Fisgard Lighthouse or Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse NHS is the first lighthouse on the west coast of Canada. It is a favoured destination among people to visit, which is still operating. The public entrance is not allowed to the white tower because it is an operational aid for navigation. The keeper's house (i.e., The Red House), on the other hand, is open to the public and it comprises wonderful exhibitions. As a visitor, you can see shipwrecks, far-flung lights, storms, and the working equipment the lightkeepers used every day about a century ago.
After capturing the moment in the red house, you can step out and face the picturesque view of the waterfront site at Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site and Rodd Hill, with a great background of the Olympic Mountains.
You can see navy ships from several nations and ships from small sizes to enormous Cargo ones, sailing from Juan de Fuca at a close range if you are in luck.
Fisgard Lighthouse also welcomes sailors to Royal Road anchorage and the Esquimalt naval base. Plus, the lantern provides a guide for merchants and recreational ships to downtown Victoria.
Esquimalt Lagoon and its Migratory Birds' Sanctuary are recommended to enjoy the area even more. They are about 2 km (1.2 miles) west of Fisgard Lighthouse and Rodd Hill, suitable for birdwatchers and kayakers. Right about two miles to the northwest of Fisgard Lighthouse and Rodd Hill, visit the magnificent, photogenic Hatley Castle. It is a former residence of the Royal Family during World War II, and nowadays, it is used to make movies.
Nestled in Greater Victoria, Fisgard Lighthouse is located on Fisgard Island at the entrance of Esquimalt Harbour in Colwood, Vancouver Island. The lighthouse is regarded as a lifesaver for local and foreign voyagers sailing the ocean on foggy nights. Visitors from Victoria can come to this wonderful historical site both by car and boat. A causeway from Fort Rodd Hill provides land access to the lighthouse.
Fisgard Lighthouse is enclosed with some distinguished national sites such as Fort Rodd Hill, an artillery ground built by the British people in the 1890s to protect Victoria, Esquimalt Lagoon, and Hatley Castel in Hatley Park.
From Nanaimo:
Getting to Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site from Nanaimo is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S. It is 105 km (65.2 miles) and takes about an hour and 20 minutes.
Take Wallace St to Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S for 550 m (1804.4 ft). Follow Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S to Six Mile Rd in View Royal. Take exit 11 from Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S and drive 100 km (62.1 miles). Take Island Hwy/Old Island Hwy S/BC-1A W and Ocean Blvd to your destination in Colwood. After 4.6 km (2.8 miles), you will reach Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse NHS.
From Victoria:
One of the routes from Victoria to Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site is Craigflower Rd and Island Hwy/BC-1A W. It is 12.9 km (8 miles) and takes about 20 minutes.
Take Craigflower Rd and Island Hwy/BC-1A W to Ocean Blvd in Colwood and go on for 10.5 km (6.5 miles). Continue on Ocean Blvd to your destination, and after 2.4 km (1.4 miles), you will reach Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse NHS.
"Fisgard Lighthouse Trail" is a 1.9 km (1.1 miles) out-and-back with an elevation gain of 29 m (95.1 ft), located near Colwood. This easy trail is suitable for hiking and walking, even with kids. It provides hikers of any age with beautiful scenic landscapes and lots of Canadian history.
Fisgard Lighthouse was built in 1860 by the British Government primarily to guide ships to the entrance of Esquimalt Harbour and merchant ships to Victoria. Not to mention that it was known as a beacon for the British Royal Navy's Pacific Squadron. The lighthouse was titled after a British Navy ship named HMS Fisgard.
The bricks used to build the lighthouse were sent from Britain according to the local legends, and, in 1859, other materials such as the lens, lamp apparatus, and lantern room were brought to the island by the first keeper Mr. George Davies. In the 1970s and the beginning of the 1980s, Parks Canada reconstructed the lighthouse to its Victorian appearance. Afterward, The Keeper's House became a museum ever since, with exhibits representing the history of all the lighthouses of British Columbia.
On November 16th, 1860, after the sunset, Fisgard Lighthouse radiated the first light. In 1929, the lighthouse was automated, and since then, the radiations are as follows: white isophase light for 2 seconds in an area of 322°- 195° at 21.6 m (71 ft) above average sea level.
Before automating the lighthouse, it used to have keepers who were residents of the red house.
Fisgard Lighthouse had 12 keepers during 1860-1928, of which the most famous one is William Bevis, who served since 1861, and in 1879 he died on duty.
Fisgard Lighthouse has been regarded as one of the National Historic Site of Canada since 1958. Also, it is designated as a Classified Federal Heritage Building.
After you are done visiting Fisgard Lighthouse, you may enjoy a long walk on the great hiking trail near the lighthouse.
