Port Hardy

Port Hardy is a district municipality of about 4000 people (2016) in the North Vancouver Island region of British Columbia. Port Hardy is a transportation hub for air, ferry and marine networks, and serves as the gateway to the Central Coast, the Cape Scott and North Coast Trails, and BC Ferry’s northern terminus for the Discovery Coast run and Prince Rupert.

Understand

Beaver Cove, near the BC Ferries Terminal, is the oldest known site of human habitation on Vancouver Island (circa 5850 BCE). The first contact with Europeans occurred in 1836 when the steamship S.S. Beaver was sent on an exploratory trip by Hudson's Bay Company (HBC). To exploit coal deposits, the HBC to establish a fortified trading post at Beaver Harbour around 1848, and named it “Fort Rupert” after the company’s governor, Prince Rupert, Duke of Bavaria. Though little of the fort remains today, the Kwakiutl First Nations (Indigenous people) continue to reside adjacent to the former fort site. Port Hardy’s population grew to a little over 5,000 residents while the Island Copper Mine was operating from 1971-1995 about 16 km south of the town. The open-pit porphyry copper mine employed over 900 employees from Port Hardy and the surrounding communities. Today, the former mine is a wildlife habitat and pit lake biological treatment system.

Visitor information

Chamber of Commerce Info Centre, 7250 Market St, +1-250-949-7622, info@visitporthardy.com. May-Sep: daily 9AM–5PM; Oct-Apr: M-F 9AM–4PM. Great ideas and lots of maps and brochures. Accommodations, activity, and transportation bookings. Wheelchair accessible facilities. Public washrooms. Shaw GoWiFi Gift & souvenir shop. 2017-09-14

Get in

By car

Take the Island Highway from ferries docking at Victoria (500 km, about 5½ hours driving) or Nanaimo (385 km, about 4 hours) from Vancouver, and follow it until the northern end.

By boat

BC Ferries. Operates ferries connecting coastal communities. 2022-04-30 Ferry terminal:

Port Hardy (Bear Cove) ferry terminal 📍 - served by two routes:
- From Prince Rupert (16-22 hours) via Klemtu (7.75-11.5 hours) and/or Bella Bella (8-9.5 hours). The ferries travel through the beautiful Inside Passage that connect the North Coasts and Central with the Port Hardy. The number of sailings per week varies by season, and depart up to every other day in the summer.
- From Bella Coola (10 hours). Operates several days per week in the summer only. Otherwise, travelers from Bella Coola can take a ferry to Bella Bella and transfer to reach Port Hardy.

By plane

Airport

Port Hardy Airport (IATA: YZT), 50.6805°, -127.3666°. . BC Transit bus route #4 operates a few trips to the airport from Monday to Friday.

Airlines

Pacific Coastal Airlines, +1-604-273-8666, reserve@pacificcoastal.com. Operates flights primarily in the south coast area of British Columbia with its hub in Vancouver. 2022-04-25 Flies to Port Hardy from Vancouver (3 times a day, 1 hour travel time, $195-245 one-way) and Bella Bella (twice a day $165-200).

By bus

Waivin Flags Taxi, +1 250-956-2355. During parts of the year, operates a bus service between Campbell River and Port Hardy with stops in Woss and Port McNeill. Travel time to Port Hardy from Campbell River is 2.75 hours. 2022-03-26

Get around

By public transit

BC Transit (Mount Waddington Transit System), +1-250-956-3151. Operates route with Port Hardy and routes that travel to Port McNeill and Coal Harbour. Routes operate Monday to Saturday. 2022-04-07

By taxi

Town Taxi, +1 250-949-7877. Serving Coal Harbour, Port Hardy, Port McNeill, and Telegraph Cove. 2022-03-26
Waivin Flags Taxi, +1 250-230-8294. Serving Coal Harbour, Port Hardy, Port McNeill, and Telegraph Cove. 2022-03-26 Water taxi services are also available at the dock for the North Coast Trail.

