Visit Vancouver Island is this one . .
west to Sooke (2) where we first meet the West Coast and the Pacific Ocean. It’s only an hour’s drive
from downtown Victoria, but Sooke offers visitors their first taste of the Wild West Coast experience
that Vancouver Island is famous for.
From there we travel the West Coast Road where we can watch the ocean's waves crashing against
rocky beaches and sandstone caves, there is a wealth of marine creatures and plants for beachcombers
to explore. This west coast drive ends at the fishing Village of Port Renfrew (3). about an hour and thirty
minute drive from Sooke (2). Leaving Port Renfrew (3) we head inland on recently paved logging roads
through the log rich Vancouver Island forests, with campsites and picnic areas situated next to small
lakes and rivers ending in the Logging community of Lake Cowichan (4),slow going takes us
another hour and a half.
From Lake Cowichan we head east past the farmlands of the Cowichan Valley (6) to the village of
Cowichan Bay then over the Malahat and back to Victoria (1). Another hour and a half.
A realistic time is between 6 - 8 hours driving time, that's with a few short stops.
gray whales. Look carefully and you will see seals popping their heads out of the water to watch you.
I don't know if the Parks Department still charges to park in their lots but it's good to have some change on
hand in case. It is a very short 5-10 min walk through a rainforest to the beach. It's not always windy but
a lot of the time it is. .
between Sooke (2) and Port Renfrew (3), and is home to a community of loggers and West Coast surfer's.
Just past Jordon River is Juan de Fuca Provincial Park, this is where you'll find China Beach, a day use Park
and a Campground that offers vehicle accessible campsites in a forested area close to the ocean.
47kms to Botanical Beach near Port Renfrew. This is also a popular sea kayaking area.
In the summer you can kayak from French Beach or China Beach along the coast to Port Renfrew.
Its a long trip but beach camping is permitted along the way.
is a popular weekend destination for family camping and outdoor activities. Port Renfrew is also
the trailhead for both the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail and the historic West Coast Trail, a world-famous
hiking trail built in 1907 to save sailors shipwrecked on the rugged coastline.
vastly different beach at either time you visit. Botanical Beach offers one of the best opportunities to view
intertidal marine creatures and plants on Vancouver Island. The area is a protected zone, so please take
nothing but photographs and memories from Botanical Beach.
home to brightly coloured marine animals. Purple, red and orange Starfish and Sea Urchins, blue Mussels, white Gooseneck Barnacles, green Sea Anemones and Sea Cucumbers
as the sign says large waves can cut off a safe return to shore or wash you off the rocks.
forest. Forest campsites close to small lakes and rivers are available for picnics, swimming or camping.
San Juan Bridge Recreation Site. It is Canada’s largest Sitka Spruce tree, based on mass, with a
circumference of 11.6 metres (38 feet) and a height of 62.5 metres (205 feet).
Main logging road. The popular park is open for camping from May to September. Lizard Lake is filled
with newts or salamanders that can be seen swimming in the water. They are not man eaters.
up a larger portion of the road than other vehicles. The Logging rd portion ends at Mesachie Lake BC
on the South side of Cowichan Lake.
Mesachie Lake (A) and Caycuse (D). This mountainous area is rich with wildlife, is an ideal destination
for outdoor adventures. The Lake itself is Vancouver Island’s second largest lake and is a popular
destination for outdoor recreation and camping.
A scenic 75km (47mi) drive on secondary gravel/paved roads around Cowichan Lake takes about an hour
and a half. There are several parks, campsites like Gordon Bay (C), and lookouts with excellent photo
opportunities for vistas and wildlife. These are also working Logging roads so care has
to be taken with trips during the weekdays.
on Hwy #18 then turn on to Cowichan Lake Rd, the "Old Highway" and then on Stoltz Rd to Cowichan
River Provincial Park (G), check out the Skutz Falls Fish Ladders. There is also the fishermans trails along each
bank of the Cowichan River. Great for hiking and photographing this wonderful Heritage River.
that give Duncan the title of "City of Totems".
a scenic Oceanside community with wonderful little shops and B&B's.
Malahat Drive, through Goldstream Park into Victoria (C).