FORE! Great Golf Courses on South Vancouver Island

Summers on Vancouver Island are something special. While we may not have soaring summertime temperatures, the beautiful blue skies and moderate weather of an Island summer allows you to enjoy the outdoors in comfort and creates the most stunning conditions for a perfect round of golf. If you’re an avid golfer, you know that a long day on the course in blistering heat can make the back nine even harder than it already is, which is why there really is no better place to enjoy a great summer day than on one of the beautiful courses on South Vancouver Island.  

Highland Pacific Golf

450 Creed Rd, Victoria, BC V9B 6C9

Just minutes from downtown Victoria, is Highland Pacific Golf, the perfect course for players looking for something that is both scenic and challenging. This championship golf course is playable all year round but really comes alive in the summer. This stunning course overlooks the beautiful Thetis Lake Park and has views that encompass the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the shadowy Olympic Mountains in the distance. Don’t have it in you to take on a round? Have a great afternoon in the driving range and take a break at the Range Cafe for lunch. They also have lessons for anyone looking to start golfing or improve their game. 

Cordova Bay Golf Course

5333 Cordova Bay Rd, Victoria, BC V8Y 2L3

In the beautiful neighbourhood of Cordova Bay, perfect for guests staying at one of the EMR vacation properties near Sidney, you’ll find Cordova Bay Golf Course. With its forward-thinking design elements and a constant adherence to best practices, this impressive and suitably challenging course is perfect for scratch players and beginners alike! At this fun-loving course with it’s self-described irreverent philosophy, you can feel good about enjoying yourself, taking it easy and hitting a few great shots. There’s no doubt, the summertime is the perfect season to get a round in on this thoughtfully designed course – after all, golf is a great excuse to get in a good walk! 

Cedar Hill Golf Course

1400 Derby Rd, Victoria, BC V8P 1T1

Travelling with a non golfer? The Cedar Hill Golf Course might be your next favourite course! Just north of downtown Victoria, this beautiful and challenging 18 hole course not only has everything you need for a great game but non-golfers have access to the charming, licenced clubhouse and a lovely wooded 3.5km chip trail around the perimeter which is perfect for a easy walk or light jog.

Henderson Park Golf Course

2291 Cedar Hill Cross Rd, Victoria, BC V8P 5H9

Nestled amongst beautiful trees, in the lovely burrough of Oak Bay you’ll find Henderson Park Golf Course. This little neighbourhood course is perfect for beginners or those who are in a group with mixed ability levels. Advanced players will find the course a fun way to practice their short game and beginners can enjoy learning the beautiful sport in a relaxing environment. At this lovely course you’ll find reasonable fees and tee times to ensure you get the most out of your game! 

Bear Mountain Golf & Country Club

1999 Country Club Way, Victoria, BC V9B 6R3

Are you an avid golfer looking for a real challenge? Something unique, out-of-the-ordinary, something to write home about? Then you had better book an EMR rental in Langford, just minutes away from the luxurious Bear Mountain Golf & Country Club. Just outside Victoria in Vancouver Island’s new, award winning resort community is the awe-inspiring, 36 hole, Nicklaus designed, double course. You can choose between the rugged and challenging Mountain Course, the more serene Valley Course, or for the brave of heart, you can book all 36 holes, both courses for one epic day on the green. This club offers all their guests gold-standard service and ensures that a day here will be one of the best golf days of your life.   

Olympic View Golf Club

643 Latoria Rd, Victoria, BC V9C 3A3

If you’re staying in Metchosin, you’re in luck because the award winning Olympic View Golf Club is just a 15 minute drive away! No matter where you are staying though, this course is worth the trip. It has ranked in the top 50 Golf Courses in Canada by both the Golf Course Ranking and SCOREGolf Magazine as well as being rated amongst the Top 10 Best Public Golf Facilities in BC by SCOREGolf Magazine. It’s no wonder this course has picked up so many accolades as it boasts over 12 acres of pristine land stretching an impressive 330 yards with sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains. Plus, with extensive grass tee decks, five target greens and three versatile short game areas, no matter what your skill level is, you’ll have a great day at Olympic View. Looking for a great way to unwind after a round? The newly restored Table Nineteen is a spectacular location to sip a cocktail and enjoy some fresh, local dishes. 

