Gulf Islands National Park Reserve -A New Legacy  

A stunning island landscape of bays, valleys and high rock bluffs, scraped and shaped by the passage of glaciers, the Gulf Islands are by geographic happenstance also blessed by a warm Mediterranean climate. Many plant species are at their northern limit or are found anywhere else in Canada-like the magnificently gnarled Garry oaks and the red barked Arbutus. Tide pools shimmer with colourful and extraordinary sea creatures. A myriad of seabirds, orcas, porpoises, seals and sea lions thrive on the oceans bounty. Established in 2003, Gulf Islands National Park Reserve safeguards a portion of BC beautiful southern Gulf Islands Archipelago.

  GI NPR continues to grow. In the spring of 2006, three light stations were transferred to the park from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Georgina Point light station at the entrance to active Pass, established in 1885.Nutrient rich upwelling in the surrounding waters of Boiling Reef attract marine mammals and seabirds, making this area an excellent location for wildlife viewing. All three light stations are automated and continue to play a role in safe navigation of the southern Gulf Islands. also, East Point light station on sculpted sandstone cliffs on Mayne Island and  and Portlock Point 1895 on the southeast shore of Prevost Island. 

GI NPR of Canada is spread over a myriad of island, islets and reefs in the southern Strait of Georgia. Only for of the larger Islands, Saturn, Mayne, North and south pender are accessible by BC ferries. These islands are also home to several thousand islanders who are welcoming you to a very special place. 

 Its hard to imagine working the oars of a small rowboat between islands as a regular  means of socializing with friends or taking produce to market , but this is what islanders did throughout the late 1800's and early 20th century. Coastal steamers, freight barges and ferries have all played a role in daily lives of islanders over the years. Boaters and kayaks have been great advocates for marine parks in the Gulf Islands. The marine parks forever society has worked with governments to raise funds to purchase private foreshore lands for the creation of marine parks. a Non profit society established by the council of BC yacht clubs. 

Beneath your feet 

The basic building blocks of the southern Gulf Islands were laid down millions of years ago. since then, volcanoes have erupted and earthquakes have shaken thing up . glaciers have run roughshod over the land scape, sea levels have seesawed, and tides, currents and winds have kept things moving.

Like most of Western Canada, the gulf Islands bear the tell-tale marks of glaciation. Glaciers re-worked the landscape many times between 25,000 and 11,000 years ago. At one pint, the land lay beneath a 1.8 km deep layer of ice. As the glaciers advanced and retreated, they left behind layers of glacial till- debris scraped from the land in their passing. Sidney Spit- the northern part of Sidney island- is composed of sands deposited as out wash in front of the advancing glaciers. 

 Sharing Knowledge 

For the coast Salish First Nations, the ocean has always been their central source of food-a rich harvest of seals, sea lions, whales, six-gilled shark, porpoise, shellfish, halibut, salmon and other fish. duck hunting, trapping, hunting deer and small mammals and the harvesting o berries and plants are done in rhythm with the seasons. Resources are managed to ensure species maintain healthy populations. the Coast Salish people have special ties to the environment, a spiritual connection to the land, the earth and the water. Their knowledge of natural systems has been acquired over long periods of time and passed down from generation to generation through oral histories. First Nations scientific and traditional knowledge is being use in parallel with western science to help park managers make decisions on how to restore and maintain ecological integrity.

In quiet moments, the hills, valleys and sheltered coves may speak to you of the First Nations, explorers, settlers and early entrepreneurs who were drawn by  the spirit and opportunities of the Gulf Islands. Traces of their passage rest in shell midden beaches, a forgotten rock quarry, an overgrown orchard. Even place names tell tales-of Spanish adventures, English mapmakers and pioneering families. More poignant stories lie hidden in places like D'Arcy Island, where Chinese lepers were once banished to sad isolation.

A Gulf Island sailing trip can be as short as two days. A comfortable trip which would allow us to sail the entire length of the Gulf Islands as far south as Pender Island and return to Nanaimo would be four days. I have booked Gulf Island trips as long as seven days. There are still many anchorages in the British Columbia Gulf Islands I have yet to anchor in!

The Gulf Island trip is a good first sailing experience for many people as there is no ocean swell because of all the islands. It is a good area to introduce boating and sailing to children as the waters are flat and only wind waves can develop. Takuli III is a large sailboat with a smooth, gentle ride and I have never had anyone experience motion sickness on board Takuli III while sailing in the Gulf Islands!

 Enjoy the protected waters of Mayne, Galiano, Saltspring, Valdez, and Thetis Island, among others. This archipelago is perfect for sailing  and is located right on the doorstep of Vancouver and Victoria. The Gulf Islands are known for having the finest weather on the B.C. coast. Surrounded by the mountains of the Olympic Peninsula and the lush greenery of Washington State and Vancouver Islands, the Gulf Islands experience sunshine 247 days of the year and less than 20 cm. of rain per year. The islands are in the rain shadow behind the mountains of Vancouver Island and form a dry eco-system characterized by Douglas fir, Garry Oak, and Pacific Madrone or locally known as Arbutus trees. The area is referred to as the Mediterranean of the Northwest because of its dramatic coastlines, narrow channels and untouched natural landscape. Activities include sailing, swimming and kayaking in the beautiful anchorages, exploring the rich marine life of the inter tidal pools or casually beachcombing.  Keep a watch for orcas, porpoises, and dolphins as they feed and play.

We welcome singles, couples, or call us to customize a special trip for you, your friends and/or family. This is a great trip to introduce your kids to the delights of boating and marine exploration!

Montague Harbour Sunset

takuli3@gmail.com