Portland Island (British Columbia)
Encyclopedia
Portland Island is an island
in the Southern Gulf Islands
of the South Coast of British Columbia
, Canada
. It is located west of Moresby Island and off the south tip of Saltspring Island
, adjacent to the main BC Ferries
route just offshore from the terminal at Swartz Bay at the tip of the Saanich Peninsula
. Portland Island was gifted to Princess Margaret in 1958 to commemorate her visit to the province. Princess Margaret returned the island to British Columbia
in 1967, after which point it became a Provincial Park. Today, Princess Margaret (Portland Island) is a part of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
(GINPR).
offers 24 marine-accessible backcountry campsites on Portland Island: 6 sites at Shell Beach, 12 sites at Princess Bay, and 6 sites at Arbutus Point. Facilities on Portland are limited to pit toilets; no campfires are permitted. The Current Map and Hiking and Camping Information brochure on the GINPR website provides updated camping fees http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/bc/gulf/visit/brochures.aspx.
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
in the Southern Gulf Islands
Gulf Islands
The Gulf Islands are the islands in the Strait of Georgia , between Vancouver Island and the mainland of British Columbia, Canada....
of the South Coast of British Columbia
British Columbia Coast
The British Columbia Coast or BC Coast is Canada's western continental coastline on the Pacific Ocean. The usage is synonymous with the term West Coast of Canada....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It is located west of Moresby Island and off the south tip of Saltspring Island
Saltspring Island
Saltspring Island is one of the Gulf Islands in the Strait of Georgia between mainland British Columbia, Canada and Vancouver Island. It is the largest, the most populous, and the most frequently visited of the Gulf Islands...
, adjacent to the main BC Ferries
BC Ferries
British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. or BC Ferries is a de facto Crown Corporation that provides all major passenger and vehicle ferry services for coastal and island communities in the Canadian province of British Columbia...
route just offshore from the terminal at Swartz Bay at the tip of the Saanich Peninsula
Saanich Peninsula
The Saanich Peninsula is located north of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. It is bounded by the Saanich Inlet on the west, and various straits of the Gulf of Georgia on the east, chiefly Haro Strait The exact southern boundary of what is referred to as the "Saanich Peninsula" is somewhat fluid...
. Portland Island was gifted to Princess Margaret in 1958 to commemorate her visit to the province. Princess Margaret returned the island to British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
in 1967, after which point it became a Provincial Park. Today, Princess Margaret (Portland Island) is a part of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is the 40th National Park in a system of 43 parks and park reserves across Canada. Located in British Columbia's Gulf Islands, it covers 33 square kilometers over 16 islands. It also includes numerous islets and reef areas....
(GINPR).
Accessibility
Portland Island is accessible by private watercraft or marine charter only. There are dinghy docks available at Princess Bay and Royal Cove, and a stern-tie ring at Princess Bay. Paddlers can land at the beach accesses at Princess Bay, Arbutus Point and Shell Beach.Camping
Gulf Islands National Park ReserveGulf Islands National Park Reserve
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is the 40th National Park in a system of 43 parks and park reserves across Canada. Located in British Columbia's Gulf Islands, it covers 33 square kilometers over 16 islands. It also includes numerous islets and reef areas....
offers 24 marine-accessible backcountry campsites on Portland Island: 6 sites at Shell Beach, 12 sites at Princess Bay, and 6 sites at Arbutus Point. Facilities on Portland are limited to pit toilets; no campfires are permitted. The Current Map and Hiking and Camping Information brochure on the GINPR website provides updated camping fees http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/bc/gulf/visit/brochures.aspx.