 |
Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park
Welcome
One of the most intriguing parks in BC, rich in history, culture and entertainment. The shoreline is dominated by steep sandstone cliffs and ledges, interspersed with sunny beaches, rocky caves and caverns. The interior of the island is a mature forest. This park offers interpretation programs, camping, easy hiking, and water recreation.
location
Newcastle Island is accessible by boat, or a 10 minute passenger ferry ride from Nanaimo at Maffeo-Sutton Park behind the Civic Arena, just north of downtown Nanaimo on Hwy 1 (mainland visitors can ferry to Nanaimo via Horseshoe Bay). Click here to view a ferry schedule for Newcastle Island.
Private boat owners can simply tie up to the wharf or anchor at Mark Bay.
- Region: Southern Vancouver Island - near Nanaimo.
- Driving time from city centre: Nanaimo is 1.5 hours driving from Victoria.
- For a regional map of the park's location, click here.
Recreation Opportunities
Hiking:
An extensive network of walking/hiking trails that lead to various historic points around the island. Visit the BC Parks website for detailed trail information.
Day-Use/Picnicking:
This park has a large day-use/picnic area with a playground, picnic tables, information shelter, swimming beach, toilets, horseshoe pits and a large grassy area. This popular day-use/picnic area is located at the entrance area to the park. A concession in the Pavilion offers a variety of meals, snacks, beverages and recreation equipment rentals.
Swimming:
Pleasant swimming is offered at Kanaka Bay and off of the dock area.
Canoeing and Kayaking:
There are canoeing or kayaking opportunities at this park.
Viewing Opportunities:
There are no established viewing platforms at this park.
Other Recreation:
Biking, bicycles must keep to roadways.
Camping opportunities
Group Sites:
There are 5 group campsites at this park, with picnic shelter, tables, fire rings, barbecues, fresh water, and pit and flush toilets. The group campsites are located within a 5-minute walk from the dock and are open all year, when accessible. Food lockers are supplied to protect food from raccoons. Group Camping Fee: $14.00 per party / night; Youth Group Camping Fee: $50.00 per group / night.
Vehicle Accessible/Frontcountry Walk-in Sites:
18 walk-in forest sites available on a first-come, first-served basis - $14.00 per party/night.
Backcountry Sites:
There are no backcountry campsites at this park.
interpretive programs
A park interpreter is in attendance during the summer to provide visitor information and to interpret the island's unique human and natural history. Check at the Pavilion or on information boards at the dock heads for the times of walks, talks and other program details.
Interpretive Programs are available upon request and include Survivor, intertidal explorations, ghost walks, cultural education, and sleepover camps. Costs range from $4 to $30 per participant with a minimum group size of 25. Contact the Goldstream Nature House (250) 478-9414 or visit their Newcastle website for more infomation.
For information on aboriginal culture activities call the Park Facility Operator, the Snuneymuxw First Nation.
Special notes of interest
- Middens offer evidence of at least two Salish First Nations villages, which were deserted before the discovery of coal in this area in 1849. In the past, the island also supported a fish-salting operation, a sandstone quarry and a shipyard. In 1931 the Canadian Pacific Steamship Company purchased the island and operated it as a pleasure resort, building a dance pavilion, a teahouse, picnic areas, change houses, a soccer field and a wading pool.
- Today, the newly restored Newcastle Island Pavilion is a visitor centre and offers daily food services, interpretive programs and a gift shop from May to September. The Pavilion can be rented by groups, with a capacity for 250 people. For bookings contact: 1-250-754-7893.
- Shopping, recreation and entertainment are available in the nearby city of Nanaimo.
- Petroglyph Provincial Park, just south of the city, has some excellent native rock carvings.
- There are a variety of marinas offering boats and fishing gear to take advantage of the plentiful salmon in the surrounding waters. At Departure Bay is the Pacific Biological Research Station, which has public displays.
Additional fees
Click here to view BC Park's General Fee Information website.
- Group Picnicking Fee: $50.00 per group.
- Mooring Bouy $10.00/vessel/night.
- Dockage $2.00/meter/night.
- For ferry fares and group discounts, click here.
safety and other important notes
There are no other safety considerations for this specific park. Be sure to read our more general park safety information page.
- Berthing facilities for more than 50 boats are available at the island. Boaters can reference marine chart #3447 (Nanaimo Harbour) for more information on this area.
Water:
Cold water taps are located throughout the park. Taps are shut off during the off-season.
Toilets/Showers:
Pit toilets are located throughout the park and in the campground. A flush toilet building is located near the entrance to the park, approximately 50 meters from the dock.Wheelchair Accessibility:
Some trails, the toilet building, and the Pavillion are wheelchair accessible. Please contact the Park Facility Operator for detailed information.
In addition to this information, Project G.O.! recommends reviewing the BC Parks website for Newcastle island marine Provincial Park for important updates and detailed information before visiting this park.
Snuneymuxw First Nation
E-mail address: admin@newcastleisland.ca
Phone: (250) 754-7893
Fax: (250) 754-7894
other service providers at this park
The Goldstream Nature House conducts interpretive and recreational programming out of this park. Contact (250) 478-9414 or visit their website for more information.