Ministry of Environment - Dawley Passage Marine Provincial Park

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Park Info:

Dawley Passage Provincial Park is located at the south end of Fortune Channel between Meares Island and the west coast of Vancouver Island. Accessible by boat only, Dawley Passage is a nice, quiet location for boaters exploring beautiful Clayoquot Sound. Strong currents in the tidal narrows of Dawley Passage result in a high density and a magnificent diversity of marine life, making it a great area for scuba diving.

Fortune Channel is one of Clayoquot Sound’s most popular tourism corridors, and opportunities exist in and around the park for fishing, boating and wilderness camping. The sheltered waters around Dawley Passage make it a popular spot for canoeing and kayaking. Paddlers in the area may see seals and sea otters in their travels, as well as bears feeding at low tide. The park also contains a number of Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations heritage sites.

Park Size: 154 hectares (62 ha upland and 92 ha foreshore)

Special Notes:

Management Planning:

Management Planning Information

Approved Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan.

Location:

Location Map

The park is located at the south end of Fortune Channel between Meares Island and the west coast of Vancouver Island. Dawley Passage Park is accessible by boat only. Boaters can reference marine chart #3673 for more information about this area. Nearby communties include Tofino and Ucluelet.

Map/Brochure:

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

Location Map
Park Area Map - (133 kb pdf)
Brochure - Provincial Parks of Clayoquot Sound area(737 kb pdf)

Nature & Culture:

Cultural Heritage - Dawley Passage lies within the traditional territory of the Ahoushat First Nations.
Conservation - An exceptional marine ecosystem and marine features can be found in Dawley Passage, which has strong currents and tidal rapids. These features result in a high density and diversity of marine species.
General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information

Visitor Safety:

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.

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

	There are no vehicle accessible camping facilities at this park.
	. There are no designated campsites at this park, however random wilderness camping is permitted year-round. No facilities are provided and there is no fee. Please practice Leave No Trace camping ethics.
	There are no group campsites at this park.
	There are no day-use or picnic facilities at this park.
	There are no wheelchair accessible facilities at this park.
	Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
	No toilets.
	No showers.
	No sani-station/dump facilities.
	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 camping ethics.
	There are no electrical hook-ups in this park.
	There are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at this park.
	There are no developed trails at this park.
	This park does not have a playground.
	Ocean swimming. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
	The sheltered waters around Dawley Passage make it a popular spot for canoeing and kayaking. Paddlers in the area may see seals and sea otters in their travels, as well as bears feeding at low tide. Visitors can paddle from Tofino through Browning Passage to reach Dawley Passage, or from the Grice Bay boat launch in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Kayak rentals are available from a number of kayak companies in Tofino and Ucluelet.
	This park does not have a boat launch. The nearest boat launch is at Grice Bay in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, approximately 6 km from Dawley Passage.
	The waters of Clayoquot Sound may contain a variety of fish species, including salmon, rockfish, halibut and lingcod. Fishing is permitted as per provincial and federal fishing regulations. 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.
	Cycling is not permitted.
	No horseback riding.
	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.
	No wildlife viewing opportunities.
	No winter recreation opportunities.
	Strong currents in the tidal narrows of Dawley Passage result in a high density and a magnificent diversity of marine life, which makes for interesting scuba diving opportunities.
	No windsurfing opportunities.
	No waterskiing opportunities.
	Portions of this park are open to hunting for specific species. Hunters must have valid licences and tags. Please refer to current printed Hunting and Trapping Regulations and Synopsis publication for closures and regulations.
	No climbing or rock climbing opportunities.
	No spelunking or caving opportunities.
	No cabins, yurts or lodges for public use.