Sea kayaking, boating and wilderness camping are the main attractions for visitors to Catala Island Marine Provincial Park, located in Esperanza Inlet on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island, between Nootka Sound and Kyuquot Sound.

The park encompasses numerous reefs, islets and marine ecosystems as well as a lake, bog area and rugged shoreline, all of which provide ample opportunities for exploration. Rustic trails lead to the lake and bog in the center of the island, which features tall trees twisted by the fierce winds coming off the Pacific Ocean. This forest forms a ragged backdrop to the island’s smooth, sandy beaches.

The Rolling Roadstead anchorage of Catala Island is good in calm weather, but when the winds pick up boaters here will be subjected to a constant and steady swell from the Pacific. Nearby Queen Cove off Esperanza Inlet on Vancouver Island provides more sheltered overnight anchorage.

Access to the park is by boat from the towns of Tahsis and Zeballos. Kayakers wishing to explore this remote region can book space for themselves and their kayak aboard the MV Uchuck lll, departing from Gold River and Tahsis. The vessel will unload kayakers into the scenic area of Catala Island en route to its scheduled stop at Kyuquot in Kyuquot Sound.

Date Established: July 12, 1995
Provincial Park Size: 955 hectares (259 ha upland and 696 ha foreshore)