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Recreation

Hakai Recreation Area is the largest marine park on the coast of British Columbia, Canada, encompassing 122,988 hectares of land and sea. The Hakai Recreation Area preserves some of the most varied and beautiful coastline of western Canada. Lagoons, reversing tidal rapids, sandy beaches, and forested hills make this a paradise for boaters, kayakers, scuba divers, anglers and nature enthusiasts.

The Hakai Recreation area offers an extremely diverse habitat that is a nature lovers paradise. Mollusca, crabs, starfish, anemones, sea urchins and many others inhabit the tidal pools in the rocks. The surrounding waters are home to the orca, grey, minke and humpback whales, seals, sea lions, dolphins and porpoises. There are over 100 bird species residing here some of which are the heron, sandpipers, gulls, auklets and pelagic cormorants. Deer and wolves can be seen on the beaches or swimming from island to island.

For more than 10,000 years this area has been inhabited by humans, the first of which were the Heiltsuk people. Remnants of their life here is evident from the shell middens, fish traps and canoe haulouts that were left behind as well as the names they gave to the surrounding area. Hakai (wide passage), Namu (whirlwind) and Koeye (sitting on water) remind us of the days before whiteman arrived to the Hakai area.

LOCATION

The recreation area is about 130 km north of Port Hardy on Vancouver Island and 45 km south of Bella Bella. The only access to the area is by sea or air. Scheduled flights and chartered boats and flights are available from Vancouver, Port Hardy, Bella Bella or Bella Coola.

PARK FACILITIES & ACTIVITIES

Camping - Although there are no developed camping facilities within the area, beach camping is readily available. Fresh water is not always available at every site so visitors are recommended to bring their own.

Fishing and Boating - This area is world famous for its salmon fishing. There are a number of commercial fishing camps and resorts within the Hakai Area. Fishing for salmon with cut plug herring at Odlum Point, The Gap, Foster Rocks and Barney Point will prove rewarding for the avid angler. Visitors may also try their luck for halibut, ling cod and rock fish in this area. The Hakai Recreation Area is a wonderful place for the experienced sea kayaker to visit with its interesting sheltered bays, rich marine life and peaceful deserted beaches.

Hiking - Due to the dense vegetation and rough terrain, hiking oppurtunities are limited. There are trails on Calvert Island to its west and north beaches and a trail from the south side of Keith Anchorage to the BC Tel repeater station.

Scuba Diving - The Mosquito Islets and the Serpent Group of Kildidt Sound offer some of the finest underwater sights in the world.