Home to the Kwakwaka’wakw peoples, fishermen, artists, eco-tourism operators, loggers, culinary entrepreneurs, and many small businesses, Vancouver Island North has a rich tapestry of culture and heritage that our locals look forward to immersing you in. Each community, from historic fishing towns to remote coastal villages, has something unique to offer, and spring is a wonderful time to slow down and savour each.
Indigenous heritage and living culture in Alert Bay
If you only have time for one or two communities, we thoroughly encourage Alert Bay, home to the N’amgis First Nation, to be one of them. Start your trip at the renowned U’mista Cultural Centre, which shares the vital Indigenous history of the area and beyond, as well as stories of resilience and the many traditions that have and continue to shape our communities.
Be a patron at Indigenous-owned eateries, galleries, and accommodations, like the Culture Shock Interpretive Gallery and The Cabins at Alert Bay. Alert Bay is a forty-minute ferry from Port McNeill—a picturesque adventure in itself, where you might spot whales, eagles, and other marine wildlife.
Find harmony and artistic inspiration in Sointula
The community of Sointula is located on the larger Malcolm Island, just north of Alert Bay (on Cormorant Island). Sointula, which means “place of harmony,” was first envisioned as a utopian community by Finnish settlers in 1901. You can learn all about it at the Sointula Museum. While the utopia didn’t take off, it’s easy to see the inspiration from the serene nature and relaxed pace of life across the Island as you visit Bere Point Regional Park or the Mateoja Heritage Trail. Visit open studios and intimate galleries, like Harmony Gardens Gallery, Nans Hands, and Island Infusion, guided by the Vancouver Island North Art Map.
Get to know our two coastal towns
Our largest communities are the coastal towns of Port McNeill and Port Hardy. Both are home to seafarers and industry folk, as well as a rising tide of creatives, environmentalists, and entrepreneurs. Both have their own museum, where you can start your trip to see how the coast has changed over the years and what sparked each town’s formation. The best way to experience the marine culture of this area is to get out on the water with a responsible wildlife watching operator or a fishing charter.
Pop into stores and coffee shops, like Mugz 2.0 Coffee House and Cafe Guido & Co (also home to the Community Craft Shop and The Book Nook!), where locals gather to pick up on the warm, tight-knit atmosphere. The Marine Education and Research (MERS) Ocean Store is a hub for learning about the non-human inhabitants of our coast and the passionate scientists who protect them. Eat in independent restaurants that centre the bounty of our local waters or tell stories about Indigenous culture and the landscape, like Devils Bath Brewing Co. and ha’me’ Restaurant.
Experience the waters of Quatsino Sound
On the shores of Quatsino Sound, Coal Harbour and Port Alice were once fuelled by industry. Some industries, like whaling, have long since left the area, while others still hum at a less intense pace. Discover the quirky characteristics of each community through interpretive displays and unique artifacts at the Port Alice Heritage Centre or Coal Harbour Museum.
Today, the spectacular natural beauty and calm waters of the Sound are particularly popular with fisherfolk, kayakers, cold water divers, and those hoping to see a very special marine mammal. Depart with Sea Otter Eco Tours out of Port Alice to gain insight from its knowledgeable captain on the area’s heritage and present-day culture, before keeping an eye out for sea otters, waterfowl, and maybe even the odd whale or bear!
Discover our Remote Outposts
Several remote outposts exist down logging roads where you might not expect them! Holberg appears suddenly between Port Hardy and Cape Scott, amongst the vibrant greens and blues of the forest and the north west end of Holberg Inlet. The Scarlet Ibis Pub is somewhat of an institution, known as the most remote pub on Vancouver Island, with a picture-perfect patio view over the Inlet. Nearby Ronning’s Garden is a quiet sanctuary of intrigue, with exotic, international flora first planted in 1910.
Heading south shortly after Holberg will take you to Winter Harbour. This quiet harbour has been a refuge for boats traversing the wild west coast since the 1800s, and is today a hotspot for fishing and bird watching. It’s also the closest community to the sandy seclusion of Grant Bay Provincial Park, and has a handful of walks that showcase its locale, like its floating Boardwalk (wave hello to boaters!) and the Botel Park Trail. Stay at the appropriately-named The Outpost at Winter Harbour for an authentic sense of the community’s understated but vibrant marine culture, as locals stop in to gather supplies, bait, and frequent the fuel dock.
Remember, it’s vital to be prepared when travelling in our remote communities. Always carry extra food, water, and a spare tire, and be mindful that there is little to no cell service out here. Download maps and directions ahead of time, and help us keep these incredible places pristine by joining locals in getting involved in our #WildPledge principles.