Paddle Marine Parks

Quick jump to regional headings for marine park information:

> Lower BC Mainland and Sunshine Coast

> Southern Vancouver Island and South Gulf Islands

> Northern Vancouver Island and Northern Gulf Islands

> BC Inside Passage

Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast Marine Parks

  • Buccaneer Bay (Park 37): Located at the southern end of North Thormanby Island. Thormanby Island is located just south of Texada Island at the southern end of Malaspina Strait. The Park is accessible only by water only. Facilities include toilets and a beach. The Park is recommended for its broad sandy beach. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3512.

  • Copeland Islands (Park 66): A chain of small islands located at the northern end of the Strait of Georgia, adjacent to Malaspina Pennisula. The Park is accessible from the town of Lund. Facilities include an all-weather anchorage, walk-in campsites, and toilets. The Park is recommended for kayaking, fishing, and scuba diving. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3513 and #3538.

  • Desolation Sound (Park 78): Located at the confluence of Malaspina Inlet and Homfray Channel. The Park contains more than 60 km of shoreline. Interesting areas within this marine park include Prideaux Haven, Tenedos Bay, and Grace Harbour. The Park is accessible from the water only. Facilities include an all weather anchorage, walk-in camp sites, drinking water, and toilets. The Park is recommended for kayaking, hiking, and fishing. The warm waters of this region make them popular for swimming and scuba diving. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Charts #3513 and #3538.

  • Garden Bay (Park 109): Located on the north shore of Pender Harbour, and north of Sechelt Pennisula. The Park is accessible from Highway 101. Facilities include an all weather anchorage, dingy float, toilets, and an area for picnicking. Several marinas are located in nearby Pender Harbour. The Park is recommended for Mount Daniel. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3512.

  • Halkett Bay (Park 121): Located on the southeast coast of Gambler Island in Howe Sound. The Park is accessible from the water only. Facilities include an all-weather anchorage, a dingy float, walk-in campsites, toilets. The Park is recommended for kayaking and hiking. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3512.

  • Indian Arm (Park 129): Located on the east side of Indian Arm in Burrard Inlet. The Park consists of Racoon Island and Twin Islands. This Park is easily accessible from Vancouver. Facilities include a small boat float, toilets, area for picnicking and a small beach. The Park is recommended for kayaking, scuba diving, hiking, and fishing. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3495.

  • Plumper Cove (Park 234): Located on the northwest side of Keats Island (north of Bowen Island in Howe Sound). The Park is accessible by passenger ferry from Langdale. Facilities include an all-weather anchorage, 8 morring buoys, a boat wharf, 20 walk-in campsites, pebble beach, areas for picnicking, and toilets. The Park is recommended for kayaking and hiking. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3512.

  • Porteau Cove (Park 236): Located on the east shore of Howe Sound between Horseshoe Bay and Britannica beach. The Park is accessible from Highway 99. Facilities include 4 mooring buoys, 15 walk-in campsites, vehicle campsites, picnicking areas, boat-launching ramp, toilets, and drinking water. The Park is recommended for scuba diving because of sunken ships and a man-made reef. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3512.

  • Princess Louisa (Park 238): Located at the head of Princess Louisa Inlet, under Mt. Albert. The Park includes Chatterbox Falls and MacDonald Island. The Park is accessible from the water only. Facilities include all-weather anchorage, 4 mooring buoys, boat and dingy dock, walk-in campsites, drinking water, toilets, and picnicking sites. The Park is recommended for hiking, scuba diving and fishing. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3514.

  • Sechelt Inlets Recreation Area (RA 270): Eight regions Located in the shelterd waters east of Sechelt Inlet. The Recreation Area is accessible from the water only. Facilities include walk-in campsites, toilets, and a beach. The recreation area is recommended for kayaking, fishing, and scuba diving. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3512.

  • Simson (Park 279): Located on South Thormanby Island, just south of Texada Island. The Park is accessible from the water only. Facilities in this undeveloped Park only include a few walk-in campsites. The Park is recommended for kayaking and fishing. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3512.

