Park overview
Dawley Passage Park is located at the south end of Fortune Channel between Meares Island and the west coast of Vancouver Island. Accessible by boat only, Dawley Passage is a nice, quiet location for boaters exploring beautiful Clayoquot Sound. Strong currents in the tidal narrows of Dawley Passage result in a high density and a magnificent diversity of marine life, making it a great area for scuba diving.
Fortune Channel is one of Clayoquot Sound’s most popular tourism corridors, and opportunities exist in and around the park for fishing, boating and wilderness camping. The sheltered waters around Dawley Passage make it a popular spot for canoeing and kayaking. Paddlers in the area may see seals and sea otters in their travels, as well as bears feeding at low tide. The park also contains a number of Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations heritage sites.
Advisories
Camping
There are no designated campsites at this park, however random wilderness camping is permitted year-round. No facilities are provided and there is no fee. Please practice “Leave No Trace” camping ethics.
There are no designated campsites at this park, however random wilderness camping is permitted year-round. No facilities are provided and there is no fee. Please practice “Leave No Trace” camping ethics.
Facilities
While small fires are allowed, we encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead. If you do have a fire, please utilize previously constructed fire rings and use small pieces of wood that will burn completely. If you can’t find a previously used site, try to construct your fire rings below the high tide mark. Never leave your fire unattended and practice “Leave No Trace” camping ethics.
Campfire bans may be in place. Before lighting a fire, check for bans or restrictions on BC Wildfire Service and on local or Indigenous government websites.
Activities
Ocean swimming is available.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
The sheltered waters around Dawley Passage make it a popular spot for canoeing and kayaking. Paddlers in the area may see seals and sea otters in their travels, as well as bears feeding at low tide.
Visitors can paddle from Tofino through Browning Passage to reach Dawley Passage, or from the Grice Bay boat launch in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Kayak rentals are available from a number of kayak companies in Tofino and Ucluelet.
The sheltered waters around Dawley Passage make it a popular spot for canoeing and kayaking. Paddlers in the area may see seals and sea otters in their travels, as well as bears feeding at low tide.
Visitors can paddle from Tofino through Browning Passage to reach Dawley Passage, or from the Grice Bay boat launch in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Kayak rentals are available from a number of kayak companies in Tofino and Ucluelet.
The waters of Clayoquot Sound may contain a variety of fish species, including salmon, rockfish, halibut and lingcod. 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 in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
Portions of this park are open to hunting for specific species. Hunters must have valid licences and tags. Please refer to current printed Hunting and Trapping Regulations and Synopsis publication for closures and regulations.
The park is located at the south end of Fortune Channel between Meares Island and the west coast of Vancouver Island. Dawley Passage Park is accessible by boat only. Boaters can reference marine chart #3673 for more information about this area. Nearby communties include Tofino and Ucluelet.
Park and activity maps
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: July 12, 1995
- Size: 154.1 hectares (61.6 ha upland and 92.5 ha foreshore)
Nature and culture
Cultural Heritage
Dawley Passage lies within the traditional territory of the Ahoushat First Nations.
Conservation
An exceptional marine ecosystem and marine features can be found in Dawley Passage, which has strong currents and tidal rapids. These features result in a high density and diversity of marine species.
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.