The climate in this region is normally cool and moist, although summers are usually drier than the winters. Temperatures can range between -1 degrees Celsius to 17 degrees Celsius in the summertime. Within the Vancouver Island Mountain Chain, you can expect snowfall between 5-10 feet in the winter.

The lack of human population in this area  means that wildlife viewing is exceptionally good here. In the waters off the Island, Orca whales come to feed on the salmon runs which pass through the Johnstone Straight every year. The largest colony of Tuffed Puffin can be found just off Cape Scott on Triangle Island, and relocated sea otters are thriving north of Kyuquot. On the Island, black bears roam the rugged mountain ranges and forest, as does deer, mountain goats, cougars, and wolves. Cape Scott Provincial Park in particular is known for its bird population. Several varieties of birds are found in the park including blue herons, spotted sandpiper, sandhill cranes, and trumpeter swans. Hansen Lagoon is also a resting area for migrating waterfowl – one of the best on the northwest coast.

ACCESS:

Access to communities on the east side of Vancouver Island is by paved highway. From the Lower Mainland, you can access this area by taking BC Ferries to either Victoria or Nanaimo, and driving north on Highway 19. Most communities found on the western coast of Vancouver Island are also accessible by road, but it may be gravel or logging road. Make sure you bring a reliable map, and detailed directions, which can be found at the visitor centers on the western coast.

Distance between Vancouver and the major cities are:

• Campbell River: 237 km

• Gold River: 243 km

• Tahsis:  365 km

• Zeballos:437 km

• Port McNeill: 429 km

• Port Hardy: 466 km

MAJOR CITIES

This area is a mixture of scenic wilderness and quaint towns. Only 3% of the population of Vancouver Island lives north of Campbell River. The economy in this area is fueled by the resource section, with forestry, fishing, mining, and alternative energy production leading the way.  Tourism is also growing extremely important to the communities located in this area. 

Major centers in the area include:

Campbell River: This city of 28,456 is the third largest city on Vancouver Island. The service hub to Northern Vancouver Island, all services can be found here. Campbell River is a young and vibrant city, with plenty of potential to grow.

Recreation

• Campbell River is known as the “Salmon Capital of the World”. Thousands of salmon return home to the Campbell River every year through Discovery Passage, and sports fishermen from all over the world have flocked to Campbell River to take advantage of this. Bring extra rods and reels, as all five Pacific Salmon species can be found here, including the massive Tyee.

• Campbell River offers two golf courses for your golfing vacation. Storey Creek Golf Course and Sequoia Springs Golf Course both offer challenging 18 holes for your enjoyment.

• Campbell River’s sheltered location means that water sports of all sorts can be found here, including kayaking around the beautiful Discovery  Islands, canoeing the Sayward Forest Canoe Trail, and scuba diving in the Discovery passage.

• Once winter arrives, the fun doesn’t stop in Campbell River. Nearby ski resorts at Mount Washington and Mount Cain have plenty of powder for skiing and snowboarding.

• Gold River offers a 9 hole public golf course, but it is noted that precision play is required for this course. Keep an eye out for local wildlife which stray onto the course, including, deer, raccoons, and bears.

• Strathcona Provincial Park is located between Campbell River and Gold River. One of the largest parks on Vancouver Island, the many lakes, rivers and trails offer choice opportunities to swim, hike, boat, camp, fish, and rock climb.

• Gold River is one of the access points to the challenging outside waters of the Pacific Ocean. You can paddle though Muchalaht Inlet, although Luna, the orphaned killer whale is known to frequent these waters. Stay close to the shore line, or drive to nearby Cougar Creek, and bypass her altogether. (Editor's Note: On March 10, 2006, Luna was killed by a passing tugboat off Nootka Sound.)

Tahsis- This tiny community is the birthplace of British Columbia, for it was in this area that Captain James Cook landed in 1778 to claim this land for England.
 

Port McNeill:  This town of 2821 calls itself a modern pioneer town. Providing access to the various recreational opportunities in the area, Port McNeill is the perfect boating pit stop on your voyages through the Inside Passage.

Recreation:

• Salmon fishing is very good in this area, and can be accessed from deep sea boating trips to shore casting off Bere Point. Fly fishing for steelhead in  nearby rivers have also proved extremely successful.

• Northern Vancouver Island's newest golf course is located here. Cedar Park Resort and Golf Course offers a 9 hole golf course in scenic surroundings.

• Nearby Robson Bight Ecological Reserve is the world’s best location for observing killer whales in their natural habitat. The number of resident whales which return every year have increased in the past 30 years from 170 to 250 whales.

• Regional and Provincial Parks from Woss through to Port McNeill offer excellent opportunities for camping, hiking, boating, and spelunking through Northern Vancouver Island’s underground cave systems.

• The Seven Hills Golf Course is described by many to be one of the more difficult 9 hole layouts in British Columbia.
• Quatsino Sound is known as one of the best scuba diving areas in British Columbia. Admire the spectacular underwater scenery, and discover old sunken cargo ships and other shipwrecks.
• There is kayaking in this area for all levels. Beginners can test their paddles in the relatively protected waters of Quatsino Sound off Winter Harbour, while more experienced paddlers can either head out into the Pacific Ocean towards the southern end of the island, or head north towards Hakai Provincial Marine Park, 100 kilometres north of Port Hardy, towards the mid-coast of British Columbia.
• Hikers and campers looking for solitude will find it in the many kilometers of wilderness hiking and camping through old growth forest in Cape Scott Provincial Park.

PROVINCIAL AND FEDERAL PARKS

There are no federal parks located in this area. There are many provincial parks, but not all are accessible by  road, protecting sections of old growth forest and wildlife in  the area. There are several marine parks to explore along the coastline of Northern Vancouver Island for boaters and kayakers. One park which we would like to draw your attention to is Cape Scott Provincial Park, found on the northern tip of Vancouver Island. Comprising 24,631 acres of land and 12,608 acres of foreshore, Cape Scott is one of the most beautiful parks in British Columbia.

The Ministry of Tourism, Sports & the Arts maintain recreational camping sites in this area, especially in the many lakes just north of Campbell River. 

Explore Northern Vancouver Island- a beautiful wilderness paradise in  beautiful BC.

For More Information:

Campbell River Tourism

Village of Gold River

Village of Tahsis

Port McNeill & District Chamber of Commerce

District of Port Hardy

Vancouver Island North Visitors Association

BC Parks

Forest Recreational Site Locator