Santa Gertrudis-Boca del Infierno Park

Highlights in this park

Santa Gertrudis-Boca del Infierno Park is part of the popular Nootka Sound kayak or boating experience. It offers excellent opportunities for these activities as well as wilderness camping, fishing and wildlife viewing. Sheltered anchorages in Boca de Infierno Bay and Santa Gertrudis Cove make it a popular stopover on the route through Nootka Sound.

Nootka Sound has a colourful history with indigenous heritage and European exploration and settlement. Indigenous peoples have occupied Nootka Sound for at least 4,000 years, enjoying the area’s bountiful natural resources.

The park is adjacent to Yuquot (Friendly Cove), which was the sight of the first formal contact between European explorers and First Nations. Captain James Cook landed at nearby Bligh Island in 1778 and sought refuge in a small cove after a storm for repairs. While anchored in the cove, which he named Resolution Cove after his flagship, he made formal contact with natives in the village at Yuquot. The area subsequently became a major center for international fur trading. Today, Yuquot is a National Historic Site.

Those wanting a truly rugged experience will love this area. Random wilderness camping is allowed in the park, which has a number of beautiful shores to explore. A unique natural feature of the park, reversing tidal rapids, can be found at the narrow entrance to Boca del Infierno Bay.

The protected and scenic anchorage is a perfect stopover location for boaters exploring Nootka Sound. Another anchorage in Boca del Infierno Bay is suitable for smaller boats.

Know before you go

Advisories

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

Santa Gertrudis-Boca del Infierno Park is located on the southeast side of Nootka Island off the west coast of Vancouver Island. The park is situated just north of Friendly Cove (Yuquot). Access is via boat only. Boaters can reference marine chart #3675, #3604 and #3662 for more information on this area. Nearby communities include Zeballos, Tahsis, Friendly Cove (Yuquot), Gold River.

Camping

Wilderness camping

There are no designated campsites at this park, however wilderness camping is allowed. No facilities are provided. Please practice “Leave No Trace” camping ethics.

Winter camping

This park is accessible year-round. There is no winter camping fee.

Things to do

Hiking

There are no developed trails at this park aside from a short, rough route to Jewitt Lake from the beach at Santa Gertrudis Cove, at the south end of the park.

Canoeing

The protected waters of Nootka Sound make for excellent paddling opportunities. Santa Gertrudis – Boca del Infierno is a popular destination for paddlers, who are likely to catch glimpses of a variety of marine mammals and waterfowl as they make their way through Nootka Sound. Paddlers can set in at boat launches in Nootka Sound. Tuta Marina and Cougar Creek are the most accessible boat launches for paddlers.

A kayak operator on nearby Bligh Island offers rentals, tours and accommodations. A number of commercial kayak operators in the area and on Vancouver Island also offer services to the park.

Fishing

Nootka Sound is one of the more popular saltwater sports fishing destinations on the west coast of Vancouver Island. There are opportunities to catch chinook, Coho, chum and pink salmon and a variety of rockfish in these waters. Numerous float lodges and camps in Nootka Sound offer fishing and eco-tourism opportunities.

Fishing is permitted as per provincial and federal fishing regulations. All anglers should check the current regulations issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada prior to fishing.

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

Wildlife viewing

Visitors to Nootka Sound are likely to spot a variety of marine life, including gray whales, killer whales, seals, sea lions and sea otters, as well as waterfowl, bald eagles, black bears, wolves and deer.

This park contains a unique natural feature, which is a reversing tidal rapids at Boca del Infierno Bay at the northeast corner of the park.

Pets on leash

Pets and domestic animals must be under control at all times. 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.

Scuba diving

The waters of Nootka Sound offer excellent cold water scuba diving opportunities.

Facilities

Campfires

While small fires are allowed, we encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead. If you do have a fire, please utilize previously constructed fire rings and use small pieces of wood that will burn completely. If you can’t find a previously used site, try to construct your fire rings below the high tide mark. Never leave your fire unattended and practice “ Leave No Trace” camping ethics.

About this park

Cultural Heritage

Nootka Sound has a colourful history with First Nations heritage and European exploration and settlement. First Nation peoples have occupied Nootka Sound for at least 4,000 years, enjoying the area’s bountiful natural resources. A number of known archaeological sites are in the area, providing evidence of native occupation (Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council and Mowachaht-Muchalat Band) and settlement. The park is adjacent to Yuquot (Friendly Cove), which was the sight of the first formal contact between European explorers and First Nations. Captain James Cook landed at nearby Bligh Island in 1778 and sought refuge in a small cove after a storm for repairs. While anchored in the cove, which he named Resolution Cove after his flagship, he made formal contact with natives in the village at Yuquot. The area subsequently became a major center for international fur trading. Today, Yuquot is a National Historic Site.

Conservation

The park protects coastal marine environment and habitat for marine mammals, as well as old-growth west coast forest. Visitors to Nootka Sound are likely to spot a variety of marine life, including gray whales, killer whales, seals, sea lions as well as waterfowl, bald eagles, black bears, wolves and deer.

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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