North Vancouver Island Region
The North Island is a remote yet still accessible step further beyond for travellers seeking a go-anywhere license to roam in a spectacular wilderness setting. Beginning north of Campbell River, one of the most treasured wildlife watching regions in the world extends north to the Island’s windswept tip at Cape Scott, west to the jagged Pacific coast and east towards the BC mainland across the whale-friendly waters of the Johnstone Straight and Broughton Archipelago. It’s about as far away from it all as one can get within a day’s travel of Victoria, Vancouver and Seattle.
FACT > The North Island region is widely regarded as one of the last frontiers of pristine wilderness. A nature lover’s dream come true.
Set the camera to continuous mode and snap action sequences of leaping Orcas (killer whales) and grizzly bears fishing in coastal rivers. Explore the region by car, with a backpack or while paddling across serene lakes. Camp under the darkest of star-filled night skies. Or settle into a friendly town for North Island pampering: oceanfront dining, boardwalk strolls, festivals and shopping. Expect to travel home with the region’s best-loved treat: local smoked and candied salmon.
First Nations peoples have resided here for at least 8,000 years (according to the oldest archeological finds at Port Hardy’s Bear Cove). The traditions of the Kwakwka’wakw live on in Alert Bay, home to the world’s tallest totem pole and the dazzling U’mista Cultural Centre. First Nations guides lead heart-in-mouth boating adventures across saltwater rapids and world-class carvers work marvels in their studios.
Museums documenting pioneer life along with accommodations, shops, galleries, restaurants and other modern conveniences make Port Hardy and Port McNeill prime bases for visitors. The two centres along with the whale-watching hotspot of Telegraph Cove are capitals of a blooming North Island eco-tourism industry. Scuba divers, kayakers and sports fisherman are particularly well served by guides and suppliers here. Whales and grizzly bears top everyone’s wish list for close encounters. Group outings in zodiacs and comfortable cabin cruisers head out in search of Orcas, humpback whales, porpoises, Steller sea lions, Minke whales and harbour seals included. The May to October season is also primetime for nautical trips to Knight Inlet’s grizzly bear habitats.
Kayaking is one of the most rewarding ways to explore the rugged coastal
North Island region.
Take an hour-long, wheelchair accessible walk to San Josef Bay’s deserted beaches or embark on an epic, multi-night trek along the North Coast Trail. Get a taste for caving in a region famous for its eerie rock formations. Scuba divers explore the rainbow coalition of cold-water life in numerous spots along the coastline, including Quatsino Narrows and God’s Pocket Marine Provincial Park. Pleasure boaters and kayakers edge along the eastern shoreline or strike out for the west coast along deep inlets and fjords. There’s no end of adventure here at Vancouver Island’s last frontier.
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Featured Listings
Visit WebsiteExplore remote coastal British Columbia in luxury! Sea kayaking and cruising tours to Desolation Sound, Broughton Archipelago and the Great Bear Rainforest aboard the immaculate heritage vessel Columbia III. 3-10 day tours. Certified crew and ship. Spectacular wildlife viewing! Here are just a few reasons to paddle with the COLUMBIA III: Novice and experienced paddlers welcome Instruction by professional certified guides Safe and stable Necky double kayaks Maneuverable, light kayaks unburdened by camping gear Many diverse landscapes in a single tour Flexible paddling schedule dictated by the weather and our guests interests New paddling waters each day, new anchorages each [...]
More InformationNorth Island
1-888-833-8887
Visit WebsiteBritish Columbia Ferry Services Inc. (BC Ferries) is one of the largest ferry operators in the world, providing year-round vehicle and passenger service on 25 routes to 47 terminals, with a fleet of 35 vessels. The company provides an essential transportation link that connects coastal communities and facilitates the movement of people, goods and services throughout coastal British Columbia. BC Ferries’ diverse service area includes connections between the Vancouver Mainland and Vancouver Island; from Vancouver Island or the Vancouver Mainland to many small island communities; from Prince Rupert on the province’s north coast to Haidai Gwaii and to Port Hardy. [...]
