Anchorage· Nanaimo & Newcastle Island· Salish Sea — San Juans, Gulf Islands & Desolation Sound
Saysutshun Newcastle Island Marine Park (Mark Bay)
49° 10.9′ N · 123° 56.0′ W
A car-free provincial park island across the harbour from downtown Nanaimo, with forest trails, beaches and sandstone shores. Mark Bay, between Newcastle and Protection islands, has buoys, a park dock and an all-weather anchorage within a short dinghy ride of town.
Practical
Coordinate is the OSM bay (Mark Bay). 43 BC Parks buoys in two sizes, for boats up to 9 m (30 ft) and up to 12 m (40 ft): C$14 a night; boats over 12 m (40 ft) must anchor outside the park. The buoy chains are too heavy to lift: run your line through the buoy eye from the stern and walk it forward. Dock C$2 per metre a night, first come first served. Pay by the QR code on each buoy and dock, or at the marina office (9 am to 9 pm June 15 to September 15). From May 15, 2026 BC Parks adds a C$20 non-resident fee per vessel for buoys or docks. Fees apply in winter too. Maximum stay 14 days a year. Washrooms and showers ashore, seasonal food concession. Raccoons are bold: secure food on deck. Operator 1-866-788-6243. BC Parks bans dumping sewage or grey water while moored in its marine parks. Chart 3447.
Best for
An easy night next to Nanaimo, trails and beaches
Season
Year-round
Nearby
- Dinghy Dock Pub (Protection Island)0.4 NM away
- Nanaimo Port Authority Marina (Boat Basin)0.8 NM away
- Nanaimo Downtown Provisioning (Port Place)1 NM away
- Departure Bay (Nanaimo)1.5 NM away
- Malaspina Galleries (Gabriola Island)2.4 NM away
- Taylor Bay and Gabriola Sands (Gabriola Island)2.7 NM away
- Gabriola Farmers Market (Gabriola Island)3.2 NM away
- Pilot Bay (Gabriola Island)3.2 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).