• Strong winds can pick up quickly, channelled by the deep fiords. This can result in potentially hazardous conditions for small vessels. Vessels are advised to have plenty of anchor rope due to the considerable water depth in the few anchorages.
• The harvest of bivalves is closed due to red tide and the potential for paralytic shellfish poisoning.
• Due to the high number of grizzly and black bears on shore, travel on land is not recommended.
• Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the conservancy.
• There are no developed trails in the conservancy. Be extremely cautious if you venture ashore. The bush is dense and can conceal nearby grizzly bears.
• Keep pets on leash at all times while on shore. Backcountry areas are not suitable for pets due to potential problems with bears.

Kynoch Inlet:

• Moderate anchorage in Culpepper Lagoon and Desbrisay Bay, less secure at the head of the inlet.
• Scenic waterfall at the entrance to the inlet, draining Lessum Creek.
• Significant estuaries at Kainet and Lard Creeks, smaller estuaries at Desbrisay Bay and Riot Creek.
• Outstanding upland features with sheer granite cliff and walls.

Láiq (Mussel Inlet):

• Moderate anchorage in David Bay, less secure at the head of the Inlet.
• Mussel / Poison Cove, poor or day anchorages.
• Scenic waterfalls: McAlpin and Lisette Falls.
• Significant estuary at the Mussel Inlet.
• Outstanding rock formations, granite walls.

Láiq (Mussel Inlet) Special Management Area

• Although all estuary systems within the Fiordland Conservancy are sensitive and important ecosystems, the Mussel Inlet (Láiq) is an especially significant system for bears and other wildlife.
• The Mussel Inlet and Poison Cove areas offer some of the most valuable habitat for bears and wildlife on the Central Coast. During the fall season bears feed almost exclusively on salmon. The amount of salmon a bear eats relates directly to its chance of survival during the winter.

Maintaining ecologically sustainable, safe, and culturally sensitive tourism opportunities is an important management objective for these areas. The potential exists to negatively impact bears and wildlife if they are continually displaced from highly productive areas. As such there are guidelines for appropriate behaviour when in this area to help ensure the integrity of these special and significant places are preserved in their natural state for future generations.

Access to this highly sensitive area is closely monitored and guidelines are strictly enforced. This area is managed jointly by BC Parks and the Kitasoo/Xai’xais Guardians. Given the narrow channel and small area at the head of the inlet, vessel size in the Special Management Area is restricted to 30 metres or less in length.

• Information about the Láiq (Mussel Inlet) Special Management Area [PDF] 
• Firearms are restricted below 1000m within the special management area [PDF] 

BC Parks and the Kitasoo Xai’xais respectfully request a voluntary restriction on low-level aircraft access in the Láiq (Mussel Inlet) Special Management Area. This area offers high value critical habitat for bear and mountain goat, both of which are particularly sensitive to loud noise. Due to the high narrow valley topography of this area, the impacts from aircraft noise are increased. We request that flights occur at no less than 500m above the surrounding terrain and that this area be avoided by aircraft entirely unless required for emergencies or with previous approval. Please contact Central Coast Area Supervisor at 250-982-2701.

Special regulations for Láiq

When you arrive please contact the Kitasoo/Xai’xais Guardians on Marine Channel 6.  

As listed below, there are very specific rules and regulations for this area. 

• Access only May 1 – October 15 with a designated guide.
• Area closed to wildlife viewing October 16 – April 31.

Water-Based Viewing Guidelines

• Check in with the Kitasoo/Xai’xais Guardians on Marine Channel 6.
• Maximum two vessels (kayak, canoe, dingy, inflatale, etc.) viewing at a time.
• No viewing or boat access upstream of the lower Mussel Inlet Island.
• Jet boats are not permitted.
• Maximum 14 people in total and all vessels must stay grouped together.
• Stay at least 50 M (160 ft) away from bears.
• All visitors not on a tour with a permitted operator need to receive an orientation prior to bear viewing and be guided by a Kitasoo/Xai’xais Guardian or Spirit bear Lodge staff.
• No viewing or vessel access upstream of the lower Mussel Inlet Island (see map) or upstream of the tidal flats in Poison Cove Creek (see map).

Land-Based Viewing Guidelines

• Allowed with caution at the designated viewing site in the Mussel Estuary only, but is not recommended.
• Check in with the Kitasoo/Xai’xais Guardians.
• All visitors not on a tour with a permitted operator need to receive an orientation prior to bear viewing and be guided by a Kitasoo/Xai’xais Guardian or Spirit Bear Lodge staff.
• No land access within the Láiq Special Management Area other than the designated viewing site, interpretive rub tree, and designated dog walking area (see map). Láiq Special Management Area is off limits to viewing, hiking or any other form of access.
• Maximum of 14 people in total permitted on shore at one time. Visitors must stay grouped together.
• Stay at least 30 M (100 ft) away from bears.
• Bear Spray is required. Please be sure that your group is trained in the use of bear spray
• Firearms may not be carried while viewing.
• Pets permitted only in the designated dog walking area (see map).
• Bringing food is not recommended.

• Park Map [PDF] (February 2014)
• Park Pamphlet [PDF] (November 2019)
• Láiq Special Management Area Map [PDF] 

History

The area was originally protected as a recreation area in 1987 but was converted to a conservancy in 2006 pursuant to government land use decisions in the Central Coast Land and Resource Management Plan area.

Cultural Heritage

Fiordland is the territory of the Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nations. It is illegal to disturb cultural heritage sites or remove artifacts from them. Please leave any cultural artifacts you find Please leave any cultural artifacts you find in-situ and report to the Kitasoo/Xai’xais Guardians or Kitasoo/Xai’xais Stewardship Office at 250-839-1096.

Conservation

Fiordland Conservancy was created to protect a spectacular representative of the Northern Fiordlands Landscape. Protecting such landscapes is key to BC Parks’ mandate of representing BC’s ecosystems in the protected area system. The biogeoclimatic zones in the area are coastal western hemlock, mountain hemlock and alpine tundra.

Wildlife

The conservancy’s wide variety of wildlife enjoy excellent coastal habitat. It offers two major river estuaries which provide lush vegetation and a variety of fresh salmon during the spawning season. The conservancy provides habitat for mountain goats, grizzly and black bears, wolves, cougars, Columbia black tailed deer and small mammals, as well as the marine mammals, waterfowl and shorebirds typical of coastal inlets.

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.