Memory Island Park is a very small day-use park on Shawnigan Lake in southern Vancouver Island. BC Parks describes it as one of the smallest parks in British Columbia and one of the only protected park islands in a major destination lake.
The island can be reached by boat, canoe, or kayak from points around Shawnigan Lake, including West Shawnigan Lake Park.
Memory Island is a quiet paddling and picnic destination rather than a developed trail park. Its isolation from the mainland helps protect nesting waterfowl in spring, and BC Parks says the island provides sanctuary and habitat for small mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, plants, and fungi.
The park is cooperatively managed by the Cowichan Valley Regional District, so services and facilities may differ from other BC Parks sites. Visitors should expect a simple island stop with no developed trails and no designated swimming area. The surrounding lake is stocked with trout and is popular with anglers.
Paddle or boat to the island, picnic quietly, observe nature, photograph lake and island habitat, fish for trout in Shawnigan Lake with the proper licence and current regulations, and swim only with caution because there is no designated swimming area and no lifeguards.
This is day-use only. Land gently, avoid nesting birds and sensitive habitat, keep pets leashed and away from beaches and buildings, pack out all waste, and check lake weather before crossing by canoe or kayak. Respect the island's small size.
