In This Park

Visitor Information

Fire Restrictions in Effect for this Park

During a campfire ban, smoking is restricted in all public areas of a park or protected area. Please read this Information Bulletin.

Possible Fire Restriction in Effect for this Park

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» Buccaneer Bay Provincial Park

Buccaneer Bay Provincial Park

Attention Visitors – Important Notice!

44 hectares of foreshore and upland areas have been added to this park. Please see attached map for new boundary alignments [PDF]
A backcountry self-registration system is now in place at this park for camping. Camping is only permitted in the designated camping area, north of the gap. Five backcountry sites are available – a maximum of one party is allowed per site. The sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

About This Park

A small marine park located on the sand spit on the southern tip of North Thormanby Island. This park has beautiful broad sandy beaches and warm waters.

The large sheltered bay provides safe anchorage in most summer conditions; shoreline is accessible by dingy.

This park is accessible only by boat and provides opportunities for fishing, swimming, camping and picnicking.

Park Size: 45 hectares (0.5 hectares of upland and 44.5 hectares of foreshore)

Know Before You Go

Camping and Day use Information

Day-use area consists of all beach areas and all upland areas south of the gap.
Liquor consumption is prohibited anywhere in the park with the exception of your registered campsite. Consumption of alcohol in day use and beach areas is subject to fines and eviction from the park.
Campfires permitted only in designated campfire rings.
Stay out of Restoration Areas and do not move logs defining these areas.
Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.

Please help to keep this area clean

Use toilet facilities.
Keep garbage, metal and glass out of campfire rings.
Pack out what you pack in.

Boating Safety

Only accessible by boat. Shoreline is accessible by dinghy. Sheltered bay provides safe anchorage.
Watch out for extensive shoal patches from North Thormanby to the north of Derby Point on South Thormanby Island.
Please respect the private property surrounding the park.
This park does not have a boat launch. There are nearby power boat rentals in Secret Cove.

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.

Location Map

Located in Georgia Strait off the Sunshine Coast at the South end of North Thormanby Island, near Secret Cove.

Maps and Brochures

Any maps listed are for information only – they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

Park Map [PDF]

Nature and Culture

Conservation: A recent expansion to this park added 44.5 hectares of foreshore. This protects sea grass meadows and sand shoals, which provide habitat for a rich variety of marine life, including shorebirds, salmon, rockfish, sandlance and Dungeness crab.
Wildlife: Colonies of seals, sea lions and birds may be found on the beaches and in the water; please respect their space.

Management Planning

Management Planning Information
There is currently no approved valid management plan for this area. Management plans are prepared as soon as practicable, subject to available resources and the ability of key planning partners to participate.

Activities Available at this Park

Canoeing

Kayak/canoe camping is available. Care is needed paddling through Welcome Passage due to the high numbers of large vessels moving through this small channel, it creates extremely large wakes. The large wakes combined with windy weather conditions makes this section of water treacherous. There are kayak rentals available outside the park at Halfmoon Bay. When ocean kayaking; consult marine charts for tide currents.

Charts Required:

Chart # 3512 Strait of Georgia Central Portion
Chart # 3535 Plans Malaspina Strait (includes Welcome Passage, Secret Cove & Smugglers Cove, Pender Harbour)

1:50,000 Maps Required:

Sechelt 92G5
Sechelt Inlet 92G12

Fishing

Saltwater/ocean fishing. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. Licences can be purchased in Secret Cove.

BC Centre for Disease Control: Fish & Shellfish

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. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.

Swimming

There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks. Warm water with a broad sandy beach. There is no roped-off swimming area.

Facilities Available at this Park

Campfires

While campfires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite, we encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using campstoves instead. Please, plan to bring your own wood for campfires. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil.

Pit or Flush Toilets

This park has two pit toilets – no flush toilets.

Walk-In/Wilderness Camping

Camping is only permitted in the designated camping area. A backcountry self-registration system is now in place at this park for camping. There are 5 backcountry sites available with one party allowed per site. The sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.