  • Smuggler Cove (Park 285): Located on the south side of Sechelt Pennisula near Secret Cove. The Park is accessible by vehicle from Highway #99. Facilities include an all-weather anchorage, 5 walk-in campsites, and toilets. The Park is recommended for fishing and hiking. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3512.

  • Teakerne Arm (Park 314): Located at the head of Teakerne Arm on the west side of West Redonda Island. Redonda Island is south east of Toba Inlet. The only facility in this undeveloped park is a dingy dock. The Park is accessible from the water only. Facilities at this undeveloped Park include only a dingy float. The Park is recommneded for hiking and fishing. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3538.

  • Walsh Cove (Park 332): Located on the east side of West Redonda Island. The Park is accessible from the water only. There are no facilities in this undeveloped park except for an all-weather anchorage. The Park is recommended for fishing, and hiking to view the ancient pictographs. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3538.

Southern Vancouver Island and South Gulf Islands Marine Parks

  • Beaumont (Park 20): Located in Bedwell Harbour on the west side of South Pender Island. The Park is accessible the water only. Facilities include an all-weather anchorage, Canada Customs office in summer, 15 mooring buoys, 11 walk-in campsites, about 20 metres of beach, drinking water from hand pump, picnicking areas, and toilets. A Park host resides in the Park to assisit visitors and provide them with information. Commercial facilities in nearby Bedwell Harbour Village. The 34 hectare Park is recommended for kayaking and hiking. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3462.

  • Cabbage Island (Park 42): Located off the northeast coast of Tumbo Island (east of Saturna Island). The Park is accessible from the water only. Facilities include 10 mooring buoys, 8 walk-in campsites, 130 metres of developed beach, picnicking areas, and toilets. The 4 hectare Park is recommended for kayaking, scuba diving, and fishing. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3462.

  • D'Arcy Island (Park 75): Located in Haro Strait south of James Island. The Park is accessible from the water only. Facilities include 3 mooring buoys, a small beach, and wilderness camping. The Park is recommended for kayaking, scuba diving, fishing and hiking. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3462.

  • Discovery Island (Park 81): Located at the south end of Haro Strait at the junction with Juan de Fuca Strait (near Victoria). The Park is accessible from the water only. Facilities in this undeveloped Park includes several walking trails and is monitored by a Park host. The Park is recommended for kayaking, hiking, scuba diving, and fishing. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3461.

  • Isle-de-lis (Park 132): Located at the east end of Gooch Island where Provost Passage meets Haro Strait. The Park is accessible from the water only. The facilities at this relatively undeveloped Park include walking trails, 3 walk-in campsites, and a Park host. The Park is recommended for kayaking, fishing, hiking, and scuba diving. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3462.

  • Montague Harbour (Park 189): Located on the west side of Galiano Island. The Park is accessible by vehicle ferry from Swartz Bay, Ganges, Mayne, North Pender, and Saturna Islands. Ferries also arrive from Tsawwassen. Facilities include an all-weather anchorage 26 mooring buoys, both a boat and dingy dock, 15 walk-in campsites, 40 vehicle campsites, drinking water, pit toilets, a picnic area, about 250 metres of beach, security patrols, and a Park host. The Park is recommended for kayaking and hiking. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3463.

  • Newcastle Island (Park 209): Located in Nanaimo Harbour. The Park is accessible via a passenger ferry from downtown Nanaimo. Facilities include an all-weather anchorage, boat and dingy floats, 18 walk-in campsites, picnicking areas, toilets, pavilion with snack bar, drinking water, good tide-pooling beaches, 20 kilometres of hiking trails. The Park is recommended for hiking, kayaking, and has several historical points of interest. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3463.

  • Pirates Cove (Park 233): Located at the southern end of the tip of De Courcy Island. The Park is accessible from the water only. Facilities include an all-weather anchorage, dingy float, 12 walk-in campsites, picnicking areas, toilets, drinking water, nice beach on Ruxton Passage. The Park is recommended for kayaking and hiking. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3463.

