The ultimate guide to the Pacific Marine Circle Route in 2026

Find out everything you need to know about driving the Pacific Marine Circle Route on Vancouver Island. From the best stops along the way to accommodation recommendations and logistics, I’m sharing my tried-and-tested 3-day itinerary to help you plan your own incredible road trip.  

Vancouver Island is one of my favourite places in British Columbia. It’s home to wild beaches, old-growth rainforests, snow-capped mountains and pristine lakes. If you love exploring wild places like me, a trip to Vancouver Island is a must. And the best part? You don’t have to go far to get off the beaten path and experience these rugged landscapes.  

The Pacific Marine Circle Route is one of the best road trips on Vancouver Island. This 289 km loop follows the southern coastline of the island, from Victoria to Port Renfrew, before veering north up to Cowichan Valley and back down to Victoria. I did the Pacific Marine Circle Route in 2024 over three jam-packed days and it was one of the best road trips I’ve ever done. It’s a great way to see a lot in a short space of time. 

I’ve had loads of questions over the years about this road trip so I’m sharing everything you need to know in this guide. You’ll find the exact 3-day itinerary I did (along with things I’d do differently if I was doing it again), accommodation recommendations, and helpful tips I wish I’d known! 

Disclaimer: This blog post features some affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you make a purchase. There’s no extra cost to you but it just helps me to keep writing these free guides and itineraries for my readers. Thank you for your support!

Pacific Marine Circle Route Overview 

The Pacific Marine Circle Route is a 260 km (162 miles) loop around Southern Vancouver Island, starting and ending in British Columbia’s vibrant capital, Victoria. You could drive the whole route in one day; however, there are lots of amazing places to see along the way, so I strongly recommend you do it over 3 days. This way you can take your time and stop at the wild beaches, explore some of the rugged coastal trails, and sample local wines at Cowichan’s award-winning vineyards.  

You can drive the Pacific Marine Circle Route in either direction. We did a clockwise loop so this itinerary will go from Victoria to Port Renfrew to Cowichan Valley and back to Victoria. Here’s a quick look at the daily driving distances: 

• Day 1: Victoria to Port Renfrew (111 km/ 69 miles) 
• Day 2: Port Renfrew to Cowichan Bay (100 km/ 62 miles) 
• Day 3: Cowichan Bay to Victoria (55 km/ 34 miles)  

Below you’ll find my itinerary map for the Pacific Marine Circle Route which features pins for each day’s scenic stops, hiking trails and places to eat. You can save the map by clicking on the star next to the title.

Pacific Marine Circle Route: 3-day itinerary 

Before we jump in, there are two things to note: 

1. My itinerary is very nature focused because that’s what I prioritise when I travel. You’ll pass through some towns along the way that you might want to explore, but they’re not covered in this guide as I didn’t spend much time there.  

2. I typically pack a lot into my road trips as I love photography. I’ve shared my favourite stops below, but I’ve made a note of ones you might want to skip if you’re short on time. 

Pacific Marine Circle Route Day 1: Victoria to Port Renfrew 

I suggest arriving into Victoria the night before or very early on day one in order to fit everything in. When we did this trip we arrived Thursday after work, stayed overnight in Victoria, and got up early on Friday to start the drive from Victoria to Port Renfrew.  

Travel tip: Stock up on food and supplies before you set off on the Pacific Marine Circle Route! The drive from Victoria to Port Renfrew will take you through some remote areas and you’ll go a while without passing any stores or services. I wish I’d known this before I did my trip as we did not pack enough snacks for the remote stretch! If you are bringing your own car, pack a cooler so you enjoy lunch on one of the beaches.    

First Stop: Sooke

Sooke is the first stop on your way from Victoria to Port Renfrew. Known as the place where “the rainforest meets the sea”, Sooke offers plenty of opportunities to relax and reconnect with nature. It has an abundance of wildlife and endless outdoor activities – I honestly think it’s one of Vancouver Island’s best-kept secrets! I’ve been twice and just love it there. 

Stretch your legs at East Sooke Regional Park. Spanning over 3,500 acres, the park has over 50 km of hiking trails ranging from easy hikes like Creyke Point to the challenging East Sooke Coast Trail. 

