Emma’s Guide to Northern Vancouver Island
Day Trips
Here are some places I think are great for a half day or in some cases full day out. Trips to Alert Bay and Souintula rely on ferry schedules from Port McNeill (40-45 minute drive from both Port Alice and Coal Harbour).
Alert Bay or 'Yalis is a ferry ride from Port McNeill. The U'mista cultural centre is a must-visit to learn about the 'Namgis culture and view the ancient masks that have been repatriated. There is also a historic burial ground, Big House, and the world's tallest totem pole (possibly!).
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Alert Bay
Alert Bay or 'Yalis is a ferry ride from Port McNeill. The U'mista cultural centre is a must-visit to learn about the 'Namgis culture and view the ancient masks that have been repatriated. There is also a historic burial ground, Big House, and the world's tallest totem pole (possibly!).
Between May and October there is lots to do including whale watching tours, bear tours, kayaking, and the Whale interpretive museum. The restaurant has a great deck to watch eagles and the boats come in, while sipping a cocktail. Off-season, the board walk and colourful houses are interesting for a peaceful stroll.
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Telegraph Cove
Between May and October there is lots to do including whale watching tours, bear tours, kayaking, and the Whale interpretive museum. The restaurant has a great deck to watch eagles and the boats come in, while sipping a cocktail. Off-season, the board walk and colourful houses are interesting for a peaceful stroll.
A beautiful sandy beach that is perfect for a day out. Explore the natural rock formations and small caves. The best of the North West coast.
From the parking lot to the beach is about a 30 minute walk/easy hike through a well maintained forest trail. Be sure to pack out what you bring with you. On the way home you could stop off for a refreshment at the Scalet Ibis Pub in Holberg.
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San Josef Bay
A beautiful sandy beach that is perfect for a day out. Explore the natural rock formations and small caves. The best of the North West coast.
From the parking lot to the beach is about a 30 minute walk/easy hike through a well maintained forest trail. Be sure to pack out what you bring with you. On the way home you could stop off for a refreshment at the Scalet Ibis Pub in Holberg.
Short Hikes
These are some great outdoor experiences where you can spend between 30 mins and a couple of hours. Some of our local nature trails have surprises where nature is slowly reclaiming the land.
Suquash/Tsulquash is an abandoned mining site. It's great for a couple of hours out in nature. Be prepared for a steep walk down to the ocean. It is located about a half an hour drive from the apartment, on a logging road between Port Hardy and Port McNeill. Have fun exploring the old machinery that nature is slowly taking hold of.
Suquash
Suquash/Tsulquash is an abandoned mining site. It's great for a couple of hours out in nature. Be prepared for a steep walk down to the ocean. It is located about a half an hour drive from the apartment, on a logging road between Port Hardy and Port McNeill. Have fun exploring the old machinery that nature is slowly taking hold of.
If you start at Bear Cove you'll end up at beautiful Storey's beach. There are two trailheads for this trail: located off of Beaver Harbour Road and Bear Cove Highway.
Fort Rupert Trail, also known as the Commuter Trail, is a historic walk through Kwagu’ł territory. The trail passes through old growth forest and includes gravel surfaces and boardwalk. It's suitable for most people and to complete the whole trail is about one hour each way.
Fort Rupert Trail
6520 BC-19If you start at Bear Cove you'll end up at beautiful Storey's beach. There are two trailheads for this trail: located off of Beaver Harbour Road and Bear Cove Highway.
Fort Rupert Trail, also known as the Commuter Trail, is a historic walk through Kwagu’ł territory. The trail passes through old growth forest and includes gravel surfaces and boardwalk. It's suitable for most people and to complete the whole trail is about one hour each way.
DAKOTA 576 PLANE CRASH HIKE - Bear Cove Park is where you'll park your vehicle to access the "Plane crash hike".
Bear Cove park is a small area with picnic tables. Nice place to watch the sunset and see the town of Port Hardy from the other side of the bay.
The Dakota 576, 1945 Plane Crash site can be found after about a 2km hike that is in places a little steep but does have ropes to help in those places. The entrance to the trail is located beside the Port Hardy Ferry Terminal. Some great views at the start of the trail.
Difficulty: moderate. Distance: 4.2km there and back.
Bear Cove Park
British Columbia 19DAKOTA 576 PLANE CRASH HIKE - Bear Cove Park is where you'll park your vehicle to access the "Plane crash hike".
Bear Cove park is a small area with picnic tables. Nice place to watch the sunset and see the town of Port Hardy from the other side of the bay.
The Dakota 576, 1945 Plane Crash site can be found after about a 2km hike that is in places a little steep but does have ropes to help in those places. The entrance to the trail is located beside the Port Hardy Ferry Terminal. Some great views at the start of the trail.
Difficulty: moderate. Distance: 4.2km there and back.
