The first lighthouse established in BC by the Canadian Government is the original Cape Beale Lighthouse. It was the first lighthouse built on the western shores of Vancouver Island, constructed on the rugged cliffs of the Pacific Rim. It is where harsh tides of the Pacific Ocean break into its rough rocks. The combination of breaking tides and the light of sunset is something else! The whole complex of Cape Beale Lighthouse consists of the keeper's house and the lantern tower. Visitors can enjoy the surroundings while the lantern tower is not open to the public. Not to mention that you can access this light station by the hiking trail in Cape Beale Headlands.
Megan Thomas, a reporter of CBC News, interviewed Karen Zacharuk, one of the lightkeepers of the Cape Beale Lighthouse.
According to CBC News, above the 10-meter tower, one can be provided with a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean and how the treacherous waves collide with jagged rocks of the western shores of Vancouver Island. Nestled right between rugged rainforest, which is more than 50 m (164 ft) above sea level, Cape Beale Lighthouse has become favoured by artists, especially photographers, for its aesthetic effects. So, pack your bags for a long muddy hike and grab your camera. Make the most of your visit and capture cute pictures featuring the photogenic area of the light station.
Cape Beale Lighthouse is located southwest of Bamfield, in the Pacific Rim region, the western shores of Vancouver Island. It marks the entrance of Barkley Sound, and the whole station features the ocean. This lighthouse is adjacent to several landmarks that visitors can enjoy, such as Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Pachena Bay, and Pachena Bay Campground, Kichha Lake, Tapeltos Beach, and Keeha Beach.
This light station is only accessible by hiking trails. The only designated hiking trail leading to Cape Beale Lighthouse is Cape Beale Trail, which starts from Bamfield and passes through mentioned attractions to reach the lighthouse. As you are now aware, Cape Beale Lighthouse is not car accessible, but instead, you can drive to Bamfield Road and then take a long hike to the lighthouse. The bonus is the magnificent scenery you are provided with throughout the trail.
Although Cape Beale Lighthouse is not accessible by car, you can drive from downtown Nanaimo and Victoria to Bamfield Road and then hike to Cape Beale Lighthouse.
From Nanaimo:
Getting to Bamfield Rd from Nanaimo is via BC-19 N. It is 172 km (106.8 miles), which takes about three hours.
Take BC-19 N and BC-4 W to Franklin River Rd for 87.1 km (54.1 miles). Continue on Franklin River Rd. Take Bamfield Rd and Bamfield Main to Bamfield Rd in Bamfield and drive 85.4 km (53 miles) more. From there, start the hike to Cape Beale Lighthouse through the designated hiking trail.
From Victoria:
The fastest road from Victoria to Bamfield Rd is Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. It is 274 km (170.2 miles) and takes about four hours and 15 minutes.
Take Government St to Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N for 1.2 km (0.7 miles). Follow Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and BC-19 N to Memorial Rd/BC-4 W in Nanaimo G. Take exit 60 from BC-19 N and drive 155 km (96.3 miles). Continue on BC-4 W. Take Franklin River Rd, Bamfield Rd and Bamfield Main to Bamfield Rd in Alberni-Clayoquot A. After 118 km (73.3 miles), you will reach Bamfield Rd, your hiking start point toward Cape Beale Lighthouse.
"Cape Beale Trail" is a 14.8 km (9.1 miles) out-and-back with an elevation gain of 366 m (1200.7 ft), rated as moderate. Hiking, walking, backpacking, and camping are available along the trail. During the hike, enjoy the wildlife and birds in the area with breathtaking scenery. Note that the path might be muddy, so bring your rain boots to avoid making it difficult.
As the oldest manned lighthouse on Vancouver Island, Cape Beale Lighthouse was built in 1874. The name was given to the light station by a merchant ship captain called Charles William Barkley. He named the lighthouse after his purser, John Beale.
Cape Beale Lighthouse is the first lighthouse built by the Canadian Government on the west coast of Vancouver Island. It was primarily a landfall and main light on the coastal part. It was where shipwrecks were collected, for it is known as the "Graveyard of the Pacific." As a notable example of aid to the navigation system, this lighthouse has helped several ships to make their way to Juan De Fuca and Barkley Sound.
