a view of the potholes from above. In the winter months when it rains a lot and the level of the river is higher, you might not even be able to see the potholes. You’ll see rushing waterfalls in exchange.

Further upstream on Sooke River, you’ll also find two sandy beaches. They’re not as unique as the potholes, but accessing the water there is easier, and it’s ideal for families with small kids. 

The Riverside Trail runs along the water, offering pretty river and canyon views. It’s 8.9 km there and back, but you can walk as far as you’d like to.

You find three parking lots as you enter Sooke Potholes Provincial Park. Lot 3 is closest to the potholes and beaches, but the giant parking lots all fill up on a nice summer day, so you might not have a choice. Don’t miss Todd Creek waterfall as you’re on your way to the parking lot, it’s right by the road.

Sooke Potholes Provincial Park is among the best Sooke attractions in any season.

Hike to Mary Vine Creek Falls

Mary Vine Creek Falls is not in Sooke Potholes Provincial Park, but the short (1.5 km return) hiking trail to the waterfall starts there, from the Parking Lot 2.

It runs along Mary Vine Creek (just make sure not to follow the Galloping Goose Trail that it crosses in the beginning), then just before the waterfall it seems that you’re leaving the creek to climb up somewhere. I got a bit confused, but followed the sign that indicated a waterfall, anyway, and it took me exactly there. You can get down at the very bottom of Mary Vine Creek Falls, carefully stepping on the rocks in the creek.

The creek (and the waterfall) dries out in the summer, but it’s a lovely waterfall in the rainier part of the year (so here’s another one of the best things to see in Sooke in winter). We did this hike in May and found it impressive.

Mary Vine Creek Falls hiking essentials:

• Trailhead & parking: Sooke Potholes Provincial Park Parking Lot 2
• Length: 1.5 km return
• Difficulty: easy

Walk on Whiffin Spit

The walk out to Whiffin Spit is the local’s favorite choice for a casual stroll along the ocean. You’ll see dog walkers, joggers, couples and families spending their time here, and you find the best beaches in Sooke along this walk. Even better if you can wait for sunset.

Whiffin Spit is a sand spit that separates the Sooke Basin and the wild waters of the Juan de Fuca Strait. There’s a wide, flat walking trail stretching for 1.3 km, lined with benches and pebbly beaches (at low tide), and it ends at a small lighthouse. Though the views can’t compete with the East Sooke Coast Trail, it’s the best nature walk in town, much shorter and completely flat, suitable for strollers and wheelchairs, as well.

On clear days you can see the Olympic Mountains in Washington state in the distance.

There’s one thing that’s challenging about Whiffin Spit Trail: parking. It’s very limited near the trailhead, so you may have to park further away and walk back.

Drive the Juan De Fuca Highway from Sooke to Port Renfrew

Sooke and Port Renfrew are about 70 km from each other, which means a 1.5 hours drive from Sooke to Port Renfrew on the coast. A drive full of scenic stops at beaches and waterfalls. It’s rather a full day activity than a few hours , because the coast is steep and most beaches along the Juan De Fuca Highway require some walking or hiking.

They’re not only the most picturesque beaches near Sooke, but on the whole of Vancouver Island! French Beach and China Beach are the easiest to access (only a short walk away from their parking lots), but Sombrio Beach and Mystic Beach are the most special. Keep on reading, because they’re the next best places to visit on a Sooke getaway.

Hunt for beach waterfalls

The first waterfall I’ve seen flowing directly on a beach and into the ocean was McWay Falls in California. It looked like a postcard, and I thought there’s no other place like that in the world.

Beach waterfalls are rare and special, but we found some more on our travels on the West Coast in the following years. Juan de Fuca Provincial Park on the southwest coast of Vancouver Island has several lovely beach waterfalls. They’re among the most fascinating places to visit near Sooke!

Sandcut Beach waterfall

Sandcut Beach waterfall is the first one, and it takes a 2 km return hike to visit it – half of which is the walk on Sandcut Beach . To find it, drive past Sandcut Creek on the Juan De Fuca Highway, park in the small parking area by the road and hike down to Sandcut Beach. Then walk back toward the creek on the beach until you see the small waterfall.

Sandcut Falls might be small, but the setting is nice. It flows over sandstone rocks and onto the beach, and you can even walk behind it.

China Beach waterfall

Mystic Beach and China Beach are accessible from the same parking lot . If you have to choose one, let it be Mystic Beach. But that’s the longer hike, and walking to China Beach is a short addition.

It’s a nice beach, similar to neighboring Mystic Beach, but the waterfall is less impressive and less obvious to notice. You need to walk around the rock wall at the northern edge of the beach to find the waterfall in a small canyon behind it.

