You don’t have to go far in BC to really get out into the wilds and off the grid. One of my favourites is a road trip on the Pacific Marine Circle Route on Southern Vancouver Island.
This road trip starts and ends in Victoria, one of BC’s biggest cities, but most of the route goes through remote wilderness. There are tons of places to stop and hike, check out waterfalls, visit enormous trees, or walk on the beach.
Unlike some of other trips on BC’s backroads, this one is entirely paved and you go through tiny (and adorable towns) every few hours. If you’re looking for a weekend of outdoorsy adventure on Vancouver Island, you’ve got to drive the Pacific Marine Circle Route. (It even made my list of the best weekend getaways from Vancouver.)
Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn
Table of Contents
Driving Directions
The Pacific Marine Circle Route is a loop road trip that starts and ends in Victoria on Southern Vancouver Island. (If you didn’t know, Vancouver Island is a large island on the west coast of British Columbia, and is one of Canada’s most beautiful islands.)
The route is only about 260km long and can be driven in one day, but since there is so much to see along the way, many people prefer to take a few days. Driving directions are as follows:
- From Victoria go west along highway 14 to Port Renfrew
- Next, go inland to Lake Cowichan on Pacific Marine Road
- Follow the Cowichan River and highway 18 east to Duncan
- Finish by taking highway 1 south back to Victoria.
The entire route is well signed so you won’t get lost. You can travel the loop in either direction, but I did a clockwise loop so I’m describing it that way here. I also made a custom, clickable Google map for you with all the stops highlighted!
Road Conditions and Driving Tips
The entire Pacific Marine Circle Route is paved. It used to have a gravel portion between Port Renfrew and Lake Cowichan but it was paved almost a decade ago. Besides parts of the section on highway 1 between Duncan and Victoria, it’s a two lane road with few opportunities for passing.
There are several sections that are very twisty and despite being paved, the road is a bit bumpy. There are also a handful of single lane bridges. Most of the route (besides the portion on highway 1) has very little traffic.
Some parts of the Pacific Marine Circle Route are quite remote and there are a few stretches where you’ll go quite a while without passing any services.
In particular, there aren’t any stores, restaurants or gas stations between Sooke and Lake Cowichan except in Port Renfrew. There is a gas station in Port Renfrew but you can’t count on it being open so it’s best to fuel up in Sooke.
There is no cell coverage on the western part of the route. You will lose cell service between Sooke and Lake Cowichan. As I said, the road is well signed so as long as you stay on the main road, you will be fine.
However, if you plan to take any side trips off the main route you should bring paper maps or a GPS. (And believe me, I’ve got some side trips for you that are definitely worth it!)
I used the Vancouver Island Backroad Mapbook on my roadtrip of the Pacific Marine Circle Tour. It was really helpful, especially at some confusing logging road junctions.
You can definitely drive the Pacific Marine Circle Route in a single day. It takes about 5 hours to drive with no stops. But many of the stops will take you an hour or more, so it’s best to split the trip up over several days. Two days is great but three or four is better.
It’s easy to rent a car in Victoria or at the Victoria Airport. I use Discover Cars because it lets you compare prices from lots of different car rental companies to get the best deal.
Places to Stop on the Pacific Marine Circle Route
East Sooke Regional Park
Explore the windswept coast in East Sooke Park. There are 50km of trails to choose from with varying difficult.
If you want a short walk, hike 5 minutes from the Aylard Farm trailhead to explore the nearby beach. If you have more time, hike some of the Coastal Trail. Bring a copy of the trail map to help you find your way.
To get to East Sooke Park, turn left onto Gillespie Road. Follow the signs to the park via East Sooke Road and Beecher Bay Road. Click here for google maps driving directions.
Sooke Potholes
The Sooke potholes are a popular place for swimming in the river rock pools when the water levels are low in the summer. (In the winter they just look like rapids.) You can also hike on the numerous trails to get great views of the river.
The ruins of an old lodge sit right next to the edge of the river canyon. There’s a fence around the ruins, and they are officially off-limits, but the area has become a favourite for local graffiti artists.