  • Princess Margaret (Park 239): Located on all of Portland Island north of Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island. The Park is accessible from the water only. The 194 hectare Park has facilities for 300 metres of sandy beaches, fair weather anchorage, 20 walk-in campsites, drinking water, pit toilets, picnicking areas, and a Park host. The Park is recommended for kayaking, scuba diving on a sunken artificial reef and 7 kilometres of hiking trails. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3462.

  • Sidney Spit (Park 275): Located at the northern end of Sidney Island between Miners Channel and Sidney Channel. The Park is accessible via passenger ferry from Sidney in the summer. Facilities include thousands of metres of sandy beaches, 35 mooring buoys, both small boat and dingy docks, 24 walk-in campsites, drinking water, pit toilets, picnicking areas, and a Park host. The Park is recommended for kayaking, fishing, and hiking. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3462.

  • Wallace Island (Park 330): Located at in Trincomali Channel between Galiano Island and the northern tip of Saltspring Island. The Park is accessible from the water only. Facilities include an all-weather anchorage, boat and dingy docks, about 20 walk-in campsites, picnicking areas, pit toilets, drinking water, and a Park host. The Park is recommended for hiking, kayaking, scuba diving, and fishing. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3463.

  • Whaleboat Island (Park 337): Located at the south end of Ruxton Island and north of Whaleboat Passage. The Park is accessible from the water only. Facilities or this undeveloped Park include limited anchorage. Use as an alternative to nearby Pirates Cove Provincial Marine Park. The Park is recommended for kayaking. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3463.

  • Winter Cove (Park 342): Located at the northern tip of Saturna Island. The Park is accessible from the water only. Facilities include an all-weather anchorage, picnicking areas, drinking water, and pit toilets. The Park is accessible by car ferry from Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island. The Park is recommended for kayaking and hiking. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3462.

Northern Vancouver Island and North Gulf Islands Marine Parks

  • Brooks Peninsula Recreation Area (RA 36): Located on the west coast of Vancouver Isalnd north of Kyuquot Sound. The Park is accessible from the water only. Facilities in this undeveloped Park include an all-weather anchorage, and several unspoiled beaches. The Park is recommended for kayaking and hiking. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3623.

  • Broughton Archipelago (Park 36a): Located at the southern tip of Queen Charlotte Strait off the west coast of Gilford Island. The Park is accessible from the water only. Facilities in this undeveloped Park include an all-weather anchorage. The Park is recommended for kayaking, hiking, and scuba diving. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3515.

  • Cormorant Channel (Park 69a): Located between Cormorant Channel and Broughton Strait. The Park includes the eastern portion of Pearse Island, Plumper Island, and numerous other smaller islands. The Park is accessilbe from the water only. There are no facilities in this undeveloped Park. The Park is recommended for scuba diving and fishing. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3546.

  • Echo Bay (Park 90): Located on the northwest side of Gilford Island. The Park is accessible from the water only. Facilities in this undeveloped Park include an all-weather anchorage, a small boat float (which is often crowded), walk-in campsites, pit toilets, and drinking water. The Park is recommended for fishing. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3515.

  • Gibson (Park 111): Located on the south side of Flores Island off the west coast of Vancouver Island northwest of Tofino. The Park is accessible from the water only. Facilities in this undeveloped Park include an all-weather anchorage, a nice sandy beach, and Ahoust hot springs. The Park is recommended for its hot springs. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3640.

  • Mansons Landing (Park 172): Located on the west side of Cortes Island. The Park is accessible by car ferry from Campbell River on Vancouver Island. Facilities include a small boat wharf, picnicking areas, pit toilets. The Park is recommended for fishing and hiking. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3513.

  • Maquinna (Park 173): Located at the entrance to Clayquot Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The Parks is accessible from the water only. Facilities include an all-weather anchorage, a boat float, picnicking area, drinking water and pit toilets. The undeveloped Park is highly recommended for its hot springs, and is an excellent location for hiking. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3640.

  • Mittlenatch Island (Park 184): Located near the north end of Georgia Strait. The Park is accessible from the water only. Facilities include a picnicking area, a beach, pit toilets. The Park has a host in summer and is recommended for hiking, fishing, and scuba diving. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3513.