Mystic Beach waterfall

Accessible from the same parking lot as China Beach, Mystic Beach requires a bit more work. It’s a 2 km hike from the parking lot, and the trail is steeply descending and extremely muddy at places. But the rainforest is impressive, and you’ll cross a suspension bridge on the way to the beach.

Mystic Beach has a waterfall that cascades from the high coastal cliffs onto the beach – or into the water at high tide. You bet it’s a scenic picnic spot, and a popular one, too, especially in the summertime. For 10 CAD you can even camp on the beach. It’s one of the most beautiful beaches on Vancouver Island!

Find the Sombrio Beach “secret waterfalls” – two of them!

We never feel we’ve been to too many beaches, and that’s especially true for Sooke beaches. Our favorite beach is a bit further towards Port Renfrew though: Sombrio Beach. The look of the beach is similar to Mystic Beach, but we found it even more special.

It’s cut into two by the Sombrio River, and there are two hidden waterfalls to find : one’s in a narrow, lush green canyon behind the beach (this is what’s called the Sombrio Beach Waterfall), the other is a beach waterfall which you can see as you start your hike on the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail towards Chin Beach.

Read this detailed post about the attractions of Sombrio Beach!

Surf on Sombrio Beach

Sombrio Beach is the best surfing beach in the region, offering surf breaks for both beginners and experienced surfers.

The beach area south of Sombrio River (East & West Sombrio Beach) is more suitable for beginners, and it even has facilities (two pit toilets). The beach is sandy, but it’s mixed with pebbles and rocks.

You find West-West Sombrio Beach north of the Sombrio River, and you need to cross the suspension bridge to get there (or cross the river). It’s less busy, but quite popular among advanced surfers.

Go an a whale-watching tour from Sooke

What else to see in Sooke? Whales! The Juan de Fuca Strait is a great place for whale watching. Killer whales, humpback whales and gray whales are frequent visitors , especially in the spring and summer when whales migrate along the West coast. You can also see seals, porpoises, otters, sea lions and bald eagles. 

Most whale-watching tours from Sooke take you to the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve and along the rugged coastline of East Sooke Regional Park.

Sooke Whale Watching departs near Whiffin Spit , and Adventures by HIP departs directly from the Sooke Harbour.

Bike the Galloping Goose Trail

The Galloping Goose Trail is a 60 km long hiking and biking trail that connects Victoria to Sooke. It’s nice to do in all seasons, and it’s an easy trail that’s suitable for beginners and families, too.

The former railway gently winds through the forest, with slight uphills. The best sections are the trestle bridges and the lookout area in Sooke Potholes Provincial Park.

Visit the Sheringham Point Lighthouse

Sheringham Point Lighthouse is a scenic and historic stop as you drive from Sooke to Port Renfrew. Built in 1912, it operated for 77 years, until 1989. Now the preserved historical site sits on a rocky bluff, offering great views out across the Juan de Fuca Strait to the Olympic Mountains.

To access the short trail to the lighthouse, you need to turn off Highway 14 in the small town of Shirley. Then follow the narrow road to the parking lot. It’s signed all the way, and it’s usually not a busy place, so parking shouldn’t be a problem.

Watch the sunset from any beach

West Coast beaches have incredible sunsets (given that you can see the sun). Plan to finish some of your days on the beaches if you visit Sooke, so that you don’t miss this experience.

Want help planning your BC road trip?

• Get the BC Road Trip Guide eBook.
• Use the easy-to-follow itineraries.
• Go and enjoy your trip.

Buy it here.

How to visit Sooke on a day tour from Victoria?

Ideally, you need at least a few days to visit Sooke. But if you only have a day, this tour from Victoria takes you along the coast, from Sooke to Port Renfrew, stopping at some of the highlights on the way, including Sooke Potholes, Botanical Beach, French Beach and the fascinating old-growth rainforest trail at Avatar Grove.

Book the day tour here!

Where to stay in Sooke, BC?

Prestige Oceanfront Resort is one of the best places to stay in Sooke for those looking for a luxurious central stay , with views of Sooke Harbour, an indoor pool and hot tub for guests. What’s more, guests can use various sporting equipments, such as bikes, balls, beach toys and board games, for free. Check prices here.

If you’d prefer a remote and exceptionally scenic location, SookePoint Ocean Cottage Resort is for you. It’s only a few kilometers away from East Sooke Regional Park, each room has sea views, and some of them come with a private balcony. Check prices here.

For a more affordable stay, choose a lovely bed and breakfast on the coast of Sooke Basin. Sterling Cove B&B is just off Highway 14, the rooms have garden or ocean views, and there’s a hot tub for guests. Check prices here.