To get to the Sooke Potholes turn right on Sooke River Road. If you cross the bridge over the Sooke River, you’ve gone too far. Follow Sooke River Road up the hill into Sooke Potholes Provincial Park. Click here for Google Maps driving directions.
There is one river access point here, but for more river access points and the hiking trails, continue a few kilometers further to Sooke Potholes Regional Park.
Sooke
Make sure you stock up on gas and groceries in the little town of Sooke, BC (population 13,000). It’s the largest centre you’ll pass through until Lake Cowichan, about 130km further along the Pacific Marine Circle Route.
There are a few cafes, coffee shops and fast food options if you need to take a break. I like both The Stick in the Mud Coffee House and Serious Coffee.
Whiffin Spit
A sand spit over 1km long protects Sooke Harbour. Take a walk out along the spit to get great views of the calm Sooke basin on one side and the wilder Juan de Fuca straight on the other side. There’s a gravel trail out to the end of the spit and benches to sit on if you just want to take in the scenery.
To get to Whiffen Spit, turn left onto Whiffen Spit road about 2km after the round about in “downtown” Sooke. Follow the road to it’s end past the famous Sooke Harbour House hotel and restaurant. There’s a small parking lot and it can be very busy. Click here for Google Maps driving directions.
Shirley Delicious
About 20 minutes past Sooke you’ll see a little A-frame cabin on the left hand side. That’s Shirley Delicious. It’s an adorable cafe, bakery and coffee shop that you can’t miss. The owner is so friendly.
To get to Shirley Delicious turn left onto Sheringham Point road about 20 minutes past Sooke. It’s right after you pass the Shirley Community Hall. Click here for Google Maps driving directions.
Sandcut Beach
For years I had seen amazing photos of the waterfall at Sandcut Beach on Instagram, so I was really stoked to finally see it for myself.
The water pours over the lip of the sandstone cliff onto the beach. In drier weather you can walk behind the falls, but when I visited in springtime, the flow of the falls was way too heavy.
To get to Sandcut Beach look for a small signed parking lot on your left about 10 minutes past Shirley Delicious. Click here for Google Maps driving directions.
From the parking lot it’s a 10 minute hike through the forest to the beach. The trail can be muddy. Once at the beach, turn left and walk along the gravelly beach for another 5 minutes to the falls.
Mystic Beach
Mystic Beach is located at the southern end of the Juan de Fuca Trail, a 47km coastal backpack trip that I think of as the West Coast Trail’s younger cousin.
You don’t have to do the whole trail to visit Mystic Beach: you can hike 2 km down to the beach and admire the wild West Coast scenery.
The beach is a popular day hiking destination thanks to its photogenic waterfall. If you brought camping gear, you can camp overnight. (See my Juan de Fuca trail guide for more info.)
To get to Mystic Beach turn left into the China Beach day use parking lot in Juan de Fuca Provincial Park. It’s about 7 minutes past Sandcut Beach. Click here for Google Maps driving directions.
It’s a 2km hike to the beach. Along the way you’ll cross a suspension bridge high over Pete Wolf Creek.
READ NEXT: Juan De Fuca Trail Guide: Backpacking on Vancouver Island
Sombrio Beach
Sombrio Beach is located around the mid-point of the Juan de Fuca Trail. It’s a popular place for walk-in camping on the beach as well as for surfing.
The beach stretches around a wide bay and there is lots to explore. One of the most interesting features of the beach is the waterfall hidden in a mossy canyon.
If you want to find the hidden waterfall, turn left and walk down the beach until you see an outhouse in the trees. A minute past the outhouse you’ll see a creek flowing out on to the beach. Follow the creek upstream to find the waterfall. (Be prepared to get your feet wet!)
The canyon is a sensitive place and is sacred to the Pacheedaht First Nation so please be respectful. There is already some graffiti in the canyon – please don’t add any more.
To get to Sombio Beach, drive 21km from the Mystic Beach parking lot. Look for a gravel road on your left. It may be signed for Sombio Beach but often the sign is missing. Click here for Google Maps driving directions.
From here it’s a 2km drive on a rough gravel road down to the parking lot. Most regular cars can make it but it is very bumpy with lots of potholes so you might prefer to park at the top and walk down if you don’t have a 4wd.
From the parking lot it’s an easy 5 minute walk to the beach.
