A campfire ban is currently in effect for this park. For more information about campfire bans and about provincial parks with park closures and campfire bans in effect, visit the BC Parks campfire ban webpage.
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)
General Visitor Information
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.
Bring your own drinking water, as potable water is not available in
the park.
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
Nature & Culture
Conservation - The waters surrounding these small islands are rich in marine life, including scarce massive purple ascidians (sea squirts).
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.
Fishing
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.
Hunting
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.
Scuba Diving
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.
Swimming
There is no designated swimming area at this park, however opportunities exist for ocean swimming.. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
Facilities Available At This Park
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.
Walk-In/Wilderness Camping
This park has walk-in areas but camping is not recommended due to the steep terrain.