See

Port Hardy Museum, 7110 Market St, +1 250-949-8143, info@porthardymuseum.com. Feb-Dec: W-Sa. Permanent exhibits of First Nations (including 8,000-year-old artifacts) settlers' effects, fossils, geology, natural history, and local industry. Rotating temporary exhibits, videos. Gift shop. Admission by donation 2018-04-20
Fort Rupert. A former Hudson's Bay Company fort which was built in 1849. The present day village of Fort Rupert is a historic Kwakwaka'wakw village of the Kwakiutl and the Komoyue subgroup where the opportunity exists to see native carvers working on totem poles or other artwork and traditional crafts. The band government of the Kwagu'ł is the Kwakiutl First Nation. Fort Rupert (or Tsaxis as it is known by the Kwakiutl) is worth a visit to see its historic cemetery, the Big House, many totem poles, and colourfully decorated public buildings. Also hiding in the underbrush are the last crumbling remnants of the fort erected by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1849, notably a stone chimney. Sandstone petroglyphs dating back to the 1860s can also be found (after careful searching) on the upper reaches of the oceanfront tidal zone. 2017-09-14
Quatse Salmon Stewardship Centre, 8400 Byng Road (next to the Quatse River Regional Park and Campground), +1 250-902-0336. Daily 10AM-5PM. A family-friendly centre that teaches about Pacific salmon. An interpretive gallery, interactive exhibits and hands-on displays that show how salmon are intimately connected to the coastal ecosystem of Northern Vancouver Island, the local First Nations and the local community. Adult $6, youth (5-18) $4, seniors (65 and over) $4, under age 5 free, family (Up to 2 adults + children) $12 2017-09-14
The Copper Maker Gallery, 114 Copper Way, +1 250 949-8491, calvinhunt@telus.net. Gallery owned by and featuring the works of artist and totem pole carver Calvin Hunt. 2017-09-14
Old Hudson Bay Store
The inter city trails
Carrot Park Mile 0 of the Island Highway
Walk the seawall
Eagle watching
View the totem poles and chain saw carvings
Tour the murals
Beach combing
Storey's Beach located outside of town
Tex Lyon's Trail-Commuter Trail

Do

North Island Calendar of Events Festivals, Concerts, Sporting events
Some of the best scuba diving on the planet, though the water is cold and conditions are tough (so significant prior experience is expected), is available offshore from Port Hardy. Try Browning Pass Hideaway or God's Pocket Resort.

Buy

Hardy Buoys Smoked Fish Inc., +1 250-949-8781. A local company that specializes in smoked salmon -- 65 different combinations of products and many varieties of flavours like: Maple, Garlic, Cajun, Spiced, and Original. Available in local grocery stores including Save-on Foods and Overwrites Foods. 2018-04-20
West Coast Community Craft Shop, 7135 Market St, +1 250-949-2650. 125 local artists' work is on display. Works of art include carvings, sculptures, paintings, pottery, photography, turned bowls, handmade soaps, honey, quilts, baby blankets and sweaters, beach glass chimes, beach vacation rental homes, jewellery. 2018-04-20
Cup of tea from Retroz or a cup of coffee from Café Guido or Koffees
Local gifts from the Port Hardy Museum
Fresh fish from the dock.

Eat

Captain Hardy's Fish and Chips, 7145 Market St, +1 250-949-9008. Tu-Sa 6:30AM–8PM, Su 7AM-2PM. It offers French and Japanese fusion cuisine, calamari, sushi, homemade soups and chowders, while still serving up light crispy-battered fresh halibut. 2018-04-20
Glen Lyon Restaurant, 6435 Hardy Bay Rd, +1 250-949-7267. Su-Tu Th 6:30AM–9PM, W F Sa 6:30AM–10PM. Good breakfasts. 2021-02-22
Market Street Café, 7030 Market St, +1 250-949-8110. M-F 8AM-3PM. Fresh home baking 2018-04-20
Mo's Restaurant, 7070 Market St. # 8, +1 250-949-8303. M-Sa 11AM-10PM. Pizza, fried chicken, chicken wings, subs, gyros, donairs, wraps, sandwiches, soups, salads. 2018-04-20
Seto's Wok and Grill, 9040 Granville Street, +1 250-949-8381. M W Th 11AM-8PM, F Sa 11AM-8:30PM, Su 4PM-8PM. Chinese and Canadian food. 2018-04-20
Karai Sushi & Grill, 4030 Byng Road (at Airport Inn), +1 250-949-7744. M-F noon-8PM, Sa Su 4:30-8PM. Japanese, Sushi, Asian 2018-04-20
Toudai Sushi Restaurant, 8405 Byng Road, +1 250-949-8755. Daily 5PM-9PM. Sushi, Asian food. 2018-04-20

Drink

Some of the hotels and inns listed below have pubs.

