72 Hours: Your Getaway Guide to Sooke in the Spring

On the southern tip of Vancouver Island’s West Coast is Sooke, a picturesque and welcoming seaside town that is rich with outdoor adventure, art and great restaurants. If you’re searching for a coastal getaway that combines natural beauty with authentic local experiences, there’s never a bad time to plan your spring retreat to this Vancouver Island gem. Here’s how to spend three spring days in Sooke.

Day One

One of the fastest ways to reach Sooke is by float plane. After a short and scenic 37-minute flight aboard Seair Seaplanes from the YVR’s South Terminal to Sooke airport, you’ll be ready for your adventure to begin.

Lunch at Stickleback Oceanfront Cider and Taphouse

Nestled along Cooper’s Cove, Stickleback Eatery offers cinematic vistas of the bay and wildlife to go along with its house-made burgers, wraps and signature dishes. Sitting window-side, soaking up the vistas, I started with a bowl of lentil soup followed by an artisan garden salad—a nourishing meal for spring. Afterwards, I was ready for a walk.

Check Into the Iconic Sooke Harbour House

I was excited to see what changes had been made since I last stayed at Sooke Harbour House more than two decades ago. Rich in history, the spot was originally developed in the 1920s as Sooke Harbour Camp, which comprised a series of small cottages. In 1929, it became the Sooke Harbour House. This oceanfront boutique resort underwent a few iterations before becoming a 28-room inn in 1979. Closed in 2020, the Sooke Harbour House reopened in September 2024 after an extensive renovation.

On this trip, I stayed in the Penthouse superior suite, a spacious West Coast-inspired space showcasing local artwork, live-edge wood and hardwoods. My suite came complete with a kitchen, a wood-burning fireplace, a soaker tub by the king bed and an extensive private balcony overlooking the Olympic Peninsula and Pacific Ocean. If you are lucky, you might catch sight of whales, seals, sea lions and eagles. A stay here will move you.

Explore Whiffin Spit Park

Whiffin Spit Park is a popular local promenade that runs right outside the Sooke Harbour House and extends into Sooke Harbour. There’s nothing like the feeling of salt in the air and the sound of crashing waves as you walk along the coastline. The trail is flat, making it perfect for a relaxing walk, with the bonus of spotting wildlife such as seals, otters and migratory birds.

Dinner at Sooke Harbour House

An exciting carte du jour with a front-row seat to the waterfront is the best dinner theatre in the world—that’s what awaits when you dine at Sooke Harbour House. Chef Brianna Burke sent out wave after wave of signature dishes from a West Coast menu of seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. The burrata panzanella salad (big enough to share) and the sablefish with braised fennel, blistered tomatoes and balsamic glaze were both standouts. Paired with a glass (or two) of 2020 Burrowing Owl Meritage, this meal made for a night to remember.

FYI: If you are invited to visit the wine cellar, I encourage you to say yes. Floor-to-ceiling walls are swathed in exceptional wines, from Old World to New World, with a heavy focus on B.C. wines. (You can also book a tasting online.)

Day Two

Breakfast at Sooke Harbour House

Start the day with a filling breakfast to make the most of your full day in Sooke. Sooke Harbour House’s restaurant is a well-known hot spot for dinner, but it is also a good choice for breakfast. I went for an omelet with a fruit bowl and a slice of house-made fresh sourdough, thanks to baker extraordinaire Matthias Conradi. (People line up to purchase his baked goods.)

In-room Massage

An in-room massage guarantees another layer of pampering. Call the front desk, and they’ll be happy to set up a massage. Wrapped in warmth, I surrendered myself to the massage that worked wonders on my muscles.

Read more: 13 Saunas, Spas and Wellness Spots Around Victoria to Feel Rejuvenated

Head to Sooke Potholes Park

The park is actually two parks, with the “potholes” created by geological formations that are deep, polished rock pools carved into the riverbed by glaciers roughly 15,000 years ago. This 7.28-acre park runs along both sides of the Sooke River and extends north a short way past Tod Creek.

Nestled within the park are the remnants of what was supposed to be a luxury world-class resort development started in the 1980s that never saw completion. Today, you can see what was to be Canada’s largest log-burning fireplace, along with some walls. You can spend hours walking the trails of this famous Vancouver Island attraction.

Indulge in Wild Mountain Food + Drink

Opened in 2015 by chef Oliver Kienast and sommelier Brooke Fader, the multiple award-winning Wild Mountain Food + Drink has invigorated Sooke’s culinary scene. Guided by slow food principles, the restaurant supports local farmers, foragers and fishermen to reflect the harvest of the island. Perched on the hill overlooking the waterfront, Wild Mountain is housed in a quaint converted fisherman’s bungalow. There’s an air of culinary adventure and experimentation in the five-course tasting menu. Everything, from the organic salad to the mozzarella with prosciutto and butternut squash, to the wild spring salmon and fennel chiffon cake, was perfection.

Day Three

Meander the Town’s Shops

After yet another hearty breakfast at Sooke Harbour House, it was time to explore the town’s shops. Whether you’re searching for handcrafted wares, unique boutique finds or a good read, Sooke offers a variety of carefully curated retail shops.

Part coffee, garden and gift shop, Artisan’s Garden is an all-in-one destination for locals and tourists alike. Stop in for gourmet coffee from a friendly barista or wander outside to get expert gardening advice. You’ll find a bit of everything here, from baked goods, artisan coffee, textiles, housewares, gifts, pottery, candles and art.

On the garden floor of Artisan’s Garden, I discovered Terrier Books, an eco-conscious books and gift shop. I don’t think I’ve ever stepped into such a whimsical bookstore. I walked out with a couple of children’s books.

Walk Along the Sooke Boardwalk Loop

Sooke’s popular wooden boardwalk takes you from Ed Macgregor Park, where you can then wander through lush gardens and forested paths, onto the waterfront boardwalk and Rotary Pier with sweeping views of Sooke Harbour. It can take 30 minutes to one hour, depending on how often you stop for photos, wildlife or to watch fishermen crabbing off the pier.

Dine at West Coast Grill

Located in the Prestige Oceanfront Resort, the West Coast Grill is synonymous with casual waterfront dining that’s family-friendly and filled with local charm. It recently underwent a coastal décor renovation. Known for its fresh seafood, the restaurant’s creamy garlic prawns were a standout, along with the lemongrass ginger sablefish. As a final meal in Sooke, this restaurant lets you enjoy delicious fare without the formality.

As I flew home, I couldn’t help but muse on how Sooke was just what the doctor ordered—an opportunity to take a break from daily stresses in a most beautiful coastal destination.