At the time that British Columbia faced a rapid increase in international commerce, Cape Beale Lighthouse played an outstanding role in guiding the ships to a safe passage to their destinations. Between the years 1971-1998, cape Beale Lighthouse was a part of the British Columbia Shore Station Oceanographic Program. It was calculating water temperatures and the salinity measurements for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
While you are hiking on Cape Beale Trail, you are given a chance to camp and enjoy wildlife viewing and bird watching. After you captured enough pictures around Cape Beale Lighthouse and gazed upon the eye-catching view of the cliffs and the ocean waves, now it is time to make your stay count. If you go back to the Cape Beale Trail toward the lighthouse, you will find Kichha Lake on the northeastern side.
While you are at this lake, prepare your fishing rods to catch some fish. Do you desire more fun to be satisfied? Get on the Keeha Bay Trail, then continue to reach Keeha Beach. On this awesome calm beach, you are provided with camping and wildlife viewing opportunities, plus stunning scenery you can enjoy and capture. The good news is that you can bring your dog to run freely on the beach.
The first lighthouse established in BC by the Canadian government is the original Cape Beale Lighthouse. It was constructed on the rugged cliffs of the Pacific Rim. The whole complex consists of the keeper's house and the lantern tower. Visitors can access this station by the hiking trail. The lantern tower is not open to the public, but you can enjoy the surroundings and the panoramic views.
Do you want to find a happy ending for your hiking around Ucluelet? Ucluelet never falls short in attractions. As part of the Lighthouse Loop section of the Wild Pacific Trail, Amphitrite Point Lighthouse is a long-standing and the only active lighthouse nearby. It is an excellent choice with panoramic ocean views, but you can't go up to the lighthouse.
If you try exploring what you haven't seen yet on Vancouver Island, Barkley Sound might be a good start. After decades of close observation and research, humans realize the importance of killer whales as a means of tourism attraction. therefore, to start your adventure in Barkley Sound, keep its fantastic whale watching opportunities in mind.
Adjacent to Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Bamfield is a favourable destination for whale watching in the Port Alberni area. To make the most out of your journey in Bamfield, you can do salmon fishing around the coast and enjoy the outstanding birdlife living there.
Nitinat Triangle provides an excellent opportunity for those fearless paddlers that lets them set their adventure-thirsty souls on fire. Schedule your trip to Nitinat Triangle when you have 4 or 5 days free. The triangle features campsite facilities and magnetic vies of the land.
Broken Group Islands is one of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve's three main recreational components, which offers paddlers undeniable opportunities to spend time on the water. While you are camping in the wilderness, you may be given the pleasure of watching lagoons, sandbars, blowholes, arches and secluded anchorages.
Those who are planning to engage in the adventure of paddling in Barkley Sound would better schedule their visit for July-August and reserve their seats beforehand. During cold months do not forget to bring rain gear. Besides kayaking, other activities are available in Barkley's good area to be fed on by your souls.
Make the best of your journey on Vancouver Island by camping in one of the possibly best campgrounds on the southwest of Vancouver Island. Pachena Bay Campground offers a quiet private campsite for those who want to get away from the bustle in towns. Not to mention the beautiful, clean, and sandy beach in which you are provided with every possible fun opportunity.
Find the inside campers of yours while you are camping in Wya Point Campground. In the heart of an oceanside forest, Wya Point Campground offers opportunities for camping, and you are given a chance to choose which campsite you want to spend time at. Crystal water, sandy cove, and tide rocks that offer marine life sights and several beachfront cabins and yurts with ocean-view are available in Wya Point, making it an ideal place.
While hiking Wild Pacific, you are given a chance to enjoy a fantastic storm watching. With hurricane-force winds, both trails of Wild Pacific offer an excellent opportunity to watch storms. Not to mention that overlooking views are provided throughout the hike, which doubles the joy of walking on this long stunning trail.