Jump back in the car and drive to one of Vancouver Island’s geological wonders, Sooke Potholes. Located in Sooke Potholes Provincial Park, these aqua-green natural pools are carved into Sooke River’s bedrock. You can walk along the Riverside Trail which has beautiful views of the river and canyon. The out-and-back trail is 5.5 miles (8.9 km) long but you can walk as far as you want.  

Travel tip: If you only have limited time and need to pick between East Sooke Regional Park and Sooke Potholes, go for the latter. East Sooke Regional Park is beautiful, but the potholes are truly unique. 

There are three pay-parking lots but I found that the beaches and potholes are better further up the road so aim for parking lot 3 if you can. In the summer, Sooke Potholes is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike so parking fills up quickly. You only have to pay in the summer season. If you’re visiting between October to April, parking is free.  

If you want to spend more time here, check out my blog post on the best outdoor activities to do in Sooke.  

Second Stop: Shirley Delicious

Continue west along Highway 14 for 20 minutes until you pass Shirley Community Hall. Turn left onto Sheringham Point Road and you’ll find Shirley Delicious. This little A-frame cabin is one of the best places to eat on the way from Victoria to Port Renfrew on the Pacific Marine Circle Route. This café is nestled in the woods and serves fresh baked goods, coffee, brunch and lunch dishes. It’s a great place to stop and take a little break.

Once you’ve had something to eat and drink, jump back in the car and get ready for the prettiest part of today’s road trip. The drive between Sooke and Port Renfrew will take you through some of the most rugged West Coast landscapes on Vancouver Island.

Third Stop: Sandcut Beach

Sandcut Beach is one of the most unique stops along this stretch of the Pacific Marine Circle Route from Victoria to Port Renfrew. It is home to a gorgeous waterfall which flows over a sandstone cliff right onto the beach. You can walk behind the falls in summer and fall when the water flow isn’t as powerful.

The beach is a short 10-minute drive from Shirley Delicious. Keep an eye out for a small parking lot on your left (it is signed but it’s easy to miss). From the parking lot, follow the trail through the forest down to the beach. It’s a short walk but make sure you have good hiking boots because the trail can get very muddy. Once you reach the beach, go left and walk along the shore for about 5 minutes until you see the waterfall.

Travel tip: There are a lot of waterfalls in this area. As a photographer, I stopped at all of them because I can’t resist a good waterfall! But if three in one day seems like too much, skip Sandcut Beach and prioritise the others.  

Fourth Stop: Mystic Beach

Continue along Highway 14 for 15 minutes until you reach the next stop on the Pacific Marine Circle Route, Mystic Beach. Home to another photogenic waterfall, Mystic Beach is one of the prettiest beaches in Juan de Fuca Provincial Park.

The beach is located at the southern end of the Juan de Fuca Trail, a 47 km multi-day hike along the west coast of Vancouver Island. It’s considered a challenging trail and usually takes about 3 to 5 days to complete. Fortunately, you can explore small parts of the trail such as Mystic Beach as day hikes.

To get to the beach, park at the China Beach day use parking lot which is where the Juan de Fuca Trail starts. You’ll walk the first 2 km of the trail which takes you through the forest, across a picturesque suspension bridge, and down some wooden steps. Once you get to the beach, turn left and walk along the water until you get to the waterfall. At low tide, you can walk to the other side of the falls. Spend some time taking in the views, playing on another rope swing, and exploring the cave.

Travel tip: When I went it was summer and the waterfall was more of a trickle, so it was honestly quite underwhelming. As much as I love this beach, if I did the Pacific Marine Circle Route in the summer months again, I’d skip this stop and spend more time at Sombrio beach.  

Fifth Stop: Sombrio Beach

Once you’ve finished exploring Mystic Beach, jump back in the car and continue along the highway to Sombrio Beach. This part of the Pacific Marine Circle Route is where the road gets narrow and windy so take your time as you go around some of the sharp bends.

After about 21 km on the highway, you’ll see a gravel road on your left that will take you down to Sombrio Beach parking lot. There isn’t always a sign so it can be easy to miss. The road is gravel and can be rough and bumpy so go slowly. There are some big potholes so if you don’t have a 4WD you can always leave the car at the top and walk down instead. Once you reach the parking lot it’s an easy and short walk to the beach.

