Tumbo Island | park, campsite / caravan site, kayaking

 park, campsite / caravan site, kayaking

Part of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. Tumbo Island has recovered well from the fur farming, timber harvesting and coal mining activities that highlighted its rich and varied past. Today, the island is largely forested with old growth Douglas fir and Garry oak meadows. Tumbo Island derives its name from the landform that gives it its distinctive shape—a tombolo. A tombolo is a sandbar extending outward from shore connecting with an island—or from island to island as it does here. First Nations found a safe harbour on Tumbo Island when hand trolling for fish offshore in their canoes or on their journeys across the Strait. The island remains an important spiritual place to this day.

Tumbo Island can be visited by kayak or by dinghy from larger boats. A short trail system provides opportunities to explore the island. Discover the diverse creatures who live in shoreline tidepools and the freshwater marsh. Birding, photography and picnicking are other great activities to pursue on Tumbo. (Note: a life tenancy agreement for the house on the island means that there may occasionally be someone in residence on the island. Please respect their privacy.)