Name and Location

The Discovery Island Lighthouse, officially listed as Discovery Island Light, marks Southeast Point on Discovery Island, off Oak Bay near Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The lighthouse's coordinates are 48°25′28″ N, 123°13′32″ W.

Construction and History

Established in 1886, the original light was replaced by its current tower in the early 1970s. The station was automated later in the century, ending the era of resident keepers. The lighthouse has served as a strategic mark for vessels entering the Strait of Juan de Fuca, with no major shipwrecks recorded at the immediate site.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse features a functional, modern navigational tower with a tapered cylindrical shape atop a concrete base. The tower stands 28 meters above base level and has a focal height of approximately 35 meters above sea level. Its construction materials are prefabricated metal or concrete (sources vary).

Light and Navigation

The light's characteristic is flashing white every 5 seconds, with a range of 15 nautical miles. It is fully automated, powered by solar panels with battery backup.

Accessibility and Visiting

The public may access the beach below the lighthouse via private craft or kayak. However, the tower grounds and structure are fenced and closed to visitors.

Notable Views and Landscape

The lighthouse overlooks the Strait of Juan de Fuca, offering panoramic views of passing freighters, cruise ships, the Olympic Mountains to the south, and the rugged coastline of southeastern Vancouver Island. The surrounding landscape features mature Douglas-fir and arbutus forest on a granitic promontory.

Anecdotes and Folklore

Local kayakers sometimes report seeing seals and sea lions hauled out on adjacent rocks, but no widely documented ghost stories or unusual folklore are associated with this light.

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is managed by the Canadian Coast Guard (Marine Aids Program) and has a light number of 216. Its AIS/Radar transmission comes from larger nearby stations only, as there is no radar installation at the site.

Further Information

For further reading, refer to Edward Hale's "Lighthouses of British Columbia" (Heritage House Publishing, 2006), or the Canadian Coast Guard's "Aids to Navigation: Pacific Region" annual brochure.