Arbutus Cove Guesthouse is another waterfront B&B , with a private beach area and sun terrace, ideal for a quiet, comfortable romantic getaway. Check prices here.

Get the BC Road Trip Guide eBook and enjoy the trip of your lifetime in British Columbia.

How to get to Sooke, BC?

Preferably, by car. Unless you visit on an organized day tour, you’ll need a car to get around and visit those astonishing, but remote beaches. There aren’t any car rental agencies in Sooke, so rent a car in Victoria or Vancouver.

How to get to Sooke from Vancouver?

Vancouver Island is accessible by ferry or by plane from the mainland. You need to take either one to get to Victoria first.

BC Ferries run regular sailings from Tsawwassen ferry terminal in Vancouver to Swartz Bay in Victoria. It’s a 1.5 hour ferry ride, and you need to drive about 35 minutes to downtown Victoria from the terminal. Correct, this ferry terminal is NOT walking distance from downtown Victoria

Your other option to get to Victoria from Vancouver is by plane. Fly from Vancouver directly to Victoria International Airport with Air Canada or WestJet, or into Victoria’s Inner Harbour with Helijet or Harbour Air. The Inner Harbour is part of Victoria’s downtown.

How to get to Sooke from Victoria?

Drive the scenic West Coast Highway 14 to Sooke from Victoria. It takes about 40-50 minutes.

You can also bike along the Galloping Goose Regional Trail – which definitely takes more than 50 minutes.

The most popular Vancouver Island tours

Bea is a travel writer and the co-founder of In Love With BC, a blog about British Columbia travel, hiking and outdoor adventures. She’s been traveling for more than 10 years, and she’s passionate about sharing all she has learned along the way. North America is one of her favorite destinations, and she spent a year living in Vancouver and traveling all over BC with her family.

Which are the best lesser-known hikes in North America?

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Mystic Beach Adventures

Guided kayak tours, all tours are designed to be fun and safe for guests of all skill levels.,  1/2 day tour is 2- 3 hours $90.

We offer half day professionally guided kayaking tours to groups of 2-6 people. No kayaking experience necessary! Kayak weight limit is 275 lbs. Covid-19-update all equipment is sterilized after every tour or rental. Please pack extra clothes as you may get a little wet. Sandals and shorts or quick drying pants are a good choice for paddling tours. Mornings are often the best times for paddling in Sooke as the wind typically increases in the afternoon. Private tours are $135.

Things to Do in Sooke, Canada - Sooke Attractions

Things to do in sooke, explore popular experiences, tours in and around sooke.

4-Hour Sailing Adventure on The Strait of Juan de Fuca

Discover Sooke to Port Renfrew Scenic Tour of Vancouver Islands

Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure from Victoria

Victoria Whale Watch Tour

Beacon Hill Park Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour of Victoria

Whale Watching Cruise with Expert Naturalists

COMBO Victoria City Tour & Butchart Gardens & Entry Tix

Victoria Guided Food and History Tour

Indulge in a Wine & Food & Farms (Cheese) Tour - Cowichan Valley

Pedicab Tour of Victoria from Cruise Ship Terminal

Top attractions in sooke.

Other Top Attractions around Sooke

What travelers are saying

• Sooke Potholes Provincial Park
• East Sooke Regional Park
• French Beach Provincial Park
• Sandcut Beach
• Ed Macgregor Park
• Whiffin Spit
• Adventures By H.I.P.

The one-of-a-kind, ocean-side village of Sooke (located on the south side of Vancouver Island) is a welcomed vacation from the busy lifestyle of the neighbouring city of Victoria. Sooke’s rural atmosphere gives the comfort of city life without the traffic. This area has been a thriving Coast Salish settlement for centuries. Living alongside a salmon river, the T’sou-ke peoples thrived in an area where seafood was in abundance, along with West Coast food, such as game and berries that could be harvested in the forests.

Population : 

Location : Sooke is located 45 km passed Victoria on the coast of Vancouver Island, a short 40-minute drive along the scenic West Coast Highway 14.

Scenic Coastline:  Sooke is the beginning of the scenic West Coast Road (Highway 14), a beautiful coastal drive into Port Renfrew , and is the starting point for the world-famous West Coast Trail. This is one of the Island’s most astonishing drives, leading through coastal rain forest along the rocky shores, past award-winning B&B’s and seaside cafes, leading gracefully to breathtaking beaches.

Pacific Marine Circle Tour

Explore the historic West Coast of Vancouver Island with the Pacific Marine Circle Tour. Take the wilderness route, tracing the coastline from Victoria into Sooke and Port Renfrew, continuing into the gorgeous Cowichan Valley. The route eventually loops back down the Trans-Canada Highway through Duncan, and back to Victoria.

