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During a campfire ban, smoking is restricted in all public areas of a park or protected area. Please read this Information Bulletin.
Whaleboat Island Marine Provincial Park
About This Park
Known as Eagle Island before becoming a provincial park in 1981, the small, rocky Whaleboat Island is part of the beautiful De Courcy Group of islands. These islands provide stunning paddling, boating and wildlife viewing opportunities around the interesting geological formations and sheltered intertidal shore. Inhospitable steep rocky banks have prevented any kind of development on Whaleboat Island, which is blanketed with second-growth forest.
Small marine islets like Whaleboat Island are important wildlife habitat as they are isolated from larger land predators. Birds like American black oystercatchers, pigeon guillemots, gulls and cormorants are potential nesters on these islands and marine mammals such as harbour seals, California and Steller’s sea lions and killer whales have been spotted foraging in the reefs offshore.
Park Size: 10 hectares (7 ha of foreshore, 3 ha upland)
Special Notes: Due to the rocky terrain, the upland portions of this park are extremely difficult to access.
Small marine islets like Whaleboat Island are important wildlife habitat as they are isolated from larger land predators. Birds like American black oystercatchers, pigeon guillemots, gulls and cormorants are potential nesters on these islands and marine mammals such as harbour seals, California and Steller’s sea lions and killer whales have been spotted foraging in the reefs offshore.
Park Size: 10 hectares (7 ha of foreshore, 3 ha upland)
Special Notes: Due to the rocky terrain, the upland portions of this park are extremely difficult to access.
Location
Nearby communities include: Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Yellow Point
Maps and Brochures
Nature and Culture
- Cultural Heritage - Traditionally these islets were important to First Nations for bird egg gathering and food plant collection. In the 1940s there was a booming logging industry in the area and Whaleboat Island was logged. Remnants of this industry lie hidden in the now reforested understory.
- Wildlife - Small marine islets like Whaleboat Island are important wildlife habitat as they are isolated from larger land predators. Birds like American black oystercatchers, pigeon guillemots, gulls and cormorants are potential nesters on these islands. Marine mammals such as harbour seals, California and Steller’s sea lions, orcas and dolphins have been spotted foraging in the reefs off the islands.
- General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information
Management Planning
Management Planning Information
- Approved Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan [PDF] for Whaleboat Island Marine Provincial Park is available in pdf format.
Activities Available at this Park
Canoeing
This park is accessible by canoe or kayak from Ladysmith or Yellowpoint on Vancouver Island, however due to the rocky terrain, the upland portions of this park are extremely difficult to access.
Fishing
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.
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.
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/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.
