Just a 10-minute boat ride from downtown Nanaimo, Newcastle Island, known as Saysutshun to the Snuneymuxw First Nation, is one of the easiest and most rewarding day trips on Vancouver Island. This 363-hectare marine provincial park blends coastal forest trails, sandy beaches, rich Indigenous history, and family-friendly amenities, all without needing a car.
Whether you’re visiting Nanaimo for the weekend or you live nearby and want a low-effort adventure, Saysutshun offers a rare mix of culture, nature, and accessibility that’s hard to beat.
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Newcastle Island (Saysutshun) – Quick Facts
- Location: Nanaimo Harbour; approximately 10-minute boat ride from downtown Nanaimo
- Park Size: 363 hectares
- Trail Network: 22 km of well-maintained walking and hiking trails
- Park Use: Day-use park with walk-in campsites
- Accessibility: The Pavilion, main washroom building, and select trails are wheelchair-accessible, making this one of Nanaimo’s more inclusive outdoor spaces
- Washrooms: Flush toilets near the main entrance and pit toilets throughout the park
- Pets: Dogs are welcome but must remain on a leash at all times
Popular Activities
- Hiking and forest walks
- Picnicking
- Beach time and swimming
- Camping
- Cultural and historic exploration
- Playground and open spaces for kids
The History
Saysutshun is a culturally significant island in Nanaimo Harbour that has served as a seasonal home for the Snuneymuxw people, an industrial hub, a Japanese Canadian settlement, and a historic seaside resort.
Saysutshun & the Snuneymuxw People
Long before Newcastle Island became a provincial park, Saysutshun was, and remains, a place of deep cultural significance to the Snuneymuxw First Nation.
Before European and Japanese contact, the Snuneymuxw people lived on Saysutshun each winter through early spring, drawn by the annual herring run that provided a vital food source. Beyond sustenance, the island has long been associated with physical and spiritual healing, a meaning that continues to this day.
Today, the Snuneymuxw people, in partnership with BC Parks, welcome visitors who wish to experience the island’s history, culture, and natural beauty with respect.
An Island Shaped by Industry
Beginning in the mid-1800s, the island entered an era of intensive industrial use that helped shape Nanaimo’s early economy:
- Coal mining (1849–1883)
- Sandstone quarrying (1869–1932)
- Fish-salting facility and shipyard (1910–1941)
While much of the industry has faded, observant visitors can still spot remnants along the trails today.
Japanese Canadian Settlement & Internment
In the early 1900s, Japanese Canadian workers operated the fish saltery and shipyard, establishing a small settlement just north of Shaft Point on the island’s west side. Families lived here until 1941, when they were forcibly removed and sent to internment camps during WWII.
This chapter remains one of the most important and difficult parts of Saysutshun’s story.
The Island’s Resort Era
In 1931, the Canadian Pacific Steamship Company purchased the island and transformed it into a pleasure resort for affluent visitors. At its peak, Saysutshun featured:
- A dance pavilion and teahouse
- Picnic areas and change houses
- A soccer field and a wading pool
- A floating hotel docked at Mark Bay
Ships from Vancouver once brought up to 1,500 visitors to the island at a time. The resort era was short-lived, however, as World War II and a shortage of leisure ships led to a sharp decline in visitors.
The Newcastle Island Experience
A visit here feels effortless in the best possible way. Everything you need, including trails, beaches, history, and picnic areas, sits within easy walking distance, making this one of Nanaimo’s most approachable outdoor adventures.
Getting There
Getting to Newcastle Island couldn’t be easier, and it's part of the adventure. A short, scenic passenger boat ride from downtown Nanaimo brings you across the harbour in just minutes. The passenger ferry departs from Maffeo Sutton Park, making Saysutshun an ideal half-day or full-day trip without needing a car.
Please check the current ferry schedule and fees here: Saysutchun Ferry Schedule.
Moorage Information
If you have a boat, you are in luck! There are berthing facilities at Mark Bay, and prices are incredibly reasonable. Moorage is on a first-come, first-served basis, and reservations aren't accepted. From the dock, it is a short walk to the Pavilion, washrooms, trails, and picnic areas.
