Pacific Marine Circle

This is an excellent adventure that gives participants a taste of the best of everything that makes Vancouver Island and the West Coast of Canada one of the most popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. Departing from Victoria and utilizing our regional trails and sections of the Trans Canada trail this tour completes a full circle of Southern Vancouver Island from coast to coast. Included are opportunities for white water and ocean kayaking, bear, whale and wildlife excursions, swimming in pristine wilderness lakes, beach combing and fresh pacific salmon and crab feasts on the beach.

Day One: (approx: 43 kms/27 miles) Beginning at our shop in Victoria we head north on the Lochside trail through the farms and fields that supply the region with its fresh produce, stopping for lunch at a quaint seaside cafe overlooking the Saanich inlet. After lunch we board BC Ferries for a 20 minute sailing across to Mill Bay. This crossing has been billed as the most beautiful short cut in the world. After disembarking we’ll ride the Mill Bay/ Shawnigan Lake area stopping for tastings and tours at BC’s only commercial cidery and one of Vancouver Islands’ best wineries. Our final ride of the day is to Cowichan Bay and our accommodation for the night. Dinner is at a local restaurant.

Day Two: (approx: 35 kms/ 22miles) After a nice light breakfast we depart for the Kinsol Trestle where we start our ride on the Trans Canada Trail. This is one of the highlights as we ride through pristine wilderness and over century old trestles where photograph and wildlife viewing opportunities abound. By midday we find ourselves at the Cowichan River Provincial Park where will stop for a picnic lunch. After lunch we’ll continue on to our final destination of the day; Cowichan Lake. Dinner tonight is at a local cafe.

Day Three: (approx: 33 kms/21miles) After breakfast it’s on to our next destination; Port Renfrew on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. This little coastal fishing community is the gateway to the famous West Coast Trail and Pacific Rim National Park. From Cowichan Lake we ride a deactivated logging road with many river crossings and some amazing areas of old growth forest including a stop at the not so famous Harris Creek Sitka Spruce. This tree must be seen to be believed, it’s as big as a house, maybe two. We continue on to Lizard Lake for our lunch and perhaps a swim along the shores of this pristine wilderness lake. After lunch it’s on to Port Renfrew and our accommodation for the night. Dinner is at a local pub.

Day Four: (approx: 30-50 kms/20-30 miles) Today we will start the day with a visit to the amazing tidal pools and rugged rocky out croppings of famous Botanical Beach, this is the West Coast at its most spectacular. After our interpretive walk we’ll start our ride down the West Coast Road to Sooke, again combining driving the more difficult sections and riding the best, of course. Today’s ride takes us along some beautiful coastline including French and China Beach and the surfing hot-spot of Jordan River. Our lunch today will be a picnic lunch on the beach. We will end our ride at our accommadations for the night in the town of Sooke.

Day Five: (approx: 50 kms/30 miles) After breakfast today we head up to the Sooke River and the potholes. This is a beautiful watershed with huge trees and deep pools of crystal clear water. After exploring the area we depart on the Galloping Goose trail towards Victoria. This old railway right of way leads us through old growth forest, along the shores of the Sooke basin and on through uninterrupted park and pasture land right to the doors of our office in downtown Victoria.