  • Octopus Island (Park 216): Located near the north end of Quadra Island on the north shore of Waiatt Bay. The Park is accessible from the water only. Facilities include an all-weather anchorage, nice beaches, and picnicking areas. The Park is recommended for kayaking, scuba diving and fishing. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3539.

  • Raft Cove (Park 247): Located near the northwestern tip of Vancouver Island, just south of Cape Palmerston. The Park is accessilbe from the water only. Facilities include a fair weather anchorage, a sandy beach, and walking trails. The Park is recommended for fishing and hiking. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3624.

  • Rebecca Spit (Park 250): Located on the east side of Quadra Island. The Park is accessible by ferry from Campbell River on Vancouver Island. Facilities include an all-weather anchorage, picnicking areas, campsites, beaches, boat launch, private campground and shops nearby. The Park is recommended for fishing, hiking, and its beaches. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3539.

  • Rugged Point (Park 261): Located on the south side of Kyuquot Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The Park is accessible from the water only. Facilities include an all-weather anchorage, pit toilets, and beaches. The Park is recommended for kayaking. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3623.

  • Sandy Island (Park 265): Located at the northern end of Baynes Sound. The Park is accessible from the water only. Facilities include an protected anchorage, 6 walk-in campsites, picnicking areas, pit toilets, and walking trails. The Park is recommended for kayaking and fishing. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3513.

  • Squitty Bay (Park 294): Located near Lasqueti Island north of Young Point. The Park is accessible from the water only. Facilities include an all-weather anchorage, a small boat dock, picnicking areas, drinking water, and toilets. The Park is recommended for fishing and scuba diving. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3512.

  • Thurston Bay (Park 319): Located on the northwest side of Sonora Island. The Park is accessible from the water only. The facilities of this undeveloped Park are limited and include a fair weather anchorage. The Park is recommended for kayaking and fishing. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3539.

Marine Parks along BC's Inside Passage:

  • Codville Lagoon (Park 60a): Located on the west side of King Island facing Fisher Channel. The Park is accessible from the water only. Facilities include an all-weather anchorage, red sand beach, and walking trails. The Park is recommended for hiking and fishing. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3729.

  • Fjordland Recreation Area (RA 104): Located in Kynoch Inlewt, this Park also includes Mussel Inlet, the northern portion of Mathieson Channel and part of Pooley Island. The Recreation Area is accessible from the water only. There are no facilities in this undeveloped recreation area. The Park is recommended for its scenery, and fishing. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3962.

  • Green Inlet (Park 116a): Located on the east side of Tolmie Channel. The Park is accessible from the water only. This undeveloped Park only has an all-weather anchorage. The Park is recommended for fishing, viewing the scenic fjord, tidal lagoon, reversing rapids and estuary. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3735.

  • Hakai Recreation Area (RA 120): Located between Queen Charlotte Strait and Fitz Hugh Sound. The Park is accessible from the water only. The facilities of this undeveloped, and largest marine Park area in BC, are limited to an all-weather anchorage. There are several spectacular white sand beaches, and incredible salmon fishing. The Recreation Area is recommended for fishing, kayking, SCUBA diving, and hiking. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3727.

  • Jackson Narrows (Park 132a): Located at the northeast tip of Susan Island. The Park is accessible from the water only. This undeveloped Park has an all-weather anchorage. The Park is recommended for hiking to several interesting view points. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3711.

  • Oliver Cove (Park 221a): Located on the east side of Reid Passage. The Park is accessible from the water only. This undeveloped Park has an all-weather anchorage. The Park is recommended for fishing. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3726.

  • Penrose Island (Park 229a): Located between Fitz Hugh Sound and the entrance to Rivers Inlet. The Park is accessible from the water only. This undeveloped Park has no facitlites. The Park is recommended for kayaking, fishing and SCUBA diving. Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3934.

  • Sir Alexander Mackenzie (Park 280): Located on the north shore of Dean Channel. The Park is accessible from the water only. This undeveloped park has no facilites. The Park is recommended for visiting the cairn that comemorates "Alex Meckenzie, from Canada by land, 22 July, 1793". Refer to Canadian Hydrographic Service Nautical Chart #3729.