Things to Do Outdoors Around Sooke
A small town at the edge of the sea — and a surprisingly large playground
No. 1 Out on the Water
The shoreline is Sooke's most dramatic asset. Divers explore kelp-rich reefs just offshore, boaters push out into the Strait of Juan de Fuca with the Olympic Mountains filling the southern horizon, and kayakers thread through the calm inlets of Sooke Basin. Local outfitters supply gear and guided trips, so no prior experience is needed to get out there.
No. 2 On the Trails
On land, the options match the water for depth and variety. East Sooke Regional Park covers more than 1,400 hectares of old-growth rainforest and headland, with everything from gentle shoreline rambles to the full Coast Trail — ten kilometres of rugged Pacific cliff-top that demands a full day and rewards every step. Further west, Botanical Beach exposes some of the richest intertidal zones on the island at low tide, its sandstone shelves packed with sea stars, chitons, and anemones. Closer to town, the Sooke Potholes offer smooth glacial pools on the river — the most popular swimming spot on a warm summer afternoon.
No. 3 Wildlife, Culture and History
Deer and bald eagles are everyday sights in the park; river otters work the harbour edges; and grey and orca whales pass offshore on seasonal migrations. The Sooke Region Museum threads the natural world into the human story of this coast — logging, fishing, and the T'Sou-ke Nation whose territory it remains. Galleries and working studios are scattered through town, and the Sooke Fine Arts Show each summer draws artists from across the island.
Sooke is compact in size but genuinely vast in scope — and its closeness to wild nature is unmatched on the south island.
Sooke is compact in size but genuinely vast in scope.