Penelakut Island

Penelakut Island formerly known as Kuper Island is located east of Chemainus by four nautical miles just south across Canoe Pass from Thetis Island. Mediterranean Climate

Penelakut Island is a small island with an area of around 9 square km (3.5 square miles). The island sits in a rain shadow that forms across the Strait of Georgia and gets very little precipitation with lots of sunshine creating a very unique eco-system, sometimes described as Mediterranean. BC Ferries Scheduled Sailing

To get to Kuper Island, there is a scheduled BC Ferries that does the tri-sailing route between Chemainus, Thetis Island and the ferry terminal at Telegraph Harbour on Penelakut Island. Ferry Schedule - BC Ferries Penelakut First Nation

Penelakut Island is home to a Penelakut First Nation, an affiliate with the Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group. The Penelakut First Nation Reserve No. 7 is home to around 300 people. There is no commercial development on the island and, besides private homes, has only a Roman Catholic Church. Penelakut Tribe No Public Entry

Unfortunately, Penelakut Island is not generally open to the public. Certain exceptions will be made but only with prior permission from the Penelakut Band Council by telephoning (250) 246-2321. Healing Circles

The Roman Catholic Church has been in existence on Kuper Island since the late 1800's with a Residential School once established here. Various healing circles and tribal togetherness are ongoing to the Penelakut and play a major factor in the lives of its present-day inhabitants. 'The Cut'

The island can best be viewed by boat or across an exciting channel nicknamed 'The Cut' from Thetis Island near the Telegraph Harbour Marina.This narrow passage between Thetis Island and Kuper Island is quite shallow and has been attempted by boaters at high tide. Remember check tide charts before entering 'The Cut.' Thetis Harbour

Thetis Harbour provides some of the finest moorage anchorages in the southern Gulf Islands. Nearby to the moorage is some excellent boating off of Penelakut Island with some marine parks nearby. Information on Kuper Island Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group



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BC Ferries - M.V. Kuper

Penelakut Spit

Sea Life at Low Tide

'The Cut' - Low Tide