Marine Parks

Newcastle Island
Rich in history, Newcastle Island, off the coast of Nanaimo, is considered one of the most intriguing parks in BC and has been a favoured destination for adventure seekers since the 1930’s. From a distance, the island shoreline is dominated by sandstone cliffs and sunny beaches. The interior, however, is a forest of Douglas fir, Garry oak, arbutus and dogwood trees. Discover native artifacts from an abandoned Salish village and rocky caves and old mines from Newcastle Island’s sandstone and coal mining days. Bring your own boat or take the 10-minute ferry ride from Nanaimo. Moorage facilities are available at 650 metres of public floats for day and overnight use.

Montague Harbour
White shell beaches, open meadows, tidal lagoons, lush forests and abundant bird life attract visitors to this 97-hectare park on Galiano Island. The park begins five metres below sea level and climbs 180 metres to a rocky crag. Mount Galiano and Bodega Ridge offer spectacular views and the white shell beaches (or middens) offer evidence of native camps that date back more than 3,000 years. Boaters can moor their boats to one of 35 buoys in sheltered Montague Harbour and campers can arrive by ferry and overnight in one of the scenic campsites.

Rebecca Spit
Rebecca Spit is a narrow hook of land on the east side of Quadra Island; Quadra Island lies across the water from downtown Campbell River. Rebecca Spit is an excellent area for beachcombing and picnicking. Walking trails, fresh water and a boat-launching ramp are also available. Many boaters find good anchorage inside the spit.

For more information on these or other marine parks, contact BC Parks at www.elp.gov.bc.ca/bcparks