Mitlenatch Island Nature Provincial Park

Mitlenatch Island Nature Provincial Park is a protected natural area on an island in the Strait of Georgia off the coast of British Columbia. The terrain includes upland ridges, rocky shores, and sheltered coves that support diverse habitats for seabirds and marine wildlife.

British Columbia acquired the island in 1959 from private owners and designated it as a Provincial Nature Park in 1961. This protection helped preserve the important seabird populations and natural habitats for future generations.

The name Mitlenatch comes from the Coast Salish First Nations language, referring to the sheltered waters surrounding the island. Visitors can sense this cultural connection when exploring the coastal landscape that indigenous communities have valued for generations.

Access to the park is only by boat, and visitors should prepare for unpredictable weather and rough water conditions. A single marked trail connects two bays and is the only publicly accessible area, as the rest of the park is reserved for protected nesting sites.

The park hosts one of the largest gull colonies on the West Coast during breeding season, making it an important research site for seabird scientists. Ornithologists regularly visit the island to study population trends and behaviors.