Port McNeill

Port McNeill

Port McNeill (population: 2,623) is laid out along the shores of Broughton Strait on the northeast coast of Vancouver Island. It was named for William McNeill of the Hudson’s Bay Company, who captained the first steamship to operate on BC’s west coast. Sometimes referred to as the “Gateway to the Broughton Archipelago,” it’s also known as a good, centrally located jumping off point for daytrips to north island communities like Alert Bay, Sointula, Port Hardy and Port Alice. Logging and fishing are its main industries and whale watching is its greatest tourist draw.