Gulf Islands National Park Reserve

Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is a Parks Canada protected area in the southern Gulf Islands of British Columbia. The reserve was established in 2003 to conserve representative island, shoreline and marine ecosystems in the region.

The reserve preserves a mosaic of sheltered bays, rocky shorelines, Garry oak meadows and remnant coastal forest across multiple islands and islets between Vancouver Island and the mainland. Recreational activities include hiking on shore trails, wildlife and bird watching, sea-kayaking, tidepooling and backcountry camping at designated sites on select islands.

The park reserve was created in 2003 from a patchwork of land and marine parcels assembled to protect sensitive ecosystems and culturally important sites in the southern Gulf Islands. Its designation reflects long-term conservation efforts for the region’s unique coastal habitats.

The reserve lies among the southern Gulf Islands in the Strait of Georgia, between Vancouver Island and the British Columbia mainland; nearby population centres include Vancouver and Victoria, with access to some park sites by BC Ferries or private boat.

• Garry oak and intertidal habitats: Protects coastal shoreline, intertidal zones and rare Garry oak ecosystems that are regionally uncommon and biodiverse.
• Access and transport: Many park islands and sites are reachable only by private boat; a few have public ferry connections or designated marine access points for kayaks and camping.