Park overview
Due to its close proximity to Tofino, Vargas Island Park in Clayoquot Sound is a very popular paddling and wilderness camping destination. Visitors also come here for the exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities, including the chance to see Gray whales in the area around Ahous Bay. Every spring the gray whales pass by the island on their way to summer feeding grounds in the Arctic Ocean and Bering Sea.
Vargas Island Park protects the rugged western portion of Vargas Island, Blunden Island and the tiny La Croix Group of islands immediately northwest of Tofino. Much of the island is relatively flat and its interior features a number of bogs.
Marine features including exposed rocky coast, sandy beaches, sheltered channels and bays, an intertidal lagoon and mudflats are all protected within the park’s boundaries. The park is also home to ancient sand berms, which are rows of crescent-shaped sand mounds that indicate earlier sea levels. These berms can be seen along the historic telegraph trail.
The park area also includes the Cleland Island Ecological Reserve, home to a great diversity of nesting sea bird colonies including the rhinoceros auklet, Cassin’s auklet, pigeon guillemot and the black oystercatcher. Access to the Ecological Reserve is prohibited, as the breeding seabirds are very sensitive to disturbances.
Advisories
Safety info
Wolf advisory
It is imperative that park visitors going to Vargas Island:
- Be extremely mindful about how they store their food as wolves have learned how to get into kayak hatches.
- Have equipment available to hang food in the event food caches are full.
- Due to high frequency of wolves coming into campsites during the night, BC Parks is advising against campers sleeping outside their tents.
- Park visitors are advised to not bring pets to Vargas Island or Flores Island. Dogs are a high level attractant to wolves and other large carnivores. Protect your pet by keeping them at home.
- Please do your part when recreating in wolf country and help keep wolves wild. Please click the links for specific information on how to avoid wolf encounters and to practice proper backcountry etiquette.
- If you encounter an aggressive wild animal, report it by calling the Conservation Officer Service 24hour hotline toll free at 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP) or #7277 on the Telus Mobility Network.
Tsunamis
- Tsunamis are a series of unusually big waves caused by a large-scale disturbance of a body of water. If you are on the beach and feel strong shaking from an earthquake or if the water suddenly recedes, move immediately to higher ground (greater than 15 metres or 45 feet above the tide line). There is no way to be certain how high a tsunami is going to be. The first wave to arrive at the coast is often not the largest, and each wave may be separated by up to an hour or more. Waves may continue for up to twelve hours, so you must stay on high ground until advised otherwise. Do not go to the beach to watch.
Special notes
Trail Information
- The historic 3km telegraph route that runs East to West is not maintained and some bridges are out. The rough route passes through various jurisdictions including some private property.
Park Access
- Numerous kayak companies under park use permits offer day and multi-day kayak tours to Vargas Island Park. For water taxi service to the park, contact Clayoquot Connections at 250-726-8789 or Tofino Water Taxi at 250-725-8844.
Guiding in Parks
- In provincial parks, any person acting as a guide or offering guiding services, including vessel drop-offs, must hold a valid park use permit ( Park, Conservancy and Recreation Area Regulation, Section 4). Please ensure the company you hire is legally operating in the park.
Camping
Designated campsites are located at various beaches throughout this park, however, wilderness camping is also allowed. Pit toilet and food cache facilities are located in popular camping areas. Vargas Island is accessible year-round. There is currently no winter camping fee. Please practice "Leave No Trace" camping ethics.
There are no designated campsites at this park, however wilderness camping is allowed. No facilities are provided other than six pit toilets and five food caches, located in popular camping areas. Vargas Island is accessible year-round. There is currently no winter camping fee. Please practice “Leave No Trace” camping ethics.
Facilities
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 use small pieces of wood that will burn completely and keep the fire below the high tide mark. Never build your fire near the beach log piles as the fire could ignite the logs and get out of control. Also do not leave your fire unattended and practice “Leave No Trace”.
Campfire bans may be in place. Before lighting a fire, check for bans or restrictions on BC Wildfire Service and on local or Indigenous government websites.
Activities
The Telegraph trail is a 3km trail (one-way) that crosses the island. Caution must be exercised as this trail is unmaintainable, therefore it is also often muddy and slippery. Excellent beach hiking can be found on the outer beaches of the park.
There are opportunities for ocean swimming at this park.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
Due to its scenic values and close proximity to Tofino, Vargas Island is a very popular paddling and camping destination. Gray whales frequent the Ahous Bay area and the La Croix Group of small islands is a peaceful spot for paddling, bird watching and viewing seals. Kayakers can launch at the First Street Dock in Tofino. Canoeing is not recommended.
The waters of Clayoquot Sound may contain a variety of fish species, including salmon, rockfish, halibut and lingcod. One of the more popular areas is around Wilf Rock at the southern portion of the park.
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.
This park has many opportunities for wildlife and nature viewing. This includes bird viewing in the waters around the Cleland Ecological Reserve, watching for migrating Gray whales and exploring the geological features of the park.
NOTE: Please abide to current DFO Marine Viewing Guidelines when viewing marine wildlife in BC Parks.
Portions of this park are open to hunting for specific species. Hunters must have valid licences and tags. Please refer to current printed Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis publication for closures and regulations.
Vargas Island Park is located immediately northwest of Tofino and west of Meares Island on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The park is accessible by boat from Tofino. Small planes can land on the beach of Ahous Bay. Nearby communities include: Tofino, Ucluelet, Ahousat, Flores Island.
Park and activity maps
- Park Area Map [PDF]
- Zoning Map [PDF] (included in the Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan)
- Clayquot Area Parks: Brochure [PDF 4.46MB]
- Clayquot Area Parks: Map [PDF]
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: July 12, 1995
- Size: 5,805 hectares (1,543 ha upland and 4,262 ha foreshore)
Nature and culture
Cultural Heritage
A number of Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations heritage sites are located within the park.
Conservation
The park protects the rugged, outer coast of Vargas Island, Blunden Island and the marine environment. Many marine features are represented in the park, including exposed rocky coast, sand beaches, sheltered channels and bays, a lagoon and mudflats. Gray whales migrate through the off-shore waters. The park also encompasses ancient dune berms, rows of crescent shaped sand mounds that indicate earlier sea levels. Vargas Island Park includes the Cleland Island Ecological Reserve, which is home to a variety of nesting sea birds including the rhinoceros auklet, Cassin’s auklet, pigeon guillemot and the black oystercatcher. Access to the Ecological Reserve is prohibited.
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.