Sooke is located just 60 minutes from Victoria’s, along the southwest coast of Vancouver Island. There are many things to do here as a tourist, you could hire a guide to go fishing, go surfing, hiking, whale watching, mountain biking, or bird watching here. You could also just walk on our beautiful beaches for a great day of exploration.
There are many beaches here, but China Beach has to be my favourite, here you get a sense of the area’s wild side, it is smaller than long beach, but I think the sand is softer and the scenery is wilder, and you always have a chance to see whales offshore.
It is close to Victoria, and yet it seems to be so far from the packed streets and crowded stores. Other communities in the area include East Sooke, Otter Point, Shirley, French Beach, Jordan River, and Port Renfrew. All are reached by driving along Highway 14, which becomes more incredibly beautiful and wild as one travels northwest.
Incorporated as a municipality in 1999, Sooke today has a population of around 10,000 and is rapidly growing into quite a tourist destination. You can go surfing here or drive through the countryside to view the farms, there are awesome bike routes in and around town and a great series of hiking trails to head out on.
You will have a good chance of seeing whales, sea lions, harbour seals, porpoises, sea otters, many kinds of seabirds, black bears, deer, wolves, and many other small animals, so when you visit, bring your camera.
This is one of the friendliest places on Vancouver Island where everyone is quite willing to lend a hand anytime. I have always liked visiting here and just walking on the beach.
I moved to Sooke in 2015 and can’t imagine leaving. It’s reconnected me with nature and adventure either in the hills or on the water is literally seconds away no matter which direction you face.