Park Info
Located in scenic Howe Sound, Halkett Bay is typical of the glaciated coastline found in the sound. The steeply sloped mountains, rugged coastlines, and the scattered islands and waters of the sound offer a breathtaking visual experience.
Howe Sound has long been popular with pleasure boaters because of its close proximity to Vancouver, Sunshine Coast and Squamish population. Halkett Bay is currently used by boaters for both day-use and recreational activities such as swimming, wilderness camping, kayaking, picnicking, hiking to Mount Artaban and overnight moorage. The park provides one buoy, one dinghy dock and one pit toilet.
Park Size: 309 hectares (290 upland, 19 foreshore)
Special Notes:
- Only dinghys are permitted to tie up at the float.
- Tying up at any log booms in the bay is not recommended as the booms can be towed away at any time.the float.
Stay Safe:
- Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
- There are no windsurfing opportunities at the park but the area called "The Spit" at the head of Howe Sounds near Squamish provides good windsailing.
- Waterskiing is not recommended. Floating debris such as logs in the water and changing tides, may create hazards.
| Campground Hours of Operation
All dates are subject to change without notice |
Opening and Closing Campground Dates:
(campground is accessible but may not offer full services such as water, security, etc.) |
Year round |
| Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees: |
May 15 – September 25th |
| Campground Reservable Dates: |
Not applicable |
| Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites: |
3 walk-in sites |
Number of Reservable Campsites, if applicable:
(all remaining sites are first-come, first-served) |
Not applicable |
| Note: The above information is for the campground only. Park users can still walk into the park if conditions such as weather permit. Check the "Attention Visitor Notice" above for park alerts. |
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General Visitor Information
Location
Halkett Bay Provincial Park is located on the southeastern shore of Gambier Island, 15 km from Horseshoe Bay. Located 40 km from marinas in Vancouver and 10 km from Lions Bay, it is well within day-use range of most boaters.
Nature & Culture
- History - Gambier Island is named after the Admiral of the Fleet James, Lord Gambier (1756-1833). Halkett Bay Provincial Park on its southeastern shore was established in June of 1988.
- Conservation - This park protects a rocky tidal coastline, a small islet and beaches.
- Wildlife - Bald eagle, western red-backed salamander, northern flying squirrel, black-tailed deer, marten, mink and raccoon can all be found in the park.
Map / Brochure
Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.
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Activities Available At This Park
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| Canoeing |
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There are opportunities for canoeing and kayaking in this park. Pebble Beach provides good access. There are 3 developed boat access only campsites with picnic tables and 1 pit toilet. No campfires are permitted anywhere within the park. No camping permitted on islands. Be sensitive to shoreline vegetation. Utilize only established campsites. There are no garbage services - You are responsible to pack out your garbage. There is a small pocket of private property and development adjacent to the park. Respect their property including their mooring facilities. Kayak rentals are available in Vancouver.
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| Cycling |
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Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
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| Fishing |
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Tidal water fishing is available. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an
appropriate licence.
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| Hiking |
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For your own safety and preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.
This park has hiking and/or walking trails. There is a moderately strenuous 10 km (approx 6 hr) day hike to Mount Artaban through the Georgia Strait lowland forest with an elevation gain of 610 metres. At the top of Mount Artaban you can view out 360 degrees over Howe Sound and see such features as Black Mountain, Deeks Peak, the Tantalus and Garibaldi Ranges, Bowen Island and the San Juan Islands just to name a few. Also located on this site are the remnants of an old forest service lookout. A rough trail also leads to Brigade Bay on Gambier Island's eastern shore.
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| Pets on Leash |
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Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times. You are responsible for their behaviour, and must pack out and 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.
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| Scuba Diving |
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There are SCUBA diving and snorkelling opportunities at the park but there are no developed dive facilities.
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| Swimming |
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There is cold water ocean swimming at this park. The beach area is pebbles/cobbles. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
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| Wildlife Viewing |
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There is no viewing platform but Mount Artaban offers spectacular views of the Howe Sound area and nice views of marine foreshores. Deer frequent this park and you may see the occasional seal and marine waterfowl.
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| Winter Recreation |
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Winter camping is permitted in this park but campsites have limited services.
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Facilities Available At This Park
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| Pit or Flush Toilets |
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This park has pit toilets - no flush toilets. There is 1 pit toilet available near the information kiosk.
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| Walk-In/Wilderness Camping |
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Wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping is allowed. There are 3 developed boat access only campsites with picnic tables and 1 pit toilet. These walk-in sites are boat accessible all year. No campfires are permitted anywhere within the park. No camping permitted on islands. Be sensitive to shoreline vegetation. Utilize only established campsites. There are no garbage services - You are responsible to pack out your garbage.
There is a small pocket of private property and development adjacent to
the park - respect their property including their mooring facilities. The
park is open year round and winter camping is permitted in this park but
campsites have limited services.
Backcountry Camping Fee: $5.00 per person / night, for all persons 13 years of age or older
Marine facilites include one (1) mooring buoy and dingy float. Good anchorage
is available without stern ties. The bay is open to the south. The
mooring buoy is on the left hand side as you are heading in. The buoy
is large, yellow (fades in off-season), square and made out of wood
and stands quite tall. Keep in mind that there are a number of rocks
that protrude above the water in the middle of the bay. The buoy is
before those rocks on the left side.
Mooring (to buoy) Fee: $10.00 per vessel / night
Chief marine hazards are a series of unmarked drying rocks and reefs in
the bay’s northwest corner, and an unmarked rock at a depth of less
than six (6’) feet in mid-fairway near the head. The favoured approach
is to the steep eastern shoreline. Nearest marinas are located at Lions
Bay and Horseshoe Bay.
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