The best things to do in Sooke for outdoor lovers

Looking for the best hikes and outdoor activities in Sooke? You’re in the right place! I’ve been twice so I’ve rounded up my favourite outdoorsy things to do in Sooke in this guide. 

Located on the southwestern tip of Vancouver Island, Sooke is home to rugged coastlines, ancient rainforests and unspoiled beaches. It’s a place where you can truly unwind and reconnect with nature – which is why it’s one of my favourite weekend escapes on Vancouver Island.  

I went to Sooke for the first time in 2021. I was visiting a friend in Victoria, but I had a few extra days, so I decided to explore the island’s wild west coast which led me to Sooke. It’s only 45 minutes from downtown Victoria, but it feels much more remote. I loved it so much that I went back again in 2025 and spent a few days hiking, swimming and bird watching. As someone who prefers outdoor adventures to city breaks, Sooke is the perfect base.  

With an abundance of marine wildlife and wild natural surroundings, there’s no shortage of fun things to do in Sooke if you love the great outdoors. In this guide, I’m sharing the best outdoor activities to do in Sooke, from hiking and cycling to kayaking and ziplining. Enjoy! 

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The best things to do in Sooke, BC: Hiking, biking and wildlife watching 

1. Go hiking in East Sooke Regional Park

Spanning more than 3,500 acres, East Sooke Regional Park is a beautiful and rugged park with old-growth valleys and coastal scenery. I could have spent days here exploring the trails with my camera – it was so peaceful! 

There are over 50 km of hiking trails in the Park, ranging from short and easy trails which are perfect for families, to more challenging East Sooke Coast Trail. This Oceanside trail leads you through the dense forest of fir and arbutus trees past stunning viewpoints such as Creyke Point, Squeaky Point, Beechey Head and Cabin Point. It’s a long 17-mile (27.5 km) loop and is considered to be quite challenging. The whole loop usually takes about 7 to 8 hours to complete.   

If you don’t fancy hiking 17 miles (which is very fair!), you can just hike to Creyke Point (pictured below) instead. This 1-mile (1.8 km) loop is one of the park’s easier trails and takes about 25 minutes to complete. The trail leads you along the rocky coastline, through the old-growth forest of gorgeous mossy trees, before bringing you to the picturesque Creyke Point. If you have time though, I recommend continuing on to Squeaky Point or Beachy Head.  

2. Explore Sooke Potholes

If you are limited on time and can only do one thing on this list, it should be Sooke Potholes! While I love East Sooke Regional Park, you can find a lot of similar places to hike in British Columbia, whereas Sooke Potholes is a truly unique landscape.  

Located in Sooke Potholes Provincial Park, these natural pools are carved into Sooke River’s bedrock. When I was searching for the best outdoor things to do in Sooke, quite a few people mentioned the potholes, so I decided to go and see them. And let me tell you, these aqua-green pools are even more beautiful and impressive in person!  

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. Along the way, you’ll find marked and unmarked beaches which lead to amazing swimming holes where you can cool off.  

Sooke Potholes are a 15-minute drive from the town of Sooke and are free to visit – you just have to pay for parking during the summer season (May 1 – September 30).  

Updated costs for 2026: 

• $2.00 for two hours 
• $4.00 for the day 
• $30.00 for a season pass 

You can pay with change (loonies, toonies and quarters) or credit card. If you have the ZipBy app, you can purchase a ticket there. It’s all done using your driving plate so you don’t need to display a ticket. If you’re visiting in the off-season, between October 1 to April 30, parking is free. You can find more information on the Capital Regional District website. 

Travel tip: There are three 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.  

3. Walk along the Whiffin Spit Trail

If you’re a bird lover like me, Whiffin Spit should be top of your list of things to do in Sooke! This small natural peninsula separates Sooke Basin and the wild waters of the Juan de Fuca Strait. As such, it’s a haven for marine wildlife and birds so make sure you have you camera and binoculars!  

