Wallace Island Marine Park – British Columbia

Sunset at Wallace Island, British Columbia

While Wallace Island Provincial Marine Park is not technically located in the Cowichan Region, most boaters that access the park will be doing so from the harbours located in the Cowichan area. With this in mind, I have brought this article over from my Kevin Oke Photography web site.

A true gem in the British Columbia Provincial Marine Park system, Wallace Island is conveniently located close to many ports in the southern Vancouver Island area. Numerous beaches, coves and inlets provide prime anchorage and kayaking opportunities while hiking trails run the length of the island. This is all mixed in with a fascinating history.

Aerial photograph of Wallace Island, British Columbia, Canada.

Originally Wallace Island was charted as “Narrow Island” later being named as “Wallace Island” courtesy of Captain Wallace Houstoun who first surveyed the area in the 1850′s. The first inhabitant was Jeremiah Chivers, a Scottish immigrant who lived alone on the island until his death at the age of 92 in 1927.

After World War Two the island was purchased by David Conover who moved here with his wife Jeanne and set up what became a very popular resort. David Conover has been credited with discovering Marilyn Monroe who visited the island. The Conover’s owned the island until the mid 60′s when the island was sold to a group of teachers from Seattle. Evidently, the teachers didn’t get along well and the property was sold by court order and became a provincial marine park in 1990.

Today, many of the old resort cabins have been removed due to safety concerns but a few still exist as well as the original Conover residence.

Wallace Island BC Provincial Marine Park, British Columbia

It has been 7 years since I last set foot on Wallace Island and this past week we decided to visit once again and meet up with some good friends. We spent 2 days eating well, walking the many trails and in Cherie’s case going swimming; a little cool for my taste!

Old Truck on Wallace Island, British Columbia

Carved Boat Names on Wallace Island, British Columbia

The island still remains relatively untouched. Many of the old buildings are still standing and the odd piece of equipment still lurks in the bushes. One of the old picnic shelters has become a “boaters guestbook” with wonderful driftwood plaques carved by the visitors over the past few decades. I looked at a photo I shot seven years ago and from the number of signs that have turned up this island has become a very popular destination!

The trails wander through beautiful forests and access the many coves and beaches. Arbutus trees are plentiful, their orange trunks contrasting nicely with the blue sky. While wildlife is common we didn’t see very much on this trip. Only a seal and turkey vulture made the rounds of anything interesting. Sea lions are quite common during the off season while eagles, black-tailed deer and river otters are also commonly seen. Cormorants and oyster catchers are common birds on the offshore islets.

More information can be found on the BC Parks web site at Wallace Island Marine Provincial Park.

Arbutus Tree on Wallace Island, British Columbia, Canada.

Rendezvous with Friends, Wallace Island, British Columbia, Canada