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Sooke Harbour and Basin

4.5
·266 reviews·Sooke, Canada

Harbourside resort offering modern apartments with kitchens, fireplaces & balconies, plus a marina.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Summer mornings

Calm waters, best wildlife viewing

CrowdHigh
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Sooke Harbour and Basin

Best Time

Summer mornings

Calm waters, best wildlife viewing

CrowdHigh

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Harbourside resort offering modern apartments with kitchens, fireplaces & balconies, plus a marina.

4.5
(266 reviews)

"Great location if you are wanting to do a fishing excursion from the marina."

Vertical photo
TIP

🦭 Seal Spotting

Seals are often seen around the harbour, especially during fishing season, hoping for a free meal!

🚗 Parking Convenience

Most units have parking directly in front, making unloading easy. Great for families with gear .

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.5 · 266 reviews

Type

Resort hotel

👶 Good for kids🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Whiffin Spit Peninsula

Whiffin Spit Peninsula

Juts into the water by Sooke Harbour

A scenic narrow peninsula, perfect for dog walks and spotting sea lions. Offers stunning water views.

Sooke Harbour Marina

Sooke Harbour Marina

Adjacent to accommodations

Watch fishing boats depart and return, and keep an eye out for seals often seen around the docks.

Waterfront Apartment Views

Waterfront Apartment Views

Harbourside resort units

Enjoy modern apartments with balconies offering beautiful ocean or harbour views, ideal for relaxing evenings.

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Planning Your Visit

Book Ahead for Peak Seasons

Sooke Harbour and Basin is a popular spot, especially during summer and fishing seasons. Booking your accommodation and any desired fishing charters well in advance is crucial to avoid disappointment. Many visitors recommend booking months ahead for summer trips.Reddit

Understand Unit Amenities

While units offer kitchens and balconies, some reviews mention basic supplies like dishwasher tablets and toilet paper can be skimpy for longer stays. Consider bringing your own or budgeting for quick supermarket runs in Sooke town.Reddit

Best Times

When
Summer mornings
Why
Calm waters, best wildlife viewing
Crowd
High
When
Fishing season
Why
Lively harbour atmosphere
Crowd
Medium
When
Weekday evenings
Why
Fewer crowds, peaceful ambiance
Crowd
Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Killer night with Rainy T11a hunting the Sooke Harbour and basin for some tasty #seals Just now! www.SookeWhaleWatching.com Email: info@SookeWhaleWatching.com Or 📞 250-642-2343
sooke_whale
66 likes • 872 views

🦭 Seal Spotting

Seals are often seen around the harbour, especially during fishing season, hoping for a free meal! Reddit

🚗 Parking Convenience

Most units have parking directly in front, making unloading easy. Great for families with gear.Reddit

Sooke Ones, Part II This mob runs deep? One of the last places we visited during #5DadsGoWild was Whiffin Spit. It's a narrow peninsula that juts out into the water by Sooke Harbour and Sooke Basin. It seemed really popular among dog walkers in particular and I can see why.  I wasn't able to capture it on video, but we saw a mob of sea lions barking out in the water too. Apparently they're a ver...
beyondtherhetoric
16 likes • 465 views
reddit.com

Ideas for an island getaway

My wife and I are in the process of cancelling our 10 year anniversary trip to Costa Rica that was supposed to start this Monday. We still have childcare and vacation time from work all setup and don't want to just stay home, so what is the best consolation getaway we can do on…

🔑 Door Lock Tip

Some door locks can be tricky. Staff are helpful, and a video guide is available if needed.Reddit

🧳 Pack Beach Essentials

If planning beach visits, bring your own chairs and toys as they aren't always supplied.Reddit

reddit.com

Honeymoon suggestions for Victoria/Vancouver Island

I was going through the tourism/visitor information while my fiancé and I were debating various travel destinations for our honeymoon in mid September and Victoria piqued our interest. The idea I had in mind was two night in Victoria and then renting a cabin or lodge in Sooke…

Tips

from all over the internet

🦭 Seal Spotting

Seals are often seen around the harbour, especially during fishing season, hoping for a free meal! Reddit

🚗 Parking Convenience

Most units have parking directly in front, making unloading easy. Great for families with gear.Reddit

🔑 Door Lock Tip

Some door locks can be tricky. Staff are helpful, and a video guide is available if needed.Reddit

🧳 Pack Beach Essentials

If planning beach visits, bring your own chairs and toys as they aren't always supplied.Reddit

📱 Check Junk Mail

Important check-in emails might land in your junk folder. Double-check before arrival.Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.5
(266 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Guests generally praise the convenient location and spacious, well-equipped apartments, particularly those with water views and balconies. The proximity to the marina and activities like fishing charters are significant draws. However, some units could benefit from updates, and communication regarding check-in and amenities has been a point of concern for a few visitors.

"Great location if you are wanting to do a fishing excursion from the marina. We stayed in unit 142 which was very quiet. Hot tub located very close to this unit which we used. The unit itself is in need of some refreshing (very dirty carpets), however beds were comfortable and overall we were pleased with our choice of accomodation. The basic supplies for stays more than a a day or so are pretty skimpy...ie. dishwasher tablets, toilet paper etc. If you are planning to do any beach activities in the local area be prepared to bring your own chairs, beach toys etc. It would be nice if these could be picked up for use from the reception centre if each unit does not supply them."

