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photo ' Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Protected Area
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important info, warnings, alerts for park visitors
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vehicle accessible, drive-in campsites wilderness, backcountry, walk-in camping group camping - 15 or more campers picnic, day-use facilities, no camping wheelchair accessiblity drinking water toilets showers sani-stations, sani-dumps firewood, campfires There are no electrical hook-ups in this park interpretive, educational programs
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Attention Visitors - Important Notice!

  • No park alerts at this time

Park Info:

Broughton Archipelago Provincial Marine Park, BC's largest marine park, consists of a wonderful collection of dozens of undeveloped islands and islets situated at the mouth of Knight Inlet on the west side of Queen Charlotte Strait near the north end of Vancouver Island.

Established in 1992, Broughton Archipelago Provincial Marine Park offers excellent boating, kayaking and wildlife viewing opportunities. A multitude of islands provides park visitors sheltered waters and anchorages with a backdrop of the magnificent coastal mountains to the east and the waters of Queen Charlotte Strait to the west. These islands have been utilized by First Nation peoples for generations and there is ample evidence of their extensive use of the area. Kayakers and boaters can easily “discover” white midden beaches, culturally modified trees, clam “terraces” and even a petroglyph while exploring the park.

This park is extremely popular with sea kayakers from around the world. Most kayakers prefer the southern portion of the park, though increasing numbers are starting to discover the beauty of the northern islands and their protected waterways.

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Park Size: 11,679 ha (1,645 ha of upland and 10,035 ha of foreshore)

Management Planning:

Location:

Broughton Archipelago Marine Provincial Park is accessible by boat only. The park is situated approximately 30 km east of Port McNeill, near the mouth of Knight Inlet. Port McNeill, known as the gateway community to the Broughton Archipelago, is located near the northern tip of Vancouver Island – approximately a four hour drive north of Nanaimo. Boat launches are located in Port McNeill, Telegraph Cove and Port Hardy. Water taxis, boat charters and sea kayak rentals are also readily available. Boaters can reference marine chart #3545 (Johnstone Strait) #3546 (Broughton Strait) and #3515 (Knight Inlet) for more information on this area.

Map/Brochure:

Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

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Nature & Culture:


Visitor Safety:
  • Black bears occasionally travel through this chain of islands, so using good bear sense is essential.
  • Boaters should be aware that there are no moorage buoys within the park, though there are a number of good anchorages, depending on the weather. Strong winds and rough waters can pick up quite suddenly so boaters should always be aware of weather changes. Dense fog can also be very common in this region during the summer months. All boaters should be aware of tide changes and carry the correct nautical charts.
  • Fresh water is very difficult to find in the Broughton Archipelago so make certain that you carry enough for your needs. Any surface water you may find in the park must be well boiled, filtered or treated before consumption.

General Visitor Safety Information (park safety, hazards, wildlife safety information, health risks)

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Reservations:For parks that accept reservations, all vehicle accessible campsites (with the exception of
group sites) must be reserved through Discover Camping.

There are no designated campsites at this park.

Explore Parks: Fees, park listings, what you should know before you go and other useful links.

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vehicle accessible, drive-in campsites

No vehicle accessible camping facilities at this park.

wilderness, backcountry,  walk-in camping

There are no designated campsites in the Broughton Archipelago, however there are a number of sites that kayakers have been using for overnight camping. These sites are open all year but only accessible by boat and some are only accessible during certain tides and weather conditions. There are no facilities provided at any of these sites aside from simple open air pit toilets on Owl Island and Leone Island.

Most of these wilderness sites are only big enough for one or two tents and range from flat rock outcroppings to a level bench situated amongst the trees. Since fresh water is very difficult to come across, be sure to bring all that you require. Remember to practice “no trace” camping methods to help ensure that those who follow you also get the opportunity to enjoy an unspoiled wilderness experience.

There is no fee for wilderness camping.

group camping - 15 or more campers

No group campsites.

picnic, day-use facilities,  no camping

No day-use or picnic facilities.

wheelchair accessibility

There are no wheelchair accessible facilities at this park.

