Trial Islands (British Columbia)

The Trial Islands are a group of islands located off the south-eastern tip of Vancouver Island off Victoria, part of the municipality of Oak Bay. The islands form the Trial Islands Ecological Reserve and entry outside designated zones is prohibited.

Trial Islands
The Trial Islands as seen from Beach Drive in Oak Bay.
Trial Islands is located in British Columbia
Trial Islands
Trial Islands
Trial Islands (British Columbia)
Geography
LocationOak Bay & Victoria
Coordinates48°23.9′N 123°18.3′W[1]
ArchipelagoTrial Islands
Total islands2+
Administration
Canada
ProvinceBritish Columbia

It is likely that these islands were so named after the practise of sailing refitted British naval ships from the Esquimalt Royal Navy Dockyard to these islands and back as a trial run before heading into open seas. It has also been suggested that they were named because they constituted a trial of one's skill in navigation and seamanship. The trick was to round them in a small sailing ship and enter the Strait of Juan de Fuca, despite the frequent rip tides and the prevailing westerlies.[2]: 272 

The island is home to the Trial Islands Lighthouse and four large radio antennas operated under licence by CFAX 1070 AM radio.

Seals frequent the shoreline of the Trial Islands.

References
  1. "Trial Islands". BC Geographical Names.
  2. Akrigg, G.P.V.; Akrigg, Helen B. (1986), British Columbia Place Names (3rd, 1997 ed.), Vancouver: UBC Press, ISBN 0-7748-0636-2
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