Banana Island

Banana Island Provincial Park is a small marine park located in the Discovery Islands archipelago off the central coast of British Columbia, situated between Quadra Island and the mainland near the community of Heriot Bay. The park protects a tiny island and surrounding marine waters, encompassing approximately 1 hectare of rocky shoreline and windswept vegetation. Accessible only by boat, the park serves primarily as a marine recreation destination for kayakers, boaters, and divers exploring the nutrient-rich waters of Discovery Passage. The island's unusual name likely derives from its elongated, curved shape when viewed from certain angles.

The park's marine and terrestrial ecosystems support diverse wildlife adapted to the dynamic coastal environment of the Discovery Islands. Harbor seals haul out on rocky shores, while sea lions occasionally pass through the surrounding waters during seasonal migrations. The nutrient-rich currents attract abundant marine life including lingcod, rockfish, octopus, and various invertebrates such as sea stars and anemones. Bald eagles and ospreys nest in nearby areas and frequently hunt along the shoreline, while great blue herons stalk the intertidal zone during low tides. River otters may visit the island periodically, feeding on crabs and small fish in the kelp beds.

The island's vegetation is typical of exposed coastal environments in the Discovery Islands, featuring windswept shore pines, stunted Douglas-fir, and salt-tolerant shrubs that withstand harsh maritime conditions. Salal, kinnikinnick, and oceanspray dominate the understory, while grasses and mosses colonize rocky crevices and thin soils. The intertidal zone supports diverse marine vegetation including kelp forests, eelgrass beds, and various species of red and green algae that provide critical habitat for juvenile fish and invertebrates. Wildflowers such as sea blush and yarrow add seasonal color to open areas during spring and summer months.

Banana Island consists of resistant igneous and metamorphic bedrock that has withstood millions of years of erosion, rising from the seafloor as part of the complex geological assemblage of the Discovery Islands. Glaciation during the last ice age sculpted the island's surfaces, leaving behind polished bedrock, erratic boulders, and thin soil deposits. The surrounding seafloor features dramatic underwater topography with steep drop-offs, rocky reefs, and channels carved by powerful tidal currents that can exceed 6 knots during peak flows. Ongoing wave action and tidal forces continue to shape the shoreline, eroding softer rock layers and depositing sediments in sheltered coves.

The park experiences a maritime climate characterized by mild, wet winters and warm, relatively dry summers typical of coastal British Columbia. Average temperatures range from 2°C in January to 18°C in August, with the marine environment moderating temperature extremes throughout the year. Annual precipitation averages approximately 1,200 millimeters, with most rainfall occurring between October and March. Strong winds are common, particularly during winter storms and when tidal currents interact with weather systems funneling through Discovery Passage. Summer months generally offer the most favorable conditions for marine recreation, though fog can occur when warm air masses move over cold ocean waters.

The Discovery Islands region, including the waters surrounding Banana Island, has been traditional territory of the Coast Salish peoples, particularly the Kwiakah and Tla'amin Nations, for thousands of years. Indigenous peoples utilized the area's abundant marine resources, establishing fishing stations, shellfish harvesting sites, and seasonal camps throughout the archipelago. European exploration began in the late 1700s with Spanish and British expeditions charting the complex waterways between Vancouver Island and the mainland. The area later became important for commercial fishing, logging, and maritime transportation, with numerous vessels navigating the treacherous currents of Discovery Passage.

Banana Island Provincial Park was established as part of BC Parks' marine parks system, created to protect important marine habitats and provide recreational access to British Columbia's extensive coastline. The park's small size reflects its role as a day-use destination and anchorage point rather than a major camping facility. Development has been intentionally minimal to preserve the island's natural character and sensitive ecosystems. The park serves as one of numerous marine protected areas along BC's coast, contributing to a network of conservation sites that protect representative coastal and marine ecosystems while supporting nature-based recreation and tourism.

The park's primary attractions are marine-focused, with the surrounding waters offering excellent opportunities for kayaking, diving, and wildlife viewing. The strong tidal currents create rich feeding grounds that attract diverse marine life, making the area popular with underwater photographers and marine naturalists. Rocky shores provide opportunities for intertidal exploration during low tides, though visitors should exercise caution due to slippery surfaces and unpredictable wave action. The island itself offers limited hiking due to its small size, but scrambling along the rocky shoreline reveals scenic views across Discovery Passage toward the Coast Mountains. Experienced boaters use the sheltered lee of the island for temporary anchorage, though strong currents require careful navigation.

As a remote marine park, Banana Island offers no developed facilities such as camping areas, toilets, or potable water, and visitors must be entirely self-sufficient. Access is exclusively by private boat, water taxi, or kayak from nearby communities including Heriot Bay on Quadra Island or Campbell River on Vancouver Island. The nearest boat launches are located in Heriot Bay and Campbell River, approximately 5-10 kilometers away depending on approach routes. Visitors should have strong boating or kayaking skills and be prepared for challenging marine conditions including strong currents, cold water temperatures, and rapidly changing weather. All supplies must be brought in, and all waste must be packed out in accordance with Leave No Trace principles.

BC Parks manages Banana Island Provincial Park to protect sensitive marine and coastal ecosystems while supporting low-impact recreation in the Discovery Islands. Conservation priorities include monitoring marine water quality, protecting nesting seabirds and raptors, and preventing introduction of invasive species that could disrupt island ecosystems. The park's small size makes it particularly vulnerable to visitor impacts, and managers rely on education and voluntary compliance to minimize damage to vegetation and disturbance to wildlife. Climate change impacts including ocean acidification, warming waters, and sea-level rise threaten marine ecosystems, particularly kelp forests and shellfish populations. The park contributes to broader regional conservation efforts by protecting representative samples of Discovery Islands marine habitats within the BC Parks system.