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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.

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.

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)

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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No
vehicle accessible camping facilities at this park.
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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.
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No
group campsites.
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No
day-use or picnic facilities.
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There
are no wheelchair accessible facilities at this park.
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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. |
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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.
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No
showers.
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No
sani-station/dump facilities.
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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. |
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There are no electrical hook-ups in this park. |
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There
are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at this park.
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There
are no developed trails at this park.
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This park does not have
a playground. |
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No
swimming.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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There are no cycling opportunities in this park.
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No
horseback riding.
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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.
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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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This
park is open year round; there is no fee for winter camping. |
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No
SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities. |
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No
windsurfing opportunities. |
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No
waterskiing opportunities. |
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No
hunting in the park. |
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No
climbing or rock climbing opportunities. |
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No
spelunking or caving opportunities. |
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No
cabins, yurts or lodges for public use. |
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