Historic Cole Island is located in Esquimalt Harbour on the west coast of British Columbia. Because of its close proximity to Victoria, BCs capital city, the island is easily accessed by boat. Cole island was strategically important to the Royal Navy as an ammunition depot from 1859 when the first two powder magazines were constructed by the Royal Engineers. Five of the original structures remain.

The Friends of Cole Island Society is working with various levels of government to safeguard the old arsenals from further damage and to stop the vandalism that has plagued the site for years.

In June 2006, Cole Island was officially recognized as a national historic site. It was designated part of a "National Historic District" by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. The disctrict is considered to be the "most complete site of Royal Naval activity and infrastructure in the Commonwealth".