Sooke Harbour and Basin
Harbourside resort offering modern apartments with kitchens, fireplaces & balconies, plus a marina.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Calm waters, best wildlife viewing
Sooke Harbour and Basin
Best Time
Calm waters, best wildlife viewing
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Harbourside resort offering modern apartments with kitchens, fireplaces & balconies, plus a marina.
"Great location if you are wanting to do a fishing excursion from the marina."
🦭 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 .
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
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
Adjacent to accommodations
Watch fishing boats depart and return, and keep an eye out for seals often seen around the docks.
Waterfront Apartment Views
Harbourside resort units
Enjoy modern apartments with balconies offering beautiful ocean or harbour views, ideal for relaxing evenings.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Ahead for Peak Seasons
Understand Unit Amenities
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🦭 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.
Ideas for an island getaway
🔑 Door Lock Tip
Some door locks can be tricky. Staff are helpful, and a video guide is available if needed.
🧳 Pack Beach Essentials
If planning beach visits, bring your own chairs and toys as they aren't always supplied.
Honeymoon suggestions for Victoria/Vancouver Island
Tips
from all over the internet
🦭 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.
🔑 Door Lock Tip
Some door locks can be tricky. Staff are helpful, and a video guide is available if needed.
🧳 Pack Beach Essentials
If planning beach visits, bring your own chairs and toys as they aren't always supplied.
📱 Check Junk Mail
Important check-in emails might land in your junk folder. Double-check before arrival.
What Travellers Say
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
What People Dislike
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.
Yes, parking is generally available directly in front of the townhome units, which is very convenient for unloading luggage and supplies.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Activities include fishing excursions, whale watching tours, exploring the marina, walking along Whiffin Spit,
While the apartments have kitchens for self-catering, Sooke town is nearby and offers various dining options. Sooke Harbour House is also a notable nearby establishment.
Yes, the spacious units with kitchens and patios are great for families. 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. Whiffin Spit is also a good place for wildlife viewing, including sea lions.
Apartments typically feature modern interiors, kitchens, fireplaces, balconies, and comfortable beds. Some units are located close to a hot tub.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture stunning shots of the marina with its boats, the scenic Whiffin Spit peninsula, 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.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
🎣 Anglers and Fishermen
💖 Couples Seeking a Retreat
The resort's location provides a peaceful escape, and the option to self-cater allows for intimate dinners. Nearby Sooke Harbour House is also a well-regarded option for a special meal.Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring Sooke's Marine Life
For the best wildlife viewing, consider booking tours during the morning when the water is often calmer and animals are more active. Remember to book these excursions in advance, particularly during the busy summer months, as popular tours can fill up quickly. Even a simple stroll along the harbourfront can yield sightings of various seabirds and marine life.
Accommodation and Amenities
Parking is typically right in front of your unit, which is a significant plus for easy access. The resort's location is praised for being close to town attractions while still offering a peaceful harbour setting. However, communication regarding check-in and door lock instructions has been noted as an area for improvement, with some guests missing crucial emails that may end up in their junk folder.
Navigating Sooke and Local Tips
When planning your visit, be aware that communication regarding check-in can sometimes be challenging, and it's essential to check your email's junk folder for important instructions, including videos on how to operate tricky door locks.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit