One of the sad facts of life in Victoria is that the water that surrounds Vancouver Island is usually too cold for swimming. However, Victoria makes up for it's lack of a warm, tropical ocean with a variety of good fresh and chlorinated swimming holes.
Freshwater Swimming:
- Located about 12km from downtown is Thetis Lake Regional Park. This 1600 acre park contains Upper and Lower Thetis Lakes which, during the heat of summer, are great places to go for a dip. There is a large, sandy beach near the main parking lot or follow the paths around the lakes to reach other swimming areas and bays. Walking the complete loop around the lakes is a great activity no matter what time of year. To get to Thetis Lake, follow Douglas Street, which becomes the Highway 1, west from Victoria. Take the Colwood exit. Turn right onto Six Mile Road, which leads you directly to the parking lot. It's easy to find and there are signs.
- Sooke Potholes Provincial Park is one of the best places to go swimming on the entire island. The "potholes" are a series of naturally formed pools carved out of the sandstone bedrock of the Sooke River. The water in the potholes is clear and clean. You can swim in the pools or hike along the narrow canyon and as the river cascades through small sets of waterfalls. The Sooke Potholes are a popular destination are are located about 45 minutes from downtown Victoria. To get there, follow the Highway 1 (the Trans-Canada Highway) from and take the Millstream Road exit (Exit 14) to Sooke. Follow Veterans Memorial Parkway, then turn right on Sooke Road. Turn right on Sooke River Road and follow the signs.
For a great day or weekend, you can bike to both the Sooke Potholes and Thetis Lake on the Galloping Goose Trail, a 55km multi-use and mostly off road trail that goes from downtown to Sooke. Camping is also available at the Sooke Potholes.
Pools:
- The Crystal Pool (2275 Quadra, 250-361-0732) is within walking distance from downtown. It has a large 50-meter pool, a water slide, a kiddie pool, a sauna, a steam room, and a hot tub. If you'd rather not get wet, there are also various cardio and weight rooms. It costs $4.75 and is open late most days. It's only $2 after 9pm.
- The Saanich Commonwealth Place (4636 Elk Lake Drive, 250-475-7600) was built for the 1994 Commonwealth Games and is a first class place to go get wet. It contains a 50 meter pool, a dive tank, Victoria's only wave pool, a water slide, a steam room, a sauna, and several kiddie pools. It also has a full size gym, dance and yoga studio, a cafe, and a full library (what good pool doesn't). Admission is $5.25.
