Princess Margaret Marine Park on Portland Island

Princess Margaret is located on Portland Island, east of Satellite Channel and north of Sidney on Vancouver Island. Portland Island was presented to Princess Margaret in 1958 to commemorate her visit to British Columbia. In 1967 the princess returned it to the province for preservation as a marine park.

There are several middens in the park that indicate native use of the land dating back over 3,000 years. Middens are refuse heaps of castaway shells left by centuries of harvesting the island's waters. Classified as archaeological sites, the middens are protected under British Columbia law and may not be disturbed.

Portland Island was named after the H.M.S Portland, the flagship of Rear-Admiral Moresby, commander-in-chief of the Pacific Station from 1850 to 1853. The island was named in 1859 by Captain G.H Richards of the H.M.S Plumper.

Like all of the Canadian Gulf Islands, Portland Island lies in the rain shadow of the mountains of the Olympic Peninsula and Vancouver Island. Little rain falls during the summer months and many of the plants growing on shallow soils must contend with long dry periods. Arbutus, Garry Oak and Brittle Cactus are found on the island.

Princess Margaret Marine Park on Portland Island

Bald Eagles, Turkey Vultures and Red-tailed Hawks are often seen overhead, and Oystercatchers and the Great Blue Heron frequent the island's shoreline. Black-tailed Deer, Mink and River Otters are amongst the animals sighted on the island. Raccoons are numerous on Portland Island, so be sure to secure all food supplies in containers - a tent is not a secure container! There are several trails for an energetic hike, or you can simply explore the beautiful beaches and bays. Swimming, diving, kayaking and fishing are other recreational options.

BC's first artificial reef, the sunken freighter G.B. Church, lies off the northeast shore of Portland Island. The scuttled ship now serves as a haven for marine organisms and is an attraction for scuba divers.

Princess Margaret Marine Park on Portland Island

The picturesque 194-hectare park has three wilderness campsites for overnight use: Arbutus Point, Shell Beach opposite Brackman Island, and Princess Bay campground and day-use area. Fresh water is available, and toilet facilities are located at all campgrounds and the day-use area.

Anchorages include Royal Cove on the north side of the island, and Princess Bay and Pellow Islets to the south. A ferry runs twice daily from the pier in Sidney to Portland Island.

Princess Margaret is a part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, one of Canada’s newest national parks. The park protects a portion of British Columbia’s beautiful southern Gulf Islands - a landscape of rocky headlands, forested hills and shorelines studded with colourful tidepools. The park resembles a patchwork quilt of protected lands scattered over 15 larger islands, and many smaller islets and reefs.