Visit in the morning and keep an eye out for shorebirds, harbour seals, geese and herons. Sometimes, you may even be lucky enough to see orcas and eagles, as well as the odd owl migrating here in spring and fall.  

You can walk along the short but scenic Whiffin Spit Trail to a small lighthouse at the end of the Spit. It’s only about 2.7 km (1.7 miles) long so it’s an ideal for a morning stroll and is relatively flat. There are also a number of benches along the way where you can sit and take in the scenery. Along the way, there are a few little trails which lead down to some rocky beaches and offer gorgeous views of the Olympic Mountains in the distance.  

Travel tip: There isn’t a lot of parking near the trailhead so you may have to park a little further away and walk back to the trail. If you have a bike, I’d recommend cycling there instead.  

4. Go whale watching

If you’re new here, one thing you should know about me is that 99.9% of my trips centre around seeing wildlife! I’m forever in awe of nature and will jump at the chance to see wild creatures in their natural habitat. So, of course whale watching is one of my favourite outdoor things to do in Sooke! 

The southern tip of Vancouver Island is home to an abundance of marine wildlife, including resident orcas. These orcas feed exclusively on salmon which is why they tend to remain inland or in nearby coastal waters. There are about 30 small pods in the area.  

But orcas aren’t the only whales you can see in the Pacific Northwest waters. If you’re on Vancouver Island early in the year, you may be lucky enough to spot grey whales. Over 20,000 grey whales swim past the west coast of Vancouver Island between February and April each year. The wildlife-rich waters near Sooke are also frequented by Humpback Whales, Harbour Porpoises, seals and sea lions.  

Whale watching season typically runs from March to October, but whales’ migration patterns fluctuate so it can vary year to year. The best way to see these incredible mammals is on a whale watching tour. There are a number of companies which offer tours from Sooke, but I recommend you book with Sooke Whale Watching. I’ve did a tour with them on my last trip and they were brilliant. I also did a tour with Adventures by HIP back in 2021; however, they relocated to Nootka Sound in 2023 and no longer operate in Sooke – just FYI! 

5. Explore Sooke by kayak or SUP

If you enjoy being out on the water, add kayaking to your list of things to do in Sooke. Hire a kayak or a stand-up paddle board (SUP) and hit the water. It’s the best way to spot local marine life and explore the scenic shoreline.  

A number of places, such as West Coast Outdoor, offer half day and full day rentals, as well as kayaking and SUP tours. You can paddle around the calm water of the Sooke Basin where you’re likely to see seals and shorebirds.  

If you’re an experienced kayaking, you can venture out into the Strait of Juan de Fuca and paddle along the coastline. However, make sure you check with the rental company first as some only allow you to kayak or paddle around Sooke Basin. 

6. Soar through the forest on a zip lining tour

There are so many fun and adventurous things to do in Sooke, but a ziplining tour may be the most exhilarating. If you’re not scared of heights and want a real outdoor adventure, Adrena LINE Zipline Adventure Tours offer the ultimate treetop ziplining experience close to Sooke.  

You can soar through Sooke’s beautiful coastal temperate rainforest and get a unique perspective while learning all about the region’s wildlife and history. The tour will guide you through the forest canopy on eight different ziplines, ranging from 45 to 305 metres (150 – 1000 feet) in length.   

Travel tip: If you’re short on time and only have a day to explore Sooke, you can also combine your ziplining tour with a kayaking or whale watching tour. 

I didn’t have time to do this on my last two trips but a few of my friends have and they loved it, so it’s top of my list for next time! 

2026 Zipline Season: 

• Opening date March 14^th 
• March- May: Open Friday-Monday 
• May – June: Open Thursday-Monday 
• June 25th – Open Sept 1st – 7 days a week 
• September: Open Thursday-Monday 
• October: Open Friday-Monday 
• Last Operating Day: November 1st 

7. Hike Mount Quimper and see the region’s last remaining fire watchtower

Tucked in the midst of rainforests and mountains, Sooke is a hiker’s paradise. Mount Manuel Quimper is one of the most accessible mountains in Sooke Hills Regional Park. It is also home to one of the last remaining fire lookouts on the island which you can hike to.  

