Experiences
Discover unforgettable experiences at Ocean Wilderness Inn, from exploring scenic forest trails and secluded beaches, to unwinding in the tranquility of Vancouver Island’s West coast
Experience Nature At Its Finest!
Enjoy spectacular views of Salish Sea/Juan de Fuca Strait, majestic old growth trees, lush gardens and the private beach on our 5 beautiful acres. Trek the rustic trail that meanders along the freshwater stream that ends at the ocean. After your hike or ocean adventure, come back and soak in our cliff-side, ocean view hot tub. Enjoy your privacy as each suite has its own a private entrance and en-suite bathroom.
Close to French Beach, Mystic Beach, China Beach and Botanical Beach. Only 10 km to award-winning local restaurants, world-class hiking, surfing, whale watching, Provincial Parks, fishing, the Galloping Goose Trail, golfing, zip lining, kite surfing, and tons of local art and crafts.
West Of The West Coast
Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or a place to gather with loved ones, Ocean Wilderness Inn provides the perfect blend of nature, comfort, and charm.
Adventure In The Forest
Wander through the mossy rainforests of Vancouver Island’s West coast, where each step reveals towering cedars, hidden waterfalls, and the rhythmic crash of the Pacific Ocean. Mist clings to ferns along mushroom dotted pathways, leading down to beaches strewn with driftwood, where the scent of salt and earth is in the air. Breathe it in!
Visit Local Spots
View the rugged beauty of the wild coastline from Sheringham Point Lighthouse.
Enjoy forest bathing on a walk through the Sooke Potholes park and enjoy the river pools and beautiful trails that surround it.
Choose a beach walk and a forest walk – you can combine the two! Heading West on Highway 14 from Ocean Wilderness Inn, French Beach is the first one you will find.
Next is Sandcut Beach which has a lovely waterfall.
China Beach is a favourite, and has a large beach with some soft grey sand at the end of a gorgeous hike through the forest. Pack a lunch and go for the day!
Sombrio Beach is another favourite. Bring your surfboard or just enjoy watching the surfers, seals and sometimes killer whales!
Botanical Beach is up at Port Renfrew and well worth the drive. Try to plan your visit to be there at or around low tide, where you can see multitudes of sea life in the tide pools. If you are already here, you could keep driving across to Cowichan, and complete the beautiful Pacific Marine Circle Route.
The serene trails of East Sooke Park are well maintained and connect with the Galloping Goose Regional Trail.
Explore The Beaches
Wandering the beaches of the West coast offers a breathtaking beauty. At Botanical Beach, the tide pools brim with marine life, revealing a hidden world of anemones and starfish at low tide. Mystic Beach enchants with its waterfall cascading onto the sand, reachable by a winding forest trail lined with towering trees and suspension bridges.
Local Restaurants, Groceries & Supplies
The Sooke to Port Renfrew region is graced with an amazing, world-class, and locally-sourced selection of eateries. Hence the name the “Culinary Coast of Vancouver Island”.
Locally-Sourced Eateries
- Route 14
- Stickleback Eatery
- Wild Mountain
- Stoked Wood Fired Pizza
- Sheringham Point Distillery
- Sooke Brewery
- Shirley Delicious
- Bad Dog Brewery
- The Sooke Harbour House
- Hara Sushi
- The Stick in the Mud Coffee House
- Village Food Market
- Sooke River Hotel & Castle Liquor
- 17 Mile Pub, Ale House & Liquor Store
- My Chosen Cafe
- Cold Shoulder Cafe
- The Lazy Gecko
Local Events & Artists
Sooke has become quite famous as an artist enclave so please come and experience the works of artisans throughout the region: at local events, private studios, and showcased (and available for purchase) throughout the region in restaurants hotels and shops. Many artisans offer tours, and classes.
Explore The Outdoors
Adventure choices are numerous and varied, on the water, in the water, on the ground or in the air.
Local Adventure Choices
Local Beaches
Vancouver Island’s west coast is home to stunning beaches like Mystic Beach, Botanical Beach, and French Beach, where rugged shorelines, tide pools, and breathtaking ocean views create the perfect coastal escape.