Port Renfrew
Port Renfrew is pretty unique. It’s a tiny town at the end of highway 14. Traditionally most people knew it as a great fishing spot or as one of the starting points for both the West Coast Trail and the Juan de Fuca Trail.
It’s a gritty little logging town that is slowly transforming itself into a cute eco-tourism hub thanks to its new reputation as the tall tree capital of Canada.
There isn’t a real designated centre to the town – it’s kind of spread out. Be sure to head down to the dock next to the Port Renfrew Pub at the end of highway 14 to grab some photos.
Port Renfrew makes a great basecamp for day trips in the area. On my trip we camped one night at the Pacheedaht campground and spend our second night in town at the fabulous waterfront Wild Renfrew cabins.
There is a small general store in town if you need supplies. The Port Renfew Pub is open year round and there are two other seasonal restaurants. There’s a seasonal gas station at the marina and a brand new gas station right at the entrance to town.
Botanical Beach and Botany Bay
If you are in the area, you can’t miss the tide pools at Botanical Beach. Located inside Juan de Fuca Provincial Park, the area is so ecologically diverse that marine biologists have been studying here for over 100 years.
Check the tide table before you go so you can time your visit for the lowest tides. Try to aim for a tide of 1.2m or less.
After exploring at Botanical Beach, take the loop trail heading west along the coast to Botany Bay. Along the way you’ll pass through beautiful coastal rainforest. There are several beach access trails at Botany Bay, plus a couple of great view points on the bluff above the beach.
The trail loops back to your starting point at the parking lot. The Botanical Beach/Botany Bay loop trail is 2.8km long and takes about an hour to hike… plus stops. (You’re going to want to make a LOT of stops.)
To get to the Botanical Beach and Botany Bay trailhead, turn left on to Cerantes Road where highway 14 dead-ends in front of the Port Renfrew Pub. Drive about 5 minutes on this road until it ends in the Botanical Beach parking lot of Juan de Fuca Provincial Park. Click here for Google Maps driving directions.
Avatar Grove, Big Lonely Doug and Port Renfrew’s Big Trees
You can visit some of the world’s largest and oldest trees near Port Renfrew. Canada’s Gnarliest Cedar is in Avatar Grove, an easy 10km drive from town. Slightly further afield is Big Lonely Doug, the world’s second largest Douglas Fir.
Doug stands alone in a clearcut, so you can really get a sense of how tall he is. There are a few other record setting trees in the area as well including the Harris Creek Spruce, the Red Creek Fir and the San Juan Spruce.
You can visit all of the trees as a day trip from Port Renfrew or as part of your Pacific Marine Circle Tour road trip. A few of the trees require 4 wheel drive to visit, but most are on easily accessible (but bumpy) gravel roads.
I have a complete guide to visiting them all in my article How to Visit Avatar Grove, Big Lonely Doug and Other Big Trees on Vancouver Island.
READ NEXT: How to Visit Avatar Grove, Big Lonely Doug and Other Big Trees
Fairy Lake
Fairy Lake is just outside Port Renfrew. There’s a campsite there and a short nature trail, but the real star is the internet-famous bansai tree of Fairy Lake. This plucky little tree is growing out of a partially submerged log near the edge of the lake.
If you come in the spring like I did, the lake level will be high and the partially submerged log will be almost entirely underwater.
To see the tree drive past the entrance to the Fairy Lake Recreate Site Campground and pull over on to the gravel shoulder once the lake comes in to view. This is the best place to see the tree. Click here for Google Maps driving directions.
Lake Cowichan
The town of Lake Cowichan is pretty small, but compared to Port Renfrew, it’s a metropolis. This is a great place to stop for gas, groceries or something to eat. You may also want to stretch your legs with a walk along the lakeshore at the community park.
Cowichan Valley Trail
Just outside of Lake Cowichan you can access the Cowichan Valley Trail. This trail is actually part of the Trans-Canada Trail.
The Cowichan Valley Trail is built on an old rail bed. It has a crushed gravel surface that makes it great for easy walks or bike rides. The trail also crosses a few old wooden train trestles high above the valley.
