South Island. 
Know before you go
Advisories
Safety information
- Due to the rocky terrain, the upland portions of this park are extremely difficult to access.
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
Whaleboat Island is located northeast of Ladysmith off the east coast of south Vancouver Island. This tiny island sits between Ruxton and Valdez Islands in Pylades Channel and is access is by boat only. Boaters can reference marine chart #3443 for more information on this area. Nearby communities include Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Yellow Point
Things to do
Fishing is permitted as per provincial and federal fishing regulations. Please check the current regulations issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada prior to 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.
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.
About this park
Traditionally these islets were important to First Nations for bird egg gathering and food plant collection. In the 1940s there was a booming logging industry in the area and Whaleboat Island was logged. Remnants of this industry lie hidden in the now reforested understory.
Small marine islets like Whaleboat Island are important wildlife habitat as they are isolated from larger land predators. Birds like American black oystercatchers, pigeon guillemots, gulls and cormorants are potential nesters on these islands. Marine mammals such as harbour seals, California and Steller’s sea lions, orcas and dolphins have been spotted foraging in the reefs off the islands.
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.
Contact
| General questions and feedback for BC Parks | We answer emails weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm Pacific Time. |
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