Location: Port Hardy
Top Things to do in Port Hardy
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10 Things to Do in Port Hardy That You Shouldn't Miss
Port Hardy is a district municipality in British Columbia, Canada located on the northeastern end of Vancouver Island. Port Hardy has a population of 4,132 at last census (2016). It is the gateway to Cape Scott Provincial Park, the North Coast Trail and the BC Marine Trail, located on the northernmost tip of Vancouver Island. The community has access to spectacular wilderness adventures, such as kayaking, caving, world-class scuba diving, nature viewing, surfing, unique saltwater rapids, fishing and camping.
Restaurants in Port Hardy
1. Sea Wolf Adventures
Overall Ratings
5 based on 132 reviews
Sea Wolf Adventures offers First Nations cultural tours as well as connecting travellers to destinations in the Broughton Archipelago and surrounding areas for sightseeing, sea taxi services, freight and charters. Safe. True. Educational. Your guides are well trained in tradition and will give you a deeper experience into First Nations culture and heritage of the Kwakwaka'wakw Nation.
Reviewed By Mirjam D - Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
We had to get up at 5 to be there in time. It was a long day of 11 hours! We had a guide Harry that knew everything there is to know about whales, sealions, humpback whales, the hystory of the island and the land. He spoke in a clear voice, found a solution for every challenge and really made it possible in a very relaxed way to take pictures or record movies, or just to look at all thing floating and flying by. He made the day feel like being in heaven. After looking at bears, mother and cubs and adult young males, he asked us if we wanted to see more bears or orka's. For fun we said orka's and so we got these too. Although it was a little bumpy on our way back, he managed to keep it a smooth ride, taking the waves the right way or a little d tour. That is a tour I advise everybody that wants to experience nature and being around wildlife, the only right way. Respect, love and leaving nothing but footsteps. Thank you very much. Looking forward to the next time.
2. BC Ferries
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 172 reviews
BC Ferries provides passenger and vehicle ferry services to 45 ports of call across coastal BC, with sailings to and from Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, the Gulf Islands, and Northern BC. BC Ferries Vacations also offers over 100 travel packages, including return ferry and accommodation. When on board BC Ferries, there are plenty of options for food and shopping, along with great wildlife and sightseeing opportunities.
Reviewed By Amanda H - Northampton, United Kingdom
We travelled from Prince Rupert to Port Hardy using the first class lounge, which was extremely spacious and comfortable with wide reclining seats, with integrated footrests, broad panoramic windows and many other facilities on board. The restaurants were great, offering a good range of affordable food. The evening buffet is worthy of particular mention, with a wide choice of food and the opportunity to eat as much as you needed. Please note that all Seating, even outside of our lounge was comfortable with good views. The scenery on the trip is worth doing this journey alone. We've travelled on many Ferries in our time and this one will remain in our minds!
3. Raft Cove Provincial Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By Teresa H - Texada Island, Canada
If you want raw wild untouched camping (other than a toilet/food cache) -with only a short but very rough trail then this is it. IF you want the party crowd go to San Josef Bay. Because of the rough road to get here and the rough trail it is usually quiet and often only 1 tent.
4. Quatse Salmon Stewardship Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 59 reviews
Leap in to Salmon's World at the Quatse Salmon Stewardship Centre! Explore, play and learn in our unique interpretive gallery featuring interactive exhibits and live aquaria. Take a guided tour of a working salmon hatchery and talk to knowledgeable staff about this amazing, iconic creature. Learn what makes wild salmon the lifeblood of the BC Coast. A visit to the Salmon Centre is a fun and educational experience for all ages!The Quatse Salmon Stewardship Centre, Quatse River Hatchery, and Quatse River Campground are operated by the Northern Vancouver Island Salmonid Enhancement Association. All proceeds fund salmon conservation efforts on Northern Vancouver Island.
Reviewed By Jim F - Vancouver Island, Canada
What a great stop. A museum and a tour of the hatchery. My son loved his visit. I am pretty sure he visited every exhibit in the small museum 3 times. Then there was a guided tour, talking about salmon, the hatchery, the local environment. Will go back next time we are in the area, sounds like it would be fun during a run or when it is release time.
