Entrance Island (British Columbia) facts for kids
Entrance Island is a small rocky island in the Strait of Georgia located 841 metres (2,759 ft) due north of Gabriola Island. Marine mammals such as harbour seals and Steller's sea lions use the island as a haul-out.
Entrance Island Lighthouse
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| Entrance Island Light off Gabriola Island, Georgia Strait, British Columbia | |
| Location | Gabriola Island Strait of Georgia British Columbia Canada |
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| Coordinates | 49°12′33″N 123°48′29″W / 49.209214°N 123.808105°W |
| Year first constructed | 1986 (first) |
| Year first lit | 1970 (current) |
| Construction | concrete tower (current) wooden tower (first) |
| Tower shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern (current) square tower |
| Markings / pattern | white tower, red balcony and lantern |
| Height | 14 metres (46 ft) |
| Focal height | 19 metres (62 ft) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 5s. |
| Admiralty number | G5488 |
| CHS number | CCG 0435 |
| NGA number | 13300 |
| ARLHS number | CAN-171 |
The Entrance Island Lighthouse is a manned light station. It was built in 1875 to guide ships into Nanaimo harbour from the Strait of Georgia, and is easily seen from the Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay ferry. The Tsawwassen to Duke Point ferry passes right by it.
Oceanographic research
The Entrance Island Lighthouse is one of 12 lighthouses part of the British Columbia Shore Station Oceanographic Program, collecting coastal water temperature and salinity measurements everyday since 1936. Their data show an increase in coastal water temperatures of 0.15 °C per decade. This trend is a result of anthropogenic climate change.
