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.
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.
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.
Wilderness camping is allowed, but not recommended.
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.
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 for groundfish or salmon is possible. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.