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Helliwell Provincial Park

Helliwell Provincial Park lies down through a rocky wood with large old-growth Douglas fir trees and a rare Oregon white oak ecosystem. The Oregon white oak meadow ecosystem is among the various microclimates in British Columbia and is taken into account in an endangered habitat.
From any point along the cliffs, the interesting sight of unimpeded marine life, the fabulous panorama of the Strait of Georgia that links up with Tribune Bay and the Coast Mountains can be watched. Ocean views, beaches, forests, and mountains all in one! You will realize that people aren't kidding when they call it the Hawaii of Canada.


Helliwell Provincial Park Location

Helliwell Provincial Park is located on Hornby Island's east end near Denman Island.
There are two short ferry rides from Vancouver Island to reach Hornby Island. From Highway 19, turn left to Buckley Bay Rd, where you'll find BC Ferries Buckley Bay terminal. Another 10-minute ferry ride will put you on Hornby Island; from there, follow the main road to the Hornby Island CO-OP, then turn left following Central Road to St. John's Point Rd to the park.
The nearby park is Saint Johns Point Park, which is 2 km (1.2 miles) away.
There are beaches near Helliwell Provincial Park. Mushroom Beach is the closest to the southwest and Whaling Station Bay Beach at the north of the park. Also, Tribune Bay Beach is about 3 km (1.8 miles) to the northwest.


How to Get to Helliwell Provincial Park by Car

From Victoria:
The fastest route to get to Helliwell Provincial Park is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and BC-19 N. It is 226 km (140 miles) and takes about 3 hours and 40 minutes.
Take Government St to Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. Drive 1. 2 km (0.7 miles) and follow Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and BC-19 N to Fanny Bay. Take exit 101 from BC-19 N. After 195 km (121.1 miles), turn right onto Buckley Bay Rd (signs for Union Bay/Royston). Continue 1.1 km (0.6 miles) and take the Buckley Bay, BC - Denman Island, BC ferry to Denman Island. After 2.1 km (1.3 miles), follow Denman Rd and East Rd to Denman Island, BC - Hornby Island, BC. Drive 11.4 km (7 miles) and take the Denman Island, BC - Hornby Island, BC ferry to Hornby Island. After 2 km (1.2 miles), follow Shingle Spit Rd, Central Rd and St Johns Point Rd to Helliwell Rd in Hornby Island. Drive 13.2 km (8.2 miles) more to reach the park.

From Nanaimo:
Getting to Helliwell Provincial Park from Nanaimo is via BC-19 N. The route is about 115 km (71.4 miles) and takes almost 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Take Third St to BC-19 N after 3.3 km (2 miles), follow BC-19 N to Fanny Bay. Take exit 101 from BC-19 N. Drive 82.3 km (51.1 miles) more and then turn right onto Buckley Bay Rd (signs for Union Bay/Royston). After 1.1 km (0.6 miles), take the Buckley Bay, BC - Denman Island, BC ferry to Denman Island. Drive 2.1 km (1.3 miles) more and follow Denman Rd and East Rd to Denman Island, BC - Hornby Island, BC. Take the Denman Island, BC - Hornby Island, BC ferry to Hornby Island. After 2 km (1.2 miles), follow Shingle Spit Rd, Central Rd and St Johns Point Rd to Helliwell Rd in Hornby Island. You will get to Helliwell Provincial Park after 13.2 km (8.2 miles).


The Hike to Get to Helliwell Provincial Park

"Helliwell Provincial Park Loop" or "Helliwell Park Trail" is an easy 3.5 km (2.1 miles) trail near Comox Valley. It has an elevation gain of about 51 m (167.3 ft) and includes wildlife to see. Dogs have to be on a leash.


History of Helliwell Provincial Park

Helliwell Provincial Park was established in 1966. Nearby communities include Hornby and Denman islands Buckley Bay, Fanny Bay, Courtenay, and Comox Valley. Helliwell Provincial Park is part of the tribal region of Coast Salish people. The Qualicum First Nation lives in the area.


Things to do around the Helliwell Provincial Park Area

You'll be in love with hiking on this beautiful site. Walking around through the magnificent mature Douglas fir and Garry oak forest overlooking the ocean can be interesting for all ages. This fantastic area can even motivate you to run. It is a very environmentally sensitive area, so remember to stay on the pathways for your safety and preservation.
Cycling is allowed on roadways too, but for e-bikes, it is possible to ride on the trails within Helliwell Provincial Park. And don't forget your bicycle helmet because that's mandatory in British Columbia. Kayaking and canoeing along the beach are possible. The waters in this area were rated as the second-best cold water diving destination. You can enjoy whale watching and shark identifying. Wildlife viewing is another adventure for you. Based on the BC Act, Helliwell Provincial Park is one of the protected areas on Vancouver Island, where you are not allowed to hunt.

