Parks & Trails, Outdoors, Eco Adventures,
Alert Bay & Cormorant Island, Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada
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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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