Local Things To Do around Birds of a Feather B&B
Stay and Play on Victoria’s West Shore
Birds of a Feather is a rare place to stay where a memorable West Coast day can begin right outside your suite. We are tucked along the Esquimalt Lagoon, where the ocean, beach, forest, gardens, historic sites and trails create a beautiful playground for every season.
Start slowly with coffee and lagoon views. Then choose your adventure. Take one of our courtesy kayaks or canoes out onto the lagoon when conditions are suitable, enjoy a quiet walk along the beach, or set off on a courtesy bicycle to explore the West Shore. Whether you are here for romance, family time, wildlife, history, gardens or simply a breath of sea air, these are some of our favourite ways to Stay and Play.
Esquimalt Lagoon and Lagoon Beach: Right Outside Your Door
Our postcard setting sits on the shores of the Esquimalt Lagoon Migratory Bird Sanctuary. The sheltered lagoon, beach and ocean views are a special part of the experience of staying here. Step down to the water, listen to the shorebirds, watch the light change over the Olympic Mountains, or simply settle in with a picnic and a good book.
The lagoon is an important resting and feeding place for migratory waterbirds. From October through May, thousands of waterfowl use these waters. Bring binoculars and you may spot wigeon, pintail, teal, herons, mergansers and other visitors to the sanctuary. The birdlife is never the same twice, which is part of the magic.
Lagoon Beach along Ocean Boulevard is made for a gentle beach walk, beachcombing and taking in the open Strait of Juan de Fuca. Look across the water toward the Olympic Mountains, toward Fisgard Lighthouse, and across the lagoon toward the Hatley Castle grounds.
Watch Well, Tread Lightly
This is a living sanctuary with deep cultural significance and sensitive habitat. Please enjoy it quietly: give birds and wildlife plenty of space, do not feed the birds, keep dogs leashed in the sanctuary, and stay on established paths where possible. A little care helps keep this remarkable place wild.
Gardens, Beach and West Coast History
Hatley Castle and Gardens
Just beyond the lagoon is Hatley Park, home to Royal Roads University and the wonderfully grand Hatley Castle. The castle’s historic estate setting is as much a pleasure as the building itself. Wander through mature forest and Garry oak meadows, then take your time in the Japanese, Italian and Rose Gardens.
This is a lovely choice for a relaxed afternoon. The Japanese Garden’s stone paths, lanterns and bridge invite a slower pace, while the Italian Garden offers a dramatic setting among formal stonework and seasonal colour. There is something to notice in every season, from spring wisteria to late-summer flowers, autumn colour and the quiet structure of the gardens in winter.
Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park
For a classic West Coast ramble, Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park brings together forest, freshwater creek, salt marsh, sandy beach and rocky headlands. Follow Bilston Creek through the woods to Sitting Lady Falls, then continue down to the beach for sea air and wide coastal views.
The park rewards guests who like to slow down and look closely. More than 160 bird species have been documented here, and the mix of beach, marsh, forest and rocky shore makes every visit feel a little different. Tower Point is another beautiful option for ocean and mountain views. In winter, Sitting Lady Falls can be especially dramatic; in summer, its gentler flow has its own charm.
Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse
History and coastline come together beautifully at Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site. Explore the former coastal artillery fort, which was in active service from 1895 to 1956, then follow the causeway to Fisgard Lighthouse.
Built in 1860, Fisgard was the first permanent lighthouse on Canada’s west coast and remains the oldest lighthouse on the coast. Step inside the keeper’s house to discover the stories of the people who lived and worked here, then take in the views from this iconic waterfront landmark.
The wider site is perfect for a relaxed history-and-nature outing. Walk the historic sentry route through coastal woodland, explore the Garry Oak Learning Meadow in spring, or pause for a picnic and let the ocean scenery do the rest.
By Bike or On Foot: The Galloping Goose
The Galloping Goose is one of the best ways to see the region at your own pace. This former railway corridor passes through Colwood as part of a 55-kilometre multi-use trail connecting Victoria and Sooke. Along the way, the landscape shifts from city to forest, marsh, rocky outcrops and farmland.
