Stop 8 Holland Point Seawall

The area between Holland Point and Padden Avenue is characterized by an original concrete and riprap seawall built in the 1960s to protect the shoreline from erosion. Adjacent to the seawall, there is a narrow beach beside a steep bluff. Despite the seawall's purpose, it has suffered significant damage and required extensive repairs over the years due to undercutting action from waves. To combat erosion of slope material on the bluffs in the 1980s, a retaining wall was constructed on the seawall.

A notable landmark in the vicinity is the Brotchie ledge, a submerged reef located 1 ½ miles off the coast, marked by a green buoy. In 1891, the San Pedro ship ran aground on the ledge, and six years later, the wreck was removed by blasting it into many pieces to facilitate its removal. Nowadays, the Brotchie ledge is a popular destination for divers who can observe a variety of marine life, including octopuses, wolf eels, crabs, and fish, as well as the remaining scrap metal pieces from the wreck. From 1908 to 1958, the City of Victoria dumped garbage into the ocean off of Brotchie ledge with tugs, divers indicate that the area is still littered with old bottles and ceramic wares.

During low tide, Glimpse reefs can be seen just off the coast east of Holland Point Park and south of Government and Douglas streets. In 1938, the Santa Maria Union oil tanker ran aground on the reefs due to heavy southwesterly winds that struck the 460-foot tanker. Again in 1994, a 38-foot pleasure boat, Grand Slam sank after running into the reef. These events are a reminder of the hazards for ships navigating the waters around the outer Victoria area.