Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada

Facilities and Services

• General Information
• Guidelines
• Regulations

General Information

Established in 2003, Gulf Islands National Park Reserve safeguards a portion of British Columbia's beautiful southern Gulf Islands archipelago. These islands are representative of the Strait of Georgia Lowlands, one of the most ecologically at risk natural regions in southern Canada. This small park reserve includes thirty-six square kilometres of land and marine area on fifteen islands, numerous islets and reefs which provide valuable habitat for seals and nesting shorebirds. Additionally twenty-six square kilometres of submerged lands are also administered for national park purpose.

Located next door to the millions of urban residents living along the shores of the Strait of Georgia, Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is in one of the most heavily used marine regions in Canada.

Park lands are open year-round but limited or no services are available in the off season. The park's Interim Management Guidelines (IMGs) have been approved. This document will provide direction on key issues pending the development of a Park Management Plan within the next 5-6 years.

Fees are charged for camping and mooring and overnight dockspace.

Privately-operated tourist services outside of the park are available on Saturna, Mayne, and North and South Pender Islands. Arrangements for overnight accommodation on these islands should be made in advance.

The sustainability of Gulf Islands ecosystems, natural resources and cultures is a delicate balance. If you decide to visit these beautiful islands, make sure that your ‘footprint' is small while you are there.

Traces of the many thousands of years of First Nations' daily life and ceremonial traditions are scattered throughout the islands, including sacred sites and burials. Please be respectful of this heritage. Do not disturb or remove anything from such sites.

Guidelines

Living With Wildlife

To avoid potential conflicts with wildlife, store your food out of sight in secure animal-proof containers, your sealed kayak hatch or in the trunk of your vehicle. Maintain a clean campsite to avoid attracting wildlife. Feeding wildlife is not permitted in national parks. Feeding animals may seem harmless, but it interferes with their natural diet and behaviour and may ultimately cause their death. Ensure your pets are on a leash to minimize disturbance to resident wildlife and limit the possibility of disease transmission between species.

If you observe a bear or cougar in the park, notify a park warden by calling the emergency contact number.

If you find a seal pup, DO NOT take any action before contacting a park warden. We can provide advice on how to proceed. Often, female harbour seals will leave their pups alone on the beach while they search for food; mother seals are usually nearby and will return to the pup provided it has not been moved or touched.

Whale Watching

1. BE CAUTIOUS and COURTEOUS: approach areas of known or suspected marine mammal activity with extreme caution. Look in all directions before planning your approach or departure.
2. SLOW DOWN: reduce speed to less than 7 knots when within 400 metres/yards of the nearest whale. Avoid abrupt course changes.
3. AVOID approaching closer than 100 metres/yards to any whale.
4. If your vessel is unexpectedly within100 metres/yards of a whale, STOP IMMEDIATELY and allow the whales to pass.
5. AVOID approaching whales from the front or from behind. Always approach and depart whales from the side, moving in a direction parallel to the direction of the whales.
6. KEEP CLEAR of the whales' path. Avoid positioning your vessel within the 400 metre/yard area in the path of the whales.
7. STAY on the OFFSHORE side of the whales when they are traveling close to shore.
   Remain at least 200 metres/yards offshore at all times.
8. LIMIT your viewing time to a recommended maximum of 30 minutes. This will minimize the cumulative impact of many vessels and give consideration to other viewers.
9. DO NOT swim with or feed whales.

Porpoises and Dolphins

1. OBSERVE all guidelines for watching whales.
2. DO NOT drive through groups of porpoises or dolphins for the purpose of bow-riding.
3. Should dolphins or porpoises choose to ride the bow wave of your vessel, REDUCE SPEED gradually and avoid sudden course changes.

Seals, Sea Lions & Birds on Land

1. AVOID approaching closer than 100 metres/yards to any marine mammals or birds.
2. SLOW DOWN and reduce your wake/wash and noise levels.
3. PAY ATTENTION and back away at the first sign of disturbance or agitation.
4. BE CAUTIOUS AND QUIET, and do not go ashore or approach haul-outs and bird colonies, especially during breeding, nesting and pupping seasons (generally May to September).
5. DO NOT swim with or feed any marine mammals or birds.

Park Regulations

Failure to comply with Park Regulations can result in a fine or court appearance.

Camping

• Camp in designated areas only in order to protect park ecosystems – use tent pads when they are provided
• Maximum stay is 14 days per calendar year
• Quiet hours are observed between 10pm and 8am.

Islets

• Respect the closure on park islets as they have been designated as Special Preservation Areas. These areas are designated as AUTHORIZED ACCESS ONLY areas. Please stay 100m off shore to protect wildlife from disturbance.

Fire

• Campfires are NOT PERMITTED in the park except in fire grates provided at Prior Centennial (Pender Island) and McDonald (Sidney) campgrounds.
• During extreme fire hazard, please respect campfire restrictions for the above sites.
• Hibachis and propane campfires are PROHIBITED.
• The waters extending 200m from shore are also protected, fires are not permitted below the high tide line.

Dogs

• Dogs must be kept on a leash not greater than 3 m in length at all times.
• Do not allow your pet to harass wildlife.
• Clean up after your pet.
• Dogs must not interfere with other visitors' enjoyment of the park.

Wildlife

• Do not disturb or feed wildlife.
• Obey whale watching and marine mammal viewing guidelines.

Garbage

• Pack in and pack out—there are no garbage disposal facilities on the islands. Please take your garbage with you when you leave.

Cultural and Historical Artifacts

• Do not disturb or remove any artifacts or historic objects. Notify park staff if you should find such objects.

Cycling

• Bicycles are NOT PERMITTED on park trails.

Off-Road Vehicles

• All motorized vehicles including motorcycles, ATVs and similar vehicles are restricted to roadways and parking lots.

Fishing

• A tidal waters sport fishing license is required to fish or to capture any species of finfish or shellfish in the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. Check size and catch limits in the British Columbia Tidal Waters Sportfishing Guide for areas 18 and 19.

Firearms

• Firearms are prohibited. If travelling through the park with a firearm, it must be in a locked case, with ammunition stored separately.

Hunting

• Hunting is prohibited, except by First Nations.
• Possession of wilfdlife parts is illegal.

Aircraft

• The take off and landing of aircraft is prohibited in the park.

Learn More

Visitors may wish to explore the following websites for additional information about the Gulf Islands region (content is English-only):

Vancouver Island/Gulf Islands tourism information

Tourism Victoria

Tourism British Columbia