Ocean Wilderness Inn Beach
We have a wonderful beach just at the bottom of our private hiking trail here at OWI – with spectacular views of the Olympic mountains across the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
China Beach
22.4 km North of Ocean Wilderness Inn on Highway 14.
Please see this AllTrails link to map, details & difficulty
French Beach and Campground
The park is located about 5 km north of Ocean Wilderness Inn. There are three areas in the park with two entrances. The first entrance takes you to the day parking lot and the camp ground. Turn left once you enter the park driveway to get to the camping area. Be sure to check the fees on the provincial website, The second entrance takes you to an area in the park that you can rent for family gatherings. Again, check the website.
There is also a sani-dump station right across the highway from the park entrance.
Jordan River
17.2 km from Ocean Wilderness Inn
This is a beautiful spot, just off the main road, with some popular surfing breaks to take advantage of. The delicious Cold Shoulder cafe is right across the street!
Please see this AllTrails link to map, details & difficulty.
Mystic Beach
23.6 km from Ocean Wilderness Inn on Highway 14.
Please see this AllTrails link to map, details & difficulty.
Sombrio
The beach can be accessed from British Columbia Highway 14 via the Sombrio Beach Trailhead, where there are parking and restroom facilities.
Botanical
Botanical Beach and nearby Botany Bay can be accessed at the end of Cerantes Road from the large roundabout parking lot in the Juan de Fuca Provincial Marine Park.
Sandcut
Sandcut Beach is situated between French Beach Provincial Park and Jordan River, just 31 kilometres west of Sooke on Highway 14. Access to the beach is clear with a gravel parking lot and it is only a 15 minute hike from the parking area along a rugged wooded trail leading to a stone and pebble beach with sandstone and waterfalls.
Hikes & Scrambles
Explore the diverse trails of Vancouver Island’s west coast, from scenic forest walks to rugged coastal scrambles. Whether you’re trekking through mossy rainforests, climbing rocky bluffs, or following winding paths to secluded beaches, every hike offers a new adventure in nature’s wild beauty.
Ocean Wilderness Beach
The beach at Ocean Wilderness Inn is right outside your door. A short walk through the rain forest and down the steps to the shore. Enjoy the peace and quiet of a summer afternoon on the beach. A walk along the beach to the right of the Inn you will find a fossil bed. 25 million years in the making, these fossils are extraordinary. Be sure to take your camera.
French Beach
French beach is a 5 minute drive north of Ocean Wilderness Inn, on Route 14, towards Jordan River. The beach is well marked and has lots of parking as well as washrooms and a trailer dumping station. The beach is an easy walk from the parking lot. A great place for a simple walk on the beach where you can slip your feet into the Pacific Ocean and play in the sand.
Jordan River Beach
The Jordan River campground is just 16 km from Ocean Wilderness Inn. Sunning surfing and camping are the order of the day. Campground parking spots are $15 a night from April 1st until October 31st. There are portable washrooms and potable water available in the parking lot.
One of the easiest ways to get to Sandcut beach is to hike from Jordan River, along the beach. Just find a spot to park close to the south end of Jordan River Beach. Then just hike south along the water.
Whiffin Spit
Whiffin Spit is situated between the Sooke Harbour and Juan de Fuca Strait and offers a scenic coastal walk along the shoreline. The area is popular with dog walkers and nature enthusiasts as wildlife such as shorebirds and sea lions can often be spotted during your walk.
East Sooke (around Sooke Basin)
East Sooke Regional Park offers a true West Coast wilderness experience. Hike along the rugged, windswept coastline, traverse dry hilltops, and wander through dense rainforests to discover sheltered coves.
Sooke Potholes (& Galloping Goose)
The Galloping Goose Trail is a scenic and popular cycling route that stretches over 55 kilometers (110 km round trip) from Victoria to Sooke. Riding along this trail, you’ll be surrounded by stunning natural beauty, from verdant forests and rolling hills to sparkling rivers and tranquil lakes.
Sheringham Point Lighthouse
This Vancouver Island Lighthouse, located in Shirley, BC, can be viewed a short drive off the highway, making for easy access and perfect for taking in the ocean air and the fantastic photo opportunities.
Langford Walks
- Hatley Castle
- Esquimalt Lagoon
- Goldstream