The Sporty Bar & Grill, 8700 Hastings St, +1 250-949-7811. Su-Th 11:30AM-11:30PM, F Sa 11:30AM-1:30AM. Great pub food. Burgers, sandwiches, wraps, pizza, pasta, salads, steak. 2018-04-20

Sleep

Budget

Quatse River Regional Park, 8400 Byng Rd, (a few kilometres south of the marina). Check-in: 4PM, check-out: noon. Camping is available. Be bear aware: the local bear population uses this area to forge for berries and hunt salmon. Camping: daily $25.20, weekly $152.25. RV from: daily $30.45, weekly $183.75. ~15% discount for seniors 2017-09-14
North Coast Trail Backpackers Hostel, 8635 Granville St., +1 250 949 9441, porthardyhostel@gmail.com. Housed in an old Mason's Lodge. Lounge and dining area. Free wireless internet and computer kiosk. Free parking. Games room, TV, book exchange. Kayak, bicycle, and motorbike storage. Laundry facilities available upon request. Storage lockers. 3 fully equipped kitchens. Bed linens and towels included. Drying room (for wet gear such as tents). Electric car charger. Dorm beds $30-34, private rooms $64-79, group/family room $69 for 2 people +$15 per additional person to a total of five. 2017-09-14

B&Bs

All Ocean Storm B&B
Bonita B&B
Byng House B&B
First Choice B&B
Fran's View B&B
Hamilton B&B
Jessie's B&B
Kris'Cottage B&B
Oceanview B&B
Orange Tabby B&B
Scotia Bay B&B

Holiday rentals

Bear Cove Cottages
North Coast Cottages
Ecoscape Cabins- secluded and eco-friendly

Hotels

Pioneer Inn, 8405 Byng Rd. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Free Wi-Fi, restaurant on site, and a refrigerator is included in guest rooms. Port Hardy Airport is 8 km away. A cable TV and a seating area are provided in rooms at Pioneer Inn. A work desk, a microwave and a coffee maker are offered. BBQ facilities are offered to guests of Inn Pioneer. A guest launderette is available. B.C. Ferries Port Hardy terminal is 11 minutes' drive away. Marble River Provincial Park is 34 km from Pioneer Inn. Doubles from $85 2017-09-14
Quarterdeck Inn, 6555 Hardy Bay Rd, +1 250 902-0455. Full service hotel, with a marina, pub and restaurant. Close to downtown and tourism and business services in Port Hardy. Doubles from $126 2017-09-14
- Glen Lyon, 6435 Hardy Bay Road, +1 250 902-0455. All rooms and suites face Hardy Bay and not far from downtown. Glen Lyon Inn is found on the scenic alternate road, Hardy Bay Road, which rims the waterfront leading to Port Hardy. It is a few minutes to the ferry terminal and very close to downtown and the bus depot. Adjacent to the marina and the seaplane base. Doubles from $122 2017-09-14
North Shore Inn, 7370 Market St, +1-250-949-8500. Doubles from $103 2017-09-14
Airport Inn, 4030 Byng Rd, +1 250 949-9434. Licensed dining room, meeting rooms, cold beer and wine store and fax and copy service. Within walking distance of the airport (and they offer complimentary shuttle service), and minutes by car to the BC Ferries terminal and downtown Port Hardy. 2017-09-14
Providence Place, 7050 Rupert St, +1 250 949-8899, info@providenceplace.ca. Central location. Doubles from $100 2017-09-14

Connect

Go next

Coal Harbour
Winter Harbour
San Josef Bay
North Coast Trail
Cape Scott Park

Port Hardy - district municipality in British Columbia, Canada