(about Port Hardy, BC Canada, last edited on Nov 23, 2007)
Located on the Northern Tip of Vancouver Island 412 km (257 miles) from Vancouver, Port Hardy is at the end of the road, the final stop on the Island Highway and the terminal for B.C. Ferries.
The setting is great as it is built along the shores of a natural deep water harbor overlooking the Queen Charlotte Straits and having the snow capped peaks of the B.C. Coastal Mountain Range in the background. With this setting you can really say this is a piece of paradise, a paradise full of opportunities for outdoor lovers. There’s everything the ocean, lakes, rivers, mountains, forests, a wonderful combination of all elements of nature.
The natural beauty of the place is no secret and there are many possibilities to get to wonderful setting either by road or by air and water and the fact that it is in the farthermost part of Vancouver Island does not make it a secluded place. On the contrary here you’ll find the largest community of the North Island of just under 5,000 people offering wide variety of outdoor activities and recreational opportunities including canoeing, kayaking, cycling, wild life watching, diving, hunting, hiking, great halibut and salmon fishing and more.
Without any doubt sport fishing is one of the most appreciated activity around as it is at its best here and there are not so many restrictions as elsewhere. Fishing opportunities are plentiful.
And the Quatse River Hatchery sees to keep it that way. They work on enriching the salmon stocks and you can have a tour to see the salmon incubation facilities.
Wild life watching in one of the most beautiful settings can really be a soul healing activity. And it is great that you can have a close encounter with them. Whales, seals, sea lions, bald eagles and bears can be seen from just steps away. Whale Watching is great as you can see a variety of whales like killer whales, Humpback whales, Minke whales and Grey Whales. They all make a magnificent sight.
With all these treasures around no wander economy has oriented towards tourism as its mainstay. the ferry is a mainstay of the local tourism industry.
Besides outdoor recreation you can also enjoy exploring this wonderful city that makes for a great family destination with its rich Native cultural scene and great facilities. There are plenty of shops and galleries where you can buy arts and crafts produced by local Native artisans that make for perfect souvenirs. Watching the artisans make them can be really interesting too. You can get a similar experience at The Port Hardy Museum where you’ll find a nice gift shop to buy local carving and artwork.
In summer the town is packed with tourists whose main purpose is visiting the outdoors as there’s not much entertainment going around in town which is fairly quiet. Maybe it is this feature that attracts especially families that appreciate a hassle free destination with so much to offer.
A trip to Port Hardy starts with a short visit of the town because tourists are eager to continue with choosing the favored outdoor activity or visiting the surroundings. You can do it on your own or with a guide’s help that can reveal the riches of the place that you might miss. You can hire a boat to explore the place by yourself but it can be a bit expensive.
The famous Inside Passage trip by ferry to Prince Rupert is a very popular trip and tourists come here by the hundreds and thousands to be part of it. The Discovery Coast ferry cruise and a land-based journey to Cape Scott are also loved. So reserving your hotel room beforehand is a good idea.
Plan ahead and don’t miss the wide range of choices for year-round fun and relaxation that this little warm and welcoming town offers.