The main access point for the Cowichan Valley Trail is right in the town of Lake Cowichan on Cowichan Lake road just before you turn on to highway 18. You can also access it via several side roads off highway 18. There’s lots more info on the TrailsBC website.
Cowichan River Footpath
If you want a slightly more challenging (but still easy) hike, head to the Cowichan River Footpath in Cowichan River Provincial Park. This footpath meaders next to the Cowichan River through lush rain forests downstream to an old train trestle bridge over then river, then heads back up the other side.
You can start and finish your hike at Skutz Falls, a popular swimming hole in the summer and a great place to watch salmon jump up the fish ladders in the fall.
To get to the Cowichan River Footpath, turn right onto Mayo Road from highway 18 about 9km from Lake Cowichan. Follow Mayo Road downhill to the river and park near the bridge. The trail starts from either side of the bridge. Click here for Google Maps driving directions.
Duncan and the Cowichan Valley
The town of Duncan and the Cowichan Valley are the agricultural heart of Southern Vancouver Island. There are tons of farms, wineries, and dairies. Try to time your visit so you can shop at the farmers market in Duncan on Saturdays or Cobble Hill on Sundays (summer only). Some of the farms and wineries also have on-site shops and tasting rooms.
Malahat Drive
In order to get back to Victoria you’ll have to climb up and over the Malahat Summit. Rising 300m above the waters of Saanich Inlet, Malahat Summit isn’t really that high up, but it still provides excellent views.
There are a few viewpoints but you can only access them in you are driving north. If you are southbound, you’ll have to continue past them to the next U-turn location.
I haven’t had a chance to visit yet, but the Malahat Skywalk is also a great place for incredible views. It’s a huge circular elevated walkway that rises out of the forest. You can walk back down or take a ride on their slide.
Save time by buying tickets in advance.
Click here for Google Maps driving directions.
Goldstream Provincial Park
At the end of the Malahat, just before reaching Victoria, lies Goldstream Provincial Park. This popular park has tons of hiking trails and a campground.
If you want a mountain hike, head up the steep trail to Mount Finlayson. If you’re after waterfalls, visit BC’s very own Niagara Falls on a short 1.3km hike.
The park is also a great place to go bird watching – it’s even on the BC Bird Trail. On a recent visit I strolled on the streamside path and spotted eagles, American dippers, and common mergansers.
To get to Goldstream Provincial Park turn left onto Finlayson Arm Road just as the highway finishes it’s descent to sea level fro the Malahat. There is a flashing traffic light at this intersection and a provincial parks sign. The parking lot is just off the highway. Click here for Google Maps driving directions.
Langford
Before heading back to Victoria, stop in the city of Langford. Located on the outskirts of Victoria, it’s the fastest growing community in BC. That means that for a suburban centre, it has incredible food.
Don’t miss a show-stopper meal at House of Boateng. I had an incredible six course long table dinner at their nearby event space, but you can book in to their award-winning restaurant as well.
If you’re looking for something more casual, Rhino Coffee has great doughnuts, sandwiches, and of course coffee. And don’t miss the incredible handmade ice cream at Parachute Ice Cream.
Where to Stay
There are lots of accommodation options on the Pacific Marine Circle Route, from cute cabins, to waterfront campsites to posh inns. If you’re just staying one night, it makes the most sense to base yourself in Port Renfrew as it’s essentially the half-way point.
If your trip is a bit longer, you could consider booking accommodation in Sooke, Lake Cowichan, the Cowichan Valley, or Langford as well.
On one of my trips we actually spent two nights in Port Renfrew as you can take lots of great day trips from there. (You can’t miss Avatar Grove and Big Lonely Doug!)
In Port Renfrew I recommend the cabins at Wild Renfrew. They are right on the pier in Port Renfrew near the pub. The cabins have covered patios overlooking the ocean and gas powered fire pits. It was great to sit on the patio, listening to the rain on the roof after a long day of exploring.
Want more ideas for cozy cabins in the area? Check out my list of the best cabin rentals in BC.
For a splurge, stay at the Westin Bear Mountain Resort in Langford at the beginning or end of your Pacific Marine Circle Route road trip. It has a beautiful mountain top location and a great on-site restaurant. It also makes a good base for foodie stops in Langford or trips to Goldstream Provincial Park.