Eating Out
Located in Port Hardy. Laid back location. Families welcome. The main restaurant area has a few tables with an ocean view. Tasty food at a reasonable price. I recommend the Fish Tacos or their Pizzas. Sometimes in the summer there is a patio.
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Sporty Bar & Grill
8700 Hastings StLocated in Port Hardy. Laid back location. Families welcome. The main restaurant area has a few tables with an ocean view. Tasty food at a reasonable price. I recommend the Fish Tacos or their Pizzas. Sometimes in the summer there is a patio.
Located in Port Hardy. Casual dining. Nice environment (comfy couches, attractive decor) friendly staff, pool tables, tv screens showing sports. Located in the Kwa’lilas hotel.
nax'id' Pub
9040 Granville StLocated in Port Hardy. Casual dining. Nice environment (comfy couches, attractive decor) friendly staff, pool tables, tv screens showing sports. Located in the Kwa’lilas hotel.
Located on Market Street in Port Hardy. Sushi restaurant offering lots of choice in sushi rolls and some hot dishes. Friendly service. Take out available.
Karai Sushi
7145 Market StreetLocated on Market Street in Port Hardy. Sushi restaurant offering lots of choice in sushi rolls and some hot dishes. Friendly service. Take out available.
Triport Towns
The North Island is sometimes known as the Triport area. There are three communities that are well linked: Port Hardy, Port Alice, & Port McNeill.
A small rural town tucked away off a scenic drive. You'll be wowed by the stunning views. If you're lucky you may catch a glimpse of the humbacks. This is a great spot for fishing and to retreat away from it all. A beautiful, quiet place to stay as the starting point for exploring the North Island. There is a grocery store and a pizza place but for most amenities Port McNeill or Port Hardy are 45 minutes away. I like to take photos of the old mill against the stunning natural scenery and it could be a great spot for a picnic if you're just visiting for the day.
Port Alice
A small rural town tucked away off a scenic drive. You'll be wowed by the stunning views. If you're lucky you may catch a glimpse of the humbacks. This is a great spot for fishing and to retreat away from it all. A beautiful, quiet place to stay as the starting point for exploring the North Island. There is a grocery store and a pizza place but for most amenities Port McNeill or Port Hardy are 45 minutes away. I like to take photos of the old mill against the stunning natural scenery and it could be a great spot for a picnic if you're just visiting for the day.
Port Hardy is where the highway ends and the adventure begins! It’s the furthest north you can go on a paved road on Vancouver Island. It’s the largest of the triport communities and has all the necessary amenities as well as a great local cafe and gift shop. 15 minute drive from Coal Harbour and a 40 minute drive from Port Alice.
Port Hardy
Port Hardy is where the highway ends and the adventure begins! It’s the furthest north you can go on a paved road on Vancouver Island. It’s the largest of the triport communities and has all the necessary amenities as well as a great local cafe and gift shop. 15 minute drive from Coal Harbour and a 40 minute drive from Port Alice.
Personally it’s my least favourite town on the North Island. You’ll catch the ferry for Souintula and Alert Bay from here. There are pubs and restaurants so you can grab a bite to eat on your way back from Telegraph Cove or the islands. The Devil’s Bath Brewery near the ferry Port is a great place for a pizza and a pint. It’s actually where we had our first date!
Port McNeill
Personally it’s my least favourite town on the North Island. You’ll catch the ferry for Souintula and Alert Bay from here. There are pubs and restaurants so you can grab a bite to eat on your way back from Telegraph Cove or the islands. The Devil’s Bath Brewery near the ferry Port is a great place for a pizza and a pint. It’s actually where we had our first date!
Råd om byen
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Whale Watching Tours
Whale Watching tours run out of Port McNeill and Telegraph Cove. During the summer season they often fill up, so book ahead.
Det skal du pakke
Dress for Comfort and the Great Outdoors!
We are located in a temperate rainforest. Bring comfortable hiking boots and a lightweight rain jacket to make the most of the natural beauty surrounding us. Leave the high heels at home!
Nyttige sætninger
Kwak’wala Greeting
Gilakas’la - welcome or thank you
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Tide Rip Bear Tours
Bear tours depart from Telegraph Cove at 6am and return around 3 or 4pm. Well worth the day out. They can get booked up in the summer time though so call ahead to avoid disappointment.
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Kayak Rentals
There are several Kayak rental places on the North Island. Reserve your Kayak for some exploring or book a guided tour.
Kayak Rentals in Port Hardy: www.seaviewkayak.ca
Overnight Guided Kayak Tours: https://www.kayakbritishcolumbia.com/
There are also three Kayak companies operating out of Telegraph Cove offering rentals and tours.
Skikke og kultur
First Nations
The communities on Northern Vancouver Island are located on the traditional territories of the Kwagu’ł. It is also home to the Gwa’Sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw, and Quatsino First Nations, while Alert Bay is home to the Nam'gis people.