Wakes Cove Park | BC Parks

Highlights in this park

The park supplies sheltered anchorage in the north-central Gulf Islands and offers rustic hiking trails, picnicking, wildlife viewing.

Camping is not permitted in the park. Visitors wishing to visit the park must be aware of park boundaries and keep off the private property, adjacent to the park.

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

Wakes Cove is located on the northeast corner of Valdes Island, south of Gabriola Island and southeast of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. Access to the park is by boat only and is situated next to Gabriola Passage. Boaters can reference marine chart #3475 for more information on this area. Nearby communities include: Gabriola Island and Nanaimo.

Things to do

Hiking

Visitors may use the old roads in the park for hiking. Please be aware of the park boundary and do not enter adjacent private properties.

Canoeing

This park can be accessed by kayak or small boat.

Fishing

This park is near popular salmon fishing areas in the Strait of Georgia. Fishing is permitted as per provincial and federal fishing regulations.

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 site (DFO).

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

Wildlife viewing

Wakes Cove Park offers excellent views of Gabriola Passage, the Strait of Georgia and the Sunshine Coast. Whales, seals, sea lions and a variety of other marine life and birds can be seen in and around the park.

About this park

History

This park, established in June of 2002, provides protection for second-growth and some old-growth Douglas fir forest and an extensive marine foreshore component. Bald eagles, minks, otters and harbour seals are commonly sighted in the park.

The Marine Parks Forever Society donated monies toward the purchase of this property. The Society received donations from the recreational boating community that were used to assist in purchasing 73 hectares of Crown foreshore on Valdes Island.

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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