The 6-mile (10.3 km) round trip starts from the parking lot at the end of Harborview Road just off Highway 14. The trail takes you up a former logging road and climbs steadily until you reach Mount Quimper’s summit.  

Once you reach the top, you’ll see why it’s one of the best hikes in Sooke. Being the site of a former watchtower, the views are extensive! On a clear day you can see the city of Victoria, East Sooke Regional Park, the Sooke Wilderness and the Olympic Peninsula in the US. Once you’re done marvelling at the views, check out the former fire lookout which was built by BC Forest Services in the 1950s. It’s one of the last remaining structures of its kind on the island. 

Just FYI, you can’t camp at the fire lookout or in any of the CRD Parks in the area, except at the campgrounds at Sooke Potholes.  

Travel tip: This is quite a strenuous hike in places due to the challenging terrain, so I’d only recommend this if you’re an experienced hiker with the right gear. Make sure you have boots with good grip and hiking poles. 

8. Book a tour to Race Rocks Ecological Reserve

Located south of Sooke at the eastern end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Race Rocks is a special place. Named after its strong tidal currents, the area was established as an ecological reserve in 1980 to protect the nutrient-rich waters which support the marine ecosystem. The high levels of plankton attract an array of marine life, including California and Stellar sea lions, Elephant seals, otters, whales, as well as Cormorants and Bald Eagles.

Race Rocks is also home to the second oldest lighthouse in Western Canada. Built in 1860, the lighthouse has black and white stripes which is quite a unique and striking feature. 

You can only access Race Rocks Ecological Reserve by boat. Sooke Whale Watching offers eco-wildlife tours to Race Rocks. These tours are typically offered early or later in the season when whales are not in the area.

2026 Update: Sooke Whale Watching is offering eco tours to Race Rocks from April 1 to May 1, 2026. It costs $129 per adult and $99 for children aged 5 to 11. If you’re a student, there’s a slightly discounted rate of $119 (all prices in CAD). 

9. Hike or bike along the Galloping Goose Trail

The Galloping Goose Trail is a pretty multi-use trail that connects Victoria to Sooke, passing through Saanich, Langford and Colwood along the way. The former railway line is a beautiful place for walking, running and cycling. If you’re a keen cyclist, you could actually bike from Victoria to Sooke instead of driving!

The entire trail is 35 miles (55 km) long but most visitors only explore small parts of the trail. You can find the official map on the Galloping Goose’s website.

I did the section from Roche Cove Regional Park to Sooke Potholes which is incredibly picturesque and rural. It is 6 miles (11 km) one way so the best way to explore this stretch is on bike. Todd Creek Trestle is one of the many trestle bridges on the trail and is located near Sooke Potholes. Depending on the route you take, you may end up crossing it on your way to the potholes. If not, I highly recommend doing a little detour to visit it if you’re in that area. 

10. Go mountain biking

With its beautiful trails, Sooke is a popular destination for casual cyclists and hard-core mountain bikers. There are a number of white circle trails which are perfect for beginners, as well as black diamond trails which are the hardest and most challenging ones you can do. Shields Lake Loop is one of the most popular challenging bike rides in the area. The 16-mile (25 km) trail takes you to Shields Lake and passes a pretty waterfall along the way.  

You can rent mountain bikes from Fuca Cycles and West Coast Outdoor. If you end up staying at Sooke Point Ocean Cottage Resort, West Coast Outdoor actually offers mountain bike rentals from the resort. There is also a shuttle service to the popular trails. 

Complete disclaimer, I am not a mountain biker – I’m much more of a leisurely cycle kind of girl. But given it is one of the best outdoor activities to do in Sooke, I wanted to include it for anyone who might want to go mountain biking.  

