The 850-hectare wilderness park, which incorporates 254 hectares of upland and 596 hectares of foreshore park, is an area with important significance to the island's First Nations people. An Indian Reserve is situated at the extreme eastern tip of Catala Island, with access prohibited to visitors.

The park has no facilities, but sea kayaking and wilderness camping attracts visitors to the island to explore the reefs, lakes, bogs and the rugged shoreline. There is one wilderness, user-maintained beach camping area on the peninsula at Rolling Roadstead. A pit toilet is located at this location. Other good camping areas can be found in the vicinity of the Twin Islands.

Rustic trails lead to the lake and bog in the centre of the island. The tall trees on the island are twisted by the fierce winter winds and form a ragged backdrop to the island's smooth and sandy beaches. The eastern tip of the island is a First Nations reserve, where visitors should not trespass.

Boats anchored in the Rolling Roadstead anchorage of Catala Island will be subjected to the constant and steady swell from the Pacific, with little respite. Nearby Queen Cove off Esperanza Inlet provides a sheltered overnight anchorage. Nearby Queen Cove on Vancouver Island is the nearest all-weather anchorage from which boaters may access Catala Island.