Parks & Trails, Outdoors, Eco Adventures,
Alert Bay & Cormorant Island,
Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada
| Free
Adventures... and Stuff in and around Alert Bay , Cormorant
Island, British Columbia, Canada: |
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Cape
Scott Provincial Park. The most popular park
destination for backpackers, bird watchers and naturalists
looking for adventure in the northern Vancouver Island region.
Cape Scott Provincial Park is located near Holberg which is
accessed by a 63 kilometre (hour and a half) drive over active
logging gravel roads from Port Hardy, BC, Vancouver Island,
Canada. One must take the BC Ferry ride from Alert Bay to
Port MCNeill and drive 45 minutes north to Port Hardy turning
towards Holberg, BC. The Cape Scott trail is a 50 kilometre
return hike from the active Cape Scott Lighthouse usually
enjoyed as a 4-5 day backpack trip. Shorter day hikes are
also very popular such as the 90 minute walk along boardwalk
to the beautiful private San Josef Beach...
[ more
information about Cape Scott Provincial Park and trails ...
]
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Broughton
Archipelago. Fantastic wildlife, wilderness
viewing of some of Canada's most remote forests among
hundreds of Islands. Whale and Black Bear watching,
beach combing, sea birds over head leading the way.
Explore and discover nature in the many secluded bays
and inlets of the Islands. Located via boat or kayak.
Tour guides available and recommended.
[ more
information about Broughton Archipelago ]
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Knight
Inlet: North Vancouver Island kayaking
tours around Knight Inlet includes exploring West
Cracroft Island, East Cracroft Island, Minstrel
Island and Turnour Island. And… exploring
the Havannah Channel, Chatham Channel, Clio Channel
leading into Knight Inlet which separate the various
islands and acts as the main kayaking route.
[ more info about
Knight Inlet ... ]
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Johnstone
Strait: sea kayaking into areas like Robson
Bight and Blackfish Sound where some of the biggest
concentration of orcas ( Killer Whales) survive and
thrive on the West Coast of Canada. Kayaking the coastlines
of Blackney Passage, Telegraph Cove, Blackfish Sound,
Beaver Cove and Broughton Strait visiting around Cormorant
Island, Malcolm Island, Hanson Island, Hambledown Island
and the village of the Mamalilaculla totems on Village
Island [ more info
about Johnstone Strait ... ]
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Desolation
Sound: Desolation Sound consists of many
islands and ocean channels teaming with life around
Copeland Islands, West Redonda Island and East Redonda
Island. Navigational kayaking is an adventure of a lifetime
exploring along the currents of Waddington Channel,
Homfray Channel, Lewis Channel, Pryce Channel and Toba
Inlet. [ more info
about Desolation Sound... ]
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Alert
Bay Ecological Park. A walking trail exploring the eco-systems
of the marsh lands and cedar forests of the island. The highlight
is the boardwalk trail portion which takes you down the middle
of the flooded lands whereby opening up the views of the wildlife
activity and forests all around you. The trail splits into
different dirt footpaths leading into the forests ( trail
route maps onsite along trails ) and underbrush of the park.
Sea birds, Herons, Ravens and Bald Eagles, along with many
other migratory birds call this area home. Take the short
walk along the boardwalk and dirt trails taking you through
the marshlands and forested areas of the park. Located off
of Alder Street in Alert Bay on Cormorant Island near the
Alert Bay Campground.
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Alert Bay Boadwalk
Seawall. The western coastline of Cormorant Island
where most of the bussinesses of Alert Bay are located is
a beautiful boardwalk trail overlooking the ocean waters and
marine activity of Alert Bay. There are benches along the
way to take in the views, First Nations artist galleries and
museum to explore, restaurants to dine, Totem Poles to cherish,
flags waving with pride and marine docks and piers filled
with motor boats, sailboats, yachts and fishing trollers navigating
to and from Cormorant Island. The south end of the boardwalk
turns to easy dirt paths along the water eventually ending
up walking the peaceful backroads decorated with unique pastel
colors and artist personalities. The north end of the boardwalk,
along the beach and roads is the U'Mista Cultural Centre and
more First Nations Totem Poles.
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Beach
Walk in Sointula on Malcolm Island. The neighbouring Malcolm
Island and the community of Sointula also have a wonderful
beach walk along the island's coastline. The often deserted
but mainly peppled and rocky beaches can be explored for about
10 km. Starting from the end of Kaleva Road you will encounter
some areas of sand when the tides are out where you can kick
off the shoes and walk naturally sand to soul. See the sea
birds play, and watch the cruise ships whistle on pass in
peace and tranquility.
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Beautiful
Bay Trail on Malcolm Island. Take a walk for 5 km and
experience lush rain forested natural trail visiting Malcolm
Lookout, a 212 ft high Sitka Spruce, Puoli Vali Canyon, Numas
Lookout and of course Sandy Beach.
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Broughton
Archipelago. Fantastic wildlife, wilderness viewing of
some of Canada's most remote forests among the Islands. Whale
and Black bear watching, beachcombing, sea birds over head
leading the way. Explore and discover nature in the many secluded
bays and inlets of the Islands. Located via boat. Tour guides
available.
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Michael
Bigg's Ecological Reserve. A launching point for whale
watching and fantastic wildlife viewing. Located at Robson
Bight. Must book appointment.
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'Namgis
Burial Grounds. A monumental tribute to the past
pioneers of the First Nations community. In honour of the
past the burial grounds are graced with many Totem Poles carved
by some of the best carvers of the area. Please do not set
foot on the sacred burial grounds and show your respect for
the First Nations people's traditions by observing the Totem
Poles and the burial site from the street.
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Paul
Spong's Orca Lab. For over 30 years this famous marine
biologist has studied and observed the Killer Whale in it's
natural habitat. Access by boat on Hanson Island. Must book
prior to arrival for acceptance on or near premises.
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Raft
Cove Provincial Park. Short day hike down to a wonderful,
beautiful sandy beaches in a protected cove with panoramic
ocean views of Pacific ocean. It is a private little cove
well worth the 1 hour hike from the parking lot. A popular
location for picnics and beach combing. One
must take the BC Ferry ride from Alert Bay to Port MCNeill
and drive 45 minutes north to Port Hardy turning towards Holberg,
BC and the Cape Scott Park. Raft Cove is a 63 kilometre
drive along gravel dirt roads past the community of Holberg
just west of Cape Scott Provincial Park on Vancouver Island.
Follow the road signs after Holberg, BC.
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Ronning's Garden.
Wilderness trees, plants and shrubs from around the
world along the paths and throughout the fields of the green
lush Ronning's Garden. Started in 1910 by Bernt Ronning. When
he past away the gardens were left neglected for some time.
Not for too long as the hidden treasure garden was brought
back to life by Ron and Julia Moe. Located on the way to Cape
Scott Provincial Park on Vancouver Island. Requires a ferry
ride from Cormorant Island. Watch for the Ronning's Garden
sign. Follow gravel road driveway. Take the short 10 minute
walk into the gardens and start your own self guided tour.
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World's Largest
Totem Pole. A 173 foot tall Totem Pole carved by
6 Kwakwaka'wakw First Nation's people representing
their history depicting their culture. A massive Totem pole
dominating the skyline with many significant figures representing
the First Nations proud heritage. Some of the figures on the
Totem Pole is the Sun Man which is the crest of the Quatsino
Tribes; Kolus ( a Thunderbird cousin ) for the Kwagul; a Dzunukwa
embracing a copper; a whale for the Gwa'sala'Nakwaxda'xw;
a bear holding a salmon; a wolf, a raven and much more.
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