More InformationMany Communities • Across Vancouver Island
1-888-BC-FERRY (1-888-223-3779)
Visit WebsiteEXPERIENCE STUBBS ISLAND WHALE WATCHING ADVENTURE! We think this is the best place in the world to see the incredible Orcas (Killer Whales)! At Stubbs we are proud to be BC’s first whale watching company (est. in 1980) and we set the standard for marine adventures and ethical whale watching. Our trained marine naturalists share fascinating insights about Orca (killer), humpback whales and many other marine mammals which frequent the Johnstone Strait and Robson Bight area. Join us for an exciting sea adventure from Telegraph Cove, the Whale Watching Capital of British Columbia! Our 49 passenger boat is comfortable and [...]
More InformationTelegraph Cove • North Island
1-800-665-3066
Visit WebsiteWe’re in the Business of British Columbia Pacific Coastal Airlines (PCA) supports local business and the economy by providing efficient and competitively-priced travel and transportation options, creating local jobs, and servicing new and existing trade-and-travel routes throughout BC and western Canada. PCA With over 35 years experience serving British Columbia, and being family-owned and operated, Pacific Coastal Airlines is People Friendly, People first. PCA is made up of two divisions: wheeled-aircraft, based in Vancouver, and floatplane service, based in Port Hardy and Port McNeill. PCA serves 65+ communities in BC—check out our route map on our website. Reservations Please call [...]
More InformationNorth Island (Port Hardy and Port McNeill), Central Island (Campbell River and Comox), and South Island (Victoria Int'l) •
1-800-663-2872
Visit WebsiteBC Ferries Vacations™ connects you with Vancouver Island’s world-class destinations and provides unique vacation experiences to the avid traveller. Offering several packages for one and two-nights or longer, BC Ferries Vacations™ travel experts have hand-picked the best accommodations and activities and packaged them with the ferry travel to bring you all-in-one convenience, quality and value.
More InformationMany Communities • Across Vancouver Island
1-888-BC FERRY (1-888-223-3779) Ext 3
Visit WebsiteVancouver Island North exerts a magnetic pull on easygoing adventurers seeking authentic experiences in a spectacularly panoramic natural setting – largely undiscovered yet just a day’s travel from Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle. The variety of things to do here is remarkably diverse. Spot black bears on the north Island, and depart from here on a grizzly bear viewing tour to the adjacent mainland coast. Fish some of the richest waters around Vancouver Island. Take a day hike or a multi-day backcountry adventure on the North Coast Trail in Cape Scott Provincial Park. Shop local for smoked salmon, funky folk art, [...]
More InformationAlert Bay, Port Alice, Port Hardy, Port McNeill, Sointula, Telegraph Cove • North Island
250-902-8281
Visit WebsiteEnjoy the majesty of the coastal mountains as we explore spectacular Knight Inlet to find grizzly bears. As the snows melt, both black and grizzly bears emerge from their hibernation dens on the mountain slopes. Late May to mid June is the mating season with lots of interesting interaction. The big grizzly bears chase the not-too-interested females, displacing other bears along the beach. Certainly this is our favourite time of the viewing season. Tide Rip Grizzly Adventures offers day trips to view grizzly bears in majestic Knight Inlet. Tours depart early each day May 15 to Sept 30 via covered [...]
More InformationTelegraph Cove • North Island
1-888-643-9319
Visit WebsiteGreat Bear Nature Tours
From early May through October, Great Bear Nature Tours offers grizzly bear viewing tours from Port Hardy to our floating lodge in a remote wilderness valley. The ecotourism lodge is the ideal base for photography and wildlife viewing tours, nestled at the mouth of a pristine salmon river. Wilderness-gourmet meals await you upon your return from the two guided viewing sessions per day. Great Bear Nature Tours is rated by National Geographic Adventure as one of the Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth. With a maximum of ten guests, you are assured of a personalised wilderness adventure in this very [...]
Port Hardy • North Island
1-888-221-8218
Visit WebsiteNakwakto Rapids Tours
White water like nowhere else on Earth! Guided by storytellers and a seasoned skipper, visit fascinating traditional waters and listen to ancient tales on a native cultural tour in rugged and beautiful coastal wilderness.