Sooke Regional Museum

This is a great way to learn about the history of Sooke’s community. Moss Cottage (built in the 1860s), is located near the museum. Gander around the museum to learn about Sooke’s fishing history and fascinating First Nations culture.

ATV’s, Off road vehicles

Locals enjoy the backcountry recreation with 4X4s, quads, ATVs, and dirt bikes, as there are countless areas of backcountry to explore. North Sooke is home to hundreds of kilometers of logging roads that lead through the Rural Resource Lands of the Juan de Fuca electoral area, giving access to several community lakes and small reservoirs. Bear Creek and Diversion reservoirs are also popular destinations in Sooke.

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is a popular and fast-growing sport British Columbia, and Sooke is quickly establishing itself as a destination with beautiful trails for all skill levels. The popular Galloping Goose Regional Trail (Trans-Canada Trail) leads cyclists, hikers and joggers through Sooke. Many locals enjoy riding the Galloping Goose and spending the afternoon at restaurants along the way.

  More challenging rides can be found near the end of Harbourview Road. Shields Lake loop is a 25 km (16 miles) bike ride to Shields Lake, passing the waterfall and Charters River, then back to Harbourview Road.

Things to Do in Sooke

Sooke country market.

Pick out organic vegetables, flowers, homemade jams, and children’s activities at the Sooke Country Market, happening every Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm (May through September). The market is located on Otter Point Road.

Festivals and Events:

A popular annual event in Sooke is Canada Day (July 1). One of the festivities includes the logger sports show! Sooke’s festivals and events usually take place year round, though peak times are from May to September. Sooke River Music Festival and the Sooke Bluesgrass Festival are some of Sooke’s largest musical festivals.

Salmon Spawning

Learn about the importance of salmon runs and how critical the protection of salmon habitat is from the Charters River Interpretive Centre and demonstration hatchery. You can find the salmon interpretive center at 2895 Sooke River Road. Over a dozen rivers and creeks in the Sooke area can benefit greatly from restoring and rehabilitating the salmon habitat.

Sooke is home to a popular Vancouver Island art show that features pieces created by countless acclaimed artists. Each year, artists lend the opportunity for onlookers to view their beautiful artwork during the Sooke Studio Tour.

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve

Blanketing the small islands around Sooke, the plankton density at Race Rocks Ecological Reserve attracts marine mammals looking to feast on the organisms. This makes for a thrilling scuba diving adventure. You can only access Race Rocks Ecological Reserve by boat; marine eco tours are offered out of Victoria and Sooke. Please note: collecting marine life of any kind and/or fishing is not permitted within the protected area.

Outdoor Activities

Looking for a marine experience that’s otherworldly and thrilling? The waters outside of Vancouver Island allow for a dangerously gripping kayak experience. If you’ve only dabbled in paddling through sheltered sea passages, be prepared for a wild ride. Although the waters can be dangerous, if you carefully plan your trip in the summer months, you can experience the well-behaved side of the Pacific Ocean. The ocean route between Port Renfrew and Sooke can be paddled in the summer, but prepare for a long day. For a less intense experience, you can opt for a partial exploration of the coast in your kayak outing.

Golfers can enjoy the 9-hole John Phillips Memorial Golf Course that’s welcome to the public. Tour all the nearby golf courses such as Olympic View Golf Club, Metchosin Golf Course, Bear Mountain Golf and Country Club, and Royal Colwood Golf Club.

Galloping Goose Trail

The Galloping Goose is a diverse trail that’s fit for virtually all travel activities. The ‘Goose’ includes over 100 km of trails that weave through the communities of Colwood, Metchosin, Langford, Saanich, and Sooke, leading all the way into Victoria. The Galloping Goose can even guide you through the Saanich Peninsula to the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal (Sidney). Many tourists and locals prefer to explore the rural part of the Goose that runs from Roche Cove Regional Park through to the Sooke Potholes.

Juan de Fuca Marine Trail 

Open since 1995, The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is often seen as an alternative to the world-renowned West Coast Trail. The Juan de Fuca trail starts at China Beach, and is a challenging yet accessible hike along the ocean’s coast that guides you through mystical Botanical Beach. This trail is considered ambitious, so be prepared for a day of heart pumping, wilderness hiking.

Kludahk Forest Recreation Trails

The trailheads of the Kludahk Forest Recreation Trails are located west end of the Galloping Goose Trail in Sooke, and follows 30 km’s along the San Juan Ridge. The trail is made up of old logging roads through the Jordan Meadows, that’s painted with dense fields of lilies and blueberries. There are five public cabins located along the trail for day-hikers that seek shelter.

