The Trial Islands

The Trial Islands are two elongate islands and associated islets located just off the southeast tip of Vancouver Island near Victoria BC.  They are part of the municipality of Oak Bay and, since 1990, a designated ecological reserve created to protect 28 species of plants listed as rare within Canada.

For most people who are living in Victoria, the Trial Islands are a scenic sight that can be viewed from Beach Drive in Oak Bay or, for the adventurous, a challenge to visit by small craft.  In fact, the islands were said to have gotten their name because navigating around them is a trial of skill in navigation and seamanship due to rip tides and prevailing westerly winds.

Another version of how the Trial Islands were named has it that they were often the destination for newly refitted British Naval ships from the Esquimalt Royal Navy Dockyards before they were sent into open seas, a convenient ‘trial run’.

The Trial Islands Lighthouse, constructed in 1906, is a Victoria landmark and has been keeping sailors off the rocks for over a century.  In 2009, the federal government announced a plan to destaff the already automated lighthouse, but a Congressional committee responded to vociferous opposition to this plan by visiting the Trial Islands Lighthouse and  recommending a reprieve. To this day the lighthouse continues to host a keeper, providing a watchful backup lookout for the highly trafficked and treacherous waters around the Trial Islands.

Jodi Baker

After attending grade school locally, Jodi enrolled at Camosun College, taking Business Administration and majoring in marketing. She graduated in 1991, the same year she was licensed as a Real Estate Agent and joined RE/MAX Camosun. Since then Jodi has been been building her career based on a desire to provide friendly professional service to people who want to sell or buy properties in Victoria, winning several awards along the way. In 2003 Jodi joined Geoff McLean and Associates, and she enjoys being part of his team of real estate experts. The team approach allows Jodi to balance her career and home life, something that every mother can appreciate, especially when the children are young! Jodi also enjoys cooking, camping, traveling and music. She shares her Central Saanich home with her husband and two children, two border collies and a cat. Connect with Jodi via email: jodi@mcleanrealestategroup.ca

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