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drinking water

Fresh water is very difficult to come across in the Broughton Archipelago, so be sure to bring all that you require. Any surface water you may find in the park must be well boiled, filtered or treated prior to consumption.

toilets

Simple open air pit toilets are located on Owl Island (on the northeast side) and on Leone Island (northwest corner). No toilet paper is provided.

showers

No showers.

sani-stations, sani-dumps

No sani-station/dump facilities.

firewood, campfires

While small fires are allowed, we encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead. If you do have a fire, please utilize previously constructed fire rings and use small pieces of wood that will burn completely. If you can’t find a previously used site, try to construct your fire rings below the high tide mark. Never leave your fire unattended and practice Leave No Trace (link) camping ethics.

There are no electrical hook-ups in this park

There are no electrical hook-ups in this park.

interpretive,  educational  programs

There are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at this park.

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walking, hiking trails

There are no developed trails at this park.

playgrounds

This park does not have a playground.

swimming

No swimming.

canoeing, kayaking

The many small islands and protected waters of Broughton Archipelago Marine Provincial Park make the area an excellent place to sea kayak or canoe. Visitors from around the world come here to kayak amongst orcas and other marine mammals, experience camping in an unspoiled wilderness, enjoy world class salt water fishing and learn about First Nations culture. The southern portion of the park is the most popular, particularly in Village Channel and Indian Channel, however the rest of the park also offers excellent kayaking waters. Kayakers can enjoy the tranquil beauty of this area as they pick their way through a myriad of islands and islets, stopping to camp at various locations along the way.

Most kayakers launch at Telegraph Cove or Alder Bay, though the use of water taxis is becoming more and more popular as a method of quickly reaching the park. There are many commercial kayaking companies working in and around the park and the use of commercial mother-ships is becoming more common. Kayakers should be aware that winds can pick up quickly in this area, as can rough water, so mariners should always practice caution.

Kayakers should always take the ebb and flow of tides into consideration and be prepared for heavy fog at any time.

Paddlers who put in at Alder Bay or Telegraph Cove should remember that these are extremely busy shipping lanes and should time their crossings with extreme caution.

power boats, boat launch

This park does not have a boat launch. The nearest boat launches are located at Telegraph Cove, Alder Bay, Port McNeill, Alert Bay, Sointula, Beaver Cove and Port Hardy.

The protected waters of the Broughton Archipelago are still relatively undiscovered by most power cruisers or sailing vessels, however many of the waterways provide deep enough draught to allow the passage of larger watercraft. These vessels can find all-weather anchorages as well as temporary anchorages, however there are no formal moorage buoys within the park. Yachters can spend several days or longer meandering through the islands of this spectacular marine park.

fishing

Salt water fishing is extremely popular in this marine park, particularly for salmon, although rockfish and halibut can also be caught. There are also some excellent crabbing and prawning grounds in the park.

All anglers should check the current regulations issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada prior to fishing. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

Rockfish Conservation Areas occur within this park. Fishing activities are limited in Rockfish Conservation Areas. Before you go fishing please refer to the Rockfish Conservation Area descriptions available from Fisheries and Oceans Canada DFO.

cycling, mountain biking, bicycling

There are no cycling opportunities in this park.

horses, horseback riding

No horseback riding.

pets, domestic animals in parks

Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.

wildlife viewing

The Broughton Archipelago is a great place to see marine mammals as well as the remains of First Nations culture, including middens and a petroglyph.

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winter recreation, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, toboganning, ice skating

This park is open year round; there is no fee for winter camping.

scuba, snorkelling

No SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities.

windsurfing

No windsurfing opportunities.

waterskiing

No waterskiing opportunities.

hunting

No hunting in the park.

climbing, rock climbing

No climbing or rock climbing opportunities.

spelunking, caving

No spelunking or caving opportunities.

cabins, yurts, lodges

No cabins, yurts or lodges for public use.

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