Esquimalt (which is a First Nations word loosely translated as “place of shoaling waters“) is a Township on the southern tip of the Saanich Peninsula bordered to the east by the City of Victoria, to the south by the Strait of Juan de Fuca, to the west by Esquimalt Harbour and to the north by View Royal and the Gorge Waterway.

Esquimalt has a long maritime history. The first Europeans to reach Esquimalt were the Spanish in 1790. Esquimalt Harbour has been used since the 1850s as a port for passengers and cargo. Since the early 1900s, Esquimalt has been one of Canada‘s major shipbuilding centers. The Canadian Navy has its west coast base in Esquimalt. The base is Esquimalt’s largest employer.

The housing stock in Esquimalt has been historically single family. But, because of its relative affordability and its location just across the Johnson Street Bridge from downtown Victoria, Esquimalt has become very popular with young families and other buyers who want to be close to all that downtown Victoria has to offer. In the last 30 years or so, that demand has caused a good number of condominium buildings to be constructed in Esquimalt.

Esquimalt offers numerous parks, beaches and waterfront walkways. There is a farmer’s market in the summer along with a summer festival called Buccaneer Days, a nod to Esquimalt’s maritime heritage.

What We Love

The walkway along the Inner Harbour from the Johnson Street Bridge to West Bay Marina. You can watch the ships and the float planes coming and going while getting in your exercise. You might even catch otters and seals at play.  Biking along the Gorge Waterway, the Esquimalt Farmers Market and the Esquimalt Recreation Centre.