The Lekwungen peoples have long treasured the land and sea along the coastline, including Ogden Point. There were major village sites along the coast up to Clover Point. Local artists Butch Dick of the Songhees Nation and Darlene Gait of the Esquimalt Nation were behind the breakwater mural that honours this history. Painted along the exterior cement walls, it’s one of the largest murals in Canada.
The project was completed with the help of young artists and sponsorship from the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority. The central theme stems from the Salish phrase na’tsa’maht, which means “working together as one.” The mural depicts themes of land and sea, illustrating the importance of land stewardship and ancestral knowledge. It celebrates the interconnectedness of the sea, the land, and its people. The mural also depicts the signing of the Douglas treaties and the founding of Victoria and the Esquimalt township.
Originally constructed in 1917 for international trade purposes, the deep berths of Ogden Point now serve as a place for cruise ships to dock on their way to Alaska. The breakwater stretches 765 metres out into the open water of the Salish Sea, with a lighthouse and surrounding benches at the far end.
Quarries from Haddington, Nelson, and Hardy islands supplied the 10,000 granite blocks making up the main structure of the breakwater. An additional million cubic yards of locally quarried rock was dropped into the water to support the structure. The granite, combined with the cold waters of the strait, contributes to the abundant marine life surrounding the breakwater, making for excellent snorkelling.
My personal connection to the place started when my husband and I were walking the breakwater and I went into labour; I gave birth early the next morning. Now it’s a place we like to take our little one. They love to walk out towards the lighthouse, watching the seagulls pick at the barnacles and the snorkellers emerging from the water like 007 agents.
It’s our tradition to go the Breakwater Bistro & Bar after our often-chilly strolls. A multi-hyphenate business, it offers a to-go café, a full-service restaurant and cocktail bar, an ice-cream shop with house-made, locally inspired flavours, and an event space downstairs.
Some restaurants with this proximity to the water suffer from location laziness; they mail it in because they can, contributing to the many beautiful waterfront restaurants with mediocre food. This is not one of those. Some locals may be feeling a bit salty about the cafe’s glow-up, but I love it. All the neighbourhood charm and convenience (and incredible clam chowder) remain, now with more atmosphere and full service.
The bistro is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays but open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 9 am to 9 pm the rest of the week, except for Friday and Saturday nights, when it hosts live music and stays open until 10 pm.
The patio is open year-round and is one of my favourites in the summer. The Breakwater Bistro & Bar is a community-oriented business with a focus on local ingredients. Happy hour from 3 pm to 6 pm is a great time to enjoy this funky spot and soak in beautiful Victoria.