Arbutus Ridge Golf Club

3515 Telegraph Rd, Cobble Hill, BC V0R 1L4

Located in the beautiful seaside community of Cobble Hill in the Cowichan Valley is the popular and highly celebrated Arbutus Ridge Golf Club. This Bill Robinson designed, 18 hole course has hosted both provincial and national championships, has been given a prestigious four star rating by Golf Digest, named Best Destination Golf course in British Columbia by Golf Nerve Magazine and One of Canada’s Ten Best Courses for Your Money by WestJet Magazine, as well as achieving a Sustainability Award from Tourism Vancouver Island. This truly stunning course is situated amongst the unique serpentine Arbutus trees and offers breathtaking views of the waters of the Satellite Channel Ecological Reserve. Travel companion not interested in a round? No problem! Arbutus Ridge has a state-of-the-art, covered tennis facility that you can enjoy! With excellent instructors available if necessary, luxury locker rooms and extensive hours, everyone can enjoy a day at the club. Whether it’s after a great round or if you’re popping by for a special evening, the Satellite Bar & Grille offers a sensational ocean and mountain views and elevated casual cuisine inspired by locally sourced ingredients.  

Need a Hand Golfing on Southern Vancouver Island?

If you’re planning on making your way to more than one of these courses during your stay, Golf Central is a great way to make the most of your trip. Their dedicated team will provide you with preferred tee times, arrange green fees and transportation to and from your choses courses all in one easy payment. Included in their gold-star service are arrangements for power carts or rental clubs and tours of the clubhouse and facilities. Additionally, they confirm all reservations made so you don’t have to worry about anything but having a great time! 

No matter where you are staying on southern Vancouver Island, there is the perfect golf experience waiting for you!

Have a Reel Good Time! Fishing on South Vancouver Island

There’s a lot to do on south Vancouver Island during the spring but one of the best ways to spend a sunny day is fishing! Whether you decide to spend a slow, peaceful day fishing from the shore on one of the many spots in and around Southern Vancouver Island to drop a line or you can book a charter to head out on the ocean to do some deep fishing, get ready to have an amazing day followed by an amazing dinner! Just make sure you have a valid fishing licence! Both freshwater and saltwater licences are conveniently available to purchase online or at most sporting shops.   

Shore Fishing 

Sooke

One of the earliest independent settlements in the Province, Sooke is a peaceful, historic town nestled amongst wild West Coast landscape. If you’re lucky enough to stay right in Sooke or in the beautiful neighbouring village of Metchosin, you’ll know how quickly you can fall in love with the beauty and tranquillity of this area. Sooke is the perfect spot for all outdoor adventures, especially fishing. 

East Sooke Park

Just a twenty minute hike from the parking lot will take you to the bluffs where the ocean drops off sharply. Here the water runs deep and you can easily fish for Chinook Salmon, Coho, Sockeye and Pink Salmon. If cod and rockfish are more to your liking, a short 5 minute walk will take you to a plethora of sites that are perfect for bottom fishing. In these sites you can cast a line for rockfish and delicious ling cod. A day here is always well spent. If you need equipment, Crab Shack Store and the Sooke Marine Center are great options to make sure you have all the gear to have a successful day out! 

Victoria

As the weather gets warmer, Victoria becomes abuzz with activity. There are so many ways to enjoy the stunning natural beauty of BC’s capital city but fishing is the only one that has a (potential) edible reward at the end of it! Whether you’re staying right in the heart of downtown Victoria or a little farther away in Sidney, there are lots of great spots nearby to do some shore fishing. 

Ten Mile Point

In the summer months, Ten Mile Point is a great spot to try your luck! The rocky outcrops provide the perfect place to set up for the day. With strong currents and an ocean floor that drops away for hundreds of feet, Ten Mile Point provides an ideal spot to fish for Chinook. If you hit those tides perfectly, you can even catch some bottom fish like feisty lingcods. 

Ogden Point Breakwater

Right in bustling neighbourhood of James Bay, you’ll find Ogden Point Breakwater. The huge, concrete walkway is a great place to catch salmon, cod, geenling, flounder, perch and more! 

Cormorant Point

A secret local spot for excellent salmon fishing in Gordon Head, from mid August to late October around 4pm, you can see the water swarming with salmon ready to be caught! 