If you’re rather camp, there are lots of options along the route. I love the Pacheedaht campground just outside Port Renfrew. It’s right on the beach and the sunsets are spectacular!
Here’s a list of all the campgrounds you’ll pass on the Pacific Marine Circle Route:
- Sooke Potholes Regional Park
- Sooke River Campground
- French Beach Provincial Park
- Jordan River Regional Park
- Juan de Fuca Provincial Park China Beach Campground
- Juan de Fuca Provincial Park Sombrio Beach Campground (walk-in only)
- Pacheedaht Campground: Phone 250-647-0090
- Fairy Lake Recreation Site
- Lizard Lake Recreation Site
- Lakeview Park Campsite
- Cowichan River Provincial Park
- Bamberton Provincial Park
- Goldstream Provincial Park
I’ve driven the Pacific Marine Circle Route a few times, and I just keep going back. In particular I love Port Renfrew. It’s a tiny logging town that is transitioning to eco-tourism while (mostly) retaining its gritty roots. And to me that’s so quintessentially BC. You have to go visit!
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42 responses to “Pacific Marine Circle Route Road Trip Guide”
Hi Taryn. I am visiting Salt Spring and Vancouver Islands this July. Wondering if you have recommendations of places to stop along the drive from SSI and Tofino.
Terrific job on your blog! I just started one in January and appreciate your detailed content. Looking forward to visiting VI this summer.
You’ll love Vancouver Island. If you’re looking for places to stop on the way to Tofino, my friend has a great blog post about it: https://www.chrisistace.com/tofino-road-trip/ In between Salt Spring and the turn off for highway 4 to Tofino make sure to stop at the beaches in Parksville. Some people also really love the Old Country Market in Coombs – it’s the place with goats on the roof. It can get really touristy, but it’s still nice.
On Saltspring you can’t miss the farmer’s market and the coastal trail in Ruckle Provincial Park.
Hi Taryn
We have just written a guide book on this route – The Guide to the Pacific Marine Route by Janis Morrison and Dave Mann; it is available online at Indigo Chapters, BC Ferries and many shops along the route. We have just done the second printing as the first one sold out in less than 6 months. Have a look – would be great if you could attach it to your article.
I agree that Port Renfrew is a very special place. The village is cute, but the surroundings are formidable. It is not just the giant trees, but the mosaic of clearcuts, secondary and old growth forests, the Harbor seals looking at you from the water, the scenery near the dock and at the sides of the Deering Road Bridge. I actually saw a Black bear, river otters and mink. Everything was serene, majestic, soothing. I stayed for three days but I but have liked to remain for a long time
excellent review and guide – thanks Taryn
Taryn, thanks for all the information!!
We did the whole trip (missed Delicious in Shirley, camper speed was to high 🙂 )
Slept at Pacheedaht campground near the sea (water and electric hookup).
Route is advisable .
Thanks again.
Sandra and Erik
So glad you guys had a great time. Isn’t the Pacheedaht campground beautiful?!
I am planning a trip to Vancouver Island in June. We’ll be traveling in a small motorhome. I’m wondering if the road from Port Renfrew to Cowichan Lake is advisable. Perhaps I should be asking about other portions of the loop you describe, I don’t know.
Hi Marilyn,
I have never driven a motorhome, but I have seen RVs at the Pachdeedaht campground in Port Renfrew and the marina also has RV parking. As I said in the post, the road is hilly, winding and a bit bumpy, but it should be fine for any car, and that includes RVs. Just take it slow and you’ll be fine. Use the pullouts to pull over and let other cars pass. Enjoy the trip!
Hi Taryn, I am planning a trip to Vancouver Island in mid-February. I am wondering if the Pacific marine circle route is useable at this time of the year. Thank you for this review!
Yes, the route is close to sea level so its pretty rare to get snow in that area so you can drive this route all year long. The only area that could be an issue is the section between Port Renfrew and Lake Cowichan, but the highest point on that part is only 400m so unless it is a big storm, it shouldn’t be a problem. In the winter not all of the businesses along the route will be open, but most of them are. Have a great trip!
