Bligh Island Marine Park
Facilities
Activities
About
This park encompasses the southern portion of Bligh Island, Villaverde Islands, Pantoja Islands, Verdia Island, Vernaci Island and Spouter Island in Nootka Sound. This area is a very popular recreational destination for anglers, boaters and kayakers, who paddle amongst the many scenic islands in the Spanish Pilot Group. Bligh Island contains mature coastal forests and marine ecosystems and offers sheltered anchorage with deep bays in the lee of numerous forested islands. Nootka Sound has a colourful history with First Nations heritage and European exploration and settlement. First Nation peoples have occupied Nootka Sound for at least 4,000 years, enjoying the area’s bountiful natural resources. The park is rich in archeological sites. Bligh Island is named for Captain Bligh, the British Navy captain who sailed here with Captain James Cook in 1778. Resolute Cove on Bligh Island is named after Captain Cook’s ship and a cairn on the southeast cove of the island commemorates their landing. The area subsequently became a major centre for international fur trading. Beautiful Bligh Island offers rustic beach camping in a user-maintained area on Charlie’s Beach. This site has a pit toilet. Numerous other undeveloped wilderness sites can be found in the Spanish Pilot Group of Islands, however no facilities are provided in these areas.
Location
49.6332, -126.5526