Harwood Island is a small island that lies off the coast of Powell River

Powell River, British Columbia

Powell River is a city on the northern Sunshine Coast of southwestern British Columbia, Canada. Most of its population lives near the eastern shores of Malaspina Strait, that part of the larger Georgia Strait between Texada Island and the Mainland...

, BC

British Columbia

British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...

. It is an Indian reserve

Indian reserve

In Canada, an Indian reserve is specified by the Indian Act as a "tract of land, the legal title to which is vested in Her Majesty, that has been set apart by Her Majesty for the use and benefit of a band." The Act also specifies that land reserved for the use and benefit of a band which is not...

 and is part of the traditional territory of the Sliammon First Nation

Sliammon First Nation

The Sliammon First Nation or Tla A'min First Nation is a First Nations government located on the upper Sunshine Coast in southwestern British Columbia, Canada...

. It is a popular weekend destination during the summer season for tourists and residents of Powell River.

An excellent day paddle option near Powell River is to circumnavigate Harwood Island. This culturally significant island is viewed directly across from Powell River and provides a wonderful experience that includes interesting geology, beautiful sandy beaches and lively marine gardens. One can launch from either Powell River or from Gibsons Beach - about a 10 minute drive north of town. Harwood Island is uninhabited and is also a Sliammon First Nation reservation.

Experienced paddlers may paddle the 19 km circumnavigation in a day. All paddlers should keep a close eye and ear to the weather as this destination has excellent exposure to the Strait of Georgia.