Menu
Home > See & Do > Pacific Marine Circle Route

The ultimate road trip, west coast style!

There is no better way to experience our rugged Pacific coastline than at your own pace, on your own time, stopping whenever you feel inspired. There is no shortage of inspiration along this 300 kilometre (185 mile), one to five-day loop that offers endless beaches, pristine lakes, views of the Olympic Mountains, acclaimed restaurants, wineries and places to stay.

Check out the videos below, explore the different destinations along the way, and plan your perfect Pacific coast adventure.

Play Pacific Marine Circle Route main video Play Pacific Marine Circle Route main video

DESTINATIONS ALONG THE WAY

Where will the circle route take you? Select a destination below for activities, attractions, food and lodging along the way.

Victoria
Victoria

SEE & DO

Easily explorable, endlessly entertaining. Few places are as full of life as Victoria. Strongly tied to the land and sea, the oldest city in the Pacific Northwest proudly offers everything a friendly, exciting and welcoming destination should. Escape your everyday with scenic Inner Harbour strolls, centuries-old historical sites, superb local coastal cuisine, and a thriving arts and cultural scene.

ACTIVITIES & ATTRACTIONS

STAY

Find the ideal room with an even better view. From historic hotels to charming B&Bs; search for lavish and luxurious or convenient and cost-conscious. Browse hundreds of amazing properties to experience Victoria your way.

ACCOMODATIONS IN VICTORIA

EAT

Victoria’s cuisine scene is honest. Our chefs take full advantage of the surrounding coastal waters and rich farming regions, resulting in food and drink that’s uniquely West Coast. Choose from hundreds of restaurants, bistros, bars, breweries, wineries, cafés, produce markets and food festivals.

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK
Sidney
Sidney

SEE & DO

Its idyllic setting on the Salish Sea, sheltered waters, and varied landscapes make Sidney a perfect hub for outdoor adventure. Diving, fishing, ocean kayaking, whale watching, and eco-tours offer something on the water for any ocean adventurer. The Shaw centre for the salish sea, Butchart Gardens, Butterfly Gardens, golf, hiking, biking, wineries, and shopping in “Booktown” keep landlubbers happy.

ACTIVITIES & ATTRACTIONS

STAY

Just minutes from the Victoria International Airport and Swartz Bay ferry terminal, Sidney’s renowned beauty makes it a natural destination for lingering. The town boasts accomodation options ranging from hotels, motels and inns to vacation rentals, camping, and a seaside retreat.

ACCOMODATIONS IN SIDNEY

EAT

There is no shortage of delectable eateries in and around Sidney. Looking for a spot with a view? we have lots of those too. Cideries, breweries, pubs, fine dining, and casual fare – all in this very walkable, picturesque community.

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK
COWICHAN
Cowichan

SEE & DO

Rarely do visitors ask, “What can we do in Cowichan?” More often, the question is, “What can we leave out?” We recommend seeing it all but if you can’t, here’s a list to get you started: wine, spirit and beer tastings, walk the Kinsol Trestle, shop at the Duncan Farmers Market, tube on the Cowichan River, biking or hiking a mountain summit, viewing the Chemainus murals.

ACTIVITIES & ATTRACTIONS

STAY

Cowichan’s accommodation options range from traditional to unusual; from well-appointed hotels and dozens of delightful B&Bs, to yurts, camping, houseboats, and float homes - there is something for everyone and every budget.

ACCOMODATIONS IN COWICHAN

EAT

A Mediterranean-like climate and an abundance of fertile land have helped Cowichan become what renowned foodie James Barber referred to as “Canada’s Provence”. If you choose to visit Cowichan, you will have the chance to eat and drink extremely well! Wineries, cideries and distilleries dot the landscape, all of which supply a growing number of fine restaurants, bistros and bakeries.

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK
SOOKE
Sooke

SEE & DO

Whatever your age, athletic ability or recreational interest, the Sooke region offers a long list of activities to feed your adventurous spirit and satisfy your curiosity. The area is a hiker’s paradise, known for its extraordinary parks, trails and beaches. For those looking for water adventures, the crystal clear waters of the Sooke Basin make for a diving wonderland and swimming at the Sooke Potholes is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.

ACTIVITIES & ATTRACTIONS

STAY

Sooke offers an exciting choice of urban and rural accommodations - from sophisticated seaside inns to secluded cottages, or convenient in-town bed and breakfasts to historic lodges and farms, stunning waterfront sites, tranquil forest settings and extraordinary lodgings.

ACCOMODATIONS IN SOOKE

EAT

Quick meals, tasty food, unique tea houses or fine dining, Sooke has it all. Give your feet a rest and taste the freshest baked goods in town, or sit back and relax at a full service restaurant. And if you’re heading north beyond Sooke, watch for an array of fabulous local food and drink along the way.

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK

EXPLORE THE CIRCLE

SIDNEY to
COWICHAN BAY

Play Pacific Marine Circle Route leg 1 video

Southern Vancouver Island from Sidney to Victoria to Cowichan Bay packs in more to do, see, read, eat and drink than you can possibly imagine. Bookstores, breweries, bakeries and breathtaking views at every turn.

Drive Approx. Time Distance
Sidney to Victoria 27min. 26.7km / 16.6miles
Victoria to Cowichan Bay 51min. 54.8km / 34.1miles
Total 78min. 81.5km / 50.7miles

Cowichan Bay to
Port Renfrew

Play Pacific Marine Circle Route leg 2 video

No trip to this part of the world would be complete without at least one chance to hike or rest among the impressive forests of our coast. The journey from Cowichan Bay to Port Renfrew provides more than a few chances to do just that – Maple Mountain, Port Renfrew, and the ancient forests of Avatar Grove to name a few.

Drive Approx. Time Distance
Cowichan Bay to Duncan 11min. 9.6km / 6.0miles
Duncan to Lake Cowichan 24min. 28.8km / 17.9miles
Lake Cowichan to Port Renfrew 76min. 62.4km / 38.8miles
Total 111min. 100.8km / 62.2miles

Port Renfrew to
Sooke

Play Pacific Marine Circle Route leg 3 video

The drive from Port Renfrew to Sooke is the rugged, unspoiled West Coast at its very best. Pristinelakes, beaches and swimming holes. Surfing… Canadian-style. And local fare paired with picture-perfect vistas.

Drive Approx. Time Distance
Port Renfrew to Jordan River 44min. 41.5km / 25.8miles
Jordan River to Sooke 28min. 29.4km / 18.3miles
Total 72min. 70.9km / 44.1miles

Sooke to
Victoria

Play Pacific Marine Circle Route leg 4 video

If you’re looking for an action-packed day of adventure for the whole family, this section of the route – from Sooke to Victoria - will satisfy. Heart-thumping zip-lining high above the trees, historic locales and lighthouses, and Victoria’s bustling Inner Harbour… never a dull moment.

Drive Approx. Time Distance
Sooke to Victoria 48min. 39.9km / 24.8miles
Total 48min. 39.9km / 24.8miles

Please note: Some sections of the Pacific Marine Circle Route are remote and with limited services, and in some locations the road may be narrow or have sharp bends. Driving times can vary depending on conditions and type of vehicle. Please exercise due care when driving. For information on current road conditions, please visit www.drivebc.ca.