This heritage lighthouse was established by the Canadian Government in 1874. It was the first lighthouse founded on the West Coast of Vancouver Island and served to provide coastal light to reduce the rising death toll of mariners and shipwrecks on what was then known as the Graveyard of the Pacific. Throughout history, Cape Beale Lighthouse has played an important role in ensuring safe passage to ports, guiding large volumes of commercial traffic, supporting the growing logging industry, as a staging ground for large-scale rescues, meeting place for environmental groups, mariners, hikers, to monitor security and more!

Cape Beale Lighthouse sits 167 feet above the Pacific ocean. To reach the lighthouse, hikers can begin at Talapltos Trail in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and trek 7km past Tapaltos Beach.

Photo: Paper ripper 1968, Public Domain