Catala Island Marine Park is a BC Parks marine park in Esperanza Inlet on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island, between Nootka Sound and Kyuquot Sound. BC Parks lists sea kayaking, boating, and wilderness camping as the main attractions.
Access is by kayak or powerboat from communities such as Zeballos, Tahsis, and Gold River.
Catala Island is a remote west-coast marine park with reefs, islets, marine ecosystems, a lake, bog area, rugged shoreline, sandy beaches, and wind-shaped forest. Rustic trails lead to the lake and bog in the island's centre.
The Rolling Roadstead anchorage is good in calm weather, but BC Parks warns that wind can bring steady Pacific swell. Queen Cove on Vancouver Island provides more sheltered overnight anchorage nearby.
Experienced paddlers can launch from Little Espinosa Inlet or arrange transport, including water taxi service or space for kayaks on the MV Uchuck III. Activities include ocean swimming, advanced paddling, saltwater fishing for salmon and rockfish, cold-water scuba diving around reefs and sea caves, wildlife viewing, and hunting during open season.
Marine charts 3662 and 3663 support planning.
Plan around sea kayaking, powerboating, wilderness camping, sandy beach exploring, rustic lake and bog trails, ocean swimming, salmon and rockfish fishing, scuba diving, wildlife watching, and anchorage planning.
Bring drinking water because potable water is not available. Prepare for exposed west-coast paddling hazards, high winds, tidal currents, exposed rocks, marine charts, and prohibited access to the Indian Reserve at Catala Island's eastern tip.
