Port Hardy, British Columbia
Coastal Rainforest Safari’s tours depart from the town of Port Hardy, which is located at the northern end of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada.
Port Hardy Office and Departure Location
7185 Market Street
Port Hardy, BC
You can travel to Port Hardy by car (and ferry) or plane. Get directions from Google Maps.
Driving to Port Hardy is quite straight forward. When you are starting on Vancouver Island: From Victoria drive north on Highway 1 to Nanaimo. From Nanaimo head north on Highway 19 until you can’t go any further. The only other option to this route is north of Nanaimo just before you reach Parksville you can take the seaside route on Highway 19A. This route rejoins the main Highway 19 at Campbell River. The seaside route may add an extra hour to your trip.
Drive time from Victoria to Port Hardy is approximately 6 hours, from Nanaimo to Port Hardy is approximately 4 ½ hours and from Campbell River to Port Hardy is about 2 ½ hours.
If you are coming from the lower mainland of British Columbia (Vancouver area), you first need to sail on BC Ferries to either Nanaimo or Victoria on Vancouver Island and then follow the directions above.
If you are coming from central or northern British Columbia or Alberta, you could also drive to Prince Rupert and sail on BC Ferries to Port Hardy.
If you are coming from the USA, you can take the Coho Ferry from Washington State that sails between Port Angeles and Victoria on Vancouver Island. And follow the directions above for driving from Victoria.
Car rentals are available through various rental locations in Vancouver, Victoria or Nanaimo. If you are planning a one-way rental, your only option is Budget who have a location at the Port Hardy Airport.
Flights to Port Hardy (YZT) depart from the South Terminal of Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and are approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. These flights are operated by Pacific Coastal Airlines.
Port Hardy airport is a 10 minute taxi ride from town. We recommend reserving a taxi with Waivin Flags Taxi.
There are various accommodation options available in and around Port Hardy.
Kwa’lilas Hotel (Port Hardy)
Quarterdeck Inn(Port Hardy)
Ecoscape Cabins (Port Hardy)
Bear Cove Cottages (Port Hardy)
Glen Lyon Inn & Suites (Port Hardy)
Airport Inn (Port Hardy)
North Coast Trail Backpackers Hostel (Port Hardy)
Port Hardy RV Resort & Log Cabins (Port Hardy)
Cluxewe Resort – RV, Camping, Cottages (a 20 minute drive south of Port Hardy)
Black Bear Resort (Port McNeill)
Humpback Inn (Port McNeill)
Haida Way Motor Inn (Port McNeill)
Dalewood Inn (Port McNeill)
Ocean Comfort B&B (Port McNeill)
Additional Activities in Port McNeill and Northern Vancouver Island
The website www.vancouverislandnorth.ca provides lots of suggestions for things to do and places to stay and below we have compiled some of our favourites.
Quatse Salmon Stewardship Centre (Port Hardy)
Copper Maker Gallery (Port Hardy)
Cove Adventure Tours (Port Hardy)
k’awat’si Tours (Port Hardy)
Sea Wolf Adventures (Port McNeill)
Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures (Port McNeill)
U’mista Cultural Centre (Alert Bay)
The last couple of days has been epic for us; such great wildlife sightings! Viewing wildlife safari style makes it so much more exciting and enjoyable; even for our guides! #coastalrainforestsafaris #crs #safetrueeducational #gonorthisland #wolves #seaotters #orcas #whales
A few photos from Saturday's Sea Otter and Whale Watching tour. We saw 11 individual humpback whales throughout the day plus dozens of sea otters and sea lions. We also got to witness sea birds and bald eagles feeding an a bait ball. It was quite something to witness the eagles catching talons full of fish and eat them mid-air before going back for more.
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#visitporthardy #gonorthisland #explorevancouverisland #explorebc #explorecanada #indigenousbc #indigenouscanada #goindigenous #seaotters #sealions #baldeagle #whalewatching #humpbackwhale #wildlifephotography
Mom and pup; so cute! Our Sea otter and whale tour takes you up to the north tip of Vancouver Island to see these beautiful beings. #coastalrainforestsafaris #crs #safetrueeducational #seaotters #seaotterpup #gonorthisland
Adzi t̕łit̕łex̱a̱n! I think this picture represents summer pretty well:) Rest, relax, and restore! #coastalrainforestsafaris #crs #safetrueeducational #sealions #rest #relax #restore
Wanna know 5 interesting facts about Ḵ̓iḵ̓asa? Sea Otters are one of the few animals that use tools, Newborn pups cannot sink or dive, Sea Otters have built in pockets under their arms, A group of Sea Otters resting together is called a raft, Sea Otters are the only marine mammal without a layer of blubber (fat). #coastalrainforestsafaris #crs #safetrueeducational #seaotters #seaotterfacts
A mother’s love is the same in any language! There is no greater warrior than a mother protecting her little one(s) #seaotterpup #blackbearcubs #motherslove #motherbear #mothermonday