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Activities Available at this Park
Facilities Available at this Park

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Fire Restrictions in Effect for this Park
Smoking is prohibited
During a campfire ban, smoking is restricted in all public areas of a park or protected area. Please read this Information Bulletin.

Broughton Archipelago Provincial Park

Important Notice Attention Visitors – Important Notice! Show/hide public advisories

  • Increased grizzly bear activity in area

    BC Conservation Officer Service (COS) has received increased reports of grizzly bear activity and presence within Broughton Archipelago Provincial Park and Broughton Archipelago Provincial Conservancy. Areas of particular reporting have been around Swanson Island, Flower Island, Crease Island, and the Village Channel corridor. Report encounters to COS 1-877-952-RAPP (Cellular Dial: #7277 Telus Network).

  • Aggressive harbour seal in the Canoe Islets area

    BC Parks has received a report of a harbour seal attacking a group of sea kayakers in the vicinity of Canoe Islets (just to the West of Cedar Island). Though harbour seal attacks do occur, this is not seen as typical behaviour, but does happen from time to time.

    All visitors to Broughton Archipelago area should be mindful of this event. Larger group sizes may be advantageous. Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) recommends you move away slowly at the first sign of disturbance or agitation. If the animal starts to stare, fidget or dive into the water, you’re too close. For emergencies involving marine animals, please contact DFO 1 800 465-4336.

About This Park

Broughton Archipelago Marine Provincial ParkPhotoGallery

Broughton Archipelago Park, B.C.’s largest marine park, consists of a wonderful collection of dozens of undeveloped islands and islets situated at the mouth of Knight Inlet on the west side of Queen Charlotte Strait near the north end of Vancouver Island.

Established in 1992, Broughton Archipelago Park offers excellent boating, kayaking and wildlife viewing opportunities. A multitude of islands provides park visitors sheltered waters and anchorages with a backdrop of the magnificent coastal mountains to the east and the waters of Queen Charlotte Strait to the west. These islands have been utilized by First Nation peoples for generations and there is ample evidence of their extensive use of the area. Kayakers and boaters can easily “discover” white midden beaches, culturally modified trees, clam “terraces” and even a petroglyph while exploring the park.

This park is extremely popular with sea kayakers from around the world. Most kayakers prefer the southern portion of the park, though increasing numbers are starting to discover the beauty of the northern islands and their protected waterways.

Please remember to practise “Leave No Trace” ethics when visiting this park.

Established Date: September 16, 1992
Park Size: 11,751 hectares (2,061 ha of upland and 9,690 ha of foreshore)

Know Before You Go

Stay Safe

  • Black bears occasionally travel through this chain of islands, so using good bear sense is essential.
  • There are no developed trails in the park.
  • Fresh water is very difficult to come across in the Broughton Archipelago, so be sure to bring all that you require. Any surface water you may find in the park must be well boiled, filtered or treated prior to consumption.
  • Boaters should be aware that there are no moorage buoys within the park, though there are a number of good anchorages, depending on the weather. Strong winds and rough waters can pick up quite suddenly so boaters should always be aware of weather changes. Dense fog can also be very common in this region during the summer months. All boaters should be aware of tide changes and carry the correct nautical charts.

Location and Maps

Please note: Any maps listed are for information only – they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation. Broughton Archipelago Park is accessible by boat only. The park is situated approximately 30 km east of Port McNeill, near the mouth of Knight Inlet. Port McNeill, known as the gateway community to the Broughton Archipelago, is located near the northern tip of Vancouver Island – approximately a four hour drive north of Nanaimo. Boat launches are located in Port McNeill, Telegraph Cove and Port Hardy. Water taxis, boat charters and sea kayak rentals are also readily available. Boaters can reference marine chart #3545 (Johnstone Strait) #3546 (Broughton Strait) and #3515 (Knight Inlet) for more information on this area.

Management Planning

Activities Available at this Park

Canoeing

Canoeing

The many small islands and protected waters of Broughton Archipelago Park make the area an excellent place to sea kayak or canoe. Visitors from around the world come here to kayak amongst orcas and other marine mammals, experience camping in an unspoiled wilderness, enjoy world class salt water fishing and learn about First Nations culture. The southern portion of the park is the most popular, particularly in Village Channel and Indian Channel, however the rest of the park also offers excellent kayaking waters. Kayakers can enjoy the tranquil beauty of this area as they pick their way through a myriad of islands and islets, stopping to camp at various locations along the way.

Most kayakers launch at Telegraph Cove or Alder Bay, though the use of water taxis is becoming more and more popular as a method of quickly reaching the park. There are many commercial kayaking companies working in and around the park and the use of commercial mother-ships is becoming more common. Kayakers should be aware that winds can pick up quickly in this area, as can rough water, so mariners should always practice caution.

Kayakers should always take the ebb and flow of tides into consideration and be prepared for heavy fog at any time.

Paddlers who put in at Alder Bay or Telegraph Cove should remember that these are extremely busy shipping lanes and should time their crossings with extreme caution.
Fishing

Fishing

Salt water fishing is extremely popular in this marine park, particularly for salmon, although rockfish and halibut can also be caught. There are also some excellent crabbing and prawning grounds in the park.

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.

Rockfish Conservation Areas occur within this park. Fishing activities are limited in Rockfish Conservation Areas. Before you go fishing please refer to the Rockfish Conservation Area descriptions available from Fisheries and Oceans Canada DFO.
Pets on Leash

Pets on Leash

Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.
Winter Recreation

Winter Recreation

This park is open year-round; there is no fee for winter camping.

Facilities Available at this Park

Boat Launch

Boat Launch

This park does not have a boat launch. The nearest boat launches are located at Telegraph Cove, Alder Bay, Port McNeill, Alert Bay, Sointula, Beaver Cove and Port Hardy.

The protected waters of the Broughton Archipelago are still relatively undiscovered by most power cruisers or sailing vessels, however many of the waterways provide deep enough draught to allow the passage of larger watercraft. These vessels can find all-weather anchorages as well as temporary anchorages, however there are no formal moorage buoys within the park. Yachters can spend several days or longer meandering through the islands of this spectacular marine park.
Campfires

Campfires

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.
Pit or Flush Toilets

Pit or Flush Toilets

Simple open air pit toilets are located on Owl Island (on the northeast side) and on Leone Island (northwest corner). No toilet paper is provided.
Walk-In/Wilderness Camping

Walk-In/Wilderness Camping

There are no designated campsites in the Broughton Archipelago, however there are a number of sites that kayakers have been using for overnight camping. These sites are open all year but only accessible by boat and some are only accessible during certain tides and weather conditions. There are no facilities provided at any of these sites aside from simple open air pit toilets on Owl Island and Leone Island.

Most of these wilderness sites are only big enough for one or two tents and range from flat rock outcroppings to a level bench situated amongst the trees. Since fresh water is very difficult to come across, be sure to bring all that you require. Remember to practice “Leave No Trace” camping methods to help ensure that those who follow you also get the opportunity to enjoy an unspoiled wilderness experience.