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Isle-De-Lis Marine Park is located on Rum Island, off Sidney at the east end of Gooch Island. Located less than a mile from the US/Canada border, rumrunners in the 1920s used the island as a base from which to smuggle prohibited spirits into Stuart Island, in the San Juan Islands group of the US during the prohibition era.
Mrs. R.M. Nelson bequeathed the land to the province when she passed away in 1978. She specified that it be called Isle-de-Lis, for the wild lilies that grow there. This entire 5-hectare island is parkland, and is ideally situated to observing marine mammals. Most of the shoreline is rocky, with numerous deep pockets cut into the shores.
Bordering on Haro Strait, the island is popular with kayakers using the facilities for overnight stops on multi-day paddling trips. Rum Island is connected to Gooch Island by a steep gravel beach, which provides the best place to land a kayak.
There are 3 campsites within the park, with camping restricted to the designated platforms, designed to protect the fragile vegetation on the island. Facilities include picnic tables, pit toilets and a small network of trails.
Access to Isle-De-Lis Marine Park is by private boat from Sidney on Southern Vancouver Island. Isle-de-Lis is a part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is one of Canada’s newest national parks. The park protects a portion of British Columbia’s beautiful southern Gulf Islands - a landscape of rocky headlands, forested hills and shorelines studded with colourful tidepools. The park resembles a patchwork quilt of protected lands scattered over 15 larger islands, and many smaller islets and reefs.
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Classic Yacht Charters, Nanaimo |
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Craving a change from the 'everyday'? Dreaming of running away to sea? Welcome aboard our historical 'Mission Ship'. Design your private voyage into BC's coastal playground. Indulge your interests: fishing, clamming, rowing, kayaking, whale watching... Cruise in comfort and safety with our Coast Guard licensed Captain and crew. Discover how your chef turns meal times into taste extravaganzas. |
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Eagle Wing Tours Whale Watching, Victoria |
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GUARANTEED WHALES! Eagle Wing Tours specializes in Whale Watching, marine wildlife viewing, and custom eco-adventure tours on Southern Vancouver Island (Victoria). Guided expeditions take you through the San Juan and BC Gulf Islands in search of Killer Whales and additional marine wildlife, offering an exclusive, educational, and eco-friendly experience. |
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Emerald Sea Adventures, Sidney |
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Journey through the magical Gulf Islands aboard our state of the art zodiac with private on-board washroom facilities. Common sightings include orca, minke, grey and humpback whales. Your skipper is a local and an owner/operator who has compiled thousands of whale watching trips over the previous 10 years. We offer scuba charters in fall/winter months to explore the area's many dive site's including wrecks, walls and reefs. We also specialize in private charters. |
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Great Pacific Adventures, Victoria |
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Victoria's best westcoast Whale Watching and Wildlife adventures. Want a different kind of adventure?. We have everything you need to explore Victoria and the surrounding area. From kayaking, bicycle tours, power boating, hiking and equipment rentals, Great Pacific Adventures is your one stop eco-tour adventure provider. |
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Nanaimo Yacht Charters & Sailing School, Nanaimo |
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With our fleet of Sailing and Power Yachts we can provide a boating experience to suit novice and expert alike. Learn to skipper or crew a sea going yacht, while sailing the beautiful Gulf Islands. Sail away with no worries and experience the magic of Desolation Sound or explore the Southern Gulf Islands. We offer Power and Sail courses for individuals, couples or families. |
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North Saanich Marina, Sidney |
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Located Five minutes from BC Ferries Tsawwassen Terminal, 10 minutes from Washington State Ferry and Victoria International Airport. Annual and monthly moorage. Marina services include gas, diesel, oil, Charts, tide tables, Ice, bait, fishing licences, Water, Coffee Bar, and washrooms. Slip sizes 20-80’, open and covered, security gates, power 15, 30, 50-amp. |
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Oak Bay Marina, Oak Bay |
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The Oak Bay Marina is located on the Scenic Marine drive in Oak Bay, Victoria. Facilities and services include a Chandlery, tackle shop, gift shot, the Marina Restaurant, Marina Coffee House, permanent moorage and overnight slips, customs, haul outs and service, water, 15 and 30 amp power, laundry, showers, washrooms, security gate, fuel dock, and nearby launch ramp. |
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Ocean Explorations - Whale Watching, Victoria |
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"Proud to be responsible whale watchers"
Ocean Explorations offers world-class whale watching from beautiful Victoria, featuring large, safe Zodiacs, professional Guide/Naturalists and a highly successful Whale Search Network. Join us for the adventure of a lifetime searching for Killer Whales and other marine wildlife. These waters are an ocean crossroads, a chance for meetings and experiences. |
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Orca Spirit Adventures, Victoria |
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Victoria experiences the longest season and most active whales and marine mammals in BC! Our focus is on conservation, education, safety, fun, and exhilaration. As we own and operate the spotting network which locates the whales, we have the highest whale watching success rate. Proud to be the only company using environmentally friendly engines. Located in the Coast Harbourside Hotel in the Inner Harbour. |
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SpringTide Charters, Victoria |
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Join SpringTide on BC’s newest and largest whale watching vessel, the 86-passenger, 61-foot Marauder IV, and experience the excitement and memories of our Pacific Ocean Wildlife! Enjoy complimentary beverage and snacks while listening to professional biologists provide an informative interpretation. Or, join other adventurers for the exhilarating excursion onboard one of SpringTide's high-speed, open Zodiacs. |
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Information |
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Parks Canada
- British Columbia
Box 129, 23433 Mavis Avenue
Fort Langley, BC, V1M 2R5
Phone: (604) 513-4777
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
2220 Harbour Road
Sidney, BC, V8L 2P6
Phone: (250) 654-4000
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