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 (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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