Less than a mile away (1.6 km ) from Fisgard Lighthouse, visit Colwood Waterfront. The park with miles of magnificent beachfront road features the ocean. There are breathtaking beaches, in which you are provided with hiking, beachcombing, and opportunities for kids to build sandcastles. On summer days, beaches in Colwood Waterfront are great gathering places for their musical events. The shorelines are saturated with fishing spots. You can enjoy golfing on excellent golf grounds in the city of Colwood.
Visit Esquimalt Lagoon and its Migratory Birds' Sanctuary to enjoy several outdoor activities. It is a calm shallow lagoon, beloved by swimmers, scuba divers, and kayakers. Awesome birdwatching is available in Esquimalt Lagoon Migratory Birds' Sanctuary. Moreover, in fall and winter, you would have storm-watching possibilities if you were near the lighthouse.
A trail leads you to Fisgard Lighthouse NHS, the first lighthouse on the west coast of Canada. This historic lighthouse is still operating, but the entrance is not allowed. The keeper's house is open to the public which comprises wonderful exhibitions. There you can see shipwrecks, far-flung lights, storms, and the working equipment the lightkeepers used about a century ago.
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Wear decent hiking boots for a moderate hiking trail near Sooke. It is not for the faint of heart, but it is an enjoyable trail that leads you to Grass Lake and featuring Monument Mountain makes it possible to have amazing views from the top. Doing the Grass Lake Trail overnight and camping by the lake turns it into a memorable trip. Enjoy the trail in warmer seasons and get a dip into the lake.
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It is time to put your heart into hiking and step into a moderate multi-use trail with some great views along the way and on top. Mount Manuel Quimper has a beautiful summit worth the climb, which gives you excellent vistas of Sooke Harbour and a chance to visit one of the last fire lookouts left on the island.
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Here is a highly recommended and well-marked trail for challenges enthusiasts. Hiking on Mount Empress from Sooke Potholes via Mary Vine and Todd Creek Trails offers you insane 360° views of the Sooke Basin, Victoria, and San Juan Islands.
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Hiking on the entire East Sooke Coastal Trail is an experience not to be missed! This beautiful trail is a mix of the fantastic coast and beautiful greenery. Hiking boots are required! The route takes you along bluffs and cliffs by the Pacific Ocean that worth it for the views. This well-marked trail can take full-day hiking in East Sooke Regional Park.
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The East Sooke Coast and Interior Trail Loop is a well-marked trail with beautiful scenery. It is a combination of an easy access road and a more challenging coastal pass, which offers you incredible viewpoints. This excellent trail is along the Pacific Ocean and allows you to see marine life such as whales from a distance.
Extraordinary opportunities to make your diving experience memorable in the heart of Greater Victoria, including high-ranked spots for diving. These spots provide you with inevitable diving opportunities which allow you to explore the alien underwater world of Victoria's waters saturated with magnificent creatures. Do not miss it for the world.
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Looking for a reliable place to go whale watching for the first time on Vancouver Island? Why not starting with Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club, one of the famous Yacht Clubs on the island. You will have the opportunity to observe these gigantic creatures and probably other sea creatures in the waters of the Salish Sea.
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Start your whale watching journey with Van Isle Marina, a critical marine zone on Vancouver Island, capable of serving 200 boats simultaneously, which has made it an ideal destination for the fans of whale watching. There is a high chance to observe other sea creatures other than whales.
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While exploring Sooke Area, if you happen o take a long calm walk on the Otter Point shoreline, you may see whales from the beach. Otter Point Park provided you with other activities, too, such as hiking, wildlife and birdwatching, and also a scenic nature to appreciate.
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As one of the best tourist attractions of Sooke and Vancouver Island, West Coast comprises many outdoor excitements that cannot be denied. You are provided with different wildlife to watch and various food to eat, not to mention that you observe a rare nature that is outstanding. So, chances are high to see different whales and other marine creatures.
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You would better plan a visit to Cabin Point Coastline between April-September. It is the best time for those preparing for Sooke Whale Watching in one of the famous coastlines for it in the Salish sea. You are given adequate opportunity to gaze upon these marvellous sea creatures.
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Beechey Head and its loop are two of the hot spots for whale watching in Sooke. In addition to fantastic opportunities for whale watching, Beechey Head is a hiking and nature trip location that offers you excellent activities, such as birdwatching.
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Spirit Bay has a rich community offering settlings for whale watching lovers beside incredible wildlife; therefore, it would be an excellent point to start your Sooke Whale Watching. Plus, it has a cute beach. You cannot get over the beauty of it and its scenic views.
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Featuring wildflowers and fantastic sceneries, Creyke Point Trail is a suitable spot for whale watching, bird watching, and nature trips with splendid beaches and forests. So if you are having a great time in Sooke, remember to stop by Creyke Point to have more fun.
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Located in the heart of Victoria and adjacent to many whale watching operators, Victoria Harbour Ferry is a starting point for your whale watching tour. Many visitors come here to watch whales annually; not only whale watching but open waterways of Salish make Victoria Harbour Ferry a remarkable place for anglers, wildlife followers and daily tourists.
