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Cormorant Channel Marine Provincial Park ' Cormorant Channel Marine Provincial Park
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important info, warnings, alerts for park visitors
general overview of park, size, special features safety, park hazards, wildlife information, health risks
park location, parks nearby, how to get to the park history, cultural heritage, conservation, wildlife
maps of park and/or campground, trails, etc. Management Planning
campsite reservations, group and picnic site reservations images of the park
 

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
walking, hiking trails playgrounds swimming canoeing, kayaking power boats, boat launch fishing cycling, mountain biking, bicycling horses, horseback riding pets, domestic animals in parks Icon Legend- Green =Available Grey = Unavailable

wildlife viewing
winter recreation, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, toboganning, ice skating scuba, snorkelling windsurfing waterskiing hunting climbing, rock climbing spelunking, caving cabins, yurts, lodges click on green symbols for more information

 

Attention Visitors - Important Notice!

  • There are no park alerts at this time.

Park Info:

Cormorant Channel Marine Provincial Park is made up of a number of islands of the Pearse and Plumper groups of islands, situated at the western end of Johnstone Strait in between Hanson Island and Cormorant Island (Alert Bay). This marine-access park offers safe overnight anchorages for boaters traveling these waters.

Cormorant Channel is part of the core habitat of the northern resident Orca (killer whale) population. As such, it is one of the best places in the world to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

In addition to whale watching and wildlife viewing, these undeveloped islands provide visitors with a number of recreational opportunities, including boating and kayaking. Cormorant Channel is part of the extremely popular Johnstone Strait sea kayaking circuit, and paddlers can easily find places to haul out and camp for the night among the many islands. The park also provides world class salt water fishing and scuba diving in the wildlife-rich tidal channels.

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Park Size: 743.5 ha (238.3 ha or uplands, 505.2 ha of foreshore)

Special Notes:

  • Boaters should be prepared for strong tidal currents and the possibility of dense fog. High wind and seas can be expected at any time of the year. Boaters should ensure they carry current tide tables and the correct nautical charts.
Management Planning:

Management Planning Information

Location:

Accessible by boat only, Cormorant Channel is located 2 nautical miles due north of Telegraph Cove, on northern Vancouver Island. Boat launches are available at Telegraph Cove, Alder Bay, Beaver Harbour, Port McNeill and Alert Bay. Boaters can reference marine chart #3546 (Broughton Strait) for more information on this area. Nearby Communities: Port Hardy, Port McNeill, Telegraph Cove, Alert Bay, Sointula.

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:
  • Cultural Heritage - Cormorant Channel is within the core area of the Kwakwaka’wakw speaking peoples, and in particular the ‘Namgis First Nation.
  • Wildlife (specific to this park or area) - Cormorant Channel is part of the core habitat of the northern resident Orca (killer whale) population and is one of the best places in the world to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. In addition to Orcas, visitors can often see Humpback and Minke whales, Harbour porpoises, Dall’s porpoises and Pacific white-sided dolphins. Seals and sea lions sunning themselves on the rocks is a common sight. Bald eagles, Great Blue herons, Harlequin ducks and other waterfowl, such as Rhinoceros Auklets, also can be found in the park. Occasionally, black bears and cougars can be spotted as well.
  • General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information


Visitor Safety:

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 in 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 several wilderness campsites in Cormorant Channel Marine Provincial Park, accessible by kayak or boat, however no facilities are provided.

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

Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.

toilets

There are no toilets at this park.

showers

No showers.

sani-stations, sani-dumps

No sani-station/dump facilities.

firewood, campfires

While fires are allowed, we encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead. If you must use a campfire, please practice Leave No Trace 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

There is no playground available at this park.

swimming

Ocean swimming. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks. No designated swimming areas.

canoeing, kayaking

Sea kayaking is very popular in the boundaries of Cormorant Channel, which is part of the extremely popular Johnstone Strait sea kayaking circuit. Paddlers in the park have outstanding opportunities for whale watching and marine mammal viewing. This park also provides a corridor between Johnstone Strait and Blackfish Sound.

There are several good camping areas for kayakers wanting to camp overnight in Cormorant Channel; most of these are in the Pearse Islands in the western part of the park.

A number of commercial companies in Telegraph Cove, Alder Bay, Port McNeill and Port Hardy offers kayak and canoe rentals.

power boats, boat launch

This park does not have a boat launch. Boat launches are available at Telegraph Cove, Alder Bay, Beaver Harbour, Port McNeill and Alert Bay.

fishing

The salt water fishing around Cormorant Channel is excellent and includes all species of salmon as well as halibut and rockfish, however a year-round rockfish closure is in place around Stubbs Island. Fishing is best during the summer months. A number of professional charter companies and/or fishing lodges are available for guiding in the area.

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. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

cycling, mountain biking, bicycling

There are no opportunities for cycling 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.

Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.

wildlife viewing

Cormorant Channel is part of the core habitat of the northern resident Orca (killer whale) population. As such, it is one of the best places in the world to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. A number of whale watching companies in the area offer tours into Cormorant Channel.

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

No winter recreation opportunities.

scuba, snorkelling

The wildlife-rich waters of Cormorant Channel offer world class scuba diving opportunities. Rentals and tours can be found from dive shops in Port Hardy and Port McNeill.

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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