HC

"It's a perfect location in Sooke. It's a town home with nice water view. Your parking spot is just in front of the town home.
It's closed to all attractions and downtown.
They keep the place and unit tidy and clean. The big kitchen and the nice patio are good for a family meal. There are a big BBQ oven in the patio. The supermarket in the town has well keep stock for you.
The interior is just as good as the pictures that showing in their website.
We didn't see any seals in the wharf this time. If it's a busy fishing season, there are a lots of seals around the harbour waiting for some free fishes.
The only problem we have is the door lock. It's a little tricky to open it. Luckily, we get there before they close at 5pm. The staff is super friendly to show us how to do it. Thank you.
They sent me the email teaching you how to open the door lock in a video. But it's too bad all emails in the junk email box, I check it out when I back home.
Maybe, they should remind you check your junk email box since I get only one email from them."

wah chi yip

"Edit to respond to the owner
I did not have two bookings, I only had one. It was under my name, and booked several months in advance. A family member (same last name, different first name) booked a unit under their name, and later canceled their booking, not me. There should have been no way for my booking to be canceled.

My husband and I booked a rental here for a few nights as we were having our wedding nearby. We had many family members staying here too. However when it was time to get our check in email, nothing came in. So we called and we were on hold for a while, then transferred around. The communication was very poor and there is no office on site. We found out they had accidentally canceled our booking, and had no space for us. Imagine that, the bride and groom now have nowhere to stay for their wedding! After calling around they found us a similar rental at a sister property, which is a 35 minute drive away from the original property (where our family was still staying), and 30 minutes from the town of Sooke, which is incredibly inconvenient for us as we were having lots of get togethers with friends and family before and after our wedding. There was also no cell service at this new property. When asked about price, they tried to charge me over double for this new property than what I was supposed to pay, and I had to argue to get them to bring it down to the original price. They did not offer us a discount, a free night, nothing for the major inconvenience. We ended up canceling our stay after 1 night and staying somewhere else, because we couldn’t be so far from our families and from town with all of the events we had planned. Total disappointment, and extra stress that we should not have had to face just before our wedding. I would not recommend this place to anyone."

Jordyn Poirier

What People Like

Great location
Spacious apartments
Waterfront views

What People Dislike

Dated decor
Communication issues
Skimpy supplies

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Sooke Harbour and Basin is located in Sooke, British Columbia. The most common way to reach it is by car, approximately a 40-minute drive west of Victoria on Highway 14. Public transport options are limited, so driving is recommended for flexibility.Reddit

Yes, parking is generally available directly in front of the townhome units, which is very convenient for unloading luggage and supplies.Reddit

Having a car is highly recommended to explore the wider Sooke area, including nearby attractions and beaches. The harbour itself is walkable, but a vehicle offers the most freedom.Reddit

Dedicated shuttle services directly to Sooke Harbour and Basin are not widely advertised. Visitors typically drive or arrange private transport. If coming from Victoria, consider a taxi or ride-share service, though these can be costly for the full journey.

Sooke Harbour and Basin is about a 40-minute drive west of Victoria, British Columbia, along Highway 14. The scenic drive offers coastal views.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Sooke Harbour and Basin itself is primarily a resort and marina. Entry to the public areas like the marina and surrounding waterfront is generally free. However, if you are staying in the resort apartments, you will need to book accommodation in advance.Reddit

The resort apartments are available for booking year-round. The marina operates during daylight hours, and specific charter companies will have their own operating schedules. It's best to check with individual businesses for precise hours.

Absolutely! Sooke Harbour is a hub for fishing charters. Companies like Sooke Whale Watching offer excursions for salmon fishing and other marine adventures.TikTok

Whiffin Spit is a public access area and typically does not have an entry fee. It's a popular spot for walking and enjoying the coastal scenery.Instagram

Check-in procedures can vary. Some guests have reported receiving check-in emails with instructions, including videos for door locks. It's crucial to ensure you receive these emails and check your junk folder.Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

Activities include fishing excursions, whale watching tours,TikTok exploring the marina, walking along Whiffin Spit,Instagram and enjoying the waterfront views from your accommodation. Many guests also use it as a base for exploring the Sooke area.

While the apartments have kitchens for self-catering,Reddit Sooke town is nearby and offers various dining options. Sooke Harbour House is also a notable nearby establishment.Reddit

Yes, the spacious units with kitchens and patios are great for families.Reddit The proximity to outdoor activities like beach visits and harbour exploration also makes it appealing for families.

You might spot seals around the harbour, especially during fishing season.Reddit Whiffin Spit is also a good place for wildlife viewing, including sea lions.Instagram

Apartments typically feature modern interiors, kitchens, fireplaces, balconies, and comfortable beds. Some units are located close to a hot tub.Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

Capture stunning shots of the marina with its boats, the scenic Whiffin Spit peninsula,Instagram and the coastal landscapes from your balcony. Wildlife sightings, like seals,Reddit also make for great photos.

Early mornings and late afternoons offer the best light for photography, with softer shadows and warmer tones. Sunrise and sunset over the water can be particularly spectacular.

The balconies of the harbour-view apartments provide excellent vantage points. Whiffin Spit also offers numerous scenic spots along its length for capturing coastal vistas.

A versatile lens (like a 24-70mm) is useful for landscapes and general shots. A telephoto lens can be beneficial for wildlife spotting, and a wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive coastal scenery.

Yes, photographing the boats in the marina is a popular activity. Be respectful of any private property or individuals if you are on the docks.

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