Spiral Beach in Victoria is where the blue of the sea and sky and the Olympic Mountains at a distance is situated in a perfect picture. There are hills along the beach to stand on for a wide view. Walk on the sands and pebbles with the driftwoods around on the beach. Listen to the waves, walk on the shoreline, and have the storm watching pleasure in the fall and winter.
McNeill Bay has plenty of benches along the seawall to sit and enjoy the landscape of Trial Island, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Olympic Mountain. Do exciting water activities on McNeill Bay Beach and experience its wonderful esplanade and photogenic scenery. It is considered one of the fantastic off-leash dog beaches in Victoria.
Langford is a city on the south coast of Vancouver Island and heaven for golfers. You can stay at lodgings and play at challenging hillside courses and enjoy yourself at luxurious advantages like the Amatista Spa. Beautiful parks surround the city, so go hiking through scenic forests or have peaceful moments beside lakes. Langford offers shops, family activities, sheep farms, and a bike park.
Gonzales Bay is a small scenic bay with a crescent-shaped beach. Its sandy beach is often quiet and peaceful. Walking on the Gonzales Bay beach near the ocean can help to release the world's anxiety. Lie on the beach and see the peaks of Olympic Mountain and enjoy the Mediterrane climate. Dogs are allowed off-leash on the beach from September through May.
A trail leads you to Fisgard Lighthouse NHS, the first lighthouse on the west coast of Canada. This historic lighthouse is still operating, but the entrance is not allowed. The keeper's house is open to the public which comprises wonderful exhibitions. There you can see shipwrecks, far-flung lights, storms, and the working equipment the lightkeepers used about a century ago.
Sooke is known as the Tall Tree Capital of Canada. The area's popularity is mainly based on tourists visiting the wilderness parks, hiking the West Coast Trail and the extremely popular Juan de Fuca Marine Trail. Sooke is also famous for its beaches and is a destination for cycling and mountain biking. The arts community of Sooke is vibrant and hosts the annual Sooke Fine Arts Festival.
Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens is a place for history enthusiasts and gardens and interior design lovers. It is a 19th-century Victorian home and garden full of everything nostalgic to you. As one of Victoria's oldest homes, it is located overlooking the scenic and historic Selkirk Water/Gorge Waterway. It includes vegetables, cut flowers, a small fruit orchard, and a greenhouse.
The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria or AGGV is home to artworks from talented artists of Canada and Asia. The building complex of the gallery includes the Spencer Mansion and the exhibition galleries. It also has gardens with a Japanese Shinto shrine. The art gallery is kid-friendly, and the staff is knowledgeable and helpful. The gift shop has gorgeous merchandise.
Located in Victoria, the Royal BC Museum is one of Canada's most significant cultural and historical treasures. It showcases natural wonders and includes artifacts, documents, specimens, and everything slightly relevant to British Columbia's natural and human history. The museum also provides a dynamic forum and a safe space for discussion and reflection.
Miniature World is among the top ten attractions in Victoria. It is the World of Smallness, the World of Story Books, and the World of Fact, Fiction, and Fantasy. It presents villages with different themes such as Camelot or the World's Smallest Operational Sawmill or Space 2201 AD and Avian 1 Spaceship. Miniature World is so unique that you may want to visit it every time you're in Victoria.
If you are a fan of sun and beach, Victoria has the warmest weather in Canada to take a sunbath and swim, and Willows Beach is located in this area. This white sandy beach is south of Willows Park and has protected water suitable for a family vacation. Get the most out of your visit when you are at the park. Have a meal or drink in its cafe with a view of the sea.
Race Rocks Ecological Reserve was established to preserve intertidal and subtidal communities that became very rich due to strong tidal currents. It features marine mammals like whales, sea lions and seals, birds like ducks, cormorants, black oyster-catchers and bald eagles. Fish species, marine invertebrates, and animals like marine algae and seagrass are among other inhabitants.
Sitting Lady Falls or Witty's Lagoon Falls with a wonderful forest around, and the moss-covered rocks is a magical place, something out of a fairy tale but near Victoria. The waterfall with 100 m (328 ft) height is divided into two parts, like a fork, making a unique shape worth visiting. The good thing about Sitting Lady Falls is the variety of birds living in the area.
Gallery Merrick is home to many native artists. The purpose of the gallery is to appreciate beauty everywhere we look. The priority of the gallery is to help working artists who make their livings out of their art. Many artists from Vancouver Island, surrounding islands, and across the country exhibit their talents here.
You may have limitations for yourself, but if you are not a beginner at cave exploring, overcome your own limits. Find a hidden gem in Langford, somewhere that few people know. Florence Lake Cave is a mystery waiting to be discovered for professional cavers. Some believe that it is the largest cave in Greater Victoria. Don't waste your time hesitating and pack your bag for a challenge.