Newcastle Island sits pretty between Nanaimo and Gabriola on the west coast of BC. All of Newcastle is a provincial park making it a natural oasis! Nobody lives here which aids in a quiet stay. When you arrive across the water you’ll be greeted with the sweet melody of resident birds that find sanctuary in the countless birdhouses posted around the dock.

There are so many islands to explore around this part of BC, and Newcastle is now one of my personal favorites.

Perks

There are showers at this provincial park! They’re coin-operated and will take loonies. The good thing about this is that one loonie will buy you a whole five mins of shower time. Honestly, that’s pretty amazing for a coin shower.

There are shared barbeque grills and a sheltered picnic area for when your group is a little bigger, or perhaps it’s raining and you need somewhere dry to prepare and enjoy your meal. They’ve thought of everything when it comes to making campers feel comfortable.

The trails go around the entire island; you could walk the loop in a single afternoon if you’re determined. It’s beginner and age-friendly in terms of difficulty level, just be careful not to trip on the tree roots and at times uneven ground.

There are small bridges peppered throughout, grand green canopies overhead and gradual inclines that will sneak up on you. It’s a hike that can be as easy or difficult as you want it to be. We ended up walking for around four hours and we still didn’t cover everything! Keep in mind we were stopping frequently for photo ops, but still.

Where the campsites end and the trails begin, you are met by the view of the Strait of Georgia and can enjoy time on a rocky beach. The rockface here is truly remarkable. The beaches at Newcastle aren’t blankets of white sand, but they are nonetheless gorgeous.

At certain points of the island you can view BC Ferries across the water at Departure Bay, and at other parts you are completely enveloped by nature without a peep from the modern world. It’s the perfect place to forest bathe and soak it all in.

Wildlife

Mallard lake on the island is beautiful and home to a flourishing ecosystem. We found a beaver dam (kept our distance), saw and heard geese and eagles, and enjoyed the consistent chirping of songbirds.

In the lake there’s a tiny island, yellow iris flowers, and an abundance of lilypads. Throughout the trails, we noticed lots of ferns and laurels. Trying to keep track of all the plant life here is impossible as it is truly flourishing.

There is endless potential here for any nature photographers wanting to get that ‘wow’ factor in their shots.

While visiting Newcastle you can expect to see the animals mentioned above as well as deer, raccoons, chipmunks, ducks, herons, and perhaps an owl if you’re lucky. Apparently, there are albino raccoons on the island, but we didn’t manage to see one. Thankfully bears and cougars haven’t been sighted which makes this island a safe place to relax into nature.

Getting There

It’s fairly easy to get there, just stay on top of your schedule.

This is the little ferry taxi that will take you over to Newcastle Island from Maffeo Sutton Park in Nanaimo.

If you’re coming from the lower mainland the easiest way to get to Newcastle Island is to take the Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo (Departure Bay) ferry and then carry on to an 8min ferry taxi before you arrive at your final destination. Trust me, it’s worth the extra effort.

Make sure to make a reservation for your first ferry if you are traveling with a vehicle. You could take the ferry from Tsawwassen to Duke Point in Nanaimo, but it would take a little longer especially if you’re traveling as a foot-passenger.

If you’re coming from Vancouver Island, all you need to do is get yourself to Nanaimo (if you’re not there already) and take the short ferry taxi ride over from Maffeo Sutton Park. Make sure to arrive before the final ferry taxi of the day departs at 4:30pm! We had to learn this lesson the hard way.

Upon Arrival

When you step onto Newcastle there are fields that stretch out to your left and right, tall trees framing a red barn-like building in the near distance, as well as a gravel pathway that allows for easy travel to and from places around the island. The space is wide open yet cozy. Pristine yet soft and inviting.

After you check in at the office, you’re free to begin your adventures! You can purchase extra firewood at the office for $10.00/bundle, but you may already have enough resources surrounding your campsite at your disposal (fallen branches, kindling, etc).

Thankfully this provincial park comes complete with a playground, kayak rentals, summer-time concession, and more. The campsites themselves are nicely spaced out and come equipped with a fire pit, picnic table, and storage container for perishables (to keep those pesky raccoons away). We stayed in site 18 which I recommend as it is closest to the ocean and only has one neighbouring site rather than being boxed in. Any site however would be a great choice.

Click any image to make it bigger (:

Cost

FYI each campsite has a limit of 4 adults over the age of 16, and no more than 8 people total including children 15 or younger. If your group is bigger than this you’ll have to either book a double site or a second site altogether. But don’t worry, it’s very affordable. We stayed for two nights with four adults, and the grand total was $34.00!

It’s worth noting that the price didn’t increase when we added two people to the reservation. Other campgrounds around BC may increase the cost per person, but not Newcastle.

The ferry from HSB to Nanaimo costs $19.45 as a footpassenger (adult) which seems steep to me, but it’s worth it. The ride takes around an hour and forty mins so you have time to kill by wandering the ferry or reading a good book. The ferry taxi from Nanaimo to Newcastle Island costs $15.00 which covers your trip there as well as the trip back.

Just a reminder, you can’t bring your car with you to Newcastle Island. There’s no vehicles aside from golf carts on the island! The only way on is the ferry taxi which is much too small to accommodate any kind of car. However, don’t worry. There is 24hr parking near the Newcastle terminal where you can safely leave your vehicle until your return. It costs ~$9.00 for the 24hr period.

Protip: Visit this awesome cafe in Nanaimo before finishing your trip!

The Vault cafe in Nanaimo is the perfect cherry on top to end your travels. Their high ceilings, vintage decor and tall arched windows create an alluring and calm atmosphere. Of course the menu is great too! The muffins we had were so filling and delicious.

If you have the time make sure to check out their clothing rack near the back of the cafe. It’s full of vintage clothing on sale for great prices making the Vault an event in and of itself. They also host live music while being the perfect quiet place to study.

Pack your bags

This Provincial Park feels like a Disney fantasy world (:

That’s the gist of it! I hope this post has helped clear any mystery when it comes to what Newcastle Island has to offer. It is one of the most beautiful places I’ve been to, and it would be a shame if you didn’t get to visit purely due to not knowing about it.

Before a few months ago, I had never heard of it myself. That’s why I’ve written down a few of the highlights for you here. Don’t miss out on this gem of an island called Newcastle nestled between Gabriola and Nanaimo in BC. You’ll have a memorable time for all the right reasons.

Happy camping to you!