Race Rocks Ecological Reserve

Race Rocks is a protected ecological reserve 20 km southwest of Victoria where tidal currents through the Strait of Juan de Fuca create one of the most productive cold-water ecosystems on the BC coast. Steller sea lions haul out on the rocks by the hundreds and dive with boats in the water. Harbour seals, California sea lions, and river otters share the reserve with enormous lingcod, cabezon, and the occasional Pacific white-sided dolphin. The rocky pinnacles and boulders drop to 25 m and are encrusted with strawberry anemones and purple sea urchins.