Ministry of Environment - Flores Island 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!

Wolves have been known to frequent camping areas in Flores Island Park. Please ensure that all food and items smelling of food, as well as any loose objects, are stored out of reach of wildlife. At no time should food be offered or made available to wildlife - to do so is in violation of the Park Act.
No fees are currently collected for either hiking or camping in Flores Island or Gibson Marine Provincial Parks. To make sure of the location of the Provincial Parks, please consult the information shelter maps or the Clayoquot Area brochure (737 KB PDF format).

Park Info:

This area was identified for protection in the Clayoquot Sound Land-Use Decision.

Flores Island is one of the most popular destinations in Clayoquot Sound. Here, visitors can enjoy hiking, whale watching, fishing, kayaking, beach camping and more. This vast, untamed wilderness area protects undisturbed watersheds with old-growth forest stands of Sitka spruce, as well as representative coastal and marine ecosystems, including excellent spawning conditions for coho salmon, exposed rocky coasts, sandstone reefs, beaches, sheltered channels and bays, fast narrows, mudflats and shallow banks.

One of the main attractions of Flores Island is the "Walk the Wild Side Trail", a rustic route that extends 10 km from the village of Ahousat to Cow Bay. First Nation peoples have used this route for centuries to reach the wild beaches on the west side of the island, and this vital circuit can now be explored by park visitors. Most of the route follows sandy beaches, and trails cut across headlands to join with the next beach. Muddy and slippery sections are present on this route. The trail can be accessed from any of the beaches in Flores Island Provincial Park.

The park offers excellent opportunities to see Gray whales, who pass by the Island in their annual migration from Baja California to Alaska. Seasonally resident Gray whales also use the bays for feeding during the summer. Visitors come from around the world to see the whales and kayak the waters in Clayoquot Sound, and a trip to the area would not be complete without discovering all that beautiful Flores Island has to offer.

Park Size: 7,113 hectares (4,144 ha upland, 2,969 ha foreshore)

Special Notes:

Management Planning:

Management Planning Information

The approved Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan is available in pdf format.

Location:

Location Map

Flores Island is located in the central portion of Clayoquot Sound, north of Tofino on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. This park includes the western and southern parts of Flores Island, and is accessible only by boat from Tofino. Boaters can reference marine chart #3674 and #3673 for more information on this area. Water taxis from Tofino and Hot Springs Village offer service to the park. Nearby communities include: Tofino, Ahousat, Vargas 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:

Cultural Heritage - The park lies in the traditional territory of the Ahoushat First Nations. Flores Island Park contains many Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations heritage sites, including middens and Culturally Modified Trees (CMTs).
Conservation - The park protects undisturbed watersheds with old-growth forest stands of Sitka spruce as well as representative coastal and marine ecosystems, including excellent spawning conditions for coho salmon, exposed rocky coasts, sandstone reefs, beaches, sheltered channels and bays, fast narrows, mudflats and shallow banks. Gray whales migrate through the off-shore waters and seasonally resident Gray whales use the bays for feeding during the summer.
General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information

Visitor Safety:

Habituated Wolves on Vargas and Flores Islands - Wolves have been known to frequent camping areas in the park. Please ensure that all food and items smelling of food, as well as any loose objects, are stored out of reach of wildlife. At no time should food be offered or made available to wildlife - to do so is in violation of the Park Act. Click here for more information on wolves.

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.

Reservations are not accepted at this park and 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.
	There are no designated campsites at this park, however random wilderness camping is allowed. No facilities other than a pit toilet are provided. Please practice Leave No Trace camping ethics. Flores Island is accessible year round; there is no winter camping fee at this time.
	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. All surface water must be boiled, filtered or treated prior to consumption.
	One pit toilet is located at the Cow Bay end of the park.
	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 use small pieces of wood that will burn completely. Build your fires below the high tide mark. Never build fires next to or near beach logs. 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.
	This park has a rustic trail called the “Walk the Wild Side” trail. This route extends 10 km from Ahousat to Cow Bay; most of the route follows sandy beaches. Trails cut across headlands to join with the next beach. Muddy and slippery sections are present on this route. The trail can be accessed from any of the beaches in Flores Island Provincial Park. For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.
	This park does not have a playground.
	There is no designated swimming area in this park, however opportunities exist for swimming on the park’s sandy beaches. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
	People come from around the world to kayak and camp in remote Clayoquot Sound and enjoy the sandy beaches, scenery and wildlife. The beaches of Flores Island are a very popular kayaking/camping spot. International and local eco-tourism companies offer trips into this area, and kayak rentals are available in Tofino. Canoeing is not recommended.
	This park does not have a boat launch. The nearest boat launch is located at the Fourth Street Dock in Tofino.
	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 wolves, bears and cougars.
	The summit of Mount Flores offers spectacular views of surrounding Clayoquot Sound. Gray whales can be encountered at any time during the summer, particularly in Cow Bay. This park also offers opportunities to view seals, sea lions, Bald eagles and a variety of seabirds. Tourism-related companies in Tofino and Ucluelet offer whale watching tours to view the Gray whales during the summer months. NOTE: Please abide to current DFO Marine Viewing Guidelines when viewing marine wildlife in BC Parks.
	No winter recreation opportunities.
	No SCUBA diving or snorkelling 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.