It's a surprise to most Canadians that BC boasts more limestone caves than all other provinces in Canada combined. Some of Canada's longest and deepest cave systems are found on Northern Vancouver Island in the Port McNeill area, and more are waiting to be discovered.
What is Caving? Caving is the popular term for the sport of cave exploration. It's the recreational form of spelunking, the underground scientific study of natural caves and karst formations.
Karst Karst is a landscape sculpted by water, but this doesn't begin to describe it: It's an eerie realm of sinkholes, vertical shafts, disappearing streams, springs, and caves. Welcome to one of Canada's most exotic landscapes. About 4% of Vancouver Island's surface area is composed of karst and there are more than 1,000 caves. Want to give it a try?
Little Huson Cave Regional Park At Little Huson Cave Regional Park, nestled in the Nimpkish Valley, explore the Quatsino System. This is a network of caves honeycombing a huge chunk of the Island all the way to the Strathcona Provincial Park/Gold River region. Little Huson's easily accessible caves are a good place for the newbie caver.
Rock Formations In addition to 15 caves, there are spellbinding surface rock formations including rock arches, tunnels, sinkholes and deep pools filled with clear green water. These can be seen from a viewing platform minutes from the parking lot.
Artlish Caves Provincial Park Veteran cavers will turn to Artlish Caves Provincial Park, celebrated for some of the most spectacular karst features in Canada. The park is home to the Vanishing River. It earns its name by disappearing into an underground maze before resurfacing 1000m/1093yd later as the Reappearing River.
Canada's only Ceynote Here, too, is the Devil's Bath, Canada's only ceynote, a gigantic rock bowel continuously filled by an underground spring. It connects to the Benson River Cave via an underwater tunnel. Follow on to the beautiful Eternal Fountain. Then slip behind the waterfall to discover a subterranean falls and passages sculpted in dramatic red rock. Beware slippery surfaces throughout.
Practical Information - Entrance to the Artlish Caves Provincial Park is via active logging roads. Chances of encountering loaded logging trucks on these roads is highly likely. Remember, logging trucks have the right of way. Vehicles must yield and use pullouts when possible.
- The best time to explore caves and karst formations around Port McNeill is summer. But even then, caves are slippery, damp and cold. Be sure to wear appropriate boots and bring a jacket and flashlight.
- Supervised tours are also available. Check with local Parks officials for the names of local guides. Logging road maps are available through the logging company offices or the Ministry of Forest office in Port McNeill.
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