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photo of Porpoise Bay ' Porpoise Bay Provincial Park
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important info, warnings, alerts for park visitors
general overview of park, size, special features safety, park hazards, wildlife information, health risks
park location, parks nearby, how to get to the park history, cultural heritage, conservation, wildlife
maps of park and/or campground, trails, etc. Management Planning
campsite reservations, group and picnic site reservations images of the park
 

vehicle accessible, drive-in campsites wilderness, backcountry, walk-in camping group camping - 15 or more campers picnic, day-use facilities, no camping wheelchair accessiblity drinking water toilets showers sani-stations, sani-dumps firewood, campfires There are no electrical hook-ups in this park interpretive, educational programs
walking, hiking trails playgrounds swimming canoeing, kayaking power boats, boat launch fishing cycling, mountain biking, bicycling horses, horseback riding pets, domestic animals in parks Icon Legend- Green =Available Grey = Unavailable

wildlife viewing
winter recreation, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, toboganning, ice skating scuba, snorkelling windsurfing waterskiing hunting climbing, rock climbing spelunking, caving cabins, yurts, lodges click on green symbols for more information

 

Attention Visitors - Important Notice!

  • There are no park alerts at this time.

Park Info:

Porpoise Bay Provincial Park on the Sunshine Coast offers many opportunities for coastal fun and is a favourite family park. The park is separated from the Strait of Georgia by the isthmus at Sechelt. This park is characterized by second-growth forest, open grassy areas and sandy beaches. This park also makes an excellent base camp for paddlers exploring the Sechelt Inlet.

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Park Size: 61 hectares

Special Notes:

  • A clean air policy is in effect at this park. Campfires are restricted to three communal sites. Campfires are not allowed at individual campsites.
  • It is recommended that you make a reservation to stay at this park during the months of July and August.
  • Cyclists can always be accommodated at the cyclists campsite.

Management Planning:

Management Planning Information

Location:

Located at the southern end of Sechelt Inlet on the Sunshine Coast, Porpoise Bay Provincial Park is 4 km north of Sechelt off Hwy 101. Vehicle access is via Sechelt Inlet Road northeast of Sechelt.

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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Nature & Culture:
  • History - The Sechelt Indian Band frequented the area with a major village at Sechelt itself. Today, the Sechelt Indian Band plays an important role in the community of Sechelt.

    At the turn of the century, as interest in the Sunshine Coast area heightened, the Crowston family homesteaded the east side of Sechelt Inlet. The park was purchased from the Crowston’s in 1966 and on January 29, 1971, Porpoise Bay Provincial Park was established.

  • Conservation - Porpoise Bay Provincial Park is characterized by second-growth forest of Douglas fir, western cedar, western hemlock, maple and alder. The area also contains a waterway used by chum and coho salmon for spawning. There is also an estuary in the park that is home to many shore birds. Please keep a safe, respectful distance when viewing wildlife. Keep dogs on a leash at all times, and stay out of the creek.


Visitor Safety:

Visitor Safety Information (park safety, hazards, wildlife safety information, health risks)

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Reservations:For parks that accept reservations, all vehicle accessible campsites (with the exception of
group sites) must be reserved through Discover Camping.

Campsite Reservations:
Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available.

Group Camp/Picnic Reservations:
Group campsite and/or group picnic site reservations are accepted at this park.

Explore Parks: Fees, park listings, what you should know before you go and other useful links.

Contact Information:

Swens Contracting
E-mail address: info@sunshinecoastparks.com
Phone: (604) 885-3714

Click here for Swens Contracting website

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vehicle accessible, drive-in campsites

This park offers vehicle accessible campsites. Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available.

Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $22.00 per party / night
BC Senior's Rate (Shoulder Season only): $11.00 per senior's couple/night

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 - camp at group site as campground gate is closed during off-season.
Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees: April 15 - October 15
Off-season: camp at group site; no fee; no services.
Campground Reservable Dates: May 5 - September 15
Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites: 84
Number of Reservable Campsites, if applicable: (all remaining sites are first-come, first-served) 50
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.
wilderness, backcountry,  walk-in camping

There is a cyclist-only camping area. This site is only for cyclists or persons who arrive at the park without a vehicle (backpackers). This site is an open area, there are no designated sites but room for approximately 10 small tents and this area is on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations. The site has a communal fire pit, shared picnic tables and there is a shower building with flush toilets nearby.
Walk/Cycle-in Frontcountry Camping Fee: $10.00 per party / night

group camping - 15 or more campers

There is one group campsite that can accommodate from 15 to 50 people.
Click here for reservation information.
More details and which dates have been reserved also available through the Swens Contracting website.
Group Camping Fee: $22.00 per party / night
Youth Group Camping Fee: $50.00 per group / night

picnic, day-use facilities,  no camping

This park has a day-use/picnic area. There are 2 open picnic shelters, one change area in the toilet building, pit and flush toilets, and a sandy beach area. The day-use area can still be accessed if the gate is locked. There is an adventure playground.
Day-use Area Vehicle Parking Fee: $1.00 per vehicle / hour to a maximum of $3.00 per vehicle per/day. For information about yearly parking passes, or further information about parking fees, click here.

One day-use picnic shelter can be reserved through the Park Facility Operator. Please click here for list of contact numbers or through the Swens Contracting website.
Group Picnicking Fee: $50.00 per group

wheelchair accessibility

The picnic tables, showers, toilets, and one campsite (site #35) are all wheelchair accessible.

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drinking water

Cold water taps are located in both the day-use and campground areas. Taps are shut off during the off-season.

toilets

Pit and flush toilets are located in both the day-use and the campground areas.

showers

There are hot showers and change houses located in both the day-use and campground areas.

sani-stations, sani-dumps

There are no sani-station/dump facilities. The nearest sani-station is in Wilson Creek approximately 8 kilometres away and is free. There is also a sani-station at Roberts Creek Provincial Park.

firewood, campfires

Fires are only permitted in the 3 communal fire pits. No fires are allowed in individual sites due to a clean air policy within the park. Firewood can be purchased from the Park Facility Operator in some parks or you can bring your own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don't gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil. You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented and some parks may use communal fire rings. Be prepared to bring a portable stove for cooking.

There are no electrical hook-ups in this park There are no electrical hook-ups in this park.
interpretive,  educational  programs

There are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at this park.

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walking, hiking trails

Enjoy the coolness of the lush forests along the trails beside Angus Creek. A bridge over the creek leads to the mudflats of the estuary where a variety of waterfowl and shorebirds can be observed. Harbour seals and bald eagles may be seen year-round. Please keep a safe, respectful distance when viewing wildlife, and keep dogs on a leash. 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.

playgrounds

This park does not have a playground.

There is a playground area at the beach, less than 5 minutes walk from the day-use parking area. There is an adventure playground, grassy area and beach area.

swimming

There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.

canoeing, kayaking

Canoeing and kayaking opportunities are near the park. Kayakers can use the cyclist campsite. There are rentals available outside the park in Tuwanek. Calmer conditions often prevail in early morning and late afternoon.

power boats, boat launch

This park does not have a boat launch. Motorized boats can be launched at Sechelt and Tuwanek approximately 3 kilometres away. Boats can be left at a nearby Marina in Sechelt.

fishing

Fishing is permitted but it is hard to fish from shore as the water is shallow. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

cycling, mountain biking, bicycling

Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

horses, horseback riding

No horseback riding.

pets, domestic animals in parks 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 bears.

wildlife viewing

No wildlife viewing opportunities.

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winter recreation, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, toboganning, ice skating

No winter recreation opportunities.

scuba, snorkelling

No SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities.

windsurfing

No windsurfing opportunities.

waterskiing

No waterskiing opportunities.

hunting

No hunting in the park.

climbing, rock climbing

No climbing or rock climbing opportunities.

spelunking, caving

No spelunking or caving opportunities.

cabins, yurts, lodges

No cabins, yurts or lodges for public use.

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