Esquimalt Harbour
Esquimalt Harbour, located to the west of downtown Victoria, is the home of Canada's west coast navy, at the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt. Over the past 160 years, many types of industries have operated in the harbour. The shorelines have been significantly altered, and pollution of bottom sediments in the harbour is a concern. Nevertheless, some important natural features remain, such as intertidal mud flats and tidal channels. The area is important to local First Nations, residents, recreational boaters, beachgoers and the Canadian Forces.
Did you know?
- Esquimalt Harbour was the site of the first landing by a European in the Victoria area: Don Manuel Quimper from Spain, in 1790.
- Many types of birds flock to feed on the mudflats at the mouth of Millstream Creek.
- Esquimalt Harbour hosts the oldest continually operating dry-dock on the west coast of North America.
- Before the harbour was industrialized, First Peoples harvested large amounts of herring in the area.