Beaches & Swimming
Kids swimming (Picture BC photo)
Lovely sand and rock beaches stretch from one end of the Sooke region to the other.
Each locale has its own character, but all are excellent for swimming (if one can handle the frigid water), wading (more manageable given the gentle surf), beachcombing, oceanfront picnics, romantic hikes and family outings with the dog and a Frisbee.
Take note of signs warning that "this is black bear country." Black bears typically avoid humans, but be prepared with bear safety information. If you encounter one, stay calm, continue facing the bear and back slowly away.
Beaches West of Sooke
Area beaches (listed chronologically from the region's northwest end at Port Renfrew back to the southeast) include:
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Botanical Beach: There is no better place on Vancouver Island to examine a world of intertidal life than this Port Renfrew landmark (60km/40mi west of Sooke). The best of its remarkable potholes, alive with purple urchins, rusty red sea stars and mint green anemones, can only be explored around low tide (i.e., 1.2m/4ft or less).
Sombrio Beach: This rocky beach and surfing hotspot is linked to the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail. Easy access to the beach and forested oceanside trail from the parking lot at the end of a steep, unpaved forestry road.
Mystic Beach/China Beach: Both these classic west-coast beaches are accessible via forested trails from the same parking lot at China Beach Provincial Park (39 km/24mi west of Sooke). The China Beach route is a gentle stroll apart from the steep wooden staircase leading down to the headland-sheltered sand beach. A more vigorous 2km/1.2mi route that includes a swing bridge crossing over Pete Wolf Creek leads to the smaller Mystic Beach, notable for its waterfall and starting point for the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail.
French Beach: Family groups, seniors and those looking for quick access to the ocean will enjoy this fully-serviced provincial park and campground (20km/12.5mi from Sooke). The beach can sound like thunder as the waves tumble the loose, polished stones.
Gordon's Beach: Pull off the West Coast Road amidst the row of colorful beachfront cottages here in the Gordon's Beach/Otter Point/Tugwell Creek area about 15 minutes west of town. Then sit on a chunk of salt-stained driftwood and watch the waves pound rocks to sand or gaze in awe at the windsurfers.
Lakeside Dips and Pools
While the ocean is too cold for most, there are some sun-warmed lakes in the region that attract swimmers. Matheson Lake (off the Galloping Goose Trail in East Sooke) and Kemp Lake (northwest of Sooke and limited to motorless boats) are good swimming spots. Both are uncrowded compared to the remarkable carved rock pools at the Sooke Potholes Regional Park (five minutes east of town off the Sooke River Road).
Those craving a dip in warm, chlorinated water can dive in at the SEAPARC Recreational Complex on Phillips Road just past the Visitor Centre. A competition pool, leisure pool, sauna and swirl pool are available day and night.
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