Skookumchuck Narrows Park

Highlights in this park

This park was established in 1957. Skookumchuck Narrows Park provides trails and viewing areas for visitors who wish to experience the awesome power of incredibly turbulent tidal rapids. On a three metre tide, 200 billion gallons of water flow through the narrows connecting Sechelt and Jervis Inlet.

The difference in water levels between one side of the rapids and the other sometimes exceeds two metres in height. Current speeds can exceed 30 km per hour. The rapids are famous for their spectacular whirlpools and whitewater.

There are opportunities to view tidal rapids, waterfowl and abundant marine life at various tidal levels. Brown Lake provides further waterfowl viewing opportunities. Tidal reports for the best viewing times of the Skookumchuck Narrows are available on the Sunshine Coast Tourism website

Know before you go

Advisories

Safety information

When using these waters, know the tides and cross the narrows at high or low slack tide. Only very experienced paddlers should attempt the rapids at high tide.

Special notes

Private land adjoins the access road to the park, your respect of these lands is appreciated. Please do not trespass over private property.

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

Location Map

Getting there

Following Highway 101 past Sechelt and Madeira Park take Egmont Road for approximately 6 km to the parking lot. Egmont Road is 1 km before Earl’s Cove ferry terminal. To reach the rapids, you will need to walk an easy 4 km trail past Brown Lake.

Things to do

Hiking

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.

This park has a fairly flat and easy 4 km (approximately one hour) hiking and walking trail leading from the parking lot at Egmont to the prime viewing area for the tidal phenomenon at Roland Point.

Fishing

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).

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

Wildlife viewing

There are opportunities to view tidal rapids, waterfowl, and abundant marine life at various tidal levels. Brown Lake provides further waterfowl viewing opportunities.

Pets on leash

Due to the dangerous conditions of the rapids, dogs should not be allowed to enter the water. 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.

Scuba diving

There are scuba diving or snorkelling opportunities in this park.

Facilities

Accessibility information

Accessibility information is available for this park.

Pit or flush toilets

This park only has pit toilets, no flush toilets.

About this park

History

“Skookumchuck” is a Chinook name meaning turbulent water or rapid torrent. The park was originally included as part of the Sechelt Provincial forest in 1934 and remained provincial forest until the 1950’s when the Department of Recreation and Conservation studied the recreational and tourism potential of the site. As a result, the outstanding scenic and interesting features of the rapids (covering 40.5 ha) were removed from the provincial forest and established as a class A park. Over the years, more area has been added to the park, to bring it to its current size of 123 hectares.

Conservation

This park protects south coast inlet shoreline, small islets, a small lake, maturing second growth hemlock, and the phenomenal rapids.

Wildlife

Birds, ground squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons, sea stars, urchin, anemone, chiton, flounder, red snapper, ling and rock cod, salmon species, crab, oysters, clams, and mussels can all be found in the park.

An abundance of marine life is found in the ocean area around the park. At low tide you can often find tidal pools that harbour urchins, star fish, small fish, and small crabs. Please do not disturb their habitat. At Brown Lake you can view many types of water fowl.

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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