Harmony Islands Marine Park, Sunshine Coasts

One of the most attractive settings on the coast, the Harmony Islands are about 3NM up Hotham Sound, west of the gateway to Princess Louisa Inlet entrance, Jervis Inlet. Some of the deepest water on the BC coast is found here – over 2,200 feet or more than a third of a nautical mile.

Approaching the islands, 4,800-foot, forest-clad, Mt. Calder provides a stunning backdrop. Closing the distance, visitors are welcomed by the impressive 1,400-foot Freil Falls, the gatekeeper of Hotham Sound. Its waters cascade from hidden Freil Lake, near the mountaintop, down an almost sheer rock cliff-face. This is one of the largest freestanding waterfalls on the Canadian west coast. The best viewing time is in the spring and early summer when water flows are greatest.

The falls are a mile southeast of the Harmony Islands. Once visitors drop anchor and settle in, some take a dinghy or kayak the mile to the falls to take in its beauty and thundering sound. The more adventurous can go ashore and explore the base of the falls. This can be a fun experience, but be advised that the rock surfaces can be slippery. Those with a strong heart can take a truly natural and invigorating shower!

Four islands comprise the Harmony Island Group. The southernmost and the two northernmost islands make up the marine park. The middle island is privately owned with a house and private dock that is posted with “Private” signs.

Anchorage is possible in the southern half of the channel east of the islands, where you can find depths of 20 to 60 feet to set the anchor and then stern-tie to the mainland side or the southern island. Anchorage for smaller vessels may be found in locally named Kipling Cove, a nook surrounded by the two northern islands and middle island. Caution must be exercised when entering the cove. The chart shows a rock in the middle of the entrance, which at low tide sits about three feet below the surface. The bottom is rocky, and a private dock occupies the southern portion of the cove. Space is limited, so most boaters elect to tie a stern-line to one of the metal rings set into the stone on the shore of the two northern islands. The cove offers dramatic vistas, warm water swimming, and good snorkeling opportunities.

The southernmost island provides flat, grassy spots for kayakers to beach their crafts and set-up camp.

The park is a tranquil, bare bones gunkhole with no facilities onsite, and amazing marine scenery. The park is an intimate escape for those seeking to connect with nature’s undisturbed splendor. The islands are a haven for marine and bird life, providing visitors with unique opportunities for wildlife observation and nature photography. The crystal-clear waters and scenic landscapes create a perfect backdrop for kayaking and dinghy exploration, allowing adventurers to explore the park’s pristine shoreline.

To help preserve its natural beauty, the park has been designated as a “no discharge zone.”

Harbor seals and river otters poke their heads up to gaze at visitors inquisitively, unafraid, and unabashedly lazy as they lounge in the warm sun. Eagles soar above in a cloudless, dark blue sky, checking out the intruders in their domain. As you paddle closer to the rocks, you can see the striations where the glacier had scored it millenniums ago. There are clusters of bright purple starfish clinging to the rocks above and below the water. Ashore, observe sea life in the island’s many tide pools. Sections of the shoreline are covered with oysters and clams.

With its stunning coastal vistas, diverse recreational opportunities, and tranquil atmosphere, Harmony Islands Marine Park provides a memorable and rejuvenating escape.