Distance Walked: 7.01 km
Walking Time: 1 hr, 42 min
Trail Rating: Easy
History:
Protection Island is located in the harbour of Nanaimo, BC. It is home to 350 full-time residents. Locals commonly travel across the island by golf cart, while some transfer their groceries, recycling and garbage from the community dock by wheelbarrow.
Many islanders access the area by private boat, kayak or rowboat. A small, public ferry takes passengers to and from Nanaimo-Protection Island ($10 return ticket).
Protection Island is part of the City of Nanaimo and is serviced by municipal water, sewer, hydro, Shaw and Telus. It offers residents and visitors a community dock, boat ramp, library, museum, public garden, community hall and fire station. The Dinghy Dock Pub is Canada’s only floating bar-restaurant.
This distinct island is made even more unique by its quirky pirate signs and street names. At low tide, it’s a short walk from Billy Bones Bay to the east shore of Saysutshun (Newcastle Island).
There are currently no paved roads on Protection Island. A short 4 km trail will take you around most of the shoreline. The individual streets are well worth looping through. Most residents have gone out of their way to delight you with a sense of humour and provide a bit of local history. Since there are no commercial stores, and garbage and recycling can be a hassle, some locals simply leave unwanted items outside of their homes. The intention is, if you need something, help yourself.
Our Experience:
After yesterday’s long day (both in hours and in kilometres), we were looking for a hike that was quick, easy, novel and ended in refreshments. Protection Island checked all four boxes and more. It’s a captivating spot to spend a sunny afternoon. Stopping at Dinghy Dock’s is a definite must!
#30hikesin30days
Retirement Reflections 
Sounds like my kind of hike!
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Thanks for the feedback, Ingrid. We have been trying to include a diverse range of trails so that there would be something for everyone. Well…except for daredevils and mountain-climbers, but they likely wouldn’t listen to my advice anyway! I hope that you are well. 😀
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Hi Donna, Protection Island is such a pretty place with similar characteristics to Toronto’s Ward’s Island. Glad Corona Extra is a beer 🙂
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Thanks, Natalie – The next time that you are here, I can take you to Protection Island. And when I am in Toronto, you can take me to Ward’s Island. It sounds like a fair exchange! 😀
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How I would love to visit! Guess those Islanders must really know how to recycle.
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Thanks, Laurie. I think that most of them are recycling geniuses. At one of our local grocery shops, a cashier mentioned that residents from Protection Island (and some other surrounding small islands) regularly strip away any unnecessary product-packaging right at the checkout counter and leave it behind for the staff to deal with.
BTW – I do likes the sounds of you visiting!
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They would have to be recycling geniuses! I am so fascinated by Protection Island and its community. Do have any blogging friends who live there? If so, I will check out the blogs.
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Hi, Laurie – Sadly, I do not have any blogging buddies (or any buddies currently) who live on Protection Island. There is this blog: (https://nancylevin.com/writing-for-my-life-on-protection-island/ and this one https://www.protectionisland.org/blog. Hope they are helpful!
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I’d love to kayak to the Dinghy Dock someday! I’ve heard good things about that place. Another cool hike!
Deb
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This would be a great place for you and Joanne to kayak to. I would gladly meet you two there for lunch or a drink!
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I have many fond memories of the Dinghy Dock Pub. A great choice for your hike!
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Thanks, Darlene – Dinghy Dock is such a fun place. I’m glad that you have fond memories from there.
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Wonderful to see – it’s an area I wanted to visit … but just never made it. A simple walk – yet one full of fun – love the locals interaction with any visitors … must be idyllic … and glad it was easier for you – take care – Hilary
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Hi, Hilary – I have been trying to give you numerous reasons to come back to the Island! Richard and I have been to Protection Island previously, but we have never before done such an extensive exporation. The island has many more homes (360) and many more full-time residents (350) than we would have guessed.
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Sounds like great fun! Easier than yesterday as you said … 🙂
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Thanks, Susan – As we are head into the final stretch, we’ve decided to take it easy on ourselves. The amazing thing is that there has not been one walk that we didn’t enjoy or that we wished we had skipped (atleast not yet)! Thank you for staying tuned. 😀
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Okay, this one I might be able to handle!
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I think that you would love Protection Island, Janet. Many of its residents are highly creative and artistic.
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A hike that ends in a beer has got to be good!
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I completely agree!
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Billy Bones Bay – love it! A touch of Pirates of the Vancouver Island- could be a movie in the making. LOL:)
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Ohhh, it does sound like a movie in the making, doesn’t it. Protection Island would be the perfect settng! Thanks for reading and commenting. I greatly appreciate it.
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I’ve been there, and everything you say about Protection Island is absolutely true, Donna! It’s a fun day trip, and who could pass up Refreshments at the Dingy Dock Pub? I hadn’t realized one could walk across to Newcastle Island at low tide, until I read your 30 Hikes series.
Jude
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Hi, Jude – Yup, walking between the two islands is very doable and low-tide. Another fun thing to do on Vancouver Island! 😀
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