Sombrio Beach is a popular surfing location and a great place to enjoy your packed lunch if you brought one with you. This is definitely one of my favourite spots on the drive from Victoria to Port Renfrew so make sure you leave enough time to explore the beach.

You’ve probably seen it on Instagram, but this is where you’ll find the hidden waterfall. Tucked away in a mossy canyon, this waterfall is not a secret anymore but it’s still a beautiful sight to see on your way from Victoria to Port Renfrew. To find the waterfall, turn left and walk down the beach towards an outhouse in the trees. About one minute past the outhouse, you’ll spot a creek flowing onto the beach. Follow the creek upstream (make sure you have waterproof shoes on) and eventually you’ll come face to face with the hidden waterfall.   

Leave no trace

This canyon is a sensitive place and is sacred to the Pacheedaht First Nation. There is already some graffiti in the canyon which is sad to see. Please be respectful and minimize your impact by following the 7 leave no trace principles so future generations can enjoy this natural place. 

Sixth Stop: Port Renfrew

It’s now time for the last leg of your road trip from Victoria to Port Renfrew. Continue on the highway for 19 km (23 minutes) until you reach the town of Port Renfrew. Located at the end of Highway 14, this small town is one of the starting points for the West Coast Trail and the Juan de Fuca Trail. Once a little logging town, Port Renfrew has become an eco-tourism hub and is home to some of the tallest trees in Canada.   

Like Sooke, Port Renfrew has an idyllic and remote, small-town charm. The town is spread out around a wide inlet surrounded by mountains so there isn’t really a downtown area. There is a small general store in town if you need to stock up on food and supplies but it doesn’t have a big selection. If you need gas, there is a seasonal gas station but I would fill up in Sooke to be on the safe side.

End the day with a walk down to the dock to catch a beautiful West Coast sunset and then grab some dinner. The Renfrew Pub serves hearty pub food and locally brewed beer on tap. It has a friendly and inviting atmosphere and is located right on the water next to the dock. There is also the Bridgeman’s Bistro which serves classic and local dishes.

Where to stay in Port Renfrew

My top pick: Wild Renfrew 

This is my favourite place to stay in Port Renfrew. The resort has a range of seaside cottages and studios, some of which have private fire pits and hot tubs. They also have the West Coast Trail Lodge which is a more economical option. There is a 2-night minimum stay here so if you plan to add an extra night on to your trip you could stay here. Check prices and book >  

Pacific Marine Circle Route Day 2: Port Renfrew to Cowichan Bay

Waking up in Port Renfrew and looking out over the rugged coastline might have been my favourite part of this trip! As someone who loves being immersed in nature, I really enjoyed my stay in Port Renfrew.  

Grab some breakfast from the Coastal Kitchen Café. Pick up a few extra things for lunch as it’s going to be another busy day on the Pacific Marine Circle Route.  

Travel tip: Cell service is very spotty in this area, so download any maps you need in advance as you probably won’t have any signal for part of today’s drive.  

First Stop: Botanical Beach

Before you start the journey from Port Renfrew to Cowichan Bay, drive down to Botanical Beach. It’s just a 5-minute trip in the car down Cerantes Road to the Botanical Beach parking lot. The hike down to the beach is about 1.5km long but it can be quite muddy depending on the time of the year.

The beach is known for its tide pools which are filled with colourful coral, starfish and other marine life. Make sure you check the tide tables before you go as the pool are only visible at low tide (i.e. when the water is out).

If you want to, you can continue walking along the rainforest loop to Botany Bay. There are some beautiful views along the way. The trail will then take you back to the car park where you started. The whole loop is about 2.8 km long and takes an hour to walk.

Second Stop: Avatar Grove

If you’re pressed for time or aren’t comfortable driving on logging roads, you can skip this stop and go straight to Fairy Lake. 

After Botanical Beach take a little detour to Avatar Grove, home to some of Vancouver Island’s oldest and tallest Western Red Cedar and Douglas fir trees.

There are two groves; the upper grove and the lower grove. You’ll have to climb up and down some wooden stairs and board walks to reach both groves. The highlight is Canada’s Gnarliest Tree, a huge cedar tree with several gnarly burl growths on its lower trunk, which can be found in the upper grove. Make sure you wear shoes with good grip as the trails can be quite muddy and slippery in places.

