Getting to Alert Bay and Alder Bay
There are two locations from which you can access our tours:
1. Alert Bay is on Cormorant Island and is accessed by ferry from Port McNeill. Port McNeill is on Highway 19, two hours drive north of Campbell River. Our office is located at 60 Fir Street, just below the Seine Boat Inn.
2. Alder Bay Resort, on Vancouver Island. The resort just down the road from Telegraph Cove, off Highway 19, 15 minutes south of Port McNeill. We offer free pick-up at the dock.
Alert Bay
Located on Cormorant Island, Alert Bay, is the oldest community on the North Island. The tiny, crescent-shaped island, with its numerous walking and cycling trails, offers visitors easy access to a unique coastal and cultural experience: a place to enjoy and explore at leisure.
The village is steeped in Indigenous culture, and home to the Kwakwaka'wakw People. The U’mista Cultural Centre houses one of the finest collections of historical artifacts depicting the Potlatch Ceremony and the unique gift shop offers a wide variety of local Indigenous art. There are scheduled performances of traditional Indigenous dancing and singing offered during July and August.
Alder Bay Rv Park & Marina
A private resort with incredible views of Johnstone Straight, just a 15-minute drive south from Port McNeill on Highway 19. By car from Port McNeill, drive 10 minutes south and turn left at the Beaver Cove/Highway 19 Junction. Road signs lead to Beaver Cove, Alder Bay RV Park and Telegraph Cove. Drive 3-5 minutes and turn left at the sign indicating the Alder Bay Road and drive 1 km down into the campground. If you do not turn off the Beaver Cove road at this point, you will arrive eventually at Telegraph Cove.
At Alder Bay, camping is available for tents and RV’s and if you are not camping, there is a $5.00 day parking fee per car or RV that is payable at the camp office. Alder Bay Vacation Rentals has new, very well appointed park model RV’s for short term stays.
Approximate driving times to the Port McNeill ferry terminal or the Alder Bay Campsite via HWY 19:
Port Hardy: 1 hour
Campbell River: 2 hours
Courtenay: 2.5 hours
Nanaimo: 4 hours
Victoria: 5.5 hours
Airlines
Pacific Coastal Airline to Campbell River & Port Hardy
Helijet Campbell River to Seattle
Westjet Airlines from Abotsford, Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna to Comox