Sea kayaking, boating and wilderness camping are the main attractions for visitors to Catala Island Marine Provincial Park, located in Esperanza Inlet on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island, between Nootka Sound and Kyuquot Sound.
The park encompasses numerous reefs, islets and marine ecosystems as well as a lake, bog area and rugged shoreline, all of which provide ample opportunities for exploration. Rustic trails lead to the lake and bog in the center of the island, which features tall trees twisted by the fierce winds coming off the Pacific Ocean. This forest forms a ragged backdrop to the island’s smooth, sandy beaches.
The Rolling Roadstead anchorage of Catala Island is good in calm weather, but when the winds pick up boaters here will be subjected to a constant and steady swell from the Pacific. Nearby Queen Cove off Esperanza Inlet on Vancouver Island provides more sheltered overnight anchorage.
Access to the park is by boat from the towns of Tahsis and Zeballos. Kayakers wishing to explore this remote region can book space for themselves and their kayak aboard the MV Uchuck lll, departing from Gold River and Tahsis. The vessel will unload kayakers into the scenic area of Catala Island en route to its scheduled stop at Kyuquot in Kyuquot Sound.
Wilderness camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided. There is one wilderness, user-maintained beach camping area on the peninsula at Rolling Roadstead. A pit toilet is located at this location. Other good camping areas can be found in the vicinity of the Twin Islands. Please practice “Leave No Trace” camping ethics. This park is accessible year-round; there is no winter camping fee.
There are opportunities for salt water fishing within this park; species include a variety of salmon and rockfish. 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.
Portions of this park are open to hunting for specific species. Hunters must have valid licences and tags. Please refer to the current Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis for closures and regulations.
Catala Island is located in Esperanza Inlet on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Access is gained via kayak or power boat. The closest boat launch is in Zeballos, although Tahsis and Gold River are also used. A water taxi service is available from these communities, which will transport visitors and kayaks to the Island. Boaters can reference marine chart #3662 and #3663 for more information about this area.
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.