Lower Mainland. 
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 are able to 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 permitted 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
The park is located on the eastern shoreline of Bowen Island at the mouth of Howe Sound. It is only accessible from the water.
Camping
Marine-accessible camping
The marine-access campground has four tent pads, a food cache, a kayak/canoe rack, and one pit toilet. It is located in the forest near the bluffs 50 metres away from the beach. A short trail connects the beach to the campground.
Camping is allowed on tent pads only, and available on a first come, first served basis. There are no fees for camping.
Campfires are strictly prohibited anywhere in Apodaca Park.
The campsite is a user-maintained area. Bring your own toilet paper and pack out everything you pack in. Do not place garbage in the pit toilet. Leave nothing behind, and leave the campsite cleaner than when you arrived.
There is no potable water in the park. A seasonal creek spills out onto the beach, but it usually runs dry in early summer. All water should be treated or boiled before drinking.
The south-facing pebbled beach is suitable for landing kayaks, canoes, or stand-up paddleboards. Landing watercraft can sometimes be challenging due to strong winds, currents, and waves from ferry traffic.
See the canoeing and kayaking sections for further information on paddling in the area and landing at the beach.
The shoreline bluffs contain sensitive vegetation. Please stay on designated trails and obey posted signs to prevent trampling and erosion. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure. Please respect the private properties that surround the park.
When visiting marine-accessible sites, be respectful of the sensitive wildlife habitats, and learn how to stay safe using our marine visitor guide.
Marine-accessible campgrounds
Winter camping
Winter camping is available at the marine-accessible campground. See marine-accessible camping for details.
Things to do
One short trail connects the beach and campsite loop.
Keep to the designated trail to protect the seaside bluff and sensitive vegetation. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure. For your own safety, obey posted signs.
Visitors are discouraged from exploring off-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. There is a kayak/canoe rack available to store 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 regular ferry traffic creating waves and shallow boulders at low tide. Drift logs can accumulate on the beach. Wind and ocean currents in Howe Sound can be strong and unpredictable at all times of the year.
There are no garbage services in the park, so pack out what you pack in. Visitors should be respectful 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. There is a kayak/canoe rack available to store 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 regular ferry traffic creating waves, and shallow boulders at low tide. Drift logs can accumulate on the beach. Wind and ocean currents in Howe Sound can be strong and unpredictable at all times of the year.
There are no garbage services in the park, so pack out what you pack in. Visitors should be respectful the private property and facilities bordering the park.
For information on camping, see the marine-accessible camping section.
Ocean fishing is available. Anyone fishing or angling in the area must follow DFO Area 28 fishing 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 the park. This is especially true along designated areas of the coastal bluff offering views across the southern end of Howe Sound. Many different bird species frequent the park, along with deer, marine waterfowl, and mammals.
For information on how to stay safe, visit our wildlife safety page.
Pets and domestic animals must be on leash at all times. You must always be in control of your pets and dispose of their waste appropriately.
Facilities
This park has one pit toilet located in the campsite. Bring your own toilet paper, and do not dispose of garbage in the pit toilet.
About this park
Apodaca 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 biogeoclimatic zone and is home to Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, salal, and arbutus. Slope, drainage, and local weather patterns contribute to the presence of unique, rocky knoll vegetation, which is more typical of the Gulf Islands and Southern Vancouver Island.
Apodaca’s offshore waters support a variety of marine birds and mammals, such as 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. |
|---|
