natural wonder
San Juan Islands
A scenic Pacific Northwest archipelago accessible by ferry, renowned for orca whale watching, kayaking, and peaceful island life.
30 km · about 35 min drive
North AmericaCanadaBritish Columbia
Esquimalt
British Columbia, Canada · North America
About Esquimalt
Esquimalt is worth a stop: 5 minutes from Victoria-Downtown, 30km from San Juan Islands.
Esquimalt is in British Columbia, Canada, with about 18,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Victoria-Downtown, about 4 km away.
The Township of Esquimalt () is a municipality at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada. It is bordered to the east by the provincial capital, Victoria, to the south by the Strait of Juan de Fuca, to the west by Esquimalt Harbour and Royal Roads, to the northwest by the New Songhees 1ARead more
Indian reserve and the town of View Royal, and to the north by a narrow inlet of water called the Gorge, across which is the district municipality of Saanich. It is almost tangential to Esquimalt 1 Indian Reserve near Admirals Road. It is one of the 13 municipalities of Greater Victoria and part of the Capital Regional District.
Esquimalt had a population of 17,533 in 2021. It covers 7.08 km2 (2.73 sq mi). It is home to the Pacific fleet of the Royal Canadian Navy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Esquimalt?
Within an hour or so of Esquimalt: San Juan Islands (30 km), Hurricane Ridge Viewpoint (52 km).
Are there any good drives near Esquimalt?
The nearest famous roads are Chuckanut Drive (WA-11) and Sea-to-Sky Highway (BC-99).
Where is Esquimalt?
Esquimalt is in British Columbia, Canada, about 4 km from Victoria-Downtown.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 17,655
- Continent
- North America
- Country
- Canada
- Region
- British Columbia
- Timezone
- America/Vancouver
- Coordinates
- 48.4357, -123.4117
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Canada
CAA roadside assistance: 1-800-222-4357. Winter tyres mandatory in Quebec December–March.
Full driving guide for CanadaTags
Worth the detour from Esquimalt
2 notable places within an hour's drive.
scenic viewpoint
Hurricane Ridge Viewpoint
A mile-high viewpoint in Olympic National Park with panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and on clear days, Mount Baker.
52 km · about 60 min drive
Driving roads near Esquimalt
- 52 kmHurricane Ridge ViewpointA mile-high viewpoint in Olympic National Park with panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and on clear days, Mount Baker.
- 72 kmChuckanut Drive (WA-11)Washington's first scenic byway clings to sandstone cliffs between Bellingham and the Skagit flats, with oyster bars and Samish Bay sunsets over the San Juan Islands.
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