Sooke Activities and Tourist Attractions
Find a little bit of something for everybody with these Sooke activities, Vancouver Island events, and Victoria tourist attractions. If you love the outdoors, then you'll be glad to know that there is an abundance of beautiful, natural wildlife for you to explore.
If you don't feel like exploring the outdoors, then stroll around
the village and visit the many gift shops full of local arts and
crafts. During the first week in August, Sooke hosts Fine Arts
- Vancouver Island's largest juried Arts Show. Hundreds of artworks
are displayed for the enjoyment of some 10,000 visitors during this
annual event where fine art can be admired and purchased.
Package deals with bed and breakfast establishments will allow
the whole family to combine fishing and the other activities available
in the Sooke Harbour region.
| Hiking Trails & Provincial Parks |
The Sooke Region is renowned for its natural splendor. Whether
you are a Sunday stroller or a seasoned hiker, get close to nature
by taking a hike on one of the many trails.
- East Sooke Regional Park
- Galloping Goose Trail
- Roche Cove Regional Park
- Matheson Lake Regional Park
- Sooke Potholes Provincial Park
- Whiffin Spit Park
- French Beach Provincial Park
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- Sandcut Beach
- China Beach Provincial Park
- Juan de Fuca Marine Trail
- Sombrio Beach
- Parkinson Creek
- Botanical Beach Provincial Park
- West Coast Trail
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Some of the best salt water fishing in the world can be found
just outside Sooke Harbour in the Pacific waters of the Juan de
Fuca Strait. For 12 months of the year, one or more species of
salmon feed during their growth cycle or are part of the large
spawning runs which Mother Nature sends along the Southern coast
of Vancouver Island from Port Renfrew, past Sooke, to the Fraser
and other rivers and inlets where the salmon finish their life
cycle.
Excellent bottom fishing is also available with catches
of large halibut as well as ling cod and rock fish. Tasty Dungeness
crab also abound in Sooke Harbour. An extra dividend while fishing
could be sightings of eagle, seal, sea lion, dolphin, orca (killer
whales) or water fowl.
Many charter fishers are available at reasonable rates
to help you enjoy this sport. They will provide tackle, bait and,
for additional charges, freezing, smoking and shipment of your
catch.
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Excellent fresh water fishing in Sooke and the surrounding area
is also available to discerning fishers. With or without a professional
guide, you can enjoy freshwater fly-fishing and drift fishing
for salmon, cutthroat trout, steelhead, rainbow and brown trout
on regional rivers, such as the Cowichan and Sooke Rivers.
If you prefer lake fishing, the area has much to offer on nearby
lakes where you will find cutthroat, rainbowand brown trout, as
well as yellow perch and bass. With a four-wheel-drive vehicle
you can find a challenge driving the logging roads to fish trout
and steelhead in the Sooke Hills near Port Renfrew.
If you desire back-country or float plane excursions to glacial
lakes, professional guides can satisfy your wishes.
Fresh water licenses and organized guided excursions can be
easily obtained in Sooke.
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Whale watching has become an important tourist activity in the
Sooke Harbour region. Three resident pods of orcas (killer
whales) regularly hunt their prey in the vicinity of Sooke Harbour.
Despite their name, these whales are quite at ease with humans,
sometimes coming right along side the charter boat to "eyeball"
the passengers.
On some occasions, migrating grey whales are also seen in the
Strait of Juan de Fuca. Whale watching expeditions by 12-passenger
rigid-hull zodiac is an adventure, exploring the Strait of
Juan de Fuca and its dramatic coastline, on the lookout for killer
whales, porpoises, harbour seals and stellar and California sea
lions.
Bird watchers are treated to sightings of bald eagles
and many species of water birds during these trips. You will be
toasty warm in your protective flotation suit provided by the
tour operators.
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Scuba diving is an ever growing popular activity along the coastline
of Sooke. The crystal clear waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca
and the abundance of all forms of underwater sea life in its natural
state, creates its own demand for these activities by enthusiasts.
One of the best places to dive is the Race Rocks Underwater
Marine Park where divers can see a wide variety of marine
life or visit the shipwreck of the "Barnard Castle."
Arrangements for expert advice, rental equipment (if needed)
and/or guidance can be readily obtained from your accommodation
host or at the Visitor Information Centre at the Sooke Region
Museum.
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Ocean kayaking opens new water-line vistas and impressions of
the Sooke coast, inlets and rivers. Experts and novices alike
can be accommodated with the right equipment and instructions
to guarantee you will get the most out of your adventure.
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Some of the best surfing is found in the neighbouring Jordan
River area. The Strait of Juan de Fuca is wide open to the
breakers crashing in directly from the Pacific Ocean. Stormy weather
and high tides can combine to cause immense waves to challenge
and delight surfers.
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One of the best high wind windsurfing locations on Vancouver
Island is at Gordon's Beach, 11km (15 minutes) west of
Sooke, just before Tugwell Creek.
Another terrific windsurfing site is at Jordan River (30
minutes) west of Sooke. Winds are generally lighter than at Gordon's
Beach but if the surf is up you can experience true surf sailing
with great pealing waves.
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Boating and sailing opportunities abound in Sooke and its environs.
Launching ramps for private boats are available at the local marinas.
Sailing adventures in the Sooke Basin and out in the strait will
satisfy all levels of seamanship, from novices taking lessons
from local instructors to real "salts" who will enjoy
the winds, currents and tides just outside the harbour in the
open sea. Picnicking, wildlife and bird watching, gunkholing,
rowing and exploration of Sooke Harbour in these unique vessels
is a treat for all ages!
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