Sooke Potholes Provincial Park

Park is park is park to me.
My friend had to go to Sooke for a wedding. Since the Bed and Breakfast was going to be pricey and not dog friendly, she decided to rent a house so that she could bring her dog. We were invited to join her, but we had to take care of her fur baby while she was at the wedding. Out of this big group, only my hubby and one of my friends wanted to walk through a park. I was hoping to be left behind, but I was forced to go. I am not a nature-​y person. I don’t pretend to be anymore… I had to before, but then we got married and now I don’t have to pretend. I’m kidding. Half kidding… okay, I’m not kidding.
We parked in two of the parking lots and they are paid lots, but I think you only have to pay once. There was a volunteer in each parking lot telling us where and how to park. They also provided magazines with information about the area. Despite all the cars, the park seemed really empty. I sat on a rock while my friend and hubby went wading through the water catching diseases and whatever else you catch from fresh water. They saw little animals while I hid near some trees trying not to get any sun. They took pictures of the huge water potholes while I played Triple Town on my phone. They marveled at the view while I wished I was someplace sipping a coffee. They walked along the edge of the cliff while I walked along a different path and looking longingly at some picnic tables where I could have sat if I was not on this death march.
If you like to walk, bring a picnic. Spend the day. My friend and hubby got lots of great photos.

I grew up in Sooke (Yes, that’s right. I’m a Sookite!) so have spent countless hours and days at the good ol’ Sooke Potholes. This is where I learned to swim, where I’ve spent many afternoons chasing fish with nets.
To this day the swimming is some of the clearest, calmest and most beautiful I have ever experienced in my life. The water is fairly cold, but it is so worth it. If you have a pair of goggles (or can open your eyes under water) you can get so lost in such a magical place. There are lots and lots of fish here, from tiny little dudes to foot long monsters.
The «pot holes» have different numbered swimming spots that you can walk down to, or swim from beach to beach if you’re feeling adventurous. So if you show up and are wondering where the beach is, well, there are a few different options. Take a bit to explore and look for paths. There’s also a beautiful waterfall on the other side of the path that you can take a short hike up to.
A couple of downspots would be a lack of parking (I’ve spent 45 minutes driving around waiting for a spot, or parking 45 minutes walk down the road), and the lack of flush toilets. Be prepared!
If you’re visiting, or live on the island and have yet to visit, it is definitely worth the drive from Victoria (or wherever you may be). Far superior to Thetis or Beaver lake in terms of swimming quality.

I was pretty shocked to see that this Vancouver Island hot-​spot has not yet made an appearance on Unilocal.Maybe its a defense mechanism… a way to keep visitors out and maintain the local charm but I cannot help but feel that Sooke Potholes needs to make itself known to the world. As they state on the website: «The „potholes“ are unique geological formations — deep pools in the river — that offer some of the best freshwater swimming in the region.» Essentially, this is an outdoorsy person’s wet dream in every sense.
You get there by following the Trans-​Canada highway out of Victoria and then taking a few regular roads until you get to the base of the river/​park. (check the website for more detailed directions) From there you head in a few kms up the park’s main road, park your car and get ready to explore. There is a nice bike path called the «Galloping Goose» (though I have yet to see a single creature «galloping» on it) and you can chose either to cycle or walk along it to get to the potholes. I recommend that you wear water shoes and hike/​swim/​wade/​climb your way straight up the river. It can be difficult to navigate in places (i.e. where you are faced with a waterfall and have to scale up the sheer rock face on either side) but this is a great way to see the river and an even better way to avoid the congested spots where the main potholes are located. There are plenty of semi-​secret grottoes, amazing rock formations, waterfalls, cliff jumping spots, and rushing river beds to be found.
There is a camp site in the park and you can contact the parks authority to reserve a spot at the number given here. No matter what… if you are a BC local, a Vancouver Island regular, a UVIC or UBC student, or just a tourist with a bit of an adventurous spirit… Sooke Potholes is absolutely worth the trip!