Boating To Portland Island, Gulf Islands National Park, British Columbia, Canada
British Columbia’s Portland Island is a favourite location in the Southern Gulf Islands for both boaters and also kayakers. Portland Island is a wonderful destination for a day trip or multi-day boating and camping adventures with two protected moorages in addition to three campgrounds.
First Nations people utilized Portland Island going back three thousand years as is evidenced by the middens that can be located on the island. These middens are categorized as archaeological sites and are protected legally. As such these middens should not be disturbed. Subsequently the island was inhabited by Kanaka (Hawaiian) immigrants and was utilized primarily for agricultural purposes. An ecentric owner in the 1920′s was Frank “One Arm” Sutton, a retired British army officer. Frank Sutton purchased the island with money he had won gambling on horse races in China. The plan was to raise & train thoroughbred race horses on the island. Almost all evidence of the old horse racing track and a golf course have now disappeared.
In 1958 the island was given as a gift from the Province of British Columbia to Princess Margaret to commemorate her visit to the province. Princess Margaret returned the island to the province of British Columbia in 1967 to be used as a park and it became known as Princess Margaret Marine Park. The Canadian Government purchased the island from the Province of British Columbia and it became recognized once again as Portland Island and became a portion of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada.
Portland Island is located approximately 4.5 kilometres from Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island making it a well known day destination for kayakers and boaters. Although it’s not a very large crossing, it may occasionally get rather rough during bad weather conditions.
3 campsites are available on the island; Shell Beach Campsite is situated on a beautiful shell beach directly across from Brackman Island (Brackman Island is an ecological reserve and visiting is not authorized). The lovely shell beach is partially sheltered by Brackman Island and does not get hit directly by ferry wake. Arbutus Point Campsite is situated on a small peninsula on the northeast end of the island and delivers terrific views of the surrounding islands. The beach for the campsite is situated on the north side of the peninsula. Princess Bay campsite is situated above the bay and has a superb view of the panoramic bay, the most popular overnighting stop for pleasure boaters. Pit toilets can be found at each one of the campsites on Portland Island.
Along with Princess Bay, boaters have an option of staying at the northern end of the island at Royal Cove.
British Columbias 1st artificial reef, the sunken freighter G.B. Church, lies off the northeast shore of Portland Island. The scuttled vessel now serves as a haven for underwater organisms and is a place of interest for diving.
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