11. Go camping at Spring Salmon Place Campground

If you are looking for somewhere nice to camp during your time in Sooke, have a look at Spring Salmon Place Campground. Located at the north end of Sooke Potholes Regional Park, the campground is open from May until September and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The campground has 67 RV and tent sites and great facilities. There are toilets, picnic areas, individual fire rings, public garbage and recycling bins, and a drinking water station. There is a care taker on site and you can also buy firewood from the campground. This is a lovely place to camp if you want a wilderness camping experience but aren’t ready to camp in the backcountry.

12. Discover the Sooke Marine Boardwalk Trail

This short trail is one of my favourite walks in Sooke. It starts in Ed MacGregor Park, a lovely, landscaped park named after Sooke’s first mayor. The park itself is small but very picturesque with a small amphitheatre and stone pillars. At the end of the park, you’ll find an accessible wooden boardwalk which winds through the forest of spruce and alder trees. The boardwalk eventually leads to Sooke’s spectacular pier which has beautiful views of the Sooke Basin.

Walk along the pier and keep an eye out for harbour seals, bald eagles and herons. This is a popular spot for crabbing so you’ll probably see some locals crabbing off the pier. When you reach the end of the boardwalk, you can either go back the way you came, or continue along the trail which leads to the town of Sooke.

More outdoor things to do near Sooke, BC 

Known for its rugged and natural beauty, the southwestern coast of Vancouver Island is one of my favourite places to explore. There are a number of small communities and scenic stops along this stretch of coastline which are only a short drive from Sooke. If you have more time and want to explore more of the area, here are my top recommendations:  

Jordan River

Located along the Juan de Fuca Strait, just 18 miles (30 km) from Sooke, lies the small settlement of Jordan River. Originally founded as a logging camp, Jordan River is now home to the island’s second largest hydro-electric plant. With little cell service, this really is a place where you can disconnect and recharge.

I love exploring wild places and Jordan River definitely ticks all the boxes! Many people come here for winter surfing and the Juan de Fuca Trail, a 29 mile (47 km) wilderness hiking trail through Juan de Fuca Provincial Park. It stretches from China Beach to Botanical Beach, just outside of Port Renfrew. There are also several day hikes through the ancient rainforests which lead to breath-taking beaches with waterfalls, including Sandcut Beach and Mystic Beach.    

Port Renfrew

From Jordan River, continue along the West Coast Road (Highway 14) for 25 miles (41 km) and you’ll reach Port Renfrew. Also called ‘Wild Renfrew’, this fishing village is best known as the starting point for the famous West Coast Trail.

This iconic 47-mile (75 km) backcountry trail runs from Port Renfrew to Bamfield and passes through some of British Columbia’s most beautiful scenery. There are also some stunning beaches, such as Botanical Beach which has amazing tide pools, and Sombrio Beach, home to the hidden waterfall.  

Pacific Marine Circle Route

The Pacific Marine Circle Route is an incredible way to explore Vancouver Island’s beautiful southwest coast. The route traces the coastline from Victoria into Sooke and Port Renfrew before heading east to Lake Cowichan and the gorgeous Cowichan Valley. Home to rolling hills, stunning orchards and expansive farmlands, Cowichan produces incredible artisanal food and drink and should definitely be on your Vancouver Island bucket list.  

The route continues south and ends in Victoria. If this is something you’re interested in doing, I’ve written a detailed guide to the Pacific Marine Circle Route with everything you need to plan your own road trip.  

Final thoughts

If you’re looking for a quiet coastal escape with plenty of outdoor activities, Sooke is the perfect destination. There are so many amazing things to do in Sooke and it’s a great place to unplug and reconnect with nature. I loved exploring this part of Vancouver Island and it became one of my favourite getaways from Vancouver.  

I hope this travel guide helps you plan your own trip to this ocean-side town. As always, if you have any questions, drop them in the comments.  

Love from Steph

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