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Alert Bay is famous for Aboriginal attractions, such as the U’mista Cultural Centre, the ‘Namgis First Nation Burial Grounds and the world’s tallest totem pole. It’s also known for exceptional whale watching opportunities, some of the best diving spots on the coast and salmon fishing. Visit the Alert Bay Library Museum to see old photographs of the native and settler populations dating back to the 1890s. Other popular activities include hiking, cycling, beachcombing, ocean swims and art gallery visits.
You’ll find one of the world’s largest collections of Kwakwaka’wakw art at Alert Bay’s U'mista Cultural Centre. Ceremonial masks, rattles, whistles and coppers, travelling exhibits and educational videos are all part of the experience. The centre’s traditional Big House is flanked by the world’s tallest totem pole. It’s 53 m (173 ft) high and features 14 figures below an intricate carving of the sun. The Big House is used by the ‘Namgis First Nation for potlatch ceremonies and is closed to the public for most of the year. The only way to get a peek inside is to attend a T’sasala Cultural Group dance performance there in July or August.
The Alert Bay Library Museum has a vast collection of historical photographs on display, as well as a few Aboriginal artifacts.
There are several totem poles in the ‘Namgis First Nation Burial Grounds but they must be viewed from the road as the site is not open to the public.
The best way to experience Alert Bay is on foot, either by walking the 13-km (8-mi) shoreline or hiking or cycling the Big Tree Interpretive Trail. A guidebook available from the Visitor Info Centre contains information on each of Big Tree’s 15 interpretive stops, as well as descriptions of the rest of the island’s trails. If you wish to camp, head to the Alert Bay Campground. It’s open year-round.
At 53-m (173-ft), the totem pole that flanks the Traditional Big House on the U’mista Cultural Centre grounds is the world’s tallest. The Big House was modeled on the traditional residences of the Kwakwaka’wakw people and is used regularly by the ‘Namgis First Nation for potlatch ceremonies. It is closed to the public for most of the year. The only way to get a peek inside is to attend a T’sasala Cultural Group dance performance there in July or August.
The U’mista Cultural Centre, with its vast collection of Kwakwaka’wakw artifacts, travelling exhibits and educational videos, is by far the most popular cultural attraction on the island. The Namgis Burial Grounds, on the other hand, are not open to the public but they are worth a visit because several of the totem poles standing there can be seen clearly from the road. There are also several art galleries and gift shops in Alert Bay that sell Aboriginal art and carvings, hand-made jewellery and seashells.
If you visit in July or August, be sure to take in one of the dance performances that the T’sasala Cultural Group presents in the Traditional Big House – it’s the only time visitors are allowed inside. At any time of year, you can browse and shop in local galleries for both Aboriginal and contemporary art.
Alert Bay is one of the best places in BC to view Orcas (Killer Whales). The best time to view the more than 200 resident whales in the area is mid-June to mid-October.
The Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve, protects key whale habitats, provides a safe, clean and quiet haven for whales and creates unique opportunities for research. It’s one of the only places where whales can be observed rubbing their bellies on rocks in shallow water, a behaviour researchers don’t entirely understand.
The only wild animals on Cormorant Island are birds, which can be seen in abundance on any beach and in the Alert Bay Ecological Park, a marsh area. A boardwalk runs through the marsh and there are three short nature walks in the forested area around it.
You can treat yourself to a wide variety of spa treatments in Alert Bay, including acupuncture, aromatherapy, la Stone Therapy (rock massage), salt glow exfoliation and bio-dynamic bodywork. Outdoors, you can have a very restful time on the beach, picnicking or combing for driftwood and eagle feathers. You can also picnic along forest trails and in the village.
Alert Bay is handy to some of the best dive spots on Vancouver Island’s east coast and also has many sheltered, sandy beaches suitable for swimming. Other popular water activities include sport fishing (charters are available), canoeing and kayaking.
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