Trial Islands, British Columbia
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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.
It is likely that these islands were so named after the practise of sailing refitted British naval ships from Esquimalt Harbour to these islands and back as a trial run before heading into open seas. It has also been suggested that the 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.
The major Trial Island is home to the Trial Islands lighthouse which is staffed and operated by the Canadian Coast Guard. The lighthouse was constructed in 1906. The island is also home to four large radio antennae operated under licence by CFAX 1070 AM radio.
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