Port Hardy • North Island
250-230-3574
Visit WebsiteKingfisher Wilderness Adventures
Imagine waking one morning to the sound of a humpback whale’s blow as it swims past your ocean side tent. Later that same day watch in awe as a pod of orcas swim past your kayak as a bald eagle swoops down to catch a salmon. Join us at our Orca Waters Base Camp, located in the heart of northern Vancouver Island’s wildlife rich waters on an island covered in old growth rainforest, for a trip of a lifetime. Five to fifteen day expedition style kayak tours are also available to Vancouver Island, the Great Bear Rainforest, and Haida Gwaii.
Port McNeill • North Island
1-866-546-4347
Visit WebsiteGrizzly Bear Lodge and Safari
Grizzly Bear Tours, Lodge and Safari offers grizzly tours and grizzly bear watching from viewing stands and wildlife tours for grizzly bears, killer whales (orca) humpback whales, dolphins, stellar seals, sea lions, black bears and eagles. Our grizzly bear tours are conducted on Canada’s famous natural fjord known as ‘Knight Inlet BC’ and on the salmon rivers that flow into Knight Inlet. For more information about grizzly bear tours and viewing, how to see lots of bears, whales, dolphins, eagles and all the other animals of the GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST in British Columbia.
North Island
1-877-764-4286
Visit WebsitePort Hardy Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Centre
Port Hardy is located on the very northern tip of Vancouver Island. A natural paradise, Port Hardy offers activities for all ages and abilities. This is where the highway ends and the adventure begins! Choose from whale watching, hiking, beachcombing, bear watching, kayaking, diving, salt & fresh water fishing, watch the salmon spawning in the fall – truly an outdoor enthusiast’s playground.. First Nations history is abundant and proudly displayed with many totem poles around town. Museums, interpretive centres, galleries, restaurants, coffee houses and other facilities are waiting to be explored. Come and Live the Adventure!
Port Hardy • North Island
250-949-7622
Visit WebsiteTelegraph Cove Resort
Telegraph Cove is tucked away on the eastern coast of Northern Vancouver Island in one of the last virtually untouched areas of the North American continent. Telegraph Cove Resorts takes pride in being able to present it to the general public in as close to the original condition as possible. You’ll love our cozy cabins/cottages along the boardwalk and our campground / RV Park in the old growth forest.
Telegraph Cove • North Island
1-800-200-HOOK (4665)
Visit WebsiteNational Car & Truck Rental
Discounts on Golf, Mount Washington Winter Lift Tickets and Summer Scenic Chairlift Ride & Butchart Gardens Low daily, weekly & monthly rates Special weekend packages Entertainment & AAA rates One way drop off on Vancouver Island & Vancouver Cars, mini-vans & 4×4′s Free local pickup & drop off
Campbell River, Courtenay, Duncan, Nanaimo, Port Hardy, Victoria • Central Island, Cowichan, North Central Island, North Island, South Island
1-800-CAR-RENT (227-7368)
Visit WebsiteQuatse River Regional Park and Campground
62 tenting or RV sites situated within a richly forested regional park. All sites near river, firewood, washrooms and host. Power, water, sani-dump, free showers, coin laundry, WIFI, firewood, wheelchair accessible, leashed pets welcome. Next to the Quatse Salmon Stewarship Centre. All proceeds fund salmon conservation on Northern Vancouver Island.
Port Hardy • North Island
1-866-949-2395
Visit WebsiteOceanview Cabins
Welcome to Oceanview Cabins in historic and friendly Alert Bay on Cormorant Island. Our cabins are clean, spacious, private and located on the quiet side of Cormorant Island with views looking over the ocean to the gorgeous coastal mountain range. All cabins have decks, full kitchens, satellite TV and high speed internet and there are free laundry facilities. We have an amazing social area with a large deck, fire pit and full size BBQ all with a grand view to die for. As well we have lawn games, kayak rentals and marine tours on our pristine 53’ vessel.
Alert Bay • North Island
1-877-974-5457
