"Sooke" Big Fish, Long Season, Easy Access and Lots to Do and See

Why choose the Sooke area for your next fishing experience? I'll tell you some of the reasons why! The largest chinook salmon from Vancouver Island waters are caught here consistently, the longest summer season for trophy chinook salmon, many non-fishing activities to enjoy, a trip the wives will enjoy while you fish and the easiest prime fishing area to travel to in B.C. Sooke is located 45 minutes from downtown Victoria, an hour from the Victoria airport and an hour and ten minutes from the Sidney ferry terminals. Whether you are travelling from Alberta, Vancouver, Seattle or the southern states you can get here quickly and spend more time doing what you enjoy doing...catching fish!!!

Transportation links to Vancouver Island

Driving Here

There are many ways to jump across from the lower mainland to Vancouver Island. If you are driving there are 3 separate companies operating car and passenger ferries on 4 different routes to Vancouver Island. Ferry routes include departures from Port Angeles or Anacortes Washington and from Tsawwassen or West Vancouver in British Columbia.

B.C. Ferries (Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay)

The most convenient and most popular with hourly (7am till 9pm) sailings during the summer months and every 2 hours off season is B.C. Ferries. B.C. Ferries operates the largest vessels that can carry up to 470 vehicles and 2,100 passengers. Ferries boast a buffet style restaurant, cafeteria, coffee bar, vending, gift shop, staterooms, video arcades and work stations.

Routes to the Island depart from either Tsawwassen near the US border (20 minutes from Blaine Washington and just off Interstate #5) and arrive at Swartz Bay just 30 minutes from Victoria or they depart Horseshoe Bay near West Vancouver and arrive in Nanaimo.

Both routes are 1 1/2 hours sailing time. The Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay is the most scenic route as you transit through the Gulf Islands and Active Pass. (pictured on this page) Check out the B.C. Ferry website for complete details!
For a small fee you can call ahead and make a reservation (preferred sailing) and guarantee your spot on a sailing. You will be required to arrive at the terminal at least 30 minutes prior to loading.

BlackBall Ferry (Port Angeles to Victoria)

A car and passenger ferry connecting Port Angeles Washington with downtown Victoria. A year round service with 2 daily sailings during the off season and 4 sailings daily during the summer. (May 16-Sept.30) Crossing time is about 95 minutes. You should plan on arriving at the terminal well in advance of sailing times to ensure getting aboard the sailing of your choice.

Washington State Ferries (Anacortes to Sidney)

A car and passenger ferry service connecting Vancouver Island from Anacortes Washington. This ferry departs Anacortes Washington and stops on several of the San Juan Islands before reaching Sidney on Vancouver Island. Crossing time is just over 2 hours and sailings are once per day during the off season and twice daily during the summer. This ferry carries 160 vehicles and can carry 2500 passengers. On-board facilities include an upper deck galley, restrooms and an elevator. You should plan on arriving at the terminal well in advance of sailing times to ensure getting aboard the sailing of your choice.

Passenger Ferries (no vehicles)

Victoria Clipper

(Seattle to Victoria) Clipper Navigation operates high speed (Catamaran) passenger only ferries from downtown Seattle to downtown Victoria.

These ferries operate at 30 to 40 knots and make the terminal to terminal crossing in 2.5 hours. The Victoria Clipper Navigation offers 2 sailings during the off season and 3 or 4 sailings during the summer.

Flying Here

Vancouver To Victoria

When you fly into Vancouver International airport you have the choice of making a quick connecting flight over to the Island or renting a car and driving 30 minutes to the B.C. ferry terminal at Tsawwassen. The flight from Vancouver to Victoria is about 30 minutes and the drive including ferry sailing time is about 2 hours. There are many daily flights from Vancouver to Victoria from the airports and the harbours.

• Air Canada - Air BC
• Harbour Air - offers up to 17 daily flights from downtown Vancouver to downtown Victoria. Six to fourteen passenger aircraft available.
• Helijet Airways - offers 22 helicopter flights daily between Vancouver and Victoria, downtown to downtown. Capacity 12 passengers and a 35 minute flight time. Also 5 weekday flights from Vancouver airport to Victoria airport.
• West Coast Air - offers up to 17 daily flights from downtown Vancouver to downtown Victoria by Twin Otter float planes.

Seattle To Victoria

If your flight brings you into SeaTac Airport then you can quickly connect to one of several companies that will fly you over to Victoria

• Alaskan Air - Horizon Air - seven flights daily from Seattle to Victoria airport on DH-8 aircraft which carry up to 37 passengers.
• Kenmore Air - fly downtown Seattle to downtown Victoria by float plane. Year round scheduled flights on 7 to 10 passenger float planes. Approximately 55 minute flights departing 3 times daily with additional flights during the summer high season.