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Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park

Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park is a lovely island that can provide memorable times for friends and families. The park offers a great panoramic view of the sunny beaches comprising caves and caverns, steep sandstone cliffs and ledges. All are in contrast with the island's interior covered with Garry oak, mature Douglas fir, arbutus, and Big Leaf maple trees.
A hiking trails network leads visitors to various historical points around Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park. Among them are Snuneymuxw village sites, coal mine sites, sandstone quarries, and fish saltery.


Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park Location

Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park (Saysutshun) has about 363 hectares (897A acres) surface area. It is located north of Nanaimo Harbour, British Columbia, Canada. The island is only accessible by boat, canoe or kayak from Maffeo Sutton Park on Nanaimo. The park is home to many species of animals and plenty of natural vegetation.
Beaches and a lake on the Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park are Mallard Lake, Kanaka Bay, Roga Beach, and Devil's Horn. If you crave a green space around Nanaimo, you can go to McGregor Park or Piper Park. Steve Smith Bike Park is another well-known park in Nanaimo, which is northwest of the Nanaimo Museum and the Vancouver Island Military Museum. It is a well-designed biking pump track also great for skateboarders and scooter riders. Beach Estates Park, with its beautiful Beach Estates Falls, is a hidden gem that connects from Departure Bay Road down to the beach near the Departure Bay Ferry Terminal. Going to the southwest, you reach Westwood Lake. It is a freshwater lake with a sandy beach near Westwood Lake Park.


How to Get to Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park by Car

Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park is only accessible by boat. A short ferry ride from Saysutshun (Newcastle Island) Ferry Terminal, near Maffeo Sutton Park in Nanaimo, will lead you to the park.

From Nanaimo:
Getting to Saysutshun (Newcastle Island) Ferry Terminal from downtown Nanaimo is via Wallace St. It is 900 m (2952.7 ft) and takes about 3 minutes.
Go head northwest on Wallace St toward Wentworth St about 500 m (1640.4 ft). Turn right onto Comox and continue it for 200 m (656.1 ft). Turn left onto Cliff St and after 110 m (360.8 ft), turn right. You will reach Saysutshun Ferry Terminal after 95 m (311.68ft) more.

From Victoria:
The access to Saysutshun (Newcastle Island) Ferry Terminal from Victoria is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. It is 112 km (69.5 miles) and takes about an hour and a half.
Go head west on Pandora Ave toward Government St for 99 m (324.8 ft), then turn right onto Government St. After about 1 km (0.6 miles), slight right toward Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and continue for 72 m (236.2 ft). Use any lane to turn left onto Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and drive 110 km (68.3 miles). Turn right onto Comox Rd, and after 91 m (298.5 ft), turn left onto Cliff St and go on for 110 m (360.8 ft). Turn right and drive 95 m (311.6 ft) more to reach Saysutshun (Newcastle Island) Ferry Terminal.


The Hike to Get to Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park

1. "Newcastle Island Bates Trail" is an easy loop located near Nanaimo. It is 10.3 km (6.4 miles) and has 155 m (508 ft) of elevation gain. The trail features a great forest setting and is mostly used for hiking, walking, bird watching, and nature trips. The best time to use this trail is from May until September. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash.

2. "Newcastle Island Coastal Loop and Mallard Lake" is an easy loop located near Nanaimo. It is 10.6 km (6.5 miles) and has 191 m (626.6 ft) of elevation gain. The trail features a great forest setting and is mostly used for hiking, running and nature trips. Dogs are allowed to use the path but must be kept on a leash.

3. "Channel Trail to Giovando Lookout" is an easy loop located near Nanaimo. It has 11.1 km (7 miles) length and 251 m (823.5 ft) of elevation gain. The trail features a great forest setting and is mostly used for hiking, walking, bird watching, and nature trips. The best time to use this trail is from March until October. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash.

4. "Shoreline Trail and Kanaka Trail Loop" is located near Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada. It has a 2.3 km (1.4 miles) length, 26 m (85.3 ft) of elevation gain, and easy rates. The trail features a great forest setting and is mostly used for hiking, walking and nature trips.


History of Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park

Newcastle Island, traditionally known as Saysutshun by the Snuneymuxw People, used to be only home to the Coast Salish people before discovering coal in 1849.
A Snuneymuxw man named Ki'et'sa'kun mentioned the existence of coal on the island. The Hudson's Bay Company (HBC), aware of the importance of coal discovered in this area, named the island after the famous mining town of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, England.
In the late nineteenth century, coal mining became the primary industry in Nanaimo. During coal mining, the island's sandstone was found and sought after by different cities and countries for years.
Newcastle Island also played a role in the fishing industry of the province. In 1961 the island became a beautiful marine park.


