7 Things To Do at Porteau Cove Provincial Park

The pier at Porteau Cove Provincial Park

Photo via BC Parks/Porteau Cove Provincial Park

Situated along the Sea to Sky Highway between West Vancouver and Squamish, Porteau Cove Provincial Park is a great place to enjoy activities like hiking, camping, stargazing, and even SCUBA diving. Use our guide to plan a trip to Porteau Cove Provincial Park.

 

How to Get to Porteau Cove Provincial Park

Take Highway 1 north through West Vancouver. Before Horseshoe Bay, follow signs and use the left lanes to merge onto Highway 99. About 35 km later, use the left turn lane to turn into Porteau Cove Provincial Park.

 

Tips for Visiting

  • The park can be busy on sunny weekends. Go early to ensure you get a parking spot.
  • Use the park map to find your way around.
  • The park is open between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.
  • Dogs must be on leash in the park.
  • Smoking, vaping, cannabis, drones, alcohol, and collecting plants are not allowed.
  • There are washrooms near the day-use parking lots.
  • Be safe in the park. AdventureSmart recommends bringing a backpack with essential safety and first aid gear on every hike. Check the forecast and pack extra clothing for the weather. Leave a trip plan so someone knows where you are going and when you will be back.

 

Enjoy the Views

Porteau Cove is one of the most scenic places to stop along the Sea to Sky Highway. Stroll out along the pier for great views of Howe Sound. You can also see the prominent peak of Anvil Island and the isolated mountains of the Sunshine Coast. Fun fact: the pier here is actually an emergency ferry dock.

 

Try Stargazing

The lack of light pollution makes Porteau Cove Provincial Park a great spot for stargazing. On clear nights you can spot the milky way. When conditions are right, it’s also a great place to see the Northern Lights or meteor showers.

 

Hike to the Viewpoint

It’s an easy walk through the campground to the viewpoint trail at the south end of the park. Climb rock and wooden steps to a gorgeous promontory overlooking Howe Sound. It’s about 30 minutes round-trip from the day-use parking lot.

 

Go SCUBA Diving

Porteau Cove is one of the Vancouver area’s prime SCUBA diving spots thanks to a series of human-made reefs and two sunken ships just offshore. There is a designated diving area marked with buoys.

SCUBA divers at Portea Cove Provincial Park

Photo via BC Parks/Porteau Cove Provincial Park

 

Go Camping

If you want to spend the night, the campground has 44 drive-in campsites. There are also 16 walk-in sites for tents. Most of the sites are right on the ocean and have incredible views. Advance reservations are essential.

 

Explore the Shoreline

At low tide, the rocky beach reveals all kinds of sea life including crabs and shellfish. Fishing and gathering are not allowed in the park, so please leave all the creatures as you find them so that others may enjoy them too.

Shoreline at Porteau Cove Provincial Park

Photo via BC Parks/Porteau Cove Provincial Park

 

Have a Picnic

Porteau Cove has several spots for picnicking. The picnic tables in the day-use area are right along the waterfront and have incredible views. You can also bring a blanket and have your picnic on the pebble beach.

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