Parks « The Gulf Islands Guide

Boating to Portland Island

Portland Island, Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada, Southern Gulf Islands, British Columbia

British Columbia’s Portland Island is a much-loved location in the Southern Gulf Islands for both boaters as well as kayakers. The island is a wonderful destination for a day trip or multi-day boating and camping adventures with a pair of protected moorages and three campgrounds available. Portland Island is part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada.

First Nations people utilized Portland Island going back 3,000 years as is verified from the middens that can be found on the island. These middens are classified as archaeological sites and are protected legally. As such these middens must not be disturbed. Subsequently the island ended up being

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Russell Island, Gulf Islands National Park

Russell Island was first settled by Hawaiians around 1886. Located at the entrance to Salt Spring Island’s Fulford Harbour, Russell Island is a very photogenic spot with a rocky shoreline and a number of shell beaches. Douglas fir, arbutus and Garry oak forests cover the island, very typical of the Southern Gulf Islands landscape. Pine trees are growing in a number of areas on the coastline. During the spring spectacular displays of wildflowers may be viewed in the meadows. An old house on the island dates back over 100 years.

Russell Island is accessed by water only and no overnight camping is allowed.

Aerial photograph of Russell Island, Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada, Southern Gulf Islands

Russell Island, Gulf

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Mount Maxwell Provincial Park, Salt Spring Island

Mount Maxwell Provincial Park contains one of the highest points on Salt Spring Island The views are superb with Vancouver Island looming to the west, the surrounding Gulf Islands and the mainland of British Columbia and Washington State in the background. The lower portion of the park has stands of old-growth Douglas fir, Garry oak meadows and salmon bearing creeks.

The view from Mount Maxwell looking south down the Fulford Valley, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia

The view of Burgoyne Bay from Mount Maxwell, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia

Skunk Cabbage, Mount Maxwell Provincial Park, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia

Ruckle Provincial Park, Salt Spring Island

Ruckle Provincial Park is a stunning park overlooking Swanson Channel. From the rocky shoreline you can watch ferries and pleasure boats ply the waters while enjoying one of the most spectacular camping spots in the Southern Gulf Islands. Orcas and sea lions are often seen and the 7 km of rocky shoreline is great to explore.

The park is named after Irish emigrant Henry Ruckle who homesteaded here in 1872 and married Ella Anna Christensen in 1877. Most of the property was donated to the province in 1974 but the Ruckle family continues to farm on private land near the entrance to the park.

Old farm buildings at Ruckle Provincial Park, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia

Ruckle Provincial Park from the water,

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Boating to Portland Island

Russell Island, Gulf Islands National Park

Mount Maxwell Provincial Park, Salt Spring Island

Ruckle Provincial Park, Salt Spring Island

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