Race Rocks Ecological Reserve

Stranded in the Salish Sea, off the southernmost tip of Vancouver Island, the rocky archipelago known as the ‘Race Rocks’ is among Victoria’s most iconic natural landmarks, capped with the distinctive black and white Race Rocks Lighthouse.
Established in 1980 and now used for research by the Lester B. Pearson College, the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve spans a 3-square-kilometer area and boasts a rich ecosystem, teeming with marine life. The most popular way to take in the reserve’s wildlife is on a cruise from Victoria, with the opportunity to spot orcas and humpback whales, California sea lions, harbor seals and elephant seals, as well as an array of fish, coral, sponges and jellyfish and sea birds like cormorants, guillemots and gulls.

Practical Info

The Race Rocks Ecological Reserve is located off the southern tip of Vancouver Island, 17km southwest of Victoria.