Understand Sartine Island Ecological Reserve northwest of Cape Scott, a closed nesting seabird and marine mammal site where permits are required.
Sartine Island Ecological Reserve is about 25 kilometres northwest of Cape Scott in BC Parks’ North Island Central Coast region. The official page says the reserve protects nesting seabird colonies and associated marine mammals.
This is not a public recreation destination.
Why Visit Sartine Island Ecological Reserve
For most people, Sartine Island is best understood from the official information rather than from an on-site visit. BC Parks lists the reserve as closed to the public, with research and education activities requiring a permit.
That closure protects vulnerable nesting seabirds and marine mammals from disturbance. The reserve’s official conservation context includes the Coastal Western Hemlock biogeoclimatic zone and both the Northern Island Mountains and Continental Slope ecosections.
Because island seabird colonies can be highly sensitive to people, noise, landing, and close boat approaches, the most important visitor choice is to avoid entering the reserve unless authorized.
Things To Do
There are no public recreation activities to plan inside Sartine Island Ecological Reserve. Use the BC Parks page, map, and ecological reserve description for learning, and seek a permit only for legitimate research or education work.
Planning Notes
Do not land, camp, hike, collect, hunt, fish, or disturb wildlife in the reserve. BC Parks maps are for information only and may not show legal boundaries or support navigation. Marine travellers near the area should give nesting birds and marine mammals a wide berth, keep noise low, and check current advisories and legal boundaries before operating nearby. Treat the reserve as a sensitive wildlife site even from the water.