Have you ever experienced storm watching on a perched deck overlooking an eye-catching view of the Pacific Ocean? If not, Kwisitis Visitor Centre is awaiting you. As a beautiful exhibition for the natural and cultural patrimony of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, this excellent Centre offers unforgettable storm watching right on the Pacific shores, which guarantees your fun and adventure.
All Five senses come together to give the possibility to experience the endless adventure in the Nitinat Lake area. As one of the destinations for consistent winds, Nitinat Lake is a popular place for windsurfing. This lake with long, narrow, and strongly salt-stratified water offers you the best opportunities to fulfil your desires for adventure, kiteboarding in particular.
Bamfield is a small fishing and harbour village best known for its magnificent salmon fishing adventures. It offers a wide green area and jungles to hike and enjoy the wildlife. For the tens of kilometres, you have shorelines, amazing islands, and beautiful beaches. It is principally a tourist destination for the West Coast Trail, ocean kayaking, or sport fishing.
The first lighthouse established in BC by the Canadian government is the original Cape Beale Lighthouse. It was constructed on the rugged cliffs of the Pacific Rim. The whole complex consists of the keeper's house and the lantern tower. Visitors can access this station by the hiking trail. The lantern tower is not open to the public, but you can enjoy the surroundings and the panoramic views.
Wickaninnish Beach is a large stunning beach with sand dunes and access to the rainforest. Kilometres of sands make it possible to walk on the beach for a long time. Sit on the driftwoods or cliffs to rest and enjoy the view. It would be great staying there making a fire and watching the sun touch the ocean. This beach could be your excellent choice for swimming, storm watching, and surfing.
Tofino with its incredible sunset is a district on the west coast of Vancouver Island. It is busy in summer due to the various water sports. In winter many people come to Tofino to visit West Coast for storm watching and whale watching. The majority of the tourists are surfers, hikers, bird watchers, campers, whale watchers, anglers, and nature lovers.
The Somerset Range is a chain of small low mountains. The highest peak is Hobiton Ridge. Have a perfect time hiking through the packed trees covering the hills with ponds and tars dotting the area. Up at the peak, the vista of trees and valley overlooking the water and awe-inspiring view of surrounding mountains lying through the gorgeous forest garnished by colourful birds.
Sarita Falls is one of the pieces of music repeatedly playing by the earth. This beautiful set of falls is placed along the Sarita River in a rainforest space with fresh air, making a stunning atmosphere. There is a sign for the place, a white tree trunk that has fallen on the river, which can complete the picture. The area is also rich in wildlife, so get the most out of your visit.
Caves teach us to face our fears. They are signs of history and are full of secrets. Nitinat Caves are a series of small and not very deep caves between Bamfield and Port Renfrew. It needs a sharp eye to find the entrance along the river. Water flows in them, and they lead you to a canyon with gem green water perfect for swimming. The caves offer you beauty and great scenes.
The Pelham Range is a paradise for mountaineers seeking an isolated area and seclusion. They can spend some days camping in peace on lakes or through the wilderness or paddling and fishing a whole day in the calm waters with a pleasant ambiance. Climbing the mountains would be fascinating, passing through hills covered with beautiful trees.
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is a national park famous for its old-growth rainforest, spectacular coastal scenery and long sandy beaches. Hiking through the lush temperate forests, walking along the expansive soft-sand beaches, kayaking among small islands and hidden bays, discovering wildlife and whales, and surfing the Pacific Ocean waves are the best things to do in the park.
Let's get lost in the west coast nature and find ourselves beside a lake following the smell of the Pacific Ocean. Nitinat Lake is beyond your expectations, kiteboarding heaven and a windsurfers' choice. Cruise the cool and clean water and explore freshwater coves and inlets. Get more of your visit with Nitinat Caves and the underground world of Looper Creek Canyon.
Do you want to find a happy ending for your hiking around Ucluelet? Ucluelet never falls short in attractions. As part of the Lighthouse Loop section of the Wild Pacific Trail, Amphitrite Point Lighthouse is a long-standing and the only active lighthouse nearby. It is an excellent choice with panoramic ocean views, but you can't go up to the lighthouse.