Location: Sooke
Top Things to do in Sooke
10 Things to Do in Sooke That You Shouldn't Miss
Sooke /suːk/ is a district municipality situated on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Canada. About 38 kilometres by road from the city of Victoria (the capital of British Columbia), Sooke is considered the westernmost of the Greater Victoria region's "Western Communities." It is situated to the north and west of the Sooke Basin.
Restaurants in Sooke
1. East Sooke Regional Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 197 reviews
Reviewed By kjay855 - Klamath Falls, Oregon
This park is spectacular! The seaside views are out of this world! Little Islands just offshore are filled with seabirds - always in motion - with excited gulls & energetic little flocks of the native west coast Black Oystercatchers. Giant boulder promontories above numerous pocket coves - at the edge of cliff-side Forests adorned with majestically branching Madrona trees & tall Douglas Fir evergreens - offer scenic spots to picnic, whale-watch, sunbathe, & dream!
Even in the rain, there are many people at this park! For the recent Hawk Watch event the end of September - a very rainy day - the parking lots were filled with cars; and toddlers in cute rain slickers blissfully ambled down the trails. A special raptor demo also attracted quite an audience that stood in the rain - mesmerized by a young girl flying a Gyrfalcon & a Harris’ Hawk - both birds performing breath-taking aerial feats!
Note that it’s a little tricky to get here as you travel west from Victoria, on East Sooke Road to the Aylard Farm entrance. You have to carefully watch for the turn-off - a sharp hairpin left onto Becher Bay Road - just past the East Sooke sign. When you pass the sign for the Smokin Tuna Café (a little waterfront restaurant), you are almost there. The potholed road narrows to one lane for a short ways, & ends at a spacious paved parking lot, with adjacent grassy area for overflow parking.
From the parking lot, a gravel path (about a 5-minute walk) leads straight ahead to a scenic, but small white-sand beach, & passes the only pit toilet restroom. From that beach, trails branch off both ways right along the spectacular waterfront. These trails can be somewhat difficult - since you have to climb over protruding rocks, roots, & some tight-place boulders! Bring a walking stick, or hike with a partner to help you!
Other trail options: grassy paths that have been mowed (which make for much easier walking) zigzag through open fields bordering an inland forest; these paths join the seaside trails at various points. Additionally an inland forest trail - flatter & more direct - leads from the parking lot, & will take you to the scenic bluff overlooks facing the water.
Be sure to bring something to drink & a snack! It’s heavenly to picnic on the boulders overlooking the water on a sparkly sunny day.
Bring your binoculars too! We were lucky to see up close the whiskered face of a snoozing sea lion. And what a thrill to also see spouting Humpback Whales swimming past the fishing boats!
We hiked to Petroglyph Point - about an hour leisurely walk, with frequent stops for photographs! It’s fun to meet other hikers along the way - both locals & tourists from across Canada & other countries! Don’t miss this park!
2. French Beach Provincial Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 186 reviews
Reviewed By Paul B - Abbotsford, Canada
China Beach is one of several Beaches along Hwy 14 between Sooke and Port Renfrew. It is clearly signposted and shares a trailhead with Mystic Beach. The trail to China Beach is 1Km, the one to Mystic Beach is considerably longer and more difficult. It is a typical west coast beach with mixed sand and gravel, and piles of driftwood.
3. Sooke Potholes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 374 reviews
These rock formations have become a popular local swimming area.
Reviewed By calgarydavid2015 - Calgary, Canada
never heard of these till decided to spend 3 weeks in the area. fascinating geology, a lovely walk and if warm, great swimming holes. locals go here a lot which is always a good sign and it is not a "tourist trap" at all. Lots of parking in several different car parks and a bike path that ultimately connects you to the bike path to Victoria if you are feeling energetic. You need to be prepared to do some walking on trails though.
4. The Sooke Region Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 108 reviews
The Sooke Region Museum & Visitor Centre is a community museum that explores the human and natural heritage of the region from Sooke to Port Renfrew. The museum also operates the local visitor information centre for the region. We have both exhibits in the main museum building and around the grounds. In the Summer we are open 7 days a week. In the off season we are closed Mondays and most Stat holidays. We also usually are closed over Christmas and the first week of January. There is a touch screen system outside the main entrance for after hour accommodation inquiries and maps for pick-up after hours.The museum holds various special event during the year, has a gift shop with local arts & crafts, plus can do special meals for pre-booked tour groups.
Reviewed By Yendel G - Canberra, Australia
The museum has great cameos depicting different parts of Sooke history. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The litte markets on Thursday night were 'not the run of the mill markets' for they had a good variation of local products, craft and veges/fruit
5. Ed Macgregor Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 110 reviews
Reviewed By Jae K - West Vancouver
Don't miss crab traps when drop by this pier park. I caught 2 crabs: 1 redrock and 1 dungeness for lunch. Old access trail to the pier was closed, instead, could access to the pier through this park. Could find parking spot near the park entrance.
6. Sooke Potholes Provincial Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By Moochie-La-La - Calgary, Canada
We explored some of this provincial park but want to return to see more of it. Picture gorgeous moss-covered trees, other trees dripping with running sap. You'll see well-maintained pathways leading you along spectacular scenery of rocks and Canyons of flowing water. We spotted arbutus and a great variety of flowers and and shrubs. The smell along the trail is fresh and revitalizing.
7. Sandcut Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By KJRKM - Bellingham, Washington
This is a nice quick (1hr) stop along the scenic route. It's about a 10-15 minutes hike each way to the beach, lots of mud and some steps. The beach has a waterfall a ways down the left side. It was a cool formation. Would've a nice place to picnic a lunch.
8. Tugwell Creek Honey Farm and Meadery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 78 reviews
Tugwell Creek Honey Farm and Meadery was liscenced in 2003 as the first Meadery in Western Canada. At our oceanside honeyfarm we hand craft the highest quality Meads (Honey Wines) from local honey. Meadmaker Bob Liptrot has kept bees since the age of 6 and has been making mead for over 35 years. Come taste our award winning meads and honey. In 2014 we became the new Economusee on Vancouver Island. Tugwell now boasts a museum quality exhibit, interactive displays, and a self guided audio tour. October - April -Saturday - Sunday 12-5pm May - September Wednesday - Sunday 12-5pm Closed January
Reviewed By Chris W - Calgary, Canada
We stopped in on a slightly rainy afternoon. We poked around the garden and learned from the informative signs and then sampled the wines. The hostess was friendly and knew her stuff. The wines were interesting - original tastes with clear creativity. I would definitely recommend stopping.
9. Alyard Farm
Overall Ratings
5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By B M - Victoria, Canada
What a beautiful little beach! Great picnic areas along the trails too. Unfortunately it's described as accessible which it certainly is not. Unless you don't mind sitting in a field and not going to the beautiful beach. The CRD really* needs to do some work around the trails to the beach head. Fun for an afternoon's outing
10. Quimper Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 17 reviews
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