Langford Lake

If you’re looking for some freshwater fishing, Langford Lake, right in the heart of Langford is stocked full of rainbow trout and smallmouth bass that you can easily catch from the fishing dock found along the Ed Nixon Trail just off Leigh Road. 

Sidney & the Saanich Peninsula 

Sidney is a stunning, walkable seaside town that lives life at a slower pace. One of the most incredible draws is the portion of the Lochside trail that hugs Sidney’s waterfront. 

Elk Lake

This popular lake is a great local option to find excellent shore fishing. There are several rest stops around the lake where you can find spots to cast a line to catch rainbow and coastal cutthroat trout, smallmouth and largemouth bass, common carp or yellow perch. 

Sidney Fishing Pier

Here you will find beautiful gardens, a stunning seashore, outdoor gallery and the famous Sidney Fishing Pier. This enormous pier that juts out above the water, makes a great platform for crabbing and fishing. Here you can catch salmon, cod, sole, flounder, and so much more!  

Fishing Charters

Shore fishing is great, but if you don’t have access to gear and you’re up for an adventure, you’re going to want to book a charter to take you out on the water. Out on the waterways around the southern end of the island you can find tons of great salmon fishing, deep water fishing for larger fish like halibut, crabbing and even prawning. There are so many fishing charters to choose from so we’ve rounded up our favourites to make your choice easier! 

Sooke

Bluefin Fishing Adventures 

Book salmon or halibut fishing charters as well as tours through Sooke’s pristine waterways to find steelhead and salmon! 

Blue Wolf Charters

Owner and operator, Roy Carver has made a name for himself as a fun, experienced fishing guide and chef. Every guest is sent home with a few of Roy’s favourite recipes to help make your catch into a fabulous meal!

Goin’ Coastal Fishing Charters 

Tory Howe, owner, operator and fishing guide extraordinaire knows all the nooks and crannies of the ocean floor and is ready to help you catch a big one! 

Warrior Fishing Charters 

If you’re looking for creature comforts while out on the ocean, look no further. Their boats are outfitted with heated cabins and kitchenettes and offer experienced guides for a deluxe fishing experience. 

Good Time Dave’s Fishing Charters

Looking for a laid-back, fun loving guide who knows the waters around East Sooke like the back of his hand? Good Time Dave’s is the charter you!

Crab Shack Sport Fishing 

Whether you’re new to fishing or an avid angler, a small group or large, 30 year fishing veteran Elden Smith is ready to make sure you have a great time and catch some amazing fish!

Victoria

Foghorn Fishing Charters

Located right in the Inner Harbour, this team of experienced fishermen offer guests 20 years of experience fishing off southern Vancouver Island and have everything they need to have a great day out! 

Salmon Eye Fishing Charters 

No matter the season, Salmon Eye is ready for guests! With heated cabins and seats for five people under cover, experienced guides and top-of-the line equipment, booking with this charter is a great idea.

Beasley’s Fishing Charters

No matter if you’re hoping to go deep water fishing for halibut, coasting in the ocean for salmon or exploring one of the island’s gorgeous rivers for steelhead, this fun, inclusive company makes fishing fun for every age and ability!

Adam’s Fishing Charters 

Specializing in salmon and halibut charters, this company has high performance vessels ready to take guests from Sooke to Oak Bay in search of the perfect catch!

King Size Adventures

Boasting one of the biggest, top performing charter vessels in the Victoria charter fleet, King Size adventures takes guests onto the Strait from Oak Bay to fish for halibut, salmon, lingcod, rockfish and Dungeness crab.

No LImit Fishing Charters

With a reputation built on outstanding salmon and halibut fishing charters, owner and operator, Lewis Freeman offers guests memorable fishing trips off the coast of Victoria. 

Sidney

Sea King Adventures

For something a little different than your average fishing charter, consider Sea King’s ‘Deadliest Catch’ fishing tour that includes prawning, crabbing and fishing for salmon and halibut all in an amazing 6-7 hour adventure!

Bon Chovy Fishing Charters

If you’re looking for a charter that offers flexible tours and year-round fishing in Sidney’s calm waters, Bon Chovy is a great charter option!

No matter where you stay or what your speed is, there is always lots of excellent fishing to be found all across the southern end of Vancouver Island! 

Book your EMR Fishing Vacation Today!