Premier Listings for Big Bunsby Marine Provincial Park
Big Bunsby Marine Provincial Park is situated due south of Brooks Peninsula / Muquin Provincial Park on the west coast of Vancouver Island, south of Port Alice. The park encompasses the easternmost island of the Bunsby Islands group, between Quoukinsh Inlet and Malksope Inlet.
Nature viewing opportunities in the area of Big Bunsby Marine Park are excellent, as much of the area surrounding the islands has been set aside as an ecological reserve.
This 639-hectare park (392 hectares upland and 247 hectares foreshore) was established to focus recreation use away from the adjacent Checleset Bay Ecological Reserve, and offers sea kayaking, wilderness camping, fishing and swimming.
Offshore you may be fortunate enough to spot a rare sea otter that inhabits only isolated areas of the northwest coast of Vancouver Island. The area is adjacent to Checleset Bay Ecological Reserve, an extensive area of marine shoreline, reefs and islets providing habitat for BC’s recovering Sea Otter population. Decimated by the fur trade in the early 1900s, and extirpated in BC by the late 1920s, sea otters from Alaska were transplanted to the northwest coastal waters in 1969-1972. The present population on Vancouver Island is estimated at 2000.
The re-introduction of the sea otters has become something of an issue in neighbouring kyuquot Sound recently, as the sea otters compete with the Native Indians for crabs, abalone and sea urchins. The unfortunate result is a decline in the sea otter numbers. With the elimination of the endearing whiskered critters by greedy and thoughtless European fur traders and native hunters in the late 18th and early 19th century, the otters’ natural foods became more abundant, decimating their own natural foods, predominantly kelp. With the return of the sea otters to their natural habitat, the crabs, sea urchins and abalone are now being kept in check, with the revival of the kelp beds so important as a source of food, shelter and spawning grounds for so many species of fish and other marine life. This is having a positive affect on the marine life along this coastline. The Natives are upset that the sea otters are depleting the local shellfish levels, and the sea otters…well, they just want to continue doing what sea otters were doing for thousands of years before Natives and Europeans arrived and laid claim to their waters.
Boaters will find the best all-weather anchorage on the eastern side of Bunsby Island, tucked inside a small cove – mud bottom, 36 foot depth. There is another good anchorage on the south shore of Bunsby Island. There is no boat launch in the park. The nearest boat launches are at Fair Harbour and Artlish.
Although there are no developed campsites at this park, boaters and kayakers seeking a wilderness experience will find plenty of places to set up camp on Big Bunsby.
World-class kayaking and canoeing opportunities exist around the Bunsby Islands in the Checleset Bay Area. Brooks Peninsula / Muquin Provincial Park is within a day’s paddle of Big Bunsby. The sheltered waters around the park make the area an excellent place to sea kayak or canoe. Although the Bunsby Islands are relatively sheltered, the access from Kyuquot to the Islands is exposed to rough seas and extreme weather conditions at times. Kayakers should be aware that winds can pick up quickly in this area, as can rough water, and should always practice caution. Kayakers should always take the ebb and flow of tides into consideration and be prepared for heavy fog at any time.
Most kayakers launch from Fair Harbour, although the use of water taxis is becoming more and more popular as a method of quickly reaching the park. Water taxis can be found in Kyuquot and Zeballos.
A number of known archaeological sites exist in the area. There are no facilities in this park.
Big Bunsby Marine Provincial Park is located about 19 miles (30 km) south of Port Alice on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and is accessed by boat only, from Kyuquot or the Malksope Inlet.
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Biographical Info
Kayaking British Columbia is the ultimate way to view BC’s abundant wildlife.
We want you to fall in love with kayaking and our unique coast, and our passion shows in everything we do. Choose among several professionally-guided 4-8 day trips for all experience levels around Vancouver Island. ‘Glamping’ basecamp-style with wood-fired hot tub overlooking the Pacific Ocean, or expedition-style paddling from camp to camp and paddling between 100s of islands through the Broughton Archipelago, famous Desolation Sound and the wild Great Bear Rainforest on the Central Coast. Savouring a fresh salmon BBQ in the open air, explore and view fascinating wildlife and wilderness and wake up on remote islands with the sound of the whales. Unique and breathtaking.
Our adventures are for everyone and are designed to cater to all levels of experience and abilities. We take care to introduce you to the sport in a fun and safe manner. All that we ask is that you welcome adventure with an open mind and are able to laugh and have fun when encountering the unexpected. Our groups are small, ranging from 8 to 13 people, depending on the trip, in order to provide you with the best experience possible. We provide everything you need for a once in a lifetime kayaking adventure. We provide high-quality fiberglass kayaks, paddling equipment, camp cookware, eating utensils, and camping gear.
Our guides take care of you for the entire duration of your tour, prepare delicious, organic and local meals, and have extensive training and experience in sea kayaking and in sharing the natural and cultural history of the area.
During the Northern Hemisphere winter, we also offer kayaking trips to the glacier-fed South American wildlife paradise, the Chilean Patagonia Archipelago, and multi-day escapes to sun, sand, remote beaches and the warm crystal clear waters of the Bahamas. Please contact us for all details of these amazing winter getaways!
Biographical Info
The newly renovated Houpsitas Village Suites property is situated oceanside in the village of Kyuquot, offering 4 rooms and 3 suites (studio, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom). All rooms have Wi-Fi, satellite TV and varying degrees of cooking facilities.
Owned and operated by the Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Chek’tles7et’h’ First Nations, the Houpsitas Village Suites is only accessible by sea or air, by driving to Fair Harbour and then travelling by boat or water taxi to the HVS, or flying directly by charter plane, or arriving on your own boat. A boat launch is available in Fair Harbour.
Kyuquot is surrounded by 5 provincial parks and 4 ecological reserves and is well known for incredible salmon and halibut fishing, kayaking, surfing, camping and wildlife viewing. Kyuquot is the perfect place to stage your West Coast Vancouver Island adventure.
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Walters Cove Resort is a luxurious fishing lodge located in Kyuquot Sound on the remote and rugged northwest coast of Vancouver Island, BC. The intimate sport fishing resort is one of the most pristine and highly-praised fishing lodges in Kyuquot Sound with large luxury boats and internationally renowned salt-water fishing guaranteed to provide an unforgettable salmon and halibut fishing experience.
Walters Cove Resort makes BC saltwater fishing an exhilarating, affordable and challenging experience, no matter your skill level. Fly in or drive in, or bring your own boat. With everything you need for a fishing trip of a lifetime, our fishing lodge will help you reconnect with nature and improve your fishing game. Try one of our special west coast salmon and halibut fishing packages.
