Port McNeill – "Gateway to the Broughton Archipelago" – sits between lush temperate rainforest and the sparkling Broughton Strait.
Over the decades, labyrinthine logging roads and marine passages have created access to extraordinary wilderness, a gift to travellers.
The drive from Victoria to Port McNeill is about 7 hours (458km/285mi) via the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 19, which begins at Nanaimo some 1.5 hours (110km/69mi) northwest of Victoria.
Out of Campbell River, Hwy 19 drops to two lanes but the lightly travelled drive is one of the Island's most scenic. Count on the 2.5 hour trip from Campbell River to take much longer thanks to frequent camera stops. From Port McNeill, Highway 19 continues north 41km/26mi to Port Hardy.
Around Port McNeill, logging roads open normally inaccessible wilderness routes. Trucks and SUVs are recommended for on these backcountry roads.
Car Rentals
Vehicle rentals through Budget and National are available at the Port Hardy Airport about 30 minutes north of Port McNeill on Airport Road, just off Hwy 19.
Public Transportation
The Mount Waddington Transit System provides local bus transportation around Port McNeill and intercommunity transportation, and connects the town to Woss, Telegraph Cove, Fort Rupert and Port Hardy. Operating from Port McNeill's Dalewood Inn, Greyhound Canada connects most communities on the Island.
Vancouver Island Coach Lines runs one trip per day between southern Vancouver Island and northern Vancouver Island. The bus arrives in Port McNeill around 3:15pm, and departs southbound at 9am daily. Tickets can be purchased from Greyhound.
Air Travel
Eagle Air offers passenger and freight services on scheduled and chartered flights in and out of Port McNeill, Port Hardy, Alert Bay, Campbell River, Bella Bella and Vancouver. Pacific Coastal Airlines maintains a scheduled service from the modern terminal at Port Hardy Airport, 37km/23mi north of Port McNeill, to Vancouver, Victoria, Campbell River and several other Island and mainland communities.
Marine Travel
Port McNeill's harbour is open year-round with both commercial and pleasure berthing available for all sizes of boats. Its central location leads quickly to doctors, pharmaceuticals, laundry, shopping, banking, liquor, tackle and repairs. Silver King Marine provides water taxis to Malcolm Island, Telegraph Cove, Alert Bay and other nearby communities.
Ferry Travel
Port McNeill is the terminus for the Tri-Island ferry route, the BC Ferries service connecting the town to Alert Bay on Cormorant Island and Sointula on Malcolm Island. Both destinations are ideal for day trippers.
Practical Points
- Logging roads remain private property. Visitors may encounter heavy equipment and logging trucks, and remember logging trucks have the right of way.
- Please drive with headlights on, use pullouts and yield to logging trucks at all times.
For maps and further information on transportation, visit the Port McNeill Visitor Centre at 1594 Beach Drive.
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