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Memory Island Provincial Park

Memory Island Provincial Park is one of the smallest parks in British Columbia that has 0.915 hectares (2.33 Acres) surface area.
You can find this place as a quiet nature and a spectacular area for a picnic. The park is surrounded by Shawnigan Lake, which is stocked with trout and is a popular fisherman destination. 
Memory Island Provincial Park is isolated from the mainland, protecting nesting waterfowl during the spring and is home to various birds, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, plants, and fungi.


Memory Island Provincial Park Location

Memory Island Provincial Park is located at the south end of Shawnigan Lake Village on Southern Vancouver Island.
Memory Island is only accessible by boat, canoe or kayak from various points on Shawnigan Lake, including West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park.
Other green and blue nature landmarks such as Spectacle Lake Provincial Park and West Shawnigan Lake Provincial ParkKoksilah River Provincial ParkMasons Beach Park are in the area.


How to Get to Memory Island Provincial Park by Car

To access the Memory Island Provincial Park, you should drive to the lakeshore and paddle up the lake toward the park. 

From Victoria:
The Fastest route from Victoria is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. The length of this route is 37.2 km (23.1 miles) and takes about 33 minutes.
Head west on Pandora Ave towards Government St. After 99 m (324.8 ft), turn right onto Government St and drive for 1 km (0.6 miles). Slight right towards Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. After 72 m (236.2 ft), use any lane to turn left onto Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. Continue for 27.7 km (17.2 miles) and turn left onto Shawnigan Lake Rd. Drive 8.4 km (5.2 miles) more to reach Memory Island Provincial Park.

From Nanaimo:
Nanaimo's fastest route is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S. It takes about one hour for 74.3 km (46.1 miles).
Take Wallace St to Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S. After 550 m (1804.4 ft), turn right onto Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S. Continue for 60.9 km (37.8 miles) and drive to Shawnigan Lake Rd in Cowichan Valley B. After 12.8 km (7.9 miles), you will reach Memory Island Provincial Park.


The Hike to Get to Memory Island Provincial Park

There is no marked hiking trail in Memory Island Provincial Park.


History of Memory Island Provincial Park

Memory Island Provincial Park was established on August 23, 1945. The island was gifted to the BC people by the Mayhew and Scharff families to commemorate their sons (Allan Mayhew and Kenneth Scharff), who loved to spend their time on the island and lost their lives in World War II.


Things to do around the Memory Island Provincial Park Area

This tiny island offers quiet nature and a spectacular area for picnicking. The Memory Island Provincial Park is surrounded by Shawnigan Lake, allowing swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. You can enjoy the variety of flora and fauna that can be found in the park. Based on the BC Act, Memory Island Provincial Park is one of the protected areas on Vancouver Island, where you are not allowed to hunt.

The Best Parks Near Memory Island Provincial Park

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve

Willows Park

Willows Park

West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park

West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park

Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park

Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park

Beacon Hill Park

Beacon Hill Park

Memory Island Provincial Park

Memory Island Provincial Park

Goldstream Provincial Park

Goldstream Provincial Park

Mount Douglas Park

Mount Douglas Park

East Sooke Regional Park

East Sooke Regional Park

Memory Island Provincial Park Activities

Fishing

Memory Island Provincial Park is a popular destination for anglers and offers trout fishing opportunities in Shawinigan Lake, but you should have an appropriate license.

Kayaking and Canoeing

Canoeing & Kayaking are possible at Shawinigan Lake.

Swimming

There is no designated swimming area at the park, but Memory Island is a great swimming spot in the summer. Be careful; there is no lifeguard on duty at the provincial park.

Wildlife Viewing/ Bird Watching

Various birds like common mergansers, belted kingfishers and common snipes, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, plants, and fungi can be found on the island.

What you Can Expect to Do Near Memory Island Provincial Park

Hiking on the Grass Lake Trail

Hiking on the Grass Lake Trail

Hiking on Mount Manuel Quimper

Hiking on Mount Manuel Quimper

Hiking on Mount Empress from Sooke Potholes via Mary Vine and Todd Creek Trails

Hiking on Mount Empress from Sooke Potholes via Mary Vine and Todd Creek Trails

West Coast Outdoor Adventure Whale Watching

West Coast Outdoor Adventure Whale Watching

Cabin Point Whale Watching

Cabin Point Whale Watching

Beechey Head Whale Watching

Beechey Head Whale Watching

Spirit Bay Visitor Centre Whale Watching

Spirit Bay Visitor Centre Whale Watching

Creyke Point Whale Watching

Creyke Point Whale Watching

Victoria Harbour Ferry Whale Watching

Victoria Harbour Ferry Whale Watching

Fisherman's Wharf Park Whale Watching

Fisherman's Wharf Park Whale Watching

Cattle Point Storm Watching

Cattle Point Storm Watching

Saxe Point Park Storm Watching

Saxe Point Park Storm Watching

Clover Point Storm Watching

Clover Point Storm Watching

Sidney Whale Watching

Sidney Whale Watching

Sooke Whale Watching

Sooke Whale Watching

Memory Island Provincial Park Outline

Specifications

Climate

Timing

Trails


1- The numbers are estimated on average.


What you Can Expect to See Near Memory Island Provincial Park

Spiral Beach

Spiral Beach

McNeil Bay

McNeil Bay

Langford

Langford

Gonzales Bay

Gonzales Bay

Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site

Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site

Sooke

Sooke

Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens

Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens

The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria

The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria

The Royal BC Museum

The Royal BC Museum

Miniature World

Miniature World

Willows Beach

Willows Beach

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve

Gallery Merrick

Gallery Merrick

Florence Lake Cave

Florence Lake Cave

Victoria

Victoria

Planning for Memory Island Provincial Park

Suitability

Camping & Resort

Services

Tips

Packing





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