Fiordland Conservancy

Highlights in this conservancy

Fiordland Conservancy is a large marine park, encompassing Kynoch and Mussel Inlets, their estuaries and the surrounding mountainous landscape.

Fiordland’s scenery is very impressive. The area includes one of the finest examples of glacially gouged fiords on the British Columbia coast, where sheer granite cliffs rise more than 1,000 metres. From the water, view the soaring peaks of the Coast Mountains, dense coastal forests, imposing waterfalls and lush river estuaries.

The deep fiords and steep valleys allow little shore space for travel or camping. The vegetation is lush and grows high, obscuring visibility. This area is home to both grizzly and black bears, so travelling on shore can be dangerous and is not recommended unless you are experienced in backcountry wilderness travel.

The conservancy can be accessed by boat or floatplane only; there are several fair anchorages.

Fiordland Conservancy is located within the Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nation territory and is co-managed under an agreement between the Kitasoo/Xai’xais Nation and the Province of British Columbia. BC Parks and the Kitasoo/Xai’xais are dedicated to the protection of natural environments for the inspiration, use, and enjoyment of all visitors. Together they are working hard to preserve this pristine wilderness.

Know before you go

Advisories

Safety information

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.

Special notes

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.

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.

Review the detailed guides under visit responsibly for more information on staying safe and preserving our natural spaces.

Visit responsibly

Follow these guides to ensure your activities are safe, respectful, and ecologically friendly:

Maps and location

Getting there

Fiordland is accessed by water and air only. It encompasses Kynoch and Mussel Inlets, located about 100 km northwest of Bella Coola. It is a popular side trip destination for those cruising the Inside Passage to Alaska. The closest community for purchase of supplies is Klemtu and then Bella Bella.

Please consult Canadian Hydrographic chart #3962 – Matheison Channel, Northern Portion.

Camping

Marine-accessible camping

Wilderness camping is allowed, but not recommended.

No facilities are provided.
High frequency of bear activity.
These are often areas of cultural sensitivity.
Sleeping on-board your vessel is recommended.
Camping is not permitted [PDF] in the Láiq (Mussel Inlet) Special Management Area except at the Kitasoo/Xai’xais Guardian Cabin.

Things to do

Kayaking

There are opportunities for sea kayaking in this conservancy. Sea kayakers find Fiordland well worth visiting, however, there are very few camping sites due to the steep topography of the area. Outflow winds are a major hazard, exacerbated by the scarcity of safe landing spots. Be prepared to spend days on shore waiting for safe conditions.

Fishing

Fishing for groundfish or salmon is possible.

Note: the entire coast is closed to bivalve harvest (i.e. clams and mussels) due to the risk of red tide, which causes paralytic shellfish poisoning.

Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.

Pets on leash

Pets and 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.

Pets are not permitted on shore in the Láiq Special Management Area, except in the designated dog walking area.

Hunting

This park is open to hunting. Please refer to the BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis for more information.

Firearms are restricted below 1000 m [PDF] within the Láiq (Mussel Inlet) Special Management Area. It is illegal to hunt grizzly bears and spirit bears in Fiordland Conservancy.

Anyone hunting in British Columbia must comply with BC hunting regulations. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.

Facilities

Campfires

If you must have a fire, please burn only dead and down wood, and be sure to extinguish the fire fully. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil so please use it conservatively, if at all. You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small. Be prepared to bring a portable stove for cooking.

About this conservancy

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.

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.

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.

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.

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