Avatar Grove can be accessed in any car but the last part of the road is unpaved so it can be quite bumpy. If you’re in a 2WD just go slowly and you should be okay. For those with a 4WD, you can continue further afield to Big Lonely Doug, the world’s second largest Douglas fir. If you don’t have a 4WD, you’ll have to miss this stop.

Seeing Big Lonely Doug is quite a jarring experience and makes you realize how important it is that we protect old growth forests in British Columbia. In 2012, the Douglas fir was saved by a logger working in the area and today it stands alone in the middle of the clear cut.

Travel tip: These roads are still actively used for logging so it’s likely that you’ll meet large logging trucks while driving. They go quite fast and won’t stop for you so drive very slowly, keep your lights on, and pull over to let them pass where possible.

Third Stop: Fairy Lake

This is a quick stop for the photographers! After your detour, drive back down Pacific Marine Road to where you turned off and continue left to your next stop – Fairy Lake. The lake itself is very pretty but the real star is the little bonsai tree. This small Douglas fir tree has somehow managed to defy all odds and grow on a partially submerged log near the edge of the lake.

The best place to stop and take photos of the tree is along Pacific Marine Road just past the turnoff to Fairy Lake Recreation Site. Drive slowly and you’ll spot it from the road. You can pull over onto the hard shoulder and take some photos quickly. 

Fourth Stop: Lake Cowichan

Once you’ve taken some photos, it’s time to drive to Lake Cowichan. This stretch of the Pacific Marine Circle Route is about 55 km long and will take you around an hour to drive so make sure you have some snacks ready!

The town of Lake Cowichan is located on one of the largest freshwater lakes on Vancouver Island, Cowichan Lake. This little community is the gateway to some of the island’s best boating, hiking and hiking and camping experiences. It’s also a good place to stop for gas, supplies and something to eat.

If you’re interested in history, check out the Kaatza Station Musuem’s collection of logging artefacts and beautiful murals. The museum is housed in a restored railway station and is a great place to learn more about the region’s vibrant past.

Fifth Stop: Cowichan Bay

After you’ve had something to eat, continue along the Pacific Marine Circle Route to your final stop of the day, Cowichan Bay. It’s a 30-minute drive from Lake Cowichan to Cowichan Bay along Highway 18, a.k.a. the Cowichan Valley Highway. Along the way, you’ll pass expansive farmland and lush vineyards and will understand why Cowichan has been dubbed ‘Canada’s Provence’.

Cowichan Valley is one of my favourite weekend trips from Vancouver and I definitely recommend planning a separate visit if you can. As this is only a 3-day itinerary, I recommend staying in Cowichan Bay so you have easy access to some of the best attractions. If you want more information on the area, I have a comprehensive Cowichan Valley travel guide.

Located on the East Coast of the island, Cowichan Bay is a small historic seaside village. Walk along the pier and keep an eye out for Cowichan Bay’s local wildlife. Afterwards, stop by the Maritime Centre and learn more about this small fishing village through the historic exhibits. 

Spend the afternoon at Blue Grouse Estate Winery. Located just outside Cowichan Bay, the estate is set on 65 acres and is one of the oldest vineyards on Vancouver Island. You can book a guided tasting where you’ll get to try five different wines or opt for a tour of the vineyard and wine making process.

Where to stay in Cowichan Bay

My top pick: Oceanfront Suites 

This is my top choice if you want to stay in Cowichan Bay. It’s located close to the pier so you’re walking distance to all of the town’s main attractions. Check prices > 

Pacific Marine Circle Route Day 3: Cowichan Bay to Victoria

There are a lot of stops on the way back to Victoria today. You might not be able to fit in all of them before you catch your flight or ferry home so choose your favourites to stop at. Stop by True Grain Bread before you set off for the day and pick up some breakfast bits. This old world inspired European bakery serves some mouth-watering savoury and sweet treats, and I wish I’d picked up some more for the journey back! 

First Stop: Kinsol Trestle

Take a short drive to your first stop of the day, Kinsol Trestle. Standing at 44 metres tall and spanning 187 metres, this spectacular bridge is one of the highest free-standing wooden railway trestles. It once carried trains over the Koksilah River but today it is a pedestrian bridge and is a popular trail for cyclists and walkers.  

