Shirley: Beach, Lighthouse and Community Life

Shirley shows its coastal side at Fishboat Bay Community Park, while Sheringham Point Lighthouse offers another distinctive attraction. The beach and lighthouse add different points of interest to your trip planning: tides shape a visit to one, while a named trail leads to the designated National Heritage Lighthouse at the other. The community hall and nearby destinations also add to the picture of the community.

Fishboat Bay: A Beach Visit Shaped by the Tides

Fishboat Bay Community Park is in Shirley at the end of the dead-end Fishboat Road. The 7.7-acre natural park includes an 88-metre natural sand beach. Amenities include an information kiosk, a seasonal washroom, a short trail and stairs to the beach. Tides are key to a safe beach visit, so plan your trip with the tide level in mind.

Sheringham Point Lighthouse and Jennie’s Trail

Sheringham Point Lighthouse is located in Shirley, British Columbia, and is designated a National Heritage Lighthouse. From the parking lot at the end of Sheringham Point Road, you can reach the lighthouse via Jennie’s Trail. Check current access advisories before driving there. The two places offer different points to consider when choosing a vacation rental: should a tide-dependent beach visit shape your stay, or should the trail to the lighthouse be more central? These interests can guide your trip planning without combining the beach and lighthouse into a single outing.

Community Life and Nearby Destinations

Shirley Community Hall was built in 1937 and is a central venue for social activities, including the Shirley Sunday Summer Market. If you want to plan your visit around the market, check specific event dates in advance. Shirley Delicious Café is among the well-known destinations associated with Shirley. According to Shirley’s tourism information, Stoked Wood-Fired Pizzeria is a short drive from Shirley.

French Beach is considered a nearby destination for an outing. Its features include a one-kilometre stretch of coastline, a playground and a campground open year-round. As facilities and operations can change, check current advisories before visiting. This lets you consider the beach as a separate reason for an outing, without equating it with Fishboat Bay Community Park.

More Nature Experiences in the Capital Regional District

In the broader destination of the Capital Regional District, Regional Parks protects and manages more than 13,350 hectares of natural areas across 34 regional parks and four regional trails. They extend across southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. The examples below show more nature and recreation opportunities within this broader regional area.

Thetis Lake Regional Park was established in 1958 as Canada’s first nature sanctuary. It has more than 40 kilometres of recreational trails; swimming, canoeing and fishing are possible at the freshwater lakes in Thetis Lake Regional Park. At Elk Lake and Beaver Lake, four family-friendly beaches add to the options. There are 15 kilometres of walking trails in total, including a 10-kilometre loop trail. At Beaver Beach, visitors can swim, picnic and canoe around nearby islands. The Nature Centre at Elk/Beaver Lake features exhibits on the park’s natural and cultural history; its operations may vary seasonally.

In Francis/King Regional Park, the 800-metre Elsie King Trail offers a self-guided route with interpretive panels, rest areas, a shelter and an accessible washroom. Heritage Grove is home to Douglas firs that are about 500 years old. The regional options therefore differ considerably in character: Thetis Lake offers, among other things, an extensive trail network and freshwater activities, while the Elsie King Trail provides a short, self-guided nature experience.

Explore more destinations: Saanichton, North Saanich, Colwood, Port Renfrew, Victoria, Sidney, Pender Island, Saanich

Return to the broader travel overview: Capital Regional District.