Words & Photos Shelley Tice
There are some places that quietly become part of you. Patricia Bay, also known as Scoter Trail, is one of those places for me.
It is a spot I pass often on West Saanich Road, and more than once I have found myself pulling over at sunset, jumping out of the car to capture the sky as it lights up over the water. Last night, instead of a quick stop, we decided to slow down and make an evening walk of it.
We started at the north end of the trail, following the beach before the tide crept too far in. The evening light stretched across the water as the sun slowly dropped behind Salt Spring Island. The shoreline was alive in that quiet summer way that feels uniquely Peninsula. Paddle boarders glided across the calm bay while families lingered at the water’s edge, children splashing in the shallows where the warm evening sun had heated the rocks close to shore.
Others wandered the trail at an easy pace, enjoying an after-dinner walk. A few people sat quietly on the driftwood facing the water, soaking in the stillness before sunset. Neighbours stopped to chat. Seals surfaced offshore, watching the activity from a distance, and we kept an eye out for the blackfish, the Dall’s porpoises that are sometimes spotted playing in the bay.
After reaching the south end, we returned along the forested path as the sky shifted through soft pinks and golds. At just over two kilometres return, it is not a long walk, but it never feels rushed. This is the kind of place that invites you to slow down and notice things: the movement of the tide; the sound of water against the rocks; the changing colours across the bay.
Wherever I travel, this is one of those places that always welcomes me home. Patricia Bay reminds me why the ocean is so deeply connected to life on the Saanich Peninsula. It is simple, accessible and beautiful in every season.
In summer, the bay becomes a gathering place. Kayaks and paddle boards launch from the easy beach access, picnic tables fill with families sharing dinner, and on windy days, kite surfers dance across the water. Yet even with activity around you, there is still a sense of calm that settles in as the sun disappears behind the islands.
Sometimes the best way to get out is not to go far at all.
Things to Note
- Patricia Bay, also called Scoter Trail, is located along West Saanich Road, with the main parking lot between Willingdon and Mills roads
- The walk is relatively flat and approximately 2 km return
- Bring a picnic or takeaway dinner for the beachside picnic tables
- Sunset is the perfect time to visit during summer months
