North Vancouver Island

Understand

Northern Vancouver Island is a resource- and tourism-based economy that has large portions of wilderness. The people of the northern Vancouver Island are friendly and welcoming, but, just like most people in the world, it does help to be respectful of local customs.

Getting there

By car The only highway in and out of North Vancouver Island is Highway 19 (Island Highway). It runs roughly 400 km from Port Hardy, at its northern end, south through Campbell River to Nanaimo. Travel time between Port Hardy and Nanaimo is roughly 4.5-5 hours and 6-6.5 hours to Victoria.

By bus IslandLink Bus, [email protected]. Service from Campbell River to Port Hardy. (updated Jan 2023)

By boat BC Ferries, toll-free: +1-888-223-3779. Operates ferries connecting coastal communities. (updated Apr 2022) Ferry terminals:

1 Port Hardy (Bear Cove) ferry terminal - served by two routes: From Prince Rupert (16-22 hours) via Klemtu and/or Bella Bella (8-9.5 hours). The ferries travel through the beautiful Inside Passage that connect the North Coasts and Central with the Port Hardy. The number of sailings per week varies by season, and depart up to every other day in the summer. From Bella Coola (10 hours). Operates several days per week in the summer only. Otherwise, travelers from Bella Coola can take a ferry to Bella Bella and transfer to reach Port Hardy. 2 Port McNeill ferry terminal is served by one route: Between Port McNeill ferry terminal, 3 Cormorant Island (Alert Bay) ferry terminal, and 4 Malcolm Island (Sointula) ferry terminal. Crossing time is 35-45 minutes from Cormorant Island to Port McNeill and 25 minutes from Malcom Island.

By plane Port Hardy Airport YZT IATA has daily flights from Vancouver. This is the only airport in North Vancouver Island with scheduled commercial flights.

Getting around

Hitchhiking happens, but it's better if you organize a ride at a coffee house or on the internet.

By public transit BC Transit (Mount Waddington Transit System), ☏ +1-250-956-3151. Operates route with Port Hardy and routes that travel to Port McNeill and Coal Harbour. Routes operate Monday to Saturday. (updated Apr 2022)

See

See the vast wilderness of the north Learn about Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw culture at the Umista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay and at Fort Rupert near Port Hardy Leap into the salmon’s world at the Quatse Salmon Stewardship Centre in Port Hardy to learn about all things salmon

Do

Go fishing. Some of the best fishing in the world is on the northern Island. If you are invited (not chartered) to go fishing on someone's boat, bring beer and offer to chip in for gas, as even a generous contribution for fuel is still a lot cheaper than going on a charter fishing trip Go camping or hunting, or do both. Make sure you get your license before you go Go hiking through old growth forest and across beaches at Cape Scott Provincial Park Whale watching for orcas and humpback whales is very popular out of Telegraph Cove and Port McNeil Go kayaking for a few hours or a few days among the archipelago of islands that dot the eastern shore of the island. Kayaks can be rented or tours booked from Telegraph Cove Launch off on a tour to see grizzly bears from Telegraph Cove

Go next

Central Vancouver Island – With beaches and big trees, hikes and kayaking, whale watching and salmon fishing, caves and surfing, the central part of Vancouver Island is a haven for outdoor recreation. Nanaimo, the largest city, is a 4.5-hour drive from Port Hardy on BC Highway 19. North Coast – Untouched wilderness and native culture, and famous for fishing. Head north into the waters of the Inside Passage on BC Ferries to Prince Rupert.