Cable Bay {Joan Point Park]

Cable Bay Hike

• Distance – 6.50 km roundtrip
• Elevation – 84 meters
• Difficulty – Easy
• Trailhead – Cable Bay Trailhead Parking Lot
• Logistics – None

In the fall, we had a somewhat last-minute trip to Vancouver Island when COVID made our plan to go to Quebec City and the Eastern Townships an impossibility. Without much time to plan, we found ourselves on the island. Vancouver Island is a wonderful place with millions of beautiful, mossy places to explore, so we weren’t too hard-pressed to find things to do. It was just that we didn’t have a lot of new things on the list and so we found ourselves asking locals for advice which led to some wonderful adventures, like Cable Bay.

Cable Bay is a hike in between Nanaimo and Ladysmith that leads down to the water with stunning views of Gabriola Island, Mudge Island, and the Strait of Georgia. But even better than the views of the narrows and islands is the wildlife! The bay was full of sea lions who were actively fishing and exploring the waters. I have never seen so many sea lions catching lunch at once.

We only had a limited time to enjoy the hike as we were scheduled to visit the Birds of Prey, but we found ourselves wishing we had more time as the sea lions were almost close enough to touch as they dove through the waters, fishing and playing. This is the perfect spot for a picnic, make sure to bring one if you do this hike!

Hiking Details.

Park at the Cable Bay parking lot, which is easy to find and all the roads to the parking area are paved.

• Directions from Nanaimo (16 minutes drive)
• Directions from Ladysmith (20 minutes drive)

Start down the path and follow the wide, beautiful trail towards the water. We were there in the fall and the leaves were stunning colours, both on the trees and on the ground. At about 2 km, you reach the water and there is a bridge over a small stream to your right. Gabriola Island will be directly in front of you along with floating barges full of sea lions to the left.

Cross over the bridge and continue to follow the trail through the bushes and trees to Join Point Park. This little gem of a park is only accessible by foot. The park overlooks Dodd Narrows and gives wonderful vantage points for Mudge Island and Gabriola Island.

Seals and sea lions were playing and fishing in the water when we were there – mesmerizing!

The shoreline of the park is made up of mossy rocks; find one that suits your fancy and have a picnic while watching the ocean surge through the narrows and the sealife plays.

When you’ve had your fill, turn around and go back the way you came.

A fabulous gem of a hike and a wonderful way to spend a morning if you find yourself in the Nanaimo / Ladysmith area.

Happy hiking!

Donloree

I am a lover of audacious living, an avid hiker and cyclist, quasi runner, and dabbler of many things. Finding myself at the age where scotch becomes amazing, I am enjoying what the world has to offer and drinking deep from the well of travel and adventure as often as I can. Follow along to stay up to date on adventures, hikes, and travel tips as I share some hidden and not so hidden corners of the world.