Location: Northernmost tip of Vancouver Island on Hwy 19. BC Ferries to Prince Rupert depart every other day during peak season. Population: 4000. Visitor Centre is located in the heart of town on Market Street and is open year round.
Port Hardy is the gateway to Cape Scott Provincial Park, the North Coast Trail and the BC Marine Trail and spectacular wilderness adventures such as kayaking, caving, scuba diving, surfing, unique saltwater rapids, fishing and camping. Take a wildlife watching daytrip to see whales and dolphins or a longer trek to brown bear country in Smith and Knight Inlets on the mainland coast.
The town offers an appealing variety of restaurants and accommodations, the Quatse Salmon Stewardship Centre, family picnic grounds at Storey’s Beach and renowned First Nations artists at historic Fort Rupert. There are numerous hiking trails for all fitness levels in and near Port Hardy through ancient forests, past sparkling lakes to the beaches, including a 1.5-mile wheelchair accessible path to the white sand beach of Saint Josef Bay. FILOMI Days (fishing-logging-mining) is held the 3rd weekend in July and celebrates with a salmon derby, dragon boat regatta, boat-building contest, tournaments and spectacular fireworks.