Funny there’s no mention of the huge swathes of clear cut forest you get the pleasure of driving through. Nothing says a beautiful drive of Vancouver island like seeing a mountain stripped clean of trees and everything else burned to ashes. Of you truly want to see the beauty of Vancouver island, I’d skip half the circle route and stay away from the middle of the island.
Hi Shane, Yes it’s true that the section from Port Renfrew to Lake Cowichan does pass a lot of active logging. It’s definitely not pretty, but it’s a reality in BC. Personally I found it more interesting to complete the circle around through Lake Cowichan and Duncan rather than backtracking, but I know not everyone will agree.
Is this route RV friendly? We have a 33 ft class A rig and tow a small car behind.
I haven’t driven the route in a RV, but I know many people do drive RVs on the Pacific Marine Circle Route each year. The roads are winding and a bit bumpy, but the entire thing is paved and never very steep. There also aren’t any crazy sharp turns so having a longer rig and a tow vehicle should be fine. Just go slow and pull over to let traffic pass you when you can (there aren’t any passing lanes), and you’ll have a great time.
Hi Taryn, Thanks for writing such a great guide. We are in Victoria for a couple of days en route to Vancouver for a cruise and we really fancy renting a car for the day and doing this drive. However we’d really like to include a visit to the Kinsol Trestle and then stop somewhere nice for a light lunch… so I’m concerned we might struggle to fit it all in, in the limited time we have. If we just did half of the route (anticlockwise) up to Cowichan Lake via the Trestle, then turn round and head back to Victoria again, would that be more realistic time-wise and allow a few more stops including a waterfall perhaps?.
Hi Max,
If you just do the part up to Cowichan Lake, you won’t have seen much of the route. It’s still a beautiful area, but it’s on a busier highway and isn’t nearly as scenic. I think you could fit in the whole loop in one day if you skip a bunch of the stops. The total driving time is about 4.5 hours for the whole loop. Add on another 30 minutes of driving time for the Kinsol Trestle side trip. Then add on time spent at each stop. You could definitely see the highlights in one long day.
Hi Taryn, planning to do this trip this summer. Thanks for all the great information! My quest…are the west coast beaches and trails all dog friendly?
Hi Barb, I don’t own a dog and haven’t taken dogs on this trip so I can’t comment directly on that. However, all of the trails and beaches on this list allow dogs on a leash. Just an FYI that some of the areas are environmentally sensitive. If you’re looking for info on how to respect the wilderness while out with your dog, check out this post about Leave No Trace hiking with dogs.
Hi Taryn,
Is the road from Port Renfrew to Sooke in good shape and are log trucks a concern? Is there a website with current construction updates between Cowichan, Port Renfrew and Sooke?
Thank you,
Hi Robert,
I actually just drove the road from Port Renfrew to Sooke again yesterday. It’s in good condition. It’s paved the whole way, although it can be bumpy in a few places. The section closest to Port Renfrew is really windy with some one-lane bridges, but take it slow and you’ll be fine. You can find construction and road conditions updates for all highways in British Columbia on drivebc.ca.
Hey Taryn,
Thanks for the great post, a lot of wonderful tips in there 🙂 I am heading to Port Renfrew and doing the Pacific marine Circle this weekend, and was thinking of doing a day hike on a portion of the Juan De Fuca Trail. Do you have any recommendations for the best stretches of it ? ( Would prefer to keep it under 5 hours hike ). Thanks ! 🙂
Hi Preethi, The southern most section of the JDF to Mystic Beach is a good option. Or the northern most section to Botanical Beach. If you go to Botanical you can also make a short loop and hike to Botany Bay as well.
This was such an awesome guide. It heavily inspired our tour. We had a wonderful time. Agree that Port Renfrew is absolutely amazing. Thank you for this great post
I’m so happy to hear you had a good time. It’s such a beautiful part of the world!
I grew up on the Island and have done many of places that you mention. Just wondering if Dogs are allowed on the trails and beaches? Also looking for lodging allowing dogs. Thank you for making this trip so inviting for my husband that hates Road Trips but has no say now that we are in COVID times.
This is definitely a good time for a road trip! Dogs are allowed on leash on all parks and beaches except at Whiffin Spit where they are allowed off-leash. Wild Renfrew cottages in Port Renfrew is my favourite place to stay and I believe they do accept pets with a pet fee.
