Mitlenatch Island Nature Provincial Park
- No pets are permitted on the island.
- No camping is permitted in this park.
- Access to the island is from the middle of Camp Bay or Northwest Bay only.
About This Park
Mitlenatch Island Nature Provincial Park is home to the largest seabird colony in the Strait of Georgia. All sedentary marine life, including abalones, scallops and sea cucumbers, are fully protected within the park’s boundaries, which extend 300 meters out from the shore. This nature reserve is an important nesting colony for thousands of Glaucous-winged Gulls, as well as pelagic cormorants, pigeon guillemots, black oystercatchers and many other species of birds. Marine life around the island includes river otters and harbour seals throughout the year, and Steller’s and California sea lions from late fall to late spring.Mitlenatch, which means ‘calm waters all around’ in the Coast Salish language, is a small rocky island that features semi-arid conditions caused by the island’s location in the ‘rain shadow’ of Vancouver Island. The park receives less than 75 cm (30 inches) of rain each year - about half the Campbell River average. Rain-bearing clouds pass eastward from the Pacific Ocean and drop much of their moisture on Vancouver Island. As they descend across the Strait of Georgia, they warm and pick up new moisture, which will be dropped on the Coast Mountains of mainland British Columbia
Accessible by boat only, Mitlenatch Island Nature Provincial Park offers excellent opportunities to observe and photograph wildflowers and birds. Visit in May when the island's meadows of spring wildflowers are in bloom, or in late May to July when the harvest brodia blooms and in the last half of June when the coastal cactus bloom. Birders should approach the observation blind as a group, slowly and quietly, this may help to reduce the birds’ anxiety and allow you to observe their behaviour and ‘family life’ more easily.
The island is a very sensitive ecosystem that is extremely prone to damage by visitors who venture off the designated trails. Pets are not permitted on the island.
Collecting of any kind is NOT permitted at Mitlenatch Island, including all shellfish.
Park Size: 155 hectares
Location and Maps
Mitlenatch Island Nature Provincial Park is located east of Black Creek in the Strait of Georgia off central Vancouver Island. The park is accessible by boat only. Boaters can reference marine chart #3513 and #3538 for more information about this area. The park is usually accessed from Northwest Bay and Camp Bay. The closest communities are Comox Valley and Campbell River.Maps and Brochures
Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.
- Maps
- Brochure and Map (2.39 MB PDF)
Management Planning
Management Planning Information
- The approved Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan is available in pdf format.
Activities Available at this Park
Canoeing
Mitlenatch Island is accessible by canoe or kayak, and is a popular destination for paddlers.
Fishing
The waters surrounding Mitlenatch Island are designated a Rockfish Conservation Area and fishing is not permitted. For more information, please consult the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Tidal Area Regulations (DFO). Harvesting or collecting of any kind, including shellfish gathering, is not permitted in the park.
Hiking
Due to the sensitive bird habitat, most of the island is closed to the public. A short trail from Camp Bay to Northwest Bay is the only area accessible to visitors. This trail ends at a bird blind located on the north tip of the island. 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.
Swimming
There are opportunities for ocean swimming at this park. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
Wildlife Viewing
There is no viewing platform but Mitlenatch Island is home to the largest seabird nesting colony in the Strait of Georgia and offers excellent viewing opportunities of thousands of Glaucous-winged gulls, pelagic cormorants, pigeon guillemots, black oystercatchers and many other species of birds. Marine life around these island includes river otters and harbour seals throughout the year, and Steller's and California sea lions from late fall to late spring.
