Fisgard Island, and the cluster of rocks surrounding it, pokes out from the end of
a narrow spit, into the western entrance to
Esquimalt Harbour. The Island is home to
British Columbia's first lighthouse, built in 1860, which still functions in two capacities: as an
automated lighthouse, and as a national historic site, so designated in 1972. The islands, rocks, and lighthouse draw their name from HMS
Fisgard, which was captained by
John Alexander Duntze from 1843-47, and was one of the first Royal Navy vessels to anchor in
Esquimalt Harbour.