Things to do around the Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park Area

Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park, a shiny gem in the Nanaimo Harbour, has various animals and plenty of natural vegetation. So the park offers several outdoor activities such as hiking and biking through excellent trails and water sports like swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. Saysutshun's campsites also provide an outstanding opportunity for camping. Based on the BC Act, Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park is one of the protected areas on Vancouver Island, where you are not allowed to hunt.

The Best Parks Near Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park

Colliery Dam Park

Colliery Dam Park

Maffeo Sutton Park

Maffeo Sutton Park

Beaufort Park

Beaufort Park

Pipers Lagoon Park

Pipers Lagoon Park

Bowen Park

Bowen Park

Chinese Memorial Gardens Park

Chinese Memorial Gardens Park

Neck Point Park

Neck Point Park

Beach Estates Park

Beach Estates Park

Westwood Lake Park

Westwood Lake Park

Woodley Range Ecological Reserve

Woodley Range Ecological Reserve

Ladysmith Bog Ecological Reserve

Ladysmith Bog Ecological Reserve

Steve Smith Bike Park

Steve Smith Bike Park

Englishman River Falls Provincial Park

Englishman River Falls Provincial Park

Englishman River Regional Park

Englishman River Regional Park

Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park

Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park

Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park Activities

Swimming

Kanaka Bay, east of Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park, offers a pleasant possibility for swimming. Be careful; there is no lifeguard on duty at provincial parks.

Cycling

Visitors can go cycling in an extensive trail system. Keep your bicycle on the roadways. Remember that bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

Kayaking, Canoeing

Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park offers great opportunities for canoeing and kayaking.

Hiking

There is a unique hiking trails network that leads visitors to various historical points around the island.

Camping

Saysutshun's campsites provide an excellent chance for camping.

Fishing

Salmon fishing is available, but you should have an appropriate license.

Wildlife Viewing

The park is home to many species of animals and plenty of natural vegetation.

What you Can Expect to Do Near Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park

Hiking on Bowen Park Loop

Hiking on Bowen Park Loop

Hiking on Westwood Lake Trail

Hiking on Westwood Lake Trail

Hiking on Cable Bay Nature Trail

Hiking on Cable Bay Nature Trail

Hiking on the Mount Benson Loop

Hiking on the Mount Benson Loop

Hiking on the Nanaimo River Trail

Hiking on the Nanaimo River Trail

Nanaimo Diving

Nanaimo Diving

Nanaimo Yacht Club Whale Watching

Nanaimo Yacht Club Whale Watching

Protection Island Ferry Whale Watching

Protection Island Ferry Whale Watching

Nanaimo Whale Watching

Nanaimo Whale Watching

Nanaimo Kayaking and Canoeing

Nanaimo Kayaking and Canoeing

Ladysmith Kayaking

Ladysmith Kayaking

The wreck of the Robert Kerr Diving

The wreck of the Robert Kerr Diving

Elliot's Beach Park Diving

Elliot's Beach Park Diving

Boeing 737 Jet Plane Diving

Boeing 737 Jet Plane Diving

Alcala Point in Porlier Pass Diving

Alcala Point in Porlier Pass Diving

Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park Outline

Specifications

Climate

Timing

Trails


1- The numbers are estimated on average.

What you Can Expect to See Near Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park

Parksville

Parksville

Nanaimo Lakes

Nanaimo Lakes

Colliery Dam Park

Colliery Dam Park

Maffeo Sutton Park

Maffeo Sutton Park

Nanaimo River

Nanaimo River

Beaufort Park

Beaufort Park

Pipers Lagoon Park

Pipers Lagoon Park

Bowen Park

Bowen Park

Nanoose Bay

Nanoose Bay

Chinese Memorial Gardens Park

Chinese Memorial Gardens Park

Neck Point Park

Neck Point Park

Qualicum Beach

Qualicum Beach

Beach Estates Park

Beach Estates Park

Westwood Lake Park

Westwood Lake Park

Kanaka Bay

Kanaka Bay

Planning for Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park

Suitability

Camping & Resort

Services

Tips

Packing


1. The distances are estimated from Maffeo Sutton Park.

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