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
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, rhinoceros auklets 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 May.
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. Birders should approach observation blinds slowly and quietly – 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. Visit in May when the island's meadows of spring wildflowers are in bloom, or in July when the harvest brodia and coastal cactus bloom.
Collecting of any kind is NOT permitted at Mitlenatch Island, including all shellfish.
Park Size: 155 hectares
General Visitor Information
Interpretive signage
along the trails provides details about the flora and fauna on the Island. Bring
your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
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 East Bay. The closest communities are Comox Valley and Campbell River.
Mitlenatch Island is accessible by canoe or kayak, and is a popular destination for paddlers.
Fishing
This park offers limited opportunities for saltwater fishing. 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.
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.
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, rhinoceros auklets 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 May.
Facilities Available At This Park
Pit or Flush Toilets
This park has 1 pit toilet, located near the host cabin.
