Conservancy overview
The Hakai Lúxvbálís Conservancy is managed under an agreement between the Heiltsuk Nation and the Province of British Columbia to co-operatively attain conservation and recreation objectives for the area. This agreement will also allow the Heiltsuk Nation to access land and resources for their use within the Hakai Lúxvbálís Conservancy in accordance with their aboriginal rights.
Encompassing more than 120,000 hectares of land and sea, Hakai Lúxvbálís Conservancy is the largest provincial marine protected area on the British Columbia coast. Located approximately 130 km north of Port Hardy on Vancouver Island and 115 km southwest of Bella Coola, Hakai has no developed facilities and can only be accessed by sea or air. Sited within the Hecate Lowland ecosection, which is represented by a large archipelago of outstanding natural beauty, Hakai boasts such special features as lagoons, reversing tidal rapids, tombolos, and white-sand beaches.
With exposed shorelines, forested hills, a beguiling array of large and small islands, white-sand beaches, and all-weather anchorages, Hakai has a varied and scenic coastline. It is the dramatic contrast between marine and terrestrial landscapes that makes Hakai unique within the BC provincial park and protected area system.
Advisories
Safety info
- Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
- Swimming is not recommended, because the water is cold and can be rough. There are no lifeguards on duty within parks or protected areas.
- Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
Special notes
- All archaeological sites are protected under the Heritage Conservation Act. It is illegal to remove artifacts or to disturb such sites.
- There are some sports fishing lodges in Hakai. Most are floating and are removed in the off-season but there is a small lodge on shore in Choked Passage that is run by a non-profit society. There is also privately owned Hakai Beach Resort operated on private property.
Camping
Wilderness camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided.
Facilities
Campfires are allowed but firewood is not provided. Be prepared to bring a portable stove for cooking. 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.
Activities
Hakai Lúxvbálís Conservancy is ideal for exploration by experienced sea kayakers.
Hakai Lúxvbálís Conservancy is ideal for exploration by experienced sea kayakers.
This area is prized by sports fishermen for salmon and rockfish. 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.
The diversity of habitats within Hakai Lúxvbálís Conservancy Area results in a great wealth of flora and fauna.
There are scuba diving or snorkelling opportunities. Conservancy Area waters are some of the finest in the world for underwater exploration. Viewing opportunities are exceptional year-round.
This protected area is open to hunting. Please refer to the Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis for more information.
Hakai Lúxvbálís Conservancy is located along the B.C. coast, approximately 130 km north of Port Hardy and 115 km southwest of Bella Coola.
Access is via sea or air: chartered boats and chartered or scheduled air services are available from Vancouver, Port Hardy, Bella Bella (Waglisla) and Bella Coola. It is also possible to take the “Discovery Coast Passage” service offered by BC Ferries, which travels between Port Hardy and Bella Coola; the ferries make a stop at Bella Bella (Waglisla), 45 km north of Hakai. The nearest settlement is Namu on the mainland coast, 10 km across Fitz Hugh Sound.
Learn more about this conservancy
Conservancy details
- Date established: May 23, 2008
- Size: 121,051 hectares (51,914 ha upland and 69,137 ha foreshore)
Nature and culture
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.