The
West Coast Road,
(Hwy 14 or the Sooke Road) runs from Colwood Corners to Port Renfrew for
95 km (59 miles) along the rugged west coast of the island.
Fort
Rodd Hill and Fisgard Light:
Visitors may view a fine collection of guns and cannons necessary for
the defense of Canada in the previous century at the lighthouse (built
1869) and at the ruins of this 19th-century coastal fortification.
Royal
Roads College Gardens:
Originally Hatley Castle, this building was erected in 1980 by James Dunsmuir,
son of the coal baron Robert Dunsmuir. During WW II this 263 ha (650 ac)
property was purchased by the Royal Canadian Navy for use as a military
training centre, once home to the Royal Roads Military College. The castle
now houses the Royal Roads Campus of Camosun College and although the
building itself is not open to the public, visitors may enjoy the well
maintained Italian, Japanese and rose gardens.
Sooke:
Overlooking the Sooke Harbour, Canada's southernmost harbour which is
well protected from the Juan de Fuca Strait by a narrow strip of land,
Sooke is a perfect spot to book
boat tours from. You may visit sea caves, sea-lion grounds and heritage
sites. To arrange tours visit the Edward Milne Community School.
Continuing
along Highway 14, you will pass beautiful beaches such as French Beach
Provincial Park, Point No Point, Sandcut Beach, China Beach Provincial
Park, Mystic Beach, and Sombrio Beach.
Parkinson
Creek Seal Grotto and Kuitsche Seal Cove:
The Grotto's two waterfalls and four caves serve as a retreat for west
coast seals during the birthing season. During the winter these seals
move to Kuitsche Sale Cove. This area is a good viewing spot for orcas,
grey whales feeding, bears and eagles.
Port
Renfrew:
This small community sits on the mouth of the San Juan River on Port San
Juan at the end of Highway 14. Port Renfrew serves as the southeast end
of the Pacific Rim National
Park from where the West Coast Hiking trail begins. This area offers
great hiking,
hunting, saltwater
fishing, freshwater fishing
and beach combing opportunities. Just beyond Port Renfrew is Botanical
Beach Provincial Park, one of Vancouver Island's intriguing beaches.
The following BC Adventure members would like to serve you:
Eagle Wing Whale Watching: Guided Whale Watching Tours & Wildlife Viewing.Trip Advisor's top-rated whale-watching experience in Victoria since 2007. Killer whales, Grey, Minke and Humpback whales, seals, sea lions & porpoise. As industry leaders, they go the extra mile (or 50!) to give... more
Ecosummer Expeditions: Have a whale of a time at Orca Camp! Sea kayak with Orcas and Humpback whales along BC's Johnstone Strait. Join an intimate group of travelers, paddling out on three, four, or six-day kayaking adventures with expert guides. more
Five Star Whale Watching: Discover the picturesque West Coast of Canada & Vancouver Island - home to the largest population of Killer Whales in the world. Natural wonders are abundant in this pristine marine environment covering Southern Vancouver Island, Victoria, & the Gulf Islands. more
Fresh Adventures Wilderness Tours: Guided wilderness tours in BC and Alberta. Experience the highlights of Vancouver Island and the Canadian Rocky Mountains in a small group with a professional guide. more
Pacific Coastal Airlines: Enjoy scheduled service from Vancouver's South Terminal to Anahim Lake, Bella Bella, Bella Coola, Campbell River, Comox, Cranbrook, Kamloops, Klemtu, Masset, Port Hardy (float & amphibious aircraft to coastal communities), Powell River, Trail, Victoria, & Will... more
Reel Obsession Sportfishing: Reel fishing stories begin with Reel Obsession Sportfishing, with fully guided salmon and halibut sport-fishing charters around Zeballos, Nootka Sound, Esperanza and Victoria. Let Reel Obsession customize a world-class fishing experience to suit your needs. more
Rocky Mountain Holidays: Rail Vacations in the Rocky Mountains & Western Canada! Rocky Mountain Holidays customize vacations that combine the romance of train travel with the magnificent scenery of Western Canada. more