Pacific Marine Circle Route - 5 Days
Highlights
- Picnic on the remote, tree-strewn beaches of the southern coast
- Explore old-growth rainforests on countless hiking trails
- Pass through Port Renfrew, base camp for the West Coast Trail
- Admire 40 totem poles in Duncan, testament to the island's indigenous roots
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Victoria, Drive to Sooke (1 hour) | Sooke |
| Day 2 | Sooke to Port Renfrew (1 h 30 min) | Port Renfrew |
| Day 3 | Port Renfrew to Cowichan Bay (2 hours) | Cowichan Bay |
| Day 4 | Cowichan Bay to Victoria (1 hour) | Victoria |
| Day 5 | Depart Victoria |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Victoria, Drive to Sooke (1 hour)
Save Victoria for later and hit the road for the small oceanside town of Sooke, the beginning of the Pacific Marine Circle Route. (However, as you pass through the outskirts of Victoria, stop at a local grocery store to stock up on snacks and picnic supplies as stores become scarce the farther west you go and there's a number of great beaches to picnic at over the next two days.)
It's only an hour's drive, today, so take your time on the winding coastal roads en route to Sooke. Sooke is known as the place "where the rainforest meets the sea", with a number of great places to check out, such as the geological wonder that is the Sooke Potholes or its scenic shoreline walk along Whiffin Spit.
Driving time (Victoria to Sooke): 1 hour
Day 2: Sooke to Port Renfrew (1 h 30 min)
Spend the day stopping during the drive, as you're heading through one of the most scenic and wild legs of the trip. At Jordan River, grab a cup of coffee and watch the surfers just off the coast. You'll also pass by Juan de Fuca Provincial Park which has some of Vancouver Island’s best beaches; Sandcut, China, Mystic, and Botanical beaches are all great places to pull off, explore the tidal pools, and take in some fresh ocean air. Just before French Beach, you can also walk out to Sheringham Point Lighthouse.
Nearing Port Renfrew, you'll come upon a small town perched on the San Juan inlet with wide-open ocean views. Port Renfrew has been slowly transforming itself from an old logging town into an eco-tourism hub and is best known for being the start of the famous West Coast Trail. The vibe, here, feels inherently West Coast. There isn't really a designated town center, but head down to the harbor and walk the docks to the Port Renfrew Rub, a local favorite, or grab a bite at Bridgemans Bistro. There's also a small general store if you need more supplies.
Port Renfrew also serves as a great base camp for day trips. There are numerous short hikes, magnificent old-growth forests, and plenty of opportunities for day fishing trips.
Driving time (Sooke to Port Renfrew): 1 hour, 30 minutes
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 3: Port Renfrew to Cowichan Bay (2 hours)
Refreshed and ready to hit the road again, depart Port Renfrew for Avatar Grove (best accessed with a four-wheel-drive vehicle). This magical patch of old-growth forest has been protected since 2012 and is where you’ll find some of Vancouver Island’s oldest trees—Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar giants—including "Canada’s Gnarliest Tree" and Big Lonely Doug.
Continuing on from Avatar Grove to Cowichan Bay, it's time to test your wilderness mettle. A former logging route, this section of road was recently paved to encourage more Vancouver Island visitors to follow this weaving route through its tall forests and rushing waterfalls.
En route, look out for Harris Creek Spruce (about 12 miles / 20 km outside of Port Renfrew), measuring 4-meters in diameter and approximately 80-feet in height as well as for Fairy Lake, famous for its “bonsai” tree – a tiny Douglas fir defying the odds, rising up from a submerged log in the lake.
The winding road will eventually take you into Lake Cowichan, a charming lake town and popular place swimming, fishing, and (most famously) floating down the Cowichan River on a tube on a hot summer’s day. For a meal, stop by Jake’s on the Lake or Carmanah Pizza.
Onwards from Lake Cowichan, you'll reach Duncan, the “The City of Totems”. Take a short walk through downtown to see over 40 beautifully carved totem poles, each depicting a mythological story told by the Indigenous carver. The downtown also has a number of book shops, boutique clothing shops, and hosts the Duncan Farmers’ Market on Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm.
From Duncan, continue to Cowichan Bay on Vancouver Island's east coast. This small maritime town is the first “Cittaslow” village in North America; a network of towns and villages in over 28 countries that have adopted the principles of the Slow Food Movement founded in Italy. Here, you can truly slow down and savor life: pay a visit to an Old World-style bakery, True Grain Bread, or explore Indigenous art at the Arthur Vickers Gallery.
Driving time (Port Renfrew to Cowichan Bay): 2 hours (60 miles / 100 km)
Day 4: Cowichan Bay to Victoria (1 hour)
It's a short drive back to Victoria at the southern tip of Vancouver Island. On the way, stop at Goldstream Provincial Park, where you'll find a network of hiking trails where you can see spawning salmon (late fall) or bald eagles (December).
Upon reaching Victoria, find your way on foot to the Inner Harbor, a busy waterfront close by to the majority of the city's best restaurants and main sights. At night, visit the harbor when the Empress Hotel and the parliament buildings are lit up by thousands of lights.
Recommended stops and activities:
- Meridale Cidery and Distillery. A patio bistro that produces several great ciders.
- Kinsol Trestle. One of the tallest (187m) free-standing timber rail bridge in the world. Open for cyclists, hikers, and equestrians.
Driving time (Cowichan Bay to Victoria): 1 hour (34 miles / 55 km)
Day 5: Depart Victoria
Enjoy your last morning stroll around Victoria and, if there's time, grab a coffee and walk out to Breakwater Lighthouse before catching your flight. It's a 30-60 minute drive (depending on traffic) from downtown to Victoria International Airport.
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