Know before you go
Advisories
Visitor guidelines
Boat-access only
This park is only accessible by water and has no mooring or dock facilities. Kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards can land at the rocky beach.
Boat access can be difficult due to the constantly changing marine environment and exposed rocky shoreline. Use caution around cliffs and along shorelines. Watch for large waves created by passing ferries.
For more information, on responsible boating in BC Parks, see our marine visitor guide.
Respect the surrounding private property
The park is surrounded by private land. Please respect the park’s neighbours and keep out of these areas.
No campfires
There is a permanent campfire ban in this park. Campfires are not allowed anywhere in the park, at any time of year. Bring a portable stove for cooking.
No drinking water available
Bring your own water. Potable water is not available in the park
Camp on tent pads only
Camping is allowed on tent pads only. Do not camp on bluffs or in vegetated areas.
Always follow Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. For more information, see our backcountry guide.
Review the detailed guides under visit responsibly for more information on staying safe and preserving our natural spaces.
Visit responsibly
Follow these guides to ensure your activities are safe, respectful, and ecologically friendly:
Maps and location
Getting there
Apodaca Park is on the eastern shoreline of Bowen Island at the mouth of Howe Sound. It is only accessible from the water.
Camping
Marine-accessible campgrounds
Things to do
One short trail connects the beach and campground at Apodaca Park.
Stay within the designated trail to protect the seaside bluff and sensitive vegetation. Taking shortcuts destroys plant life and soil structure. For your own safety, obey posted signs.
Please do not explore areas beyond this trail. The park is surrounded by private property and Bowen Island Ecological Reserve. The ecological reserve protects special natural ecosystems and is not intended for recreation.
Ocean swimming is available at the small beach area. The beach is pebbles and cobbles, and the water is cold. Be prepared for strong winds, unpredictable ocean currents, and waves from ferry traffic.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
There are good opportunities for canoeing and kayaking in Apodaca Park. A kayak-and-canoe rack is provided, to store your paddling equipment. Kayak rentals are available in Vancouver or on Bowen Island.
The small south-facing pebbled cove allows for beach-landing access. The beach is sheltered from northerly outflow wind but is exposed to southerly inflow wind into Howe Sound.
When landing, be conscious of shallow boulders at low tide and regular ferry traffic creating waves. Drift logs can accumulate on the beach. Ocean currents and wind can be strong and unpredictable in Howe Sound year-round.
There are no garbage services in the park, so pack out what you pack in. Please be respectful of the private property and facilities bordering the park. For information on camping, see the marine-accessible camping section.
There are good opportunities for canoeing and kayaking in Apodaca Park. A kayak-and-canoe rack is provided, to store your paddling equipment. Kayak rentals are available in Vancouver or on Bowen Island.
The small south-facing pebbled cove allows for beach-landing access. The beach is sheltered from northerly outflow wind but is exposed to southerly inflow wind into Howe Sound.
When landing, be conscious of shallow boulders at low tide and regular ferry traffic creating waves. Drift logs can accumulate on the beach. Ocean currents and wind can be strong and unpredictable in Howe Sound year-round.
There are no garbage services in the park, so pack out what you pack in. Please be respectful of the private property and facilities bordering the park. For information on camping, see the marine-accessible camping section.
Ocean fishing is available in Apodaca Park. Anyone fishing or angling in the area must follow BC tidal area 28 regulations.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
There are good opportunities for wildlife viewing in Apodaca Park. Many different bird species frequent the park, along with deer, marine waterfowl, and mammals. Designated viewing areas along the coastal bluff offer views across the southern end of Howe Sound.
For information on how to stay safe, visit our wildlife safety page.
Dogs and other domestic animals are welcome in Apodaca Park but must be leashed. You must always be in control of your pets and dispose of their waste appropriately.
Facilities
Apodaca Park has one pit toilet, which is at the campground. Bring your own toilet paper, and do not dispose of garbage in the pit toilet. For information on the campground, see marine-accessible camping.
About this park
The area currently known as Apodaca Park was designated a provincial park in 1954. The property was donated by Major J.S. Matthews, a noted Vancouver historian, as a memorial to his son, who died at age 22. The park bears the name given to the islands at the entrance to Howe Sound by early Spanish navigators.
The park lies within the Coastal Western Hemlock bio-geoclimatic zone. It is home to Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, salal, and arbutus. Slope, drainage, and local weather patterns contribute to the presence of rocky knoll vegetation. This is more typical of the Gulf Islands and Southern Vancouver Island than the Lower Mainland region.
Apodaca Park’s offshore waters support a variety of marine birds and mammals. These include marbled murrelet, harbour seal, and killer whale. Undersea and intertidal life include Pacific octopus, rockfish, and ochre starfish. The park also offers habitat for coast blacktail deer and a variety of birds.
Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.
Contact
General questions and feedback for BC Parks | We answer emails weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm Pacific Time. |
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