Portland Island, Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, British Columbia, Canada

July 24th, 2010 Posted in Boating

British Columbia’s Portland Island is a favourite spot in the Southern Gulf Islands for both boaters and also kayakers. Portland Island is a great destination for a day trip or multi-day boating and camping activities with a pair of protected moorages and 3 campgrounds.

First Nations people utilized Portland Island going back 3,000 years as is verified from the middens that can be found on the island. These middens are categorized as archaeological sites and therefore are protected by law. As such these middens should not be disturbed. Later the island ended up being inhabited by Kanaka (Hawaiian) immigrants and was utilized mainly for agricultural purposes. An ecentric proprietor in the 1920′s was Frank “One Arm” Sutton, a retired British army officer. Frank Sutton purchased the island with funds he had won gambling on horse races within China. The plan was to raise & train thoroughbred race horses on the island. 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 for use as a park and it became known as Princess Margaret Marine Park. The Canadian Government bought the island from the Province of British Columbia and it became known once more as Portland Island and became part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada.

Portland Island is located around 4.5 km from Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island making it a well known day destination for kayakers and boaters. Even though it’s not a very large crossing, it can occasionally get quite rough during bad weather conditions.

3 campgrounds 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 allowed). 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 offers terrific views of the surrounding islands. The beach for the camping area is located on the northern side of the peninsula. Princess Bay campsite can be found above the bay and has a wonderful view of the scenic bay, the most popular overnighting stop for pleasure boaters. Pit toilets are located at each one of the campsites on Portland Island.

In addition to Princess Bay, boaters have got an option of staying at the northern end of the island at Royal Cove.

British Columbias 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 creatures and is a place of interest for technical scuba diving.

Books about the Gulf Islands.