Things to do

While the Sooke area is growing steadily in population, many of the things which drew folks here to visit 100 years ago remain today. Beaches, lakes, salmon and trout fishing, wilderness trekking and varying degrees of mountain and trail biking are minutes away.

An easy family ride on the Galloping Goose Trail is very popular, bike rentals are accessible. Equestrian opportunities are well supplied as are whale watching and canoeing or ocean kayaking tours and lessons.

Most church denominations are represented in Sooke, as are most other business services. Sooke has several good restaurants from the posh and renowned Sooke Harbour House, more relaxed but fine Marcus’ Wharfside Restaurant or for an excellent meal, sometimes live entertainment and a few locals to boot try the 17 Mile House Pub. 17 Mile House serves up one of the best meals for your dollar in Sooke!

Local Attractions

• Canoeing
  Wilderquest offers several local and on Island lake paddlers which can involve a 3 minute drive to a very pleasant lake for canoeing and trout fishing, or multi-day excursions on lake chains or combinations of several guided and self directed tours and activities. We use and supply only top quality equipment to ensure a safe and enjoyable outing and local knowledge goes a long way to getting you to some pretty unique and entrancing locales.
• Big Trees and other Tours
  We offer several trips to some of the largest and oldest living things in the world. The Cheewat Cedar at 21 ft diameter is awe inspiring, especially in it’s home of other 800 to 2000 year old brother and sister giants. This trip can be a multi-day adventure camping at our own ‘secret spot’ with vistas of the vast Pacific expanse, a unique view of the Westcoast of the Olympic Peninsula and a night sky most never see. Anyone interested in astronomy? – on-site star viewing and isolated overnight trips for special celestial events are easily arranged.
• Salmon Fishing
  Sooke and Port Renfrew both have a host of excellent salmon and halibut fishing guide services. At Wilderquest we’ll barbeque your fresh catch with green alder for your evening meal, time permitting, or refrigerate freeze as you wish. We use no artificial flavours or additives.
• Whale Watching
  Dolphins, orca, humpback and grey and perhaps the occasional mighty blue whale are all known to travel by and around Vancouver Island. High speed boats that whisk you around and through the maze of Gulf Islands or up the Straits of Juan de Fuca provide a spectacular viewing of the coast that many do not see.
• Hiking & Biking
  Hiking opportunities abound in the Wilderquest area. Our 50 acres has a few hours worth of meandering trails, waterfalls, ponds and giant conifers to admire and for the more adventurous East Sooke Park and the Galloping Goose Trail are a short drive away.
  
  The Juan de Fuca Trail, an extension of the popular Westcoast Lifesaving Trail and Kludak are about 40 minutes west of the resort passing through beautiful Shirley and Jordan River, a surfers paradise.
  
  Numerous triathalons are held in the Sooke area each year. Sooke Cycle has bikes of all sorts and full service facilities and can arrange guided bike tours, rentals.
  
  Hundreds of kilometers of unused logging roads surround the Sooke and westcoast area which make fabulous routes and “yours only” for the most part.
• Museums & Shopping
  Sooke has an excellent local museum which features many of the pioneering family histories and artifacts. Our town, like most of B.C. has seen gold rushes, logging and fishing all come and go to varying degrees and this museum tells of each and how the town was built. Also located here is the local Tourism Info Center with a rich store of information.
  
  The Provincial Museum and Maritime Museum in downtown Victoria are both excellent and the Forestry Museum in Duncan is a great way to spend a day. This features a ride on a working steam train and dozens of pieces of logging equipment showing the development of logging technology over the years. A very worthwhile visit.
  
  As for shopping Sooke has most everything you want, groceries, spirits, arts and pretty much any services you might require. There is also a Farmers Market each Sunday in town featuring fresh local produce. Victoria is not far away for a broader and more cosmopolitan shopping spree.