Fiordland Conservancy

Park Info

Fiordland Conservancy is a large marine park, encompassing Kynoch and Mussel Inlets, their estuaries and the surrounding mountainous landscape.

Fiordland's scenery is very impressive. The area includes one of the finest examples of glacially gouged fiords on the British Columbia coast, where sheer granite cliffs rise more than 1000 metres. From the water, view the soaring peaks of the Coast Mountains, dense coastal forests, imposing waterfalls and lush river estuaries.

The deep fiords and steep valleys unfortunately allow little shore space for travel or camping. The vegetation is lush and grows high, obscuring visibility. This area is home to both grizzly and black bears, so travelling on shore can be dangerous.

The conservancy can be accessed by boat or floatplane only; there are several fair anchorages.

Fiordland Conservancy is located within the Kitasoo/XaiXais First Nation traditional territory and is co-managed under an agreement between the Kitasoo Nation and the Province of British Columbia. This co-operative management agreement will allow the Kitasoo Nation to access land and resources for their use within the Conservancy while achieving conservation and recreation objectives for the area.

Features within the two main inlets, Kynoch and Mussel, are listed below:

Kynoch Inlet:

• moderate anchorage in Culpepper Lagoon and Desbrisay Bay, less secure at the head of the inlet.
• scenic waterfall at the entrance to the inlet, draining Lessum Creek.
• significant estuaries at Kainet and Lard Creeks, smaller estuaries at Desbrisay Bay and Riot Creek.
• outstanding upland features with sheer granite cliff and walls.

Mussel Inlet:

• moderate anchorage in David Bay, less secure at the head of the Inlet, Oatswish Bay and Poison Cove.
• scenic waterfalls: McAlpin and Lisette Falls.
• significant estuary at the Mussel River.
• outstanding rock formations, granite walls.

Park Size: 76,825 hectares of upland and 7,592 hectares of foreshore

Stay Safe:

• Strong winds can pick up quickly, channelled by the deep fiords. This can result in potentially hazardous conditions for small vessels. Vessels are advised to have plenty of anchor rope due to the considerable water depth in the few anchorages.
• The harvest of bivalves is closed due to red tide and the potential for paralytic shellfish poisoning.
• Due to the high number of grizzly and black bears on shore, travel on land is not recommended.
• Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the conservancy.
• There are no developed trails in the conservancy. Be extremely cautious if you venture ashore. The bush is dense and can conceal nearby grizzly bears.

General Visitor Information

• Park User Fees
• What to Know Before You Go
• General Safety & Ethics
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Fishing and Hunting Information
• Other Links

Location

• Location Map

Fiordland is accessed by water and air only. It encompasses Kynoch and Mussel Inlets, located about 100 km northwest of Bella Coola. It is a popular side trip destination for those cruising the Inside Passage to Alaska. The closest community for purchase of supplies is Klemtu and then Bella Bella.

Please consult Canadian Hydrographic chart #3962 - Matheison Channel, Northern Portion.

Nature & Culture

• History - The area was originally protected as a recreation area in 1987 but was converted to a conservancy in 2006 pursuant to government land use decisions in the Central Coast Land and Resource Management Plan area.
• Cultural Heritage - Fiordland is the traditional territory of the Xai Xais and Kitisoo First Nations. It is illegal to disturb cultural heritage sites or remove artifacts from them. Please respect this important and sensitive area.
• Conservation - Fiordland Conservancy was created to protect a spectacular representative of the Northern Fiordlands Landscape. Protecting such landscapes is key to BC Parks' mandate of representing BC's ecosystems in the protected area system. The biogeoclimatic zones in the area are coastal western hemlock, mountain hemlock and alpine tundra.
• Wildlife - The conservancy's magnificent grizzly bears enjoy excellent coastal habitat, with two major river estuaries providing them with fresh salmon during the spawning season. Lush vegetation and plentiful small mammals and insects form their diet during the spring and early summer. Besides the grizzly bears, the conservancy provides habitat for mountain goats, black bears, wolves, cougars, Columbia black tailed deer and small mammals, as well as the marine mammals, waterfowl and shorebirds typical of coastal inlets.

Management Planning

Management Planning Information

• Online Management planning information for this park is not available at this time.

Map / Brochure

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

• Maps

Activities Available At This Park

		Canoeing

		Fishing

		Hunting

		Pets on Leash

Facilities Available At This Park

		Campfires

		Walk-In/Wilderness Camping