Fisgard Lighthouse in Victoria B.C
 

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 A National Historic Site - The first lighthouse on Canada's west coast 
is still in operation! There hasn't been a keeper here since the light 
was automated in 1929, but every year many thousands of visitors step 
inside a real l9th century light, and capture some of the feeling of 
ships wrecked and lives saved.


Built by the British in 1860, when Vancouver Island was not yet part of 
Canada, Fisgard's red brick house and white tower has stood faithfully 
at the entrance to Esquimalt harbour. Once a beacon for the British 
Royal Navy's Pacific Squadron, today Fisgard still marks home base for 
the Royal Canadian Navy.



Inside the building are two floors of exhibits, dealing with shipwrecks, 
storms, far- flung lights, and the everyday working equipment of the 
light keeper a century ago. Right next to the tower stirs on the second 
floor, a specially-made video evokes the loneliness and isolation that 
was the lot of the l9th century keeper.


The waterfront sites at Fisgard Lighthouse and Fort Rodd Hill are 
extremely photogenic, especially with the scenic backdrop of the Olympic 
Mountains in neighbouring Washington state.

The Strait of Juan de Fuca almost always offers a wide variety of ships, 
from small sailing vessels, to enormous cargo ships, and the proximity 
of the Canadian Navy base means that military craft of several nations 
are often seen at close range.


Wildlife at the sites includes Columbian black-tailed deer, river 
otters, mink, raccoons, harbour seals, and sea lions.

Bird-watching

Birders may be rewarded with a wide variety of both pelagic and meadow 
birds, including bald eagles, blue herons, harlequin and eider ducks, 
and many small songbirds.



Picnicking

There are 12 picnic tables, including one for disabled visitors, near 
the parking lot. You may also picnic inside the sites, under the trees 
on the main field, or on any of our three beaches. Please note that 
there are no fires or barbeques permitted in the sites.


Scuba Diving

Scuba diving is becoming more and more popular in the waters around 
Fisgard Lighthouse, but divers are advised that there is no vehicle 
access and that they will have to transport their equipment about 500 
metres (1/4 mile) from the parking lot. (Hint: bring a wheelbarrow to 
move tanks and weights!)


Food Service

The Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse Preservation Society offers 
light refreshments and souvenirs in the old Canteen building inside Fort 
Rodd Hill during the summer months.

June 11-12

Fisgard Lighthouse 150th Anniversary Celebrations
Join us the evening of June 11 and all day June 12 for some very special festivities to celebrate this sesquicentennial and a chance to view the all-new
exhibits and visitor facilities at Canada’s oldest west coast lighthouse.

t Lighthouse Page is Coming Soon !