Quadra Island is an island off the eastern coast of
Vancouver Island,
British Columbia,
Canada, part of the
Discovery Islands located within the
Strathcona Regional District. Quadra Island is about 35 km (22 miles) from its northernmost point to its southernmost point. The island at its narrowest point, on its southern peninsula, is less than 2 km (1.25 miles) wide, and at its widest point, about 15 km (9 miles) wide. In area Quadra island comprises about 310 square km (120 square miles). The population of island and surrounding mainland inlets, as of the 2006 federal census (excluding First Nations Reserves, tallied separately), was 2,472, down from the 2001 federal census count of 2,548. In 1903 it was named after the Spanish navigator
Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra, who explored and settled the Vancouver Island area in the late 18th century. It is separated from Vancouver Island by
Discovery Passage, and from
Cortes Island, and is linked to that island by a ferry from
Heriot Bay on its eastern shore. The island has many beaches, trails, lakes, and parks.
Main Lake Provincial Park is located on the northern part of the island, and
Rebecca Spit Marine Provincial Park is on the eastern shore, near
Heriot Bay.