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Attention
Visitors - Important Notice!
- No park alerts at this
time.
Park
Info:
Known as Eagle Island before becoming a provincial park in 1981, the small,
rocky Whaleboat Island is part of the beautiful De Courcy Group of islands.
These islands provide stunning paddling, boating and wildlife viewing opportunities
around the interesting geological formations and sheltered intertidal shore.
Inhospitable steep rocky banks have prevented any kind of development on Whaleboat
Island, which is blanketed with second-growth forest.
Small marine islets like Whaleboat Island are important wildlife habitat as
they are isolated from larger land predators. Birds like American black oystercatchers,
pigeon guillemots, gulls and cormorants are potential nesters on these islands
and marine mammals such as harbour seals, California and Steller’s sea
lions and killer whales have been spotted foraging in the reefs offshore.
Park
Size: 10 hectares (7 ha of foreshore, 3 ha upland)
Special
Notes:
- Due
to the rocky terrain, the upland portions of this park are extremely difficult
to access.
Management
Planning:
Management
Planning Information
Location:
Whaleboat Island is located northeast of Ladysmith off the east coast of south
Vancouver Island. This tiny island sits between Ruxton and Valdez Islands in
Pylades Channel and is access is by boat only. Boaters can reference marine
chart #3443 for more information on this area. Nearby communities include: Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Yellow Point
Map/Brochure:
Any maps listed are for
information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be
used for navigation.
Nature & Culture:
- Cultural
Heritage - Traditionally these islets were important to First Nations
for bird egg gathering and food plant collection. In the 1940s there
was a booming logging industry in the area and Whaleboat Island
was logged. Remnants of this industry lie hidden in the now reforested
understory.
- Wildlife - Small
marine islets like Whaleboat Island are important wildlife habitat as they
are isolated from larger land predators. Birds like American black oystercatchers,
pigeon guillemots, gulls and cormorants are potential nesters on these
islands. Marine mammals such as harbour seals, California and Steller’s
sea lions, orcas and dolphins have been spotted foraging in the reefs off
the islands.
- General
Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information
Visitor
Safety:
General
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.
There is no
camping at this park.
Explore
Parks: Fees, park listings, what
you should know before you go and other useful links.
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No
vehicle accessible camping facilities at this park.
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No
wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping.
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No
group campsites.
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No
day-use or picnic facilities.
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There
are no wheelchair accessible facilities at this park.
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Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
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No
toilets.
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No
showers.
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No
sani-station/dump facilities.
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Campfires
are not permitted.
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There are no electrical hook-ups in this park. |
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There
are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at this park.
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There
are no developed trails at this park.
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This park does not have
a playground.
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No
swimming.
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This park is accessible by canoe or kayak from Ladysmith or Yellowpoint on
Vancouver Island, however due to the rocky terrain, the upland portions of
this park are extremely difficult to access. |
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This park does not have a boat launch. The nearest boat launches are located
in Ladysmith or at Boat Harbour in Nanaimo. |
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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. |
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This park is not suitable for cycling. |
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No
horseback riding.
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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.
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No
viewing opportunities.
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No
winter recreation opportunities. |
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No
SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities. |
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No
windsurfing opportunities. |
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No
waterskiing opportunities. |
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This
park is closed to hunting. |
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No
climbing or rock climbing opportunities. |
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No
spelunking or caving opportunities. |
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No
cabins, yurts or lodges for public use. |
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