Garden Bay Marine Park

Highlights in this park

Established in 1969, Garden Bay Marine Park provides 200 metres of shoreline, with a backdrop rising to the summit of Mount Daniel. A part of Pender Harbour, this is a popular boating area with secure anchorage and a small dinghy dock.

This park provides excellent opportunities for fishing, picnicking and swimming. There are many marinas, stores, resorts, restaurants, repair facilities and fuel outlets located near the park.

Listen as an audio clip read by a member of the shíshálh Nation [m4a]

ʔimash ʔimash (Welcome)

Garden Bay Marina Park is within the swiya, the lands and birthplace of the shíshálh Nation. shelkem is located within the heart of kalpilin (Pender Harbour). At one time, it was the most populous region of the swiya. Since time immemorial, shíshálh people lived on this land, harvesting food from the land and sea.

Shelkem (Mount Daniel) is a site of high cultural importance to shíshálh people, described as a “Women’s Place.” Young shíshálh girls have come to this area to take part in rituals as part of their journeys to womanhood. Visitors are asked to respect the area by remaining on the trails.

For more information about the shíshálh people, please visit www.shishalh.com

Know before you go

Advisories

Safety information

Garden Bay Marine Park is open all year. There are no fees.
There are no sani-station and dump facilities available. No sewage discharge in anchoragell . All vessels must be equipped with holding tanks.

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

The park is located 30 km from Sechelt, on the Sechelt Peninsula. Follow Highway 101 north past Madeira Park; turn left on Garden Bay Road. At Garden Bay Lake keep left and drive approximately 2 km to Claydon Road. Pender Harbour includes the following communities: Garden Bay, Medeira Park, Irvines Landing.

Things to do

Hiking

There is a hiking trail in the park but it is not accessible from the marine area. Access is from Garden Bay Road. The Mount Daniel Trail is approximately 90 minutes to the top (4 km from Garden Bay Road to the top). This is a moderate to difficult hike due to the steep grade of the trail. There is a great view of the surrounding area from the top.

For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.

Swimming

There are swimming opportunities in this park. The beach is relatively steep and rocky. There is a small dinghy dock.

There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.

Canoeing

There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park. Kayak rentals are located in Halfmoon Bay.

Charts:
- Strait of Georgia Central Portion # 3512
- Plans Malaspina Strait # 3535 (this includes Pender Harbour, Secret Cove & Smugglers Cove)
1:50,000 Topographical Maps:
- Texada Island 92F9
- Sechelt Inlet 92G12

Fishing

Visitors may fish for salmon and cod. Licences can be purchase in Irvine’s Landing and Garden Bay.

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

Wildlife viewing

There is no viewing platform but there are spectacular views from the top of Mount Daniel.

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.

Facilities

Accessibility information

Accessibility information is available for the day-use area.

Drinking water

There is a water tap in the day-use area. Boil water advisory.

Picnic areas

This park has a day-use and picnic area.

Pit or flush toilets

This park has pit toilets, no flush toilets.

About this park

Wildlife

Blacktail deer, black bear and cougar can all be found in the park.

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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