Saltery Bay Provincial Park

Saltery Bay Provincial Park was established in 1962 to provide ocean access on the Sunshine Coast of Georgia Strait. The park is divided into two separate sites: the campground and the day-use area. The day-use area with its rocky beaches is a popular swimming and picnic site. Lush forests with large, old trees create a quiet setting for the campground at Mermaid Cove. At low tide, the rocky shoreline often has tidal pools with starfish, sea urchins, small fish and crabs. Scuba diving provides a close-up look at the abundant marine life and a 3-metre bronze mermaid statue. The Emerald Princess statue and wheelchair access ramp were placed in the park through efforts of local scuba enthusiasts. From the shore, killer whales and sea lions can sometimes be seen. Mounds of seashells called "middens" indicate that this was a traditional gathering area for First Nations.