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
Qualicum Bay is accessed on Highway 19A, or off the parallel Island Highway (Highway 19) by exiting between Qualicum Beach and Fanny Bay. For much of the way between Courtenay and Campbell River the Island Highway runs beside Qualicum Bay, an area rich in seafood. Pullouts beside the road give easy access to the bay's sand and pebble beaches. At several places you can buy fresh seafood, brought to the docks daily from local waters.
Qualicum Bay is part of the area known as Lighthouse Country, which encompasses almost 300 square kilometres and includes the settlements of Deep Bay, Bowser, and Horne Lake.
Places to See
- Wildwood Park
Just off McColl Road between Bowser and Qualicum Bay, Wildwood Park beckons travellers to stop and rest. An existing 1-km trail will ultimately become the northern trailhead of a proposed Lighthouse Country Hiking Trail, stretching south to Qualicum Bay.
- Arrowsmith Golf and Country Club
Arrowsmith Golf & Country Club, the only course right in Lighthouse Country, is an 18-hole, par-61 beautifully manicured course with a driving range, a practice bunker, two practice greens, and a full-service clubhouse.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Things to Do
- 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.
- Fishing
Anglers' dreams are fulfilled for both freshwater and saltwater catches. The prolific herring spawn and shrimp hatches at nearby Deep Bay attracts the larger chinook salmon, some up to thirty pounds.
- Purchase Seafood
Qualicum Bay has plenty of roadside stores where you can stock up on fresh seafood to take with you and put on your barbecue.
- Birdwatching
Lighthouse Country is home to approximately three hundred species of birds that either live here year-round, take up residence during particular seasons, or stop by to feed and rest during their long migrations.
Contact Information
Lighthouse Country Business Association
Box #59
Bowser, BC
V0R-1G0
E-mail: info@lighthousecountry.ca
Website: www.lighthousecountry.ca