Hi Taryn…my sister and I are planning a trip to the Island in the summer (fingers crossed the travel ban is lifted!). This route is at the top of our list, along with a side trip up to Elk Falls Provincial Park and Telegraph Cove. We are avid hikers and love all things waterfall! I’m curious if you could provide a more detailed itinerary…I’m having difficulty knowing how much can be combined in one day. We have 7 days to explore both areas. Thank you so much!
Hi Danielle, I’d be happy to help with a detailed travel itinerary. Please send me an email taryn@happiestoutdoors.ca and we can chat more.
Hi Taryn,
I’m planning to do the Pacific Marine Circle route with my parents this summer with a 3 night stay in Port Renfrew. My parents are in their late 70s and in fairly good shape. They can walk 3-5 km comfortably on flat surfaces but would have difficulty over uneven surfaces. Can you comment on the accessibility and trail condition of the most popular beaches/trails between Sooke and Port Renfrew? My parents are very excited about getting out and exploring after a year of staying at home. Thanks!
Hi Helen. Unfortunately many of the stops on the trip are not accessible. The stops I’d recommend for your parents are Whiffin Spit, the town of Sooke, Shirley Delicious, the town of Port Renfrew, Avatar Grove if they can do some stairs, Fairy Lake, Lake Cowichan, the Cowichan Valley Trail, the town of Duncan, and Malahat Lookout
Hi Taryn,
I’ll do the Pacific Marine Circle route next month.
Your guide is the best I’ve found! Love the tips on parks and trails and your helpful and insightful comments.
Just saying thank you 🙂
Amazing! Is there any stand up paddle board places you recommend?
The coast is fairly exposed in most places along the route. The best places to SUP would be Sooke Harbour and Lake Cowichan.
@Taryn Eyton, Thank you for your recommendations! I will be spending weekend at the Wild Renfrew towards the end of the month. Your guide has been super helpful in planning a trip around the Paciic Marine Circle. Best guide on the internet I’ve found! With the House of Boateng being shut down for dinner… Any other places you’d reccommend for nicer dining experiences?
Sooke Harbour House is lovely, but it is currently closed for renovations and won’t reopen until the fall or early winter. Another option (although not as fancy) would be the Old Firehouse in Duncan. Otherwise you are best off going to Victoria for higher end dinners.
Hi Taryn
Thank you for your wonderful and detailed article – so full of helpful information! I have done this route once before, but with not a lot of time for many stops. We will be heading out again in September and are hoping to explore much more of the area. I have read now that Avatar Grove is closed for trail upgrades? Do you happen to have any more up-to-date information on this closure (and/or expected re-opening)?
The only info I have is on the Sites and Trails BC website here: http://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/search/search-result.aspx?site=REC202159&type=Site You could try getting in touch with the Port Renfrew visitor info centre. They might know more.
Hello. We are staying in Victoria for a couple days and have also booked 2 days in Sooke. I was thinking of taking this drive to visit Malahat Skywalk and then onward to enjoy a scenic drive landing in Sooke. What other stops do your recommend on the way to Sooke? Sounds like Port Renfew is your favorite. Should we just head there for a lunch stop and hike around this area before checking in? Wondering if I should just do this drive another time and do Victoria and Sooke, and Port Renfew as a day trip from Sooke.
You could certainly drive the entire loop in a day, but it would be rushed. My advice would be to spend one of your days in Sooke driving to Port Renfrew and back and stopping at some of the places mentioned in this post. The drive to Sooke from Victoria is mostly on highways through Victoria’s outer suburbs so there isn’t really anywhere in particular I would recommend you stop before you get to Sooke. Have a great trip.
Hi Taryn, We’re a retired couple from the UK and are hiring a 32ft RV. We’re considering doing the Pacific Marine circle route. Do you think it is safe to do this?
I welcome your comments.
Many thanks
Angie Norman
Lots of people drive this route in RVs every year – it is safe to do so and is allowed. However, it depends on your level of comfort with driving a long vehicle. The road is narrow, twisty, and bumpy. There are also no passing lanes so you will likely need to pull over to let traffic pass periodically.