"Named for its early inhabitants, the T'Sou-ke First Nation Band, Sooke was a thriving settlement of the Coast Salish Indians. The name T'Sou-ke is said to derive from a stickleback fish found at the mouth of the Sooke River."
About Sooke, BC
The small, harbour-side town of Sooke, British Columbia is a quintessential diamond in the rough. Nestled among towering, rugged rainforests and unspoiled beaches of the dramatic, windswept Pacific Ocean coastline, Sooke offers visitors and residents an authentic west coast experience.
Your journey begins just 45 km (28 miles) west of Victoria; Sooke is located at the end of the 40-minute drive along scenic Highway 14, also known as the Pacific Marine Circle Route. The entire route winds 74 km (45 miles) along a scenic coastline, with white sand beaches, provincial parks and kilometres of rainforest.
Named for its early inhabitants, the T'Sou-ke First Nation, Sooke was a thriving settlement of the Coast Salish Indians. The name T'Sou-ke is said to derive from a stickleback fish found at the mouth of the Sooke River. For hundreds of years the T'Sou-ke First Nation lived undisturbed off the land, until in 1790 Spanish explorer Manuel Quimper “discovered” this coastal hidden treasure.
The Sooke Region Museum proudly preserves the town’s colourful history. Open year-round, the museum sits on more than two hectares and houses authentic historical displays that depict 19th century pioneer lifestyles, celebrate the culture of the local indigenous people and recount stories about the renowned northwest passage that facilitated Spanish exploration in the 18th century. You can easily make a day of discovering Sooke’s past: spend the morning at the museum, and then spend the afternoon exploring the remnants of Leechtown, now an old ghost town.
But, the region’s rich history is just one of many reasons to Discover Sooke. The Olympic Mountain vistas, storm-blasted caves, coastal temperate rainforests, world-class fishing, award-winning B&Bs and restaurants, and a variety of outdoor recreational activities make Sooke an ideal destination, any time of year.
"Named for its early inhabitants, the T'Sou-ke First Nation Band, Sooke was a thriving settlement of the Coast Salish Indians. The name T'Sou-ke is said to derive from a stickleback fish found at the mouth of the Sooke River."
The small, harbour-side town of Sooke, British Columbia is a quintessential diamond in the rough. Nestled among towering, rugged rainforests and unspoiled beaches of the dramatic, windswept Pacific Ocean coastline, Sooke offers visitors and residents an authentic west coast experience.
Named for its early inhabitants, the T'Sou-ke First Nation, Sooke was a thriving settlement of the Coast Salish Indians. The name T'Sou-ke is said to derive from a stickleback fish found at the mouth of the Sooke River. For hundreds of years the T'Sou-ke First Nation lived undisturbed off the land, until in 1790 Spanish explorer Manuel Quimper “discovered” this coastal hidden treasure.
But, the region’s rich history is just one of many reasons to Discover Sooke. The Olympic Mountain vistas, storm-blasted caves, coastal temperate rainforests, world-class fishing, award-winning B&Bs and restaurants, and a variety of outdoor recreational activities make Sooke an ideal destination, any time of year. 
