British Columbia’s rugged coastline provides countless opportunities for adventure. If your passion is boating, swimming, hiking, or wildlife spotting, B.C.’s marine parks have what you’re looking for.
For more information on some of the most popular areas for aquatic activities, see marine recreation.
Indigenous Peoples have lived on the coast of what is now called British Columbia for thousands of years. Marine areas are potential archeological sites and remain important pathways and gathering places for First Nations.
These areas also contain many highly sensitive ecosystems and wildlife habitats. And marine activities often involve some personal risk. The information on this page will help you enjoy safe, sustainable, and respectful marine recreation.
Rules and rangers
The advice provided here will help you take responsibility for behaving appropriately when visiting marine parks. Following these guidelines should ensure you do not break any BC Parks rules or provincial laws.
Park operators and rangers are responsible for implementing rules and laws in BC Parks. If you ignore the rules or break the law, they are required to act. For serious violations, you could be fined or evicted from the park.
Look on this page for information on:
- Respecting the Indigenous cultural values of marine areas
- Helping BC Parks to protect sensitive wildlife habitats
- Maintaining water quality by minimizing pollution
- Behaving respectfully around marine wildlife
- Protecting native plants and animals
Marine Recreation Action Plan
At BC Parks, we are committed to providing sustainable marine recreation opportunities. To help our staff meet this commitment, we have launched the Marine Recreation Action Plan (MRAP), which targets five key goals:
- Better understand the natural and cultural values of marine areas
- Strengthen relationships with First Nations coastal communities
- Provide high-quality marine recreation, today and in the future
- Enhance collaboration with other government agencies
- Promote ocean stewardship and responsible marine recreation
Respect Indigenous values
Marine areas are particularly important to many Indigenous Peoples. At BC Parks, we support the continued exercise of constitutionally protected rights to fishing and gathering in these areas. We ask that all visitors do the same.
When visiting marine parks, leave any cultural artefacts where you find them, including pot shards and arrowheads. Take extra care around pit houses and other heritage sites.
For more information on showing respect for Indigenous values, see Indigenous relations and reconciliation.
Care for sensitive habitats
B.C.’s marine parks encompass an extraordinary diversity of plant and animal life, often living in fragile ecosystems. Marine plants, such as kelp or seagrasses, provide important habitats for a wealth of wildlife, but are easily damaged.
All visitors should take care around marine ecosystems, but we ask boaters to be particularly careful. To make sure you do not have any negative impact on sensitive habitats during your next boating adventure:
- Never anchor in or motor through shallow water where kelp, seagrass, and other marine plants are abundant
- Use nautical charts, navigation equipment, and depth sounders to ensure you only anchor in water deeper than 10m
- Use fixed moorings instead of anchors when stopping in or near kelp beds and seagrasses
- Land on beaches away from kelp beds or seagrass meadows, or avoid landing at extreme low tides
To learn more about protecting marine habitats, see respect wildlife, and protect native species, below.
Maintain water quality
Water is, of course, the defining feature of all marine parks. Nothing could be more important to the marine environment than maintaining water quality by minimizing pollution.
Crystalline water is a defining feature of B.C.’s natural beauty, which draws people to our coastline, lakes, and rivers. Clean water is also essential to fish, seabirds, and other aquatic life.
At BC parks we are committed to helping keep B.C.’s water pristine for generations to come. You can help us by never putting garbage, human waste, or other pollutants into the ocean, lakes, and rivers.
Advice for boaters
- Dispose of garbage and recycling in receptacles at ports or take it home with you. Never dump garbage or discharge pollutants into the water.
- Use bilge cloths and pillows to collect engine oil, fuel, transmission fluid, and other pollutants.
- Avoid pumping sewage overboard, especially in anchorages, marinas, enclosed bays, narrow channels, sensitive habitats, or swimming areas.
For information on where you can and cannot discharge sewage, download Transport Canada’s complying with sewage discharge regulations [PDF] leaflet.
Advice for hikers
Use trash cans and toilets where they are available. In more remote areas, always follow Leave No Trace wilderness ethics. Pack out garbage and bury human waste 70m from any water.
To learn more about Leave No Trace wilderness ethics, see the backcountry guide page.
Respect wildlife
British Columbia’s marine parks are home to everything from shellfish to killer whales. They are also important habitats for saltwater and freshwater fish and seabird colonies. To thrive, wildlife needs a clean, peaceful environment.
Maintain regulated distances from marine wildlife (200 metres from killer whales and 100 metres from all other marine mammals and bird colonies). Use binoculars to view wildlife and only take pictures with a telephoto lens.
Advice for boaters
- If approached by marine mammals, shut off any motors and wait until they pass safely, before resuming movement
- When passing an area with marine mammals, slow motors to minimize wake and engine noise
- Navigate and steer carefully to avoid splitting up groups of marine mammals or trapping them near shore
To learn about keeping your family and pets safe around wild animals, see the wildlife safety page.
Protect native species
Invasive plant and animal life can pose a serious threat to native species. Boating activity can be a significant factor in spreading invasive species through marine ecosystems. To help us prevent the spread of invasive species:
- Clean all parts of your boat, trailer, and equipment (such as ropes, anchors, and fishing gear) when moving from one body of water to another
- Drain all parts of your boat and gear that can hold water on land before moving to a new location
- Ensure all items (such as fishing gear, ropes, and anchors) are completely dry before using them in a new location
To learn more about preventing the spread of invasive species in BC Parks, see the invasive species page.