Day-Use Area
The day-use area near the Pavilion is the heart of Saysutshun. You’ll find picnic tables, grassy open space, flush washrooms, and beach access nearby. This area is especially popular with families and makes a great base for exploring the island at a relaxed pace.
It’s also one of the more accessible areas of the park, with wheelchair-friendly facilities and pathways.
Walking Tour
If you want to experience the island’s layered history, the self-guided walking tour is a must. Interpretive signs lead you through former industrial sites, cultural landmarks, and scenic viewpoints, helping bring Saysutshun’s past to life as you explore.
This is one of my favourite ways to experience the island.
Camping on Newcastle Island
There are 18 walk-in campsites and 5 group campsites (accommodating up to 50 guests). The island has flush toilets and coin-operated showers. Potable water and food lockers (to keep out the raccoons) are also provided.
Campsites are open between May and October and are reserved through BC Parks.
Trails & Walking Routes
With 22 km of well-developed trails, Saysutshun is a walker’s dream. Trails range from flat, leisurely paths to gentle forest loops that circle the island. You’ll pass rocky shorelines, sandy beaches, forested interior sections, and quiet viewpoints over Nanaimo Harbour.
Most trails are suitable for casual walkers, making this a great option for all ages and abilities.
The coastal trail circumnavigates the entire island at a length of approximately 10 km. This trail is perfect for those wishing to beachcomb or swim.
The 2 km Mallard Lake Trail winds through mature Douglas fir and marshy areas to a small lake. This is an excellent trail to view ducks, other birds, and possibly the resident beaver. Another 1/2 km west will take you to Midden Bay, the site of the historic coal mine. And just beyond that is Saltery Beach, the former site of the saltery and shipyard (mentioned above).
For a full loop (approx 4.8 km), consider doing the Mallard Lake and Shoreline Trail.
The 1.5 km Kanaka Bay Trail leads from the day-use area to Kanaka Bay, where you will find a historic ventilation shaft for the coal mine. Kanaka Bay is also well known for an eerie ghost story. For a complete loop (just under 4 km), walk the Kanaka Trail and the Shoreline Loop.
Other Things to Do on Saysutshun
Beyond hiking and history, Saysutshun offers plenty of simple, joyful ways to spend a day. The kind that don’t require a plan, just a bit of curiosity.
Slow Down & Soak It In
- Settle onto one of the harbour-facing benches and enjoy sweeping views of Nanaimo and the surrounding coastline.
- Wander through the historic Pavilion, which can also be rented for dances, corporate picnics, and wedding receptions.
Family-Friendly Fun
- Let kids burn off energy at the adventure playground.
- Toss a football or Frisbee on the large grassy field near the day-use area.
Beaches & Wildlife
- Go for a swim at Kanaka Bay or Brownie Bay on a warm day.
- Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, as Saysutshun is known for its rare albino raccoons, though sightings are never guaranteed.
Adventure & Exploration
- Try geocaching! There are several hidden caches tucked throughout the island
- Kayak around the island (bring your own kayak) for a unique water-level perspective
- Spend time beachcombing, especially along quieter stretches of shoreline
Why You Should Go
Saysutshun isn’t about ticking off attractions, but about slowing down in a place that has mattered for generations. In less than ten minutes, you cross from city streets to shoreline trails where history, culture, and nature intersect.
This is a place where you can spread out a picnic blanket and let the kids run free. You don’t need a car, a big budget, or a detailed plan, just a little curiosity and a willingness to explore at an island pace.
Whether you’re visiting Nanaimo for the first time or you’ve lived here for years, Saysutshun has a way of feeling both familiar and quietly profound. It’s easy to reach, easy to enjoy, and somehow always leaves you feeling like you’ve stepped into something more profound than a typical day trip.
If you’re looking for an experience that’s effortless, meaningful, and uniquely Nanaimo, Saysutshun belongs at the top of your list.
Include it in Your Custom Itinerary
Want to include Saysutshun in a well-planned Nanaimo or Vancouver Island adventure?
I help travellers turn must-see spots like Newcastle Island into realistic, stress-free itineraries, whether you’re here for a weekend or a full island road trip.
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