5 Best Sights in Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Blue Grouse Estate Winery

Fodor's choice

One of Vancouver Island's oldest estate vineyards, this family-owned, sustainably farmed winery is a favorite with the locals. Award-winning estate wines include Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and Black Muscat, while the Quill label wines are blended with grapes from the Okanagan Valley. Locally made cheese and charcuterie boards, which pair perfectly with the wines, are served daily in the architecturally stunning Tasting Room. Lunch for two, including five wines, is $50.

Damali Lavender and Winery

Stroll the grounds, have a picnic or take a tour and tasting at this working lavender farm and winery. The original barn has been converted into a winery producing popular wines made from Cowichan Valley fruit. Pick up a bottle to enjoy with your own picnic in the licensed picnic area.

East Sooke Regional Park

Hiking trails, tide pools, beaches, and views of the Olympic Mountains draw visitors to this more than 3,500-acre wilderness recreation park 2½ km (1½ miles) east of Sooke on the south side of Sooke Harbour. The park's 10-km (6-mile) coast trail is rated one of the top day hikes in Canada, and the entire area is a birders' paradise, especially during the annual hawk migration from mid-September to late October.

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Riot Brewing Co.

Riot Brewing Co. is an award-winning craft brewery offering tours, samples and flights of beer. Their outdoor patio, complete with fire pit, is kid- and dog-friendly.

Sooke Potholes Provincial Park

Locals and visitors come to cool off at Sooke Potholes Provincial Park, home to a series of natural swimming holes carved out of the bedrock of the Sooke River. The area is a popular destination for swimming and picnicking.