The nucleus of the population live in and around the Sooke village area. Sooke, on the southwest tip of Vancouver Island, enjoys one of the most moderate climates in Canada. Warm Pacific air keeps the area temperate and precipitation light compared with other coastal communities. Rainfall increases as you move westwards along the coast towards the open Pacific Ocean. Summers are usually warm and dry, the fall months are generally pleasant, but wetter.
Winters are mild with frequent rainfall, some frost and only occasional snow.
The area s traditional industries have been logging and fishing. Today, tourism has become an important factor in the economy of the region, as increasing numbers of visitors discover the southwest coast beaches are so easily accessible from the large urban centres. The beaches from Sooke Harbour, through the seventy-four kilometres of coastline to Port Renfrew, offer a range of spectacular views, and some great paddling. Both accessible and beautiful, the Sooke Basin is protected by Whiffin Spit, leaving only a very small but deep entrance to the open ocean. Aside from a few currents there is nothing to worry even an inexperienced paddler.