History
European settlers began to arrive on the east coast of Vancouver Island in the late 1800s, searching for homesteads or working in the logging and fishing industries.
In the late 1890s, a road was constructed to connect Lighthouse Country to the small villages to the south (Qualicum and Parksville) and to the north (Courtenay and Comox), making the area more accessible to settlers.
Land grants given by the E&N Railway Company (which was taken over by Canadian Pacific in 1905) gave rise to many farming and logging settlements. Each of the settlement areas eventually became Deep Bay, Bowser, and Qualicum Bay.
Location
Deep Bay is located north of Qualicum Beach on the east coast of Vancouver Island.
Deep Bay is part of the area known as Lighthouse Country, which encompasses almost 300 square kilometres and includes the settlements of Qualicum Bay, Bowser, and Horne Lake.
Places to See
- Rosewall Creek Provincial Park
Rosewall Creek Provincial Park is situated along picturesque Rosewall Creek, south of Fanny Bay on central Vancouver Island. The park features a mixture of coniferous trees interspersed with striking broad leaf maple trees. One of the best times to visit this park is in the fall when the color of the maple leaves makes an attractive backdrop for photographers.
This small day-use only park has two picnic areas on either side of the creek. Two picnic tables overlook the creek on one side, and two more tables are situated right next to the river on the other. A short riverside trail connects the two picnic areas on either side of Rosewall Creek.
- Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park
At Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park, you can experience the magic of the underground world in the many protected caves. The park was established in 1971 at the request of public caving groups on Vancouver Island who were concerned about the potential damage of the caves and the fragile crystal formations they contained.
Spelunking is the art of cave exploration and Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park is the perfect place to discover this unique activity. From educational family-oriented tours to deep, dark adventure, the caves protected within this park offer something for everyone. Knowledgeable guides can lead visitors through the caves to discover this magical world of crystal formations and ancient fossils firsthand. Though the park has two small caves visitors can explore on their own, a guided tour of one of the larger caves offers more variety and a chance to learn about the cave's unique geology and history.
- Spider Lake Provincial Park
One of the best picnic sites in the area, Spider Lake features a small sandy beach perfect for water lovers of all ages on a hot summer day.
The warm water of Spider Lake is noted for its excellent canoeing, kayaking, and swimming, and the park is an idyllic spot for a quiet family outing. Paddlers can spend a peaceful afternoon exploring the shoreline and the many secluded bays of this lake, located west of Qualicum Beach on central Vancouver Island.
Spider Lake is stocked with small mouth bass and Rainbow trout, providing fishing opportunities year-round. Powerboats are prohibited but small car-top boats and canoes and kayaks can be launched from the beach next to the park’s small parking lot. Boats can also be launched from a steep banked causeway outside of the park.
- Fanny Bay Conservation Unit
The Fanny Bay Conservation Unit in nearby Fanny Bay provides access to the diverse bird life found at Fanny Bay and the surrounding habitat. The sanctuary includes forests and upland areas, marine waters and mudflats providing a wide range of wildlife habitat. The bay and estuary are visited by harbour seals, and moms with pups are easily viewed during late summer and early fall.
Things to Do
- Fishing
Deep Bay is known for its great fishing and was once one of the most important fishing camps on the coast. Mapleguard Point is the elbow of an arm and spit that protects Deep Bay's natural harbour and helps make Deep Bay a fisherman’s delight. Deep Bay launches boats that head for the rich Coho and Chinook salmon grounds in the bay near the Norris Rocks, Chrome Island, and Eagle Rock. Every year Chinook salmon in the 20-pound range are caught.
- Birdwatching
Superb winter waterfowl habitats are found along the shores of Deep Bay and the adjacent Baynes Sound, guaranteeing excellent and easily accessible birdwatching. Baynes Sound is used extensively by Western Grebes, Common Loons, Trumpeter Swans, Brant geese, and Mallards (to mention just a few), and is also a popular viewing area for Bald Eagles that congregate in large numbers at the mouth of salmon streams during winter.
- Golf
Golf is played year-round at the Arrowsmith Golf & Country Club. Other courses in Qualicum Beach are Eaglecrest Golf Club, Glengarry Golf Links, and Qualicum Beach Memorial Golf Club.
- Kayaking
Kayakers can put in at Rosewall Creek Provincial Park, just west of Deep Bay, or launch at Deep Bay, a natural harbour on Qualicum Bay, protected by the curve of Mapleguard Point. You'll also find good windsurfing in the protected waters of Deep Bay.
Contact Information
Lighthouse Country Business Association
Box #59
Bowser, BC
V0R-1G0
E-mail: info@lighthousecountry.ca
Website: www.lighthousecountry.ca