Point no Point Resort

Point no Point is a cabin resort that was established in the 1950’s in French Beach Provincial Park. Point no Point is filled with rich history and astonishing views of orca pods, gray whales, humpback whales, and otters. The resort can be accessed approximately 3.5 km north of French Beach Provincial Park.

China Beach

Take to exploring a hidden waterfall and quick rainforest trails at China Beach Campground, west of Jordan River. China Beach is the perfect daytime location for family outings, and is located in the Juan de Fuca Provincial Park.

Are you ready for adventure? Immerse yourself into the life of an eagle by soaring over the treetops of Sooke by zip line. There are 8 zip line crossings and two suspension bridges at Sooke Hills. You can check out the Sooke Visitor center to learn more.

Hiking and Provincial Parks

Sooke potholes regional park.

Sooke has always been a popular tourist haven, with incredible natural attractions such as Sooke Potholes Regional Park and Whiffin Spit Park. Visitors and locals frequently gather information about Sooke’s history from the Sooke Regional Museum and Visitor Centre.

The area has greatly increased in popularity, partly because it makes the perfect base to begin tours of the area’s unforgettable wilderness, such as the West Coast Trail and the Juan de Fuca Provincial Park (Juan de Fuca Marine Trail).

East Sooke Regional Park

Rural east Sooke is home to the 3512-acre East Sooke Regional Park. It is one of the more spectacular parks in the area and attracts those looking for challenging hikes in a wilderness setting. The 10 km (6 mile) Coast Trail takes you through dense forest, along picturesque windswept bluffs, and down to the ocean’s shore.

Matheson Lake Regional Park 

Matheson Lake Regional Park is positioned at the base of Mount Matheson in Metchosin. The park is a sheltered and serine paddling destination that’s perfect for someone who is seeking peaceful wilderness. To get there, go from Hwy 17 and follow through the Rocky Point Road entrance. Launching your hand-carried boat is easy with the short walk from the parking lot to the beach. Take off in your canoe to examine the small islands and creatures that complete the lake.

Roche Cove Regional Park 

Neighbouring Matheson Lake Park, Roche Cove Regional Park boasts natural attractions like a remote cove near the Sooke Basin, a selection of calming beaches, and forested trails. Whether in the mood for a peaceful walk or an energetic hike, the selection trails can provide you with relaxation and exercise.

French Beach Provincial Park

Families can enjoy the recreational area at French Beach Provincial Park that’s suitable for all ages. The beach, located off Hwy 14, is the perfect place for your family to beachcomb, swim, enjoy a picnic, and admire wildlife. The beach is nicely protected from the oceanic waves from the Olympic Peninsula, and you can sometimes spot gray whales feeding in the water!

History & Climate

The name Sooke derives from the T’sou-ke First Nation and it’s quite possible that it represents a stickle-back fish found in Sooke River. The T’sou-ke First Nation has built and maintained a long-lasting legacy that has proven valuable to the community and enriches locals to this day.

Some of the mildest weather in western Canada is found in Sooke. The summer months are dry and warm, and the winter months can be wet while remaining quite mild. Visitors from around the globe are eager to witness the natural and unspoiled beauty of the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island.

The southwestern end of Sooke is considered to be as sharp as glass, so much so that Point no Point (as mentioned above) can only be seen from certain angles. The shoreline runs from Point no Point, sweeping into Juan de Fuca Point.

Additional Info

Jordan River’s logging community has excellent views of the ocean and is located west of Sooke. Take Hwy 14 to Jordan River before it starts to go up the San Juan Ridge.

The communities of Metchosin, Langford and Colwood are located to the east of Sooke. These communities are rural and residential areas, considered a part of Greater Victoria. These areas offer many parks, beaches and golf courses to explore.

Find out more about Sooke >

South Island

Take a 360 Virtual Tour of the SookePoint Show Cottage!

Show Cottage 16B

Open 7 days a week from 11am-4pm

Tours Available Daily By Appointment

1000 SookePoint Place Sooke, BC, Canada

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Show Cottage #13C Open Daily from 11 AM to 4 PM

Book your Private Tour via [email protected] or call 250.642.0350

Reservations preferred to avoid delay. Showings of up to 4 per group.

Please maintain 2 metre social distancing. Hand sanitizer is available upon entry, and we sanitize frequently.

We appreciate your support of government guidelines for health & safety!

Pacific Marine Circle Route

Pacific marine circle route 2019.

Victoria to Sooke

From Victoria, go as fast or as slow as you’d like, meandering through the winding roads into Sooke (only about a 45-minute drive from Downtown Victoria). Here, take a break from the road to explore “where the rainforest meets the sea”; stretch your legs with a trek out to the geological wonder that is the Sooke Potholes, or set out on a scenic shoreline walk along Whiffin Spit – extending between the Sooke Harbour and Juan de Fuca Strait. For something faster-paced, you can go ziplining with AdrenaLINE Zipline Adventure Tours, or set out on a fishing excursion with True Key Adventures. The oceanside town is also home to some spectacular local haunts like Stick in the Mud Cafe, and the 17-Mile House Pub (its namesake is the distance from Victoria’s City Hall) on route into town.

