Sheringham Point Lighthouse is one of those classic West Coast scenes that actually looks as good in person as it does in photos. Set on a rocky headland in Shirley, just west of Sooke, this white and red concrete lighthouse watches over the Juan de Fuca Strait with big ocean views, crashing waves, and plenty of fresh sea air.
The site is looked after by the Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society, which has added new trails, viewing platforms, signage, and a small visitor centre. From the parking lot, it is a short walk to the gated entrance and then a descent to the lighthouse area, where you can wander between viewpoints, learn about the history of the lightstation, and keep an eye out for whales offshore.
It is an easy outing that fits well into a Sooke or Shirley day trip, especially when paired with coffee and treats in Shirley or nearby beaches like French Beach and Sandcut. Plan for about 30 to 60 minutes on site, more if you want to linger, read the interpretive signs, or walk one of the nearby forest loops.
What to expect at Sheringham Point Lighthouse
- Short walk: About 500 metres from the parking area to the gate, with a choice of a gently sloping road or Jennie’s Trail that zigzags down the hill.
- Ocean viewpoints: Multiple viewing platforms with sweeping views of the lighthouse, coastline, and Olympic Mountains on a clear day.
- Historic lightstation: Informational plaques, a small outbuilding with displays, and the original lighthouse lens on site (when the visitor centre is open).
- Whale listening station: A hydrophone speaker near the generator building, where you can sometimes hear passing whales or listen to pre-recorded sounds.
- Family friendly, with care: The main paths are easy to follow, but some areas near the cliffs are not fully fenced, so close supervision is important with children.
- Donations appreciated: Admission is free, but donation helps the preservation society maintain the grounds, trails, and facilities.
- Facilities: A small parking lot, a porta-potty at the parking area, and a washroom near the lighthouse at the bottom of the hill.
Picture Perfect – Sheringham Point Lighthouse
Close your eyes. What do you picture when someone says, Think of a lighthouse on the rocky shores of Canada? The picture you conjure 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 with a short drive off the highway, making 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 property as you leave the parking lot. Crossing the road, you will reach the gated fence, which is open 9 am – dusk every day.
Admission is free, but the preservation society relies on donations to make improvements and maintenance. As you enter the property, you will find donation tubes and QR codes for online payment options. A donation is recommended and appreciated in an effort to protect and maintain the lighthouse.
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. AllTrails Link
Visiting The Lighthouse in Shirley
The Walk Down:
At the top of the hill is a bench, a lookout binoculars, and a donation tube. From here, there are two options: the walking trail or the road, depending on your fitness level. It’s much easier going down than up, so many people take it to the bottom and walk the road back up.
Lighthouse Area:
Once you reach the bottom, you will find a small building that is open during the summer. Inside are information plaques and the glass that was once at the top of the lighthouse.
There are two trails: one is a great viewing platform from which you can see the lighthouse perched on the rock, and the other will take you down the rocky pathway to the lighthouse’s base.
Around the back of the generator building is an excellent spot for whale watching and a speaker where you can listen for activity.
Be careful when exploring the area with small kids, as it is not entirely fenced.
3.4km Light House Loop:
The Lighthouse Loop at Sheringham Point is a perfect way to stretch your legs and enjoy coastal forest and ocean views, with a 3.4 kilometre route that starts from either of the two parking areas along Sheringham Point Road.
Many hikers prefer to head away from the lighthouse first so you finish the loop with the treat of the historic Sheringham Point Lighthouse waiting at the end. The trail is well-defined and not difficult, though it does include about 120 meters of elevation change from the highest point down toward the lighthouse viewpoint.
While the path is fairly wide, it is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers, and winter conditions can leave a few muddy spots along the way, so sturdy shoes are recommended.
Planning a coastal day trip? This lighthouse is one of several great stops on the drive west. See the full route in Beaches Between Sooke and Port Renfrew.
Sheringham Point Lighthouse Stats
- Built-in 1912
- The concrete structure stands 13 metres tall + with a 7-meter cast iron lantern room on top.
- Automated in 1988
- 2015 Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society acquired ownership and control
Upgrades and The Light House Grounds
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 a bench looking down at the Lighthouse
- Jennie’s trail – a foot trail crisscrossing down the hill.
- Donation tubes and QR codes
- Visitor centre (open limited hours)
- Signage and historical information
- New viewing point trails
- New speaker with live listening and pre-recorded options
- Washrooms at the bottom, close to the lighthouse
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 the Lighthouse Society’s page
Currently, there is no access inside the lighthouse. The area is fenced, and a gate located on Lighthouse Point Road is open daily.
Washroom: There is a porta-potty in the parking lot and a washroom at the lighthouse, which was recently added.
Parking: Small parking lot at the end of Sheringham Point Rd
Whale Watching on the Juan de Fuca Strait
Make sure you keep your eyes open when on the point. It is not unheard of to see Resident Orcas from Sheringham Point, Humpback, and Grey Whales in season.
A conservation project helps monitor whale movement with large underwater hydrophones in cooperation with the Department of Fisheries. They have installed a speaker on the waterside of the engine room where you can listen to any passing whales or pre-recorded sounds if there are no whales in the area.
Want to see whales? Try one of the Island’s whale-watching tours, with guaranteed sightings.
How to Get to Sheringham Lighthouse
Directions – Turn into Shirley off Highway 14 to access the parking lot at the end of Sheringham Point Road. Drive past Shirley Delicious, following the signs, and keep an eye open for oncoming traffic, as some spots are very narrow. The trail from the parking takes you down to the lighthouse gate.
Helpful Links When Visiting The Area
- Hikes and Beaches in the Area
- Activities & Tours
- AllTrails GPS Hiking Map
- Vacation Rentals
- Lighthouses on Vancouver Island
History of the Sheringham Point Lighthouse
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 coast of Vancouver Island.
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 rewound every 3 hours, 1924 a foghorn powered by a diesel engine was added.
Over the years, the site has seen buildings built and torn down. It even had a military presence 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.
