Portland Island (British Columbia) facts for kids
Portland Island is a beautiful island in the Southern Gulf Islands of British Columbia, Canada. It sits in the Salish Sea, a large body of water between Canada and the USA. The island is west of Moresby Island and near the southern tip of Saltspring Island. It is also close to the main BC Ferries route, near the Swartz Bay terminal.
The island was named after HMS Portland. This was a famous ship led by Rear-Admiral Fairfax Moresby. He was a top naval commander from 1850 to 1853.
Portland Island is surrounded by other islands. North Pender Island is to the northeast, separated by Swanson Passage. Moresby Island is to the east, across Moresby Passage. Piers Island and Coal Island are to the southeast, separated by Shute Passage. To the west and north, Satellite Channel separates it from Saltspring Island.
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Island History: From Royal Gift to Park
Portland Island has an interesting past. In 1958, the island was given to Princess Margaret. This gift celebrated her visit to British Columbia.
However, Princess Margaret returned the island to British Columbia in 1967. After this, it became a provincial park. Today, Portland Island is a special part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (GINPR). This means it is protected and cared for by Parks Canada.
How to Get to Portland Island
Getting to Portland Island is an adventure! You can only reach the island by water. Most visitors arrive using their own private boats. You can also hire a marine charter boat to take you there.
Boating and Kayaking Access
For smaller boats like dinghies, there are special docks. You can find these at Princess Bay and Royal Cove. Princess Bay also has a stern-tie ring. This is a ring on shore to help secure your boat. If you love paddling, you can land your kayak or canoe at several beaches. These include Princess Bay, Arbutus Point, and Shell Beach.
Camping Adventures on Portland Island
If you enjoy camping, Portland Island is a great spot! The Gulf Islands National Park Reserve offers 24 campsites. These are called "marine-accessible backcountry campsites." This means you can only reach them by boat.
Campsite Locations and Facilities
The campsites are spread across three areas on the island. You will find 6 sites at Shell Beach. There are 12 sites at Princess Bay, and 6 sites at Arbutus Point. The facilities on Portland Island are simple. There are pit toilets available for campers. It is important to know that campfires are not allowed on the island.
Exploring Portland Island: Hiking Trails
Portland Island is perfect for hiking and exploring nature. There is a main loop trail that goes around the island's shoreline.
Trail Length and Time Needed
This loop trail is about 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) long. It usually takes around three hours to complete the entire hike. If you want a shorter walk, you can take one of the trails that cut across the island. These forest trails can shorten your hike to about one hour. You can start the loop trail from any of the three camping areas: Shell Beach, Princess Bay, or Arbutus Point.
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