The smell of vegetation and wood smoke begins to fill the air again. Trails take you to enchanting forest settings and vistas looking skyward and seaward. The pace slips into something more serene than the busy hum of summer. Everything seems to take a deep breath as the foliage shifts its colours into rusty oranges and reds, vibrant and eye-catching, and the cozy cloak of fall descends upon Vancouver Island North.
Shoulder season may be slower, but that may just be the ticket to enjoying Vancouver Island North unhurried, uncrowded, and, occasionally, with lower rates. Fall, while less busy than summer in terms of tourists, ushers in a different swell of life. The salmon fill the rivers and coast, adding rich nutrients to river banks and providing sustenance to a plethora of wildlife that comes to feast on them, from eagles to bears. Several whale species still hang out in our local waters before migrating for the winter months, and the Roosevelt Elk rut takes place in September and October.
A Photographer’s Guide to Fall Landscapes in the North Island
Between the colours of the landscape and the wildlife, fall in Vancouver Island North is a dream destination for photographers, hikers, and nature enthusiasts.
Bere Point on Malcolm Island is one of the best destinations in Vancouver Island North for fall foliage with a coastal backdrop. It’s also a hotspot for whale watching, particularly orca. Once you’re on Malcolm Island, Sointula with its colourful wooden buildings and the Lighthouse at Pulteney Point are also popular for photography.
Capture the essence of our less-inhabited regions on the road toward Cape Scott and Grant Bay. Stop in the historic Ronning’s Garden to hone in on unique foliage, the minutiae of mushrooms along the roadside, lichens, and all the other wonders of nature. This is a destination for those who love to experiment with macro photography, but it also satiates wide-angle landscape lovers seeking forest scenes. The lushness of the forest rewards those undeterred by a little wet weather, with atmospheric mist clinging to the canopy, and vast wind-swept beaches for those who continue to the wild west coast.
There are many more trails in the North Island to suit different levels of hikers and walkers, including accessible options from our major towns.
Where to wildlife watch in the fall in Vancouver Island North
Discover the spectacular lifeforce of the salmon along the Quatse River via the Quatse Loop and Estuary Trail. This is a popular spot for capturing a thriving river and forest ecosystem, and sitting patiently in the hopes of photographing birds and other wildlife.
The Marble River offers hikers and bikers another vibrant photo-worthy ecosystem for those seeking salmon, eagles, tall tree canopies, and the rush of the river cascading over Bear Falls. Little Huson Caves, the Vanishing River, and Devil’s Bath Cenote all have unique features and formations that are well worth exploring with a camera in hand, too.
The best way to enhance the potential of seeing fall wildlife in Vancouver Island North is to join a tour with one of our knowledgeable, passionate wilderness tour operators. Sea Wolf Adventures departs from Port McNeill to take visitors to see Grizzly Bears on the mainland in the breathtaking Great Bear Rainforest, looking for marine mammals and seabirds en route. Tide Rip Grizzly Tours leaves from Telegraph Cove and travels up the fjord-like Knight Inlet in search of wildlife.
Coastal Rainforest Safaris departs from Port Hardy with a focus on whales and sea otters, as well as seabirds and, occasionally, the chance to glimpse an elusive sea wolf. They even host a September Wildlife Spectacular—four nights, five days—of deeply immersive wildlife appreciation to far less frequented, remote areas. Sea Otter Eco Tours shares regional history and sea otter sightings with visitors as they travel within the “Sea Otter Capital of Canada” from Port Alice.
Cozy accommodations
Shoulder season travel entices photographers and travellers who favour more solitude and quieter spaces, regardless of the weather (which can be temperamental year-round!). It’s an opportunity to be more spontaneous with how a day unfolds, as restaurants and other amenities tend not to be as fully booked.
Hotel 19 is a new boutique hotel that features an ocean view and a private deck in all rooms. The hotel is in a prime location in the heart of Port Hardy, walking distance from eateries, tour operators, and the expansive vista of the oceanfront. Some of our local proprietors even offer reduced fall season rates in cozy guesthouses, charming oceanfront accommodations, and laid-back resorts tucked into nature.
If you’re planning a fall adventure, keep in mind that conditions can shift suddenly as fall comes, transitioning to cooler temperatures, increased rainfall, and the odd sprinkle of snow toward the later shift into winter. Come prepared and check seasonal opening hours for eateries, other amenities, and intended bookable excursions.