The Best Parks Near Helliwell Provincial Park

Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park

Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park

Englishman River Falls Provincial Park

Englishman River Falls Provincial Park

Englishman River Regional Park

Englishman River Regional Park

Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park

Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park

Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park

Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park

Tribune Bay Provincial Park

Tribune Bay Provincial Park

Helliwell Provincial Park

Helliwell Provincial Park

Helliwell Provincial Park Activities

Hiking

There is a designated hiking trail, which is Helliwell Provincial Park Loop. Still, you can walk around Douglas fir and Garry oak forest or on the beach.

Cycling

On roadways, cycling is permitted too; just regarding that on the trails within Helliwell Provincial Park, e-bikes are not allowed. And don't forget your bicycle helmet because that's mandatory in British Columbia.

Kayaking

Kayaking and canoeing along the beach are possible.

Diving

Jacques Cousteau rated the waters in this area as the second-best cold water diving destination. You can find dive shops on Hornby Island and in Union Bay and Courtenay on Vancouver Island.

Whale Watching

During certain seasons humpback whales come to the surface in the distance, so bring your binoculars to see them.

Shark Diving

Helliwell Park is one of only two known places in the world, where you can expect to see the rare Six-gill shark.
At the end of St. John's point (Flora Islet), Pacific Ocean's heritage, the deep-sea shark attracts marine biologists and scuba divers worldwide.

Wildlife Viewing

This place has a variety of wildlife. Seals, Sea Lions, Bald Eagles, Sea and Shorebirds, Sharks at Flora Inlet, Shrews, Bats, Possums, Deer, and so many other magnificent animals can all be observed at this park.

What you Can Expect to Do Near Helliwell Provincial Park

Hiking on the Rosewall Creek Trail

Hiking on the Rosewall Creek Trail

Nanaimo Diving

Nanaimo Diving

Nanaimo Yacht Club Whale Watching

Nanaimo Yacht Club Whale Watching

Camping in Fillongley Provincial Park Campground

Camping in Fillongley Provincial Park Campground

Camping in Deep Bay RV Park

Camping in Deep Bay RV Park

Camping in Ford's Cove Marina

Camping in Ford's Cove Marina

Camping in Qualicum Bay Resort

Camping in Qualicum Bay Resort

Camping in Lighthouse RV Park and Campground

Camping in Lighthouse RV Park and Campground

Camping in Bradsdadsland Campsite

Camping in Bradsdadsland Campsite

China Creek Diving

China Creek Diving

Yeo Islands Diving

Yeo Islands Diving

Wall Beach Diving

Wall Beach Diving

The Jib Diving

The Jib Diving

Tyee Cove Diving

Tyee Cove Diving

Oak Leaf Diving

Oak Leaf Diving

Helliwell Provincial Park Outline

Specifications

Climate

Timing

Get There

1. If you visit the park in spring, you'll be shocked by the bewildering view of wildflowers. In late April and early May, you can find gorgeous wildflowers carpet the hillside along the cliffs at Helliwell Provincial Park, so that may be an excellent time to go to.
2. Huckleberries and dark blue Salal berries that carpet the hillside above the beach is a reward for those who visit the park in summer.
1- The numbers are estimated on average.
2. In the Helliwell Provincial Park, summers are dry and warm; winters are mild and wet.

What you Can Expect to See Near Helliwell Provincial Park

Parksville

Parksville

Nanoose Bay

Nanoose Bay

Qualicum Beach

Qualicum Beach

Wall Beach

Wall Beach

Parksville Beaches

Parksville Beaches

Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park

Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park

Milner Gardens & Woodland

Milner Gardens & Woodland

Dolphin Beach

Dolphin Beach

Horne Lake Caves

Horne Lake Caves

Englishman River Falls Provincial Park

Englishman River Falls Provincial Park

Englishman River Regional Park

Englishman River Regional Park

Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park

Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park

Somass River

Somass River

Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park

Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park

Tribune Bay Provincial Park

Tribune Bay Provincial Park

Planning for Helliwell Provincial Park

Suitability

Camping & Resort

Services

Tips

1. You are allowed to bring your dogs or any other pets but must be kept on a leash. Backcountry areas are not suitable for them due to wildlife issues.
There is no camping permission in the park. The nearest camping facilities are adjacent to Tribune Bay Provincial Park.
1. There is no picnicking area, but there are benches at the park.
2. The parking lot might be full.
3. Potable water is not available in the park, so bring your drinking water.
1. Because of the high cliffs, the park is not suitable for fishing.
2. This area is managed as a marine protected area. It has the following commercial fishery closures: Anchovy Scallop Squid Red Urchin Pacific Oyster Surfperch Pile Perch Sea Cucumber Octopus Green Urchin.

What Do You Think about Helliwell Provincial Park?