Climbing a tight spiral of 37 steps to her cupola overlooking the eastern entrance to Juan de Fuca Strait, Meredith Dickman is rewarded with a 360-degree view unrivalled by the million-dollar waterfront homes in nearby Oak Bay.

From here, at the top of her lighthouse, Ms. Dickman keeps an eye on the massive cargo vessels, ferries, fish boats and kayakers that test the inconsistent waters of the strait.