Ministry of Environment - Epper Passage Marine Provincial Park

Parks Listed Alphabetically: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Attention Visitors - Important Notice!

There are no park alerts at this time.

Park Info:

Epper Passage Provincial Park lies on route to popular kayak camping areas within Clayoquot Sound, including Flores Island and Vargas Island. Located between Meares and Vargas Islands, the park encompasses Dunlap and Morfee Islands and offers a variety of water-based wilderness recreation opportunities, including scuba diving, boating, kayaking, fishing and wildlife viewing. The rocky terrain makes access to the upland portion of the park difficult, making it unsuitable for wilderness camping. Ecological Reserve status is being considered for these small islands, whose surrounding waters are rich in marine life, including the rare massive purple ascidians (sea squirts).

Accessible by boat only, travel to the park offers excellent views of the pristine wilderness that is Clayoquot Sound. Paddlers should use caution when traveling in Epper Passage, as the area is often busy with commercial boat traffic and dense fog can enclose the area quite quickly during the summer months. On a clear day, exploring the waters surrounding these small unique islands provides plenty of rewarding opportunities for nature enthusiasts, photographers and adventurers.

Park Size: 306 hectares (55 ha upland and 251 ha foreshore)

Special Notes:

Management Planning:

Management Planning Information

Approved Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan.

Location:

Location Map

Epper Passage is located in Clayoquot Sound, north of Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island. This park includes Dunlap and Morfee Islands between Meares and Vargas Islands. The park is accessible by boat. Boaters can reference marine chart #3673 for more information about this area. Nearby communities include: Tofino, Ucluelet, Ahousat, Flores Island, Meares Island.

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:

Conservation - The waters surrounding these small islands are rich in marine life, including scarce massive purple ascidians (sea squirts).
General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information

Visitor Safety:

Kayakers should be aware of high speed commercial boat traffic in Epper Passage. Use caution - dense fog is common during the summer months in this area.

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.

	There are no vehicle accessible camping facilities at this park.
	This park has walk-in areas but camping is not recommended due to the steep terrain.
	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 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 regularly scheduled interpretive programs at this park.
	There are no developed trails at this park.
	This park does not have a playground.
	There is no designated swimming area at this park, however opportunities exist for ocean swimming.. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
	Epper Passage lies on route to popular kayak/camping areas within Clayoquot Sound, including Flores Island and Vargas Island. Paddlers can travel from Tofino through Maurus Channel to reach Epper Passage. Paddlers should be aware of high speed commercial boat traffic in Epper Passage. Use caution - dense fog is common during the summer months in this area. A kayak launch is located at First Street Dock in Tofino.
	This park does not have a boat launch. The nearest boat launch is located in Tofino at the Fourth Street Dock.
	The waters of Clayoquot Sound may contain a variety of fish species, including salmon, rockfish, halibut and lingcod. 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 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.
	Epper Passage is a popular scuba diving location as high subtidal values make for great underwater viewing opportunities. Commercial recreational diving companies in Tofino and Ucluelet offers tours to Clayoquot Sound.
	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.