The Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is a true natural wonder tucked away in the southern Gulf Islands between Vancouver Island and the BC mainland. Created in 2003 and officially established in 2010, this 36 km² park reserve encompasses not only land but also 26 km² of adjacent waters, comprising 15 islands, numerous islets, and reefs in the southern Strait of Georgia.
This park reserve is graced by a mild Mediterranean-like climate created by the rain shadow of the buffering coastal mountains, which supports many plant and animal species at the northern limit of their range. The rich nutrient upwellings in the area are the building blocks of a productive marine environment, which sustains a wide variety of marine life, such as killer whales, porpoises, seals, and sea lions. Large populations of shorebirds and waterfowl nest in or migrate through the area, making it a birdwatcher’s paradise. On land, rocky bluffs and headlands, hillsides of Douglas fir forest, the distinctive red-barked arbutus trees, and the signature meadows of the endangered Garry oak ecosystem all speak to the diversity of island habitats.
The Gulf Islands also have a rich human history; the Central Coast Salish has a long association with the Gulf Islands that continues to this day. In recent centuries, British and Spanish explorers left their mark in the names of the islands and waters of the area. Settlers, fishers, adventurers, and entrepreneurs have come to the islands seeking home or profit. Today, the national park reserve shares the islands with vibrant rural communities.
The Park headquarters is located in Sidney on the adjacent Saanich Peninsula, with field offices on Saturna and North Pender Islands. The islands are a favorite recreational area enjoyed by boaters, kayakers, cyclists, and hikers. The larger islands (Mayne, Saturna, and The Penders) are accessible by ferry; the smaller islands can only be reached by boat or kayak. With its rich biodiversity, stunning landscapes, and fascinating human history, the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is an unmissable destination for nature and history enthusiasts.
Did you know about Gulf Islands National Park?
- Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is located between Vancouver Island and the BC mainland in the southern Gulf Islands.
- The park was created in 2003 and officially established in 2010; it encompasses 36 km² of land and 26 km² of adjacent waters.
- The park reserve comprises 15 islands, numerous islets, and reefs in the southern Strait of Georgia.
- The park has a mild Mediterranean-like climate created by the rain shadow of the buffering coastal mountains, which supports many plant and animal species at the northern limit of their range.
- The park reserve is home to a rich and diverse marine environment, which sustains a wide variety of marine life, such as killer whales, porpoises, seals, and sea lions.
- Large populations of shorebirds and waterfowl nest in or migrate through the area, making it a birdwatcher’s paradise.
- The park reserve has a rich human history, with the Central Coast Salish having a long association with the Gulf Islands that continues to this day.
- British and Spanish explorers left their mark in the names of the islands and waters of the area.
- The park is a favorite recreational area enjoyed by boaters, kayakers, cyclists, and hikers, with larger islands accessible by ferry and smaller islands only accessible by boat or kayak.
- The park reserve has an endangered Garry oak ecosystem, which is unique and special to this area.
- It is one of the few protected areas in Canada jointly managed by the federal and provincial governments, making it a unique park in the country.
Google Maps of Gulf Islands National Park
This embeddable Google Map generated for free on Canada Maps.com