Exploring all that Sooke has to offer may mean you turn in for the night; we recommend SookePoint Ocean Cottage Resort or Sooke Harbour Resort & Marina. If you decide to make this portion of the road trip into a day trip, making a pitstop in Sooke and continuing on to Sheringham Distillery to taste small batch, Island-made hand-crafted spirits and stop in at the famous local staple, Shirley Delicious Cafe, for a late lunch. 

Charging stations:

• Prestige Oceanfront Resort, 6929 West Coast Rd, Sooke
• Seaparc Leisure Complex, 2168 Phillips Road, Sooke
• Sooke Harbour House, 1528 Whiffen Spit Road, Sooke

Must Stop Spots

Prince of whales, adrena line zipline adventure tours, sheringham distillery, where to stay, sookepoint ocean cottage resort, sooke harbour resort & marina, sooke to port renfrew.

Further along the route, Port Renfrew will greet you with wild vibes and wide-open ocean – this destination feels inherently West Coast. It is the perfect place to wander great hikes (it’s home to the trailhead of the famous West Coast Trail), explore magnificent old-growth and encounter a sport-fishing mecca. Keep the West Coast rustic vibes going with stop in at Bridgemans Bistro for a meal featuring local Island food and beverage. If you are turning in for the night, it doesn’t get much better than Wild Renfrew Resort – offering luxurious seaside cottages or the more economical West Coast Trail Lodge. In the evening, stoke a fire outdoors while you map out the next day’s drive.

Important Notes:  

• Cell phone service is spotty or unavailable along this part of the route.

Charging stations: 

• Wild Renfrew – 17293 Parkinson Rd, Port Renfrew

Gas station: 

• Pacheena 1, Juan de Fuca, BC *Note: this is the only gas station between Sooke and Lake Cowichan 

Shirley Delicious

French beach, wild renfrew, port renfrew to lake cowichan.

Luckily, Avatar Grove wasn’t the last stop for old-growth forest – lookout for signage for the Harris Creek Spruce (about 20 km outside of Port Renfrew), measuring 4-metres in diameter and approximately 80-feet in height. And, as if the old-growth forest wasn’t magical enough, on this part of the route you will catch site of Fairy Lake, home to the “bonsai” – a tiny Douglas fir tree defying odds, growing on a submerged log in the lake.

The winding forest road will eventually deliver you into Lake Cowichan – a charming town on the lake and popular tourist destination for swimming, fishing and (most famously) floating down the Cowichan River on a tube on a hot summer’s day. We recommend stopping for a bite to eat on the water at Jake’s on the Lake or a slice at Carmanah Pizza.

Important Notes: 

• Kaatza Station Museum, 125 South Shore Road, Lake Cowichan, BC
• Pacheena 1, Juan de Fuca, BC *Note: this is the only gas station between Sooke and Lake Cowichan.

Avatar Grove

Riverside inn, lake cowichan to duncan.

29 km | 30 mins

Just a quick hop from Lake Cowichan, Duncan , a.k.a “The City of Totems,” is a great stop for a walkabout and a cultural experience.  Take a short detour off the highway towards downtown and wander through over 40 magnificent carved totems that each depict a unique story told by the Indigenous carver. The newest edition is the Sesquicentennial Totem in Station Street Park (carved by Tommy Hunt Jr. from the Kwakwaka’wakw First Nation) erected to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday. In between totems, explore the town’s boutique clothing shops, book shop and, if you’re in town on a Saturday, the Duncan Farmers’ Market.

• Island Savings Centre, 2687 James Street, Duncan BC
• Coronation Mall, 361 Trans-Canada Highway 1, Duncan
• Duncan Train Station, 120 Canada Ave, Duncan
• Cowichan Regional Visitor Centre, 2892 Drinkwater Rd, Duncan

Island Motorsport Circuit

Duncan farmer's market, centennial pole, duncan to cowichan bay, true grain bread, aurthur vickers gallery, ocean ecoventures, oceanfront suites, cowichan bay to sidney.

From Cowichan Bay, you’ve reached the final leg of the trip. We recommend a quick detour en route to Sidney , via the Kinsol Trestle. An iconic landmark on Vancouver Island, it is one of the tallest free-standing timber trestles in the world. Standing 44-metres tall and spanning 187-metres, it is part of The Great Trail spanning across the country. Get the whole story about this historical landmark at the Shawnigan Lake Museum before heading back to the Malahat Highway, with a stop at the Malahat Summit to take in stunning views of the Saanich Inlet and the Cowichan Valley.

