Albert Head Beach is in the District of Metchosin, a coastal community in the Capital Regional District of British Columbia. Located on the southern end of Vancouver Island, this cobble and sand beach lies along the west side of the Strait Juan de Fuca and the Salish Sea. The view to the east includes the skylines of Victoria and Oak Bay as well views the distance Cascade Mountain ranges. The Olympic Mountains can also be seen to the south. This beach forms the southern shore of Royal Bay. Lined by Douglas fir and garry oak trees amongst the landscaped acreages, the one and half kilometer stroll along the shoreline leads toward Royal Bay Beach Park. Another three kilometers further is Esquimalt Lagoon Park and the sandy beach that forms Colberg Peninsula in Colwood. The upland area and lagoon is part of the Albert Head Lagoon Regional Park. This neighborhood in Metchosin was named for Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, as a result of the survey in the eighteen forties by the captain and crew of the HMS Herald. The point of land to the immediate south is called Albert Head and has limited access as a seasonal training area for the Department of National Defense. Migratory birds, river otters, seals and other small animals are often seen in this area.
Geographical Location N48º 23’ 44” W123º 29’ 19”
Albert Head Beach is accessed from the Trans Canada Highway (Hwy 1). Exit Hwy 1 onto the Old Island Highway to drive through the City of Colwood. Follow the curves of the Old Island Highway as it becomes Sooke Road. Turn left onto Metchosin Road. Continue along Metchosin Road to reach Farhill Road, which is just past the junction with Latoria Road and the open gravel site that forms the Royal Bay Community. Turn left onto Farhill Road then right onto Lower Park Road. Follow Lower Park Road as it curves sharply to become Delgada Road. A small parking area is found at the bottom of the hill within Albert Head Lagoon Regional Park. City buses travel along Metchosin Road from which it is about a four hundred meter downhill walk to reach the waterfront.
Walks in Your Backyard 