You don’t to spend long here. I would allocate about 30 minutes to walk along the bridge and get some photos at the various viewpoints before heading back to the car.    

Second Stop: Old Baldy Mountain

This is one of my favourite hikes on Vancouver Island and it happens to be located on the Pacific Marine Circle Route so I had to include it! Depending on how much time you have before travelling home, you might be able to squeeze this in.

The hike is quite short and took us about 30 minutes to reach the top; however, it is a bit steep in places and is classed as a moderate hike. Once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous views over Shawnigan Lake on one side and the peninsula on the other. This is also the home of the (not so) secret tree swing. Sadly, it was broken when we went last year, but it has since been fixed and is now back in action!

Third Stop: Merridale Cidery & Distillery

Jump back in the car and take Shawnigan Lake Mill Bay Road for 3km and then turn left onto Cameron Taggart Road. After 2km, turn right onto Merridale Road which will take you down to Merridale Cidery & Distillery.

This is one of my favourite stops on the Pacific Marine Circle Route. Everything is made from scratch using locally-grown produce so it really is farm to table and orchard to glass. It’s a lovely place to go for lunch as you can walk through the meadows of apple trees and then sit down in the farm house overlooking the orchard.

Travel tip: Their apple cider is delicious but if you’re the designated driver they do also serve non-alcoholic flights including freshly-pressed apple juice and lavender soda.

Fourth Stop: Malahat Skywalk

Once you’ve had some lunch, drive back down Cameron Taggart Road. Go left at the end of the road to join back onto Shawnigan Lake Mill Bay Road. After 2.5km, you’ll reach Highway 1 and will turn right to begin your drive down to Malahat.

Named after the Malahat First Nation, this rugged area has beautiful views of the Saanich Inlet, the Saanich Peninsula, and the Gulf Islands. As you get closer, you’ll notice you are driving along ‘the Malahat’. This is a 25km portion of Highway 1 and is considered one of the most beautiful roads in the world. There are a number of viewpoints and rest areas where you can stop but I recommend continuing onto Malahat Skywalk as you’ll get the best views from this lookout.

The entrance to Malahat Skywalk will be on your left but you’ll have to drive past it as you aren’t allowed to turn left across the highway. Instead, you’ll continue driving until the next exit, come off, and then re-join the highway heading back to Malahat Skywalk.

You’ll walk through a beautiful arbutus forest to a spiral tower which takes you up to a lookout with 360 degree views. From the top you can see Finlayson Arm, Saanich Peninsula, Mount Baker and the Coast Mountains in the distance.

Travel tip: Buy your tickets from Get Your Guide so you can reserve and pay later. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance and get a full refund if your plans change.

Fifth Stop: Goldstream Provincial Park

After you’ve soaked in the views, it’s time to get back on the road. Continue south on Highway 1 for about 25 km (you’ll have to drive north and then come off and re-join the highway south again). At the end of Malahat, you’ll find you next stop, Goldstream Provincial Park.

There are several lovely hiking trails throughout the park ranging from easy to challenging. Mount Finlayson is on the tougher side and is a steep mountain hike with incredible views. If you don’t have much time and just want to stretch your legs, I recommend doing Niagara Falls which is a short and easy 1.3km hike.

Travel tip: If you end up doing all the other stops today, I’d skip this one. I definitely packed too much in on this final day and felt very rushed. I love Goldstream Provincial Park but I was so tired by this point and still had to travel back to Vancouver. 

Final Stop: Victoria

It’s time to head back to Victoria! The drive will take you approximately 25 minutes to the Inner Harbour, 40 minutes to the airport, and 45 minutes to Swartz Bay.

Final thoughts on the Pacific Marine Circle Route 

I loved exploring the Pacific Marine Circle Route. The drive from Victoria to Port Renfrew and Cowichan Valley is absolutely beautiful and I hope this guide helps you plan your own road trip! If you have any questions, please drop them in the comments below and I’ll do my best to answer them.  

Where next? 

Vancouver Island has no shortage of scenic drives. Here are a few other great road trips to add to your travel bucket list:  

• North Vancouver Island: Campbell River and Telegraph Cove  
• Victoria to Tofino: An epic island road trip 

Love from Steph

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