VANCOUVER ISLAND - Discover Your Next Adventure:
Menu
Close your eyes. What do you picture when someone says, think of a lighthouse on the rocky shores of Canada? The picture you conger in your head most likely will perfectly resemble the Sheringham Point Lighthouse. A beautiful white and red reinforced concrete structure perched upon a rugged rocky cliff well above the waterline.
This Vancouver Island Lighthouse, located in Shirley, BC, can be viewed a short drive off the highway makings for easy access, and perfect for taking in the ocean air and the fantastic photo opportunities.
The Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society maintains the parking lot, the 500-metre trail and the informational plaques found along the walk to the lighthouse. A small path takes you to the lighthouse property as you leave the parking lot. Crossing the road, you will reach the gated fence, which is open 9 am – dusk every day.
If you are looking to burn off some extra energy from the parking lot, there is access to another nice and easy 3.4km walking loop, a well-maintained trail that allows for the surrounding area’s experience.
If you are driving along the Juan de Fuca straight and want to see one of the most beautiful locations for lighthouses on Vancouver Island, this is a great place to visit.
Hours:
The site is open daily, but the gates close in the evening. As the seasons change, so can the hours. 9:00 am – dusk. To check the current hours of operation, visit http://sheringhamlighthouse.org/the-lighthouse/visit-the-lighthouse/
Currently, there is no access inside the lighthouse. The lighthouse area is fenced with a gate located on Lighthouse point road.
The 3.4 km Trail Loop it’s open between dawn and sunset.
Washroom: There is a porta-potty located in the parking lot.
Parking: Small parking lot at the end of Sheringham Point Rd
As you walk down from the parking lot, the first indication of recent upgrades is the new large gate with the words Sheringham Lighthouse arched over the top.
New upgrades include:
– Gate & sidewalk
– Viewing platform with bench looking down at the Lighthouse
– Jennie’s trail – a foot trail crisscrossing down the hill.
– Viewing branches on the trail
– Donation tubes and QR codes
– Visitor center (open limited hours)
– Signage and historical information
– New viewing point trails
– New speaker with live listening and pre-recorded options
Make sure you keep your eyes open when at the point. It is common to see Resident Orcas from Sheringham Point, Humpback, and Grey Whales in season. A conservation project helps monitor whale movement with large underwater microphones in cooperation with other conservation groups. They have installed a speaker on the waterside of the engine room where you can listen to any passing whales.
What an incredible place! We went on a windy morning and had the whole site to ourselves, and it was everything a lighthouse trip should be: lonely and stormy and secluded and so, so stunningly beautiful. There were otters playing in the kelp beds, and seals sunning themselves on the rocks. Just magical really.
The Sheringham Point Lighthouse was built in response to a tragic maritime accident in 1906 where 137 men, women and children lost their lives when their ship ran aground due to bad weather and limited visibility. As a result, the Canadian Government ordered the construction of 12 new lighthouses along the Vancouver Islands coast.
Once construction was complete in 1912, the lighthouse was visible for almost 25km along the Juan de Fuca Strait. Initially illuminated by an oil lamp and rotated by a clockwork mechanism that had to be re-wound every 3 hours, and in 1924, a foghorn powered by a diesel engine was added.
Over the years, the site has seen building built and torn down. It even had a military during WWII as a surveillance location.
The lighthouse had seen seven lightkeepers and families from 1912 up to 1989 when the lighthouse was fully automated.
Now under the care of Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society, the lighthouse is a National Heritage Site and operates with a single green light, still actively warning sailors of the rocky shores through the harsh Juan de Fuca weather.
How to get there:
Located a short drive southwest of Shirley, BC, the lighthouse is easy to access. Just take Highway 14 and turn South on Sheringham Point Rd. Follow the road until the end, where you will find the Sheringham Lighthouse Parking lot. From there, it’s about a 10-minute walk down to the lighthouse.
Check out these stops in the area:
Muir Creek Beach: Fossils, Sand Beach and Seals
Sandcut Beach: A Unique Walk and Waterfall
French Beach: Great Picnic Spot for the Family
Sooke Boardwalk: A walk you shouldn’t miss while visiting Sooke
4 Lighthouses on Vancouver Island:
Fisgard Lighthouse in Victoria
Amphitrite Point Lighthouse in Ucluelet
Active Pass Lighthouse
Cape Mudge Lighthouse
IS THERE ADMISSION?
Admission is free, but they do ask for a donation. There are two donation tubes, one at the top of Jennie’s Trail and the other by the outbuilding display. Don’t carry cash? A QR code is located by the donation tubes to make donating easy.
CAN YOU GO INSIDE?
The lighthouse building is closed to the public.
IS THERE A FENCE AROUND THE LIGHTHOUSE?
Yes, the property is fenced. The Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society opens and closes the gate daily.
Did we miss something?
Have more to add?
Unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.
Pack Out:
We love this Island, and want to keep the natural beauty please respect the places you visit and pack out what you pack in and leave the area better than when you arrived. We all know how much trash can spoil an experience and the environment, so please help us keep it clean!
Wildlife:
Vancouver Island is a land of natural beauty and abundant wildlife. Please be aware of your surroundings and take the usual precautions for personal and wildlife safety.
Black bears, cougars and even wolves are common on Vancouver Island for more on Wildlife Safety Click Here
Tide and Seasonal Safety:
Changing seasons and tides can have a drastic effect on most locations on Vancouver Island. Please be cautious as the information in this post may vary depending on the time of year and weather. Make sure to check for current weather and tide information before you make your journey!
When visiting the beach, it’s essential to pay attention and stay safe! Please be cautious walking on the shore during high tide. At this time, some areas may not be accessible. Click here for the tides in your area. Be aware of ocean currents before swimming, paddle boarding or kayaking.
Land Acknowledgement:
We would like to acknowledge the land we appreciate daily within the 50 First Nations that make up the traditional territories of the Coast Salish, Nuu chah nulth, and Kwakiutl–the first peoples of Vancouver Island .
Disclaimer:
The information on this website should not be taken as accurate, complete or up-to-date. Please check and look into the information yourself. We do not assume any liabilities for the use of this information. It is unreasonable to rely solely upon the information from this website.
Unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.