5. Port Hardy Museum & Archives
Overall Ratings
4 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By Geoff W - Whitehorse, Canada
This is a very small museum and is obviously on an extremely tight budget. It has some interesting artifacts, including old photographs of the local area, and some interesting tools that date back thousands of years. The challenge is that many of the exhibits don't have much information associated with them, so it is hard to figure out why they are significant.
It is a donation-based facility, so for a few dollars it is worth a quick tour on a rainy day, but it would be tough for a really young audience!
6. Cove Adventure Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 12 reviews
Cove Adventure Tours offers regularly scheduled day trips to remote locations on northern Vancouver Island. The tours offer guests an opportunity to safely experience the rugged and pristine west coast in a fun and eco-friendly way. Our 15-passenger, climate controlled van is able to accommodate large groups of people and is geared for back-road excursions and surf trips. Our van and guides are also available for private excursions to wherever your adventure is calling! Check out our website for trip descriptions and to book online.
Reviewed By KMGeneva - Geneva
I took the day trip to San Josef Bay with Chris and Anna of Cove Adventure Tours, joining others who were mainly small family groups. Anna's communications in advance were very helpful, prompt and clear. The vehicle was comfortable and Chris drove carefully over the gravel roads. Note that most car hire companies don't cover you for driving to the bay. The second part of the road is maintained by loggers who have large trucks that can drive over just about anything so it is not maintained for regular vehicles. There is also no cell phone coverage but Chris and Anna have satellite phones. We saw two black bear on the way.
I opted for the small packed lunch which we picked up at a loggers' pub along the way. It was very tasty and substantial! You can bring your own food if you prefer.
After about 1.5 hours of driving including the pub stop, the walk itself is an easy one of approximately 30 mins on a good path from the car park through forest to the beach, which is serene and beautiful. There are some great rock pools and the rock formations are very interesting. I took some good pictures and we spent about 3 hours on the beach.
I would recommend this for anyone, whether solo or in a group and for any age so long as you can do a 30-40 minute gentle walk on a gravel path each way and are ok with a slightly bumpy drive. The pub is a convenient toilet stop on the way. There is a basic camping style toilet at the car park and again at the beach itself if you need to go!
7. Port Hardy Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Located on the waterfront in downtown #PortHardy, the Port Hardy Visitor Centre is open year round delivering visitor services & information. Let professional & informative staff help you plan your perfect Port Hardy trip. From accommodation & transportation, to local restaurants and community highlights, learn all about this quaint coastal community at the Port Hardy Visitor Centre. #visitporthardy today!
Reviewed By Jan-OlofO - Malmo, Sweden
I do recommend to visit this visitor centre. I was there to ask about the Ferries to Prince Rupert but received much more information about other activities in Port Hardy! Received information about a very good fish restaurant. Visited later and indeed it was very...MoreThank you for the review! The Port Hardy Visitor Services team is pleased to hear that the information provided was helpful and accurate, shaping a positive experience during your stay in our community and while on the North Island. Thank you for sharing with us!
8. k'awat'si Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
k’awat’si Tours Eco Tours and Aboriginal Cultural Experiences with First Nations guides let you see the wild beauty of North Vancouver Island. Hike in coastal rainforests, get out on the water to view wildlife, roam remote Beaches, or listen to stories and learn how to weave cedar or make drums.
Reviewed By ACW56
Even though the weather was dull and drizzling, we thoroughly enjoyed our boat trip. Weaving through the small islets to the Rapids was beautiful and the rapids themselves are stunning- beauty and power in a grand show of nature.
Of equal value was the commentary from our guide Davis about the re-emergence of the First Nations people and their consolidation of a place in the economic and cultural aspects of tourism in Port Hardy. Good luck to them with their endeavours.
9. Gods Pocket Marine Provincial Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
10. Tex Lyon Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By tdmy - Surrey, Canada
There is a great trail named after one of the legends in the area, Tex Lyon. The trail is great as is the beach there. There are occasionally sightings of bears and wolves but these are listed by hikers at the trail head. The nature is spectacular and the trail is fun. Well worth an hour or two of hiking. There are also lots of eagles around.
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