Alternate Route: Save time and take the scenic route by driving onto the Mill Bay – Brentwood Bay ferry for a quick (and stunning) 25-minute crossing to Sidney. Be sure to check departure times before you get in line to wait – this ferry doesn’t operate in the late evening. Charging stations: Kerry Park Recreation, 1035 Shawnigan Mill Bay Rd, Mill Bay

Kinsol Trestle

Villa eyrie, port renfrew, lake cowichan, bc forest discovery centre, cowichan bay, experience the south island through travel stories.

Self-guided Pottery Studio Tour on Victoria’s Westshore

Shore to shore, date & location.

10 AM to 4 PM Saturday, October 21, 2023

Our self-guided tour includes the communities of Langford, View Royal, Colwood, Metchosin, East Sooke, and Sooke.

Studio Hosts and Artists

Territory acknowledgement.

We acknowledge and respect the  lək̓ʷəŋən speaking peoples on whose traditional territory this tour takes place.

About the Artists

Please join us on october 21, 2023.

The date is set! Shore to Shore 2023 is on Saturday, October 21, 10 AM to 4 PM, and we look forward to seeing you then.

Rain or shine, our tour will take place at participants’ studios in Greater Victoria’s Westshore communities.

Come out and support the artists and artisans in your neighbourhood. Get a head start on your Christmas list or add to your own fabulous collection of handmade pieces.

Margaux Baillon

Margaux of Margaux b. Pottery creates handmade, small batch ceramics from her studio in Sooke on Vancouver Island. She makes limited collections of FUNctional pieces to adorn your home!

She uses stoneware for all her pieces. This gives her a range of options for different clay finishes. She starts on the wheel and alters her pieces from there. She thinks about the functionality of each piece in your home and how you would use it day to day.

Margaux is opening up her studio in Sooke for the tour. 

Memet Burnett

Memet is a ceramic and 2D artist living in rural Metchosin, BC. She began working with clay alongside her mother as a teen in community studios in Alberta. Academically she pursued a degrees in environmental design and veterinary medicine, and her love of animals and colour come through in her art. Throughout her formal education she took many classes at places like MISSA and other art schools and community art centres which allowed her to marry her diverse interests in storytelling, environmental science, and sculpture.

Memet makes sculptures and decorative art which tell stories, often using bright colours, always with a touch of whimsy and charm.

Memet’s Tour Stop will be at the Metchosin ArtPod.

Sharon Bussard Grove

Sharon began playing with clay in her Grandma’s studio at around 4 years of age, the seed had been planted although it took until she reached her 40s to sprout.

When unhappiness with her job led her to announce that she was going to be a potter, her husband’s reply was, well I guess you better find a place to take some lessons.

Sharon was fortunate that they lived in Tsawwassen, home to Delta Potters Association, a co-operative pottery studio. It has been over 20 years now since she began her relationship with clay.

Sharon’s studio and showroom are in Sooke.

Daniel Casey

Daniel has always been fascinated by clay.  He has been collecting ceramics since hiss early adulthood and love the form and possibility of objects made with clay. 

He moved to Vancouver Island in 2006. In 2009 he began formal instruction in clay with Muriel Sibley, Wintercreek Pottery, a local potter. He took to clay quite quickly and had his own studio within his first year of throwing. He has continued to explore clay with a variety of mediums, clay bodies, firing techniques and instructors.

His influences are based in Antique Asian, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese, Ceramics and Porcelain.  He is lucky to have experienced and collected the works of Judi Dyelle, Robin Hopper, Harlan House and Kayo O’Young.  Their beautiful work inspires him as he strives to create his own voice in clay. 

Daniel’s studio is in View Royal.

Esther Drone

With her functional work, Esther strives to create interesting sturdy, solid everyday pottery. Mugs are one of her favourite types of pottery to make. Fitting handles to the varying forms and experimenting with new glazing combinations keeps each kiln unloading exciting.

She loves the physical nature of pottery, wedging clay, throwing large pieces and the three dimensional puzzle of packing the kiln.

The carved porcelain pieces are entirely different. They are a slow process of carving away at leather hard clay to reveal the imagery. Some are jars while others are purely sculptural. Unglazed, once fired they are then sanded for a smooth finish.

Esther’s studio and showroom are in Langford.

Hillary Grant

Hilliary produces pots that she hopes people will use every day. As a former pastry cook and baker, she spends a lot of time thinking about the relationship between the pots she makes and the food that may be served in them.

Although working alone can be difficult at times, she has a great group of potters around her who are always willing to talk about pots.