Our courtesy bicycles make it easy to enjoy a short outing or a longer ride, depending on your mood. There is no need to make it an all-day mission: choose a section, turn around whenever you wish, and enjoy the freedom of a car-free West Coast explore. The trail is shared by walkers, runners and cyclists, so please keep right, ride with care and be kind to fellow trail users.
Goldstream Provincial Park and the Fall Salmon Run
Goldstream Provincial Park is one of Victoria’s great nature escapes. Towering old-growth Douglas-fir and western red cedar, river trails, mossy forest, waterfalls and mountain views make this a rewarding outing in every season.
Choose an easy forest or riverside walk, seek out the 47.5-metre Niagara Falls, or take on the steeper Mount Finlayson route if you are prepared for a rugged hike. Goldstream is a place to let the city fall away for a while and feel the scale of Vancouver Island’s forests.
From late October through November, Goldstream offers one of the season’s most memorable natural spectacles. Chum, coho and Chinook salmon return from the ocean to spawn in Goldstream River, and the forest seems to gather around the story. Follow the marked trails and viewpoints to watch respectfully from a distance. Later in the season, bald eagles may be seen from the designated viewing platform near the Visitor Centre as they gather around the wider estuary ecosystem.
Beyond the Lagoon: More of Our Favourite Days Out
Thetis Lake Regional Park
For a freshwater change of scene, Thetis Lake offers forest, lakeshore and more than 40 kilometres of trails through Douglas-fir and Garry oak landscapes. It is a wonderful choice for guests who want an active day without leaving nature behind. Explore at your own pace, take in the calm of Upper and Lower Thetis Lakes, and choose a gentle loop or a hillier trail according to your energy.
The lakes are popular for swimming and paddling in warmer weather, but swimming is unsupervised. Enjoy the water thoughtfully, never swim alone, and stay on established trails to help protect this special nature sanctuary.
Sooke Potholes Regional Park
Further west, the Sooke River has spent thousands of years sculpting smooth sandstone pools, chutes and potholes into the landscape. The result is Sooke Potholes, a beautiful meeting of river, rock and forest—one of those distinctly Vancouver Island places that feels both wild and welcoming.
Come for a riverside walk, a picnic, viewpoints and the drama of the formations themselves. The river conditions change with the season, so please use care near the water, stay on marked trails and check current advisories before you go.
East Sooke Regional Park
For guests looking for a bigger coastal adventure, East Sooke Regional Park is unforgettable. Pocket beaches, rocky bays, tide pools, sheltered coves and forest open onto wide views across the Strait of Juan de Fuca toward the Olympic Mountains.
This is a place to choose your route with intention. The famous Coast Trail is a substantial 10-kilometre experience, while other access trails can be steep and uneven. Bring proper footwear, water and an appetite for a wilder side of the West Coast.
Malahat SkyWalk
For a forest-to-sky experience, Malahat SkyWalk leads through an elevated TreeWalk among arbutus and Douglas-fir before rising to a gentle spiral tower with panoramic views over Finlayson Arm, islands, mountains and the distant peninsula.
The main walkway and tower are designed with a gradual ramp rather than stairs, making this an especially appealing option for guests who want a big landscape view without committing to a difficult hike. The optional nature trails are more rugged, so choose the route that suits your day.
A Reason to Return in Every Season
Spring brings garden colour at Hatley and wildflowers at Fort Rodd Hill. Summer is made for beach walks, paddling, cycling and long evenings by the lagoon. Autumn brings the Goldstream salmon run and changing forest colour. In winter, the lagoon’s waterfowl, Witty’s Lagoon waterfall and the drama of the coast make a quieter stay just as rewarding.
Ask us which outing best suits the weather, the season and the kind of day you have in mind. We love sharing the local experience and helping you make the most of this remarkable corner of Victoria.
*Please check current visitor information, trail notices and weather conditions before heading out. Conditions, access and seasonal closures can change, especially at parks, historic sites and on the water.*