Whether it is a salad bowl, a mug, or a water dish for her dog, she strive to make pieces that are beautiful as well as functional.

Please note that due to illness, Hillary has withdrawn from this year’s tour. Please contact her directly to inquire about purchasing her work.

Irene Ives is a ceramic artist living in Colwood. She uses a variety of handbuilding techniques and firing processes to produce both decorative and functional ceramic pieces.

She is heavily influenced by the materiality of the clay and considers her work to be a collaborative dialogue between her creative instincts, and the properties and demands of the clay itself. It is the most archival of mediums and she finds inspiration in the interplay between humans, clay and fire across time.   Her work is about texture, patina, erosion, accretion… Her pieces are imperfect, and irregular, reflecting the ever-evolving surfaces and forms found in nature. Her process purposefully includes evidence of the maker’s hand and she strives to create pieces that beg to be touched and handled.

Irene’s tour stop is at her studio in Colwood. She will also have some work on display at Metchosin ArtPod.

Sydnie Johnson

Sydnie is an educator and ceramic artist living on the unceded territory of the T’Sou-ke and Scian’ew Nations in Sooke, B.C. She obtained a Bachelor of Education at the University of Victoria with a focus on ceramics and geography, and a certificate of Fine Arts at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Surrey, B.C. There, she discovered the beauty of plant cells under a microscope. She began to meld her passion for ceramics with science by carving the cellular structure of plants into clay. Carved and stamped with botanical and cellular imagery, her work is tactile and evokes a sensation of being unearthed.

Sydnie will be sharing her work from her studio in Sooke. 

Derek Kasper

Derek Kasper’s ceramic art is pigeon-holed clearly in his company name, No Two Alike Ceramic Arts. Coming to focus on clay relatively late in life he has a keen sense of father time looking over his shoulder. His curiosity and creativity lead him to try many concepts in ceramic art and he is constantly striving to push the limits of his abilities and the materials—before time runs out!

Derek’s work will be at the ArtPod tour stop in Metchosin. 

Gina is a ceramic artist based on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. She has been an artist for as long as she can remember. Her Mother said she started to draw the moment she could hold a pencil. In 2007, she was looking for a new outlet to express herself and found pottery. She joined a local pottery studio, took a few classes, and has never looked backed.

She is currently working on a line of jewelry and sculptures inspired by the ocean and wildflowers. 

Gina will be participating from Esther Drone’s studio in Langford.

Rebecca McClure

Rebecca is a contemporary ceramic artist living and working in Langford, BC, the traditional territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən People. 

A ceramic artist for over 30 years, Rebecca makes vessels with a modern vibe, utilizing classic forms, bold contrasts, and vibrant colours. She brings her love of design to both her functional and decorative pieces.

Due to a series of unforeseen events, Rebecca will be unable to participate in this year’s tour. If you’re interested in her work, please contact her via her website . 

Phyllis Schwartz

Phyllis’s art is an attempt to transform texture, colour and form into a playful aesthetically engaging object. Working in photography, clay and drawing, she seeks to express whimsy, surprise and the opportunity for viewers to bring their own experience to her artwork. Her artist practice also provides her with the opportunity to not only use her art as a means to create imagery but also one that provokes viewers to look again and look for more.

In her ceramic practice, Phyllis explores glaze materials and effects in sculptural and functional forms. This work makes it possible for her to share the social history and ecology of BC ceramics, and the connection between earth materials, art and technology. 

Phyllis’s work will be on display at Metchosin ArtPod.

Diana Smith

Diana primarily makes non-functional abstract art in clay and encaustic. Her aim is for the work to be accessible (in price and concept), thought-provoking and attractive. The subject matter and style is often inspired by the Japanese wabi sabi aesthetic and world view which honours the imperfect, incomplete, humble and the hand-made.

Diana’s work will be on display at Metchosin ArtPod.

 Map & Locations

Please click on each pin below to see the artists names and specific locations., esther drone, gina mar, metchosin artpod: memet burnett, irene ives, derek kasper, phyllis schwartz, diana smith.

4495 Happy Valley Road, Metchosin

Have a healthy tour!

Shore to Shore Studio Tour follows the current  Provincial Health Officer’s Orders and Guidance regarding COVID-19 and other communicable diseases. Everyone’s comfort level is different, so please be prepared to wear a mask if requested by the studio host and please avail yourself of hand sanitizer at each site.

If you have any cold or flu symptoms on the day of the tour, please stay home and make private arrangements with the artists to see their work once you are well.

Thank you for helping to keep everyone healthy, happy, and safe!

Where are we?

Shore to Shore Studio Tour is located on the Westshore of Greater Victoria, Vancouver Island, BC.

When Is It?

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