|
|
History
The town of Port McNeill was established in 1936, and was named after William McNeill, a Boston-born explorer for the Hudson's Bay Company. It was later incorporated on February 18, 1966 and was the first town to be incorporated under the new Canadian Constitution.
Location
Port McNeill is located on the northeast coast of Vancouver Island. The top half of 280-mile-long Vancouver Island is served by a maze of logging roads and Highway 19 (north Island Highway), which links Campbell River with Port McNeill and Port Hardy, the southern terminus of BC Ferries' Inside Passage and Discovery Coast routes.
Places to See
- Port McNeill and District Museum
The Port McNeill and District Museum opened in June, 2000 after several years of hard work by volunteers. There were many hours of donated labour and donations of material and funds. The result is a Museum and Chamber of Commerce Office that the residents are all proud of.
The Museum is run by one part time staff member and volunteers. Hours vary according to season. For more information on the Port McNeill and District Museum, call (250) 956-9898.
- Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park
Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park, located south of Port McNeill on northern Vancouver Island, offers a rugged wilderness experience in a remote setting. The park, situated at the south end of Nimpkish Lake, comprises the southernmost east-facing slopes of the Karmutzen mountain range and all of Tlakwa Creek drainage.
Nimpkish Lake Park protects old-growth coastal western hemlock forests in the Tlakwa Creek watershed, which features high ecological and wildlife values. Opportunities for nature appreciation, backcountry skiing, mountaineering and wilderness camping exist at this park, which is home to black-tailed deer and a variety of other wildlife.
- Broughton Archipelago Marine Provincial Park
Broughton Archipelago Provincial Marine Park, BC's largest marine park, consists of a wonderful collection of dozens of undeveloped islands and islets situated at the mouth of Knight Inlet on the west side of Queen Charlotte Strait near the north end of Vancouver Island.
Established in 1992, Broughton Archipelago Provincial Marine Park offers excellent boating, kayaking and wildlife viewing opportunities. A multitude of islands provides park visitors sheltered waters and anchorages with a backdrop of the magnificent coastal mountains to the east and the waters of Queen Charlotte Strait to the west. These islands have been utilized by First Nation peoples for generations and there is ample evidence of their extensive use of the area. Kayakers and boaters can easily discover white midden beaches, culturally modified trees, clam "terraces" and even a petroglyph while exploring the park.
This park is extremely popular with sea kayakers from around the world. Most kayakers prefer the southern portion of the park, though increasing numbers are starting to discover the beauty of the northern islands and their protected waterways.
- Robson Bight Ecological Preserve
Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve was established to provide a sanctuary for killer whales. The reserve protects key habitats for killer whales and prevents their harassment while at the same time providing unique opportunities for killer whale research. Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve also protects a pristine estuary and forested shorelines.
- Port McNeill Boat Harbour
The Port McNeill Boat Harbour is open year-round with both commercial and pleasure berthing available for all sizes of boats. It is centrally located so laundry, specialty shopping, groceries, banking, liquor, pharmaceuticals, tackle, repairs, and doctors are all just a short walk away. As such, Port McNeill has become a major re-supply point for travelers up and down the coast of British Columbia.
The Shell Marina is located adjacent to the harbour and offers year-round diesel, gasoline, aviation fuel, stove oil, and propane. Some overnight moorage is also available here.
- Cape Scott Provincial Park
Cape Scott Provincial Park is a truly magnificent area of rugged coastal wilderness that is located at the northwestern tip of Vancouver Island, 563 kilometers from Victoria.
Established in 1973 and named after the site of a lighthouse that has guided mariners since 1960, Cape Scott is characterized by more than 115 kilometers of scenic ocean frontage, including about 30 kilometers of spectacular remote beaches.
The park stretches from Shushartie Bay in the east, then westward around Cape Scott and south to San Josef Bay. Rocky promontories, salt marshes and jagged headlands punctuate the fine-textured, white-sand beaches. The most impressive of these beaches, Nels Bight, stretches more than 2,400 meters long and 210 meters wide at low tide, and is one of the Park's most popular camping destinations. Other significant beaches include San Josef Bay, Guise Bay, Experiment Bight, Lowrie Bay and Nissen Bight.
Visitors can choose between a day hike or a backpacking excursion to explore the sandy beaches, rainforests and lowland bogs and muskeg of this wilderness park.
Anyone contemplating a visit to Cape Scott Provincial Park should be prepared for such adverse weather conditions as high winds and heavy rain, which are common at all times of the year.
Things to Do
- Sailing and Windsurfing
Seals, porpoises, and bald eagles are abundant while sailing these beautiful waters. You may even encounter whales while enjoying the breathtaking scenery and tranquility this area has to offer.
Nearby Nimpkish Lake, the biggest and most beautiful watershed, is rated as world-class for windsurfing, but unpredictable weather, especially high winds, makes it a lake to be respected by canoeists. Wind surfing is also enjoyed in the ocean bordering Port McNeill. Bring your gear because the breeze is perfect for this outdoor activity.
- Kayaking
Kayaking is the best way to explore the crevices and crannies of the Vancouver Island coastline, especially in shallow waters and near shoals.
Kayaks are safe and fun, as the Inuit first discovered. Now nearly 50,000 people in BC have taken up the sport! Kayaks are highly maneuverable, require little service, and are available at rental outlets in just about every seaside community on the coast. They come complete with lessons, equipment and guides.
For the more experienced paddler, you can just rent the kayaks and plan your own self guided adventure into the ancient archipelagos.
- Canoeing
Ocean canoeing is a pastime that requires a healthy respect for the power and unforgiving nature of the sea. Navigation charts, accurate tide guides and tables are essential if you are planning a saltwater trip or into tidal rivers.
Ocean canoeing has long been popular with the indigenous people of the Northwest, it was their main method of transportation for trading, raiding and fishing. But for past hundred years, few dugout canoes were seen along the coast, and it is only recently that the proud ceremonial canoes are being carved out again.
Dozens upon dozens of lakes are accessible to canoes on the North Island. Bonanza, Benson, Alice, Georgie, O'Conner, Keough, Misty, Three Isle, Beaver, and Victoria are all local and easy to drive to and are all rated as safe and protected well from wind and currents.
- Fishing
Spring salmon (Chinook, King and Tyee) can weigh in at over 30 lb. and Halibut over 100 lb. are common. Even 200 lb. Halibut are heard of more often than a 29 point crib hand in these parts.
Fishing from the shore is also popular around Ledge Point, on the Lady Ellen beach side, or at Bere Point on the Northwest tip of Malcolm Island where you can catch the Pink Salmon by casting off at the water's edge.
There are also freshwater fishing holes too numerous to list. Fly-fishing is particularly good in the many streams made accessible by logging roads. Lake trout include cutthroat trout, rainbow and steelhead in the rivers and streams.
Vancouver Island has a strong catch and release program. Carefully check time of year regulations and limits before you cast off. Port McNeill has many professional guides with years of experience in BC waters, with boats available for fishing, diving and sightseeing charters.
- Caving
Little Huson Lake offers caves that are another popular and accessible attraction for visitors to the area. Located on the Zeballos Road off Highway 19, well-marked signs lead to this regional park that protects limestone canyons, arches, and caves within its boundaries.
The North Island has many unexplored caves waiting to be discovered. Caving, as it is called, is the recreational companion of speleology or spelunking, the underground scientific study of natural caves and karst (limestone) formations.
Supervised tours are available to people who have formerly avoided this recreational opportunity because they thought that they did not have the required skills, equipment or experience.
While on the North Island it is worthwhile to visit some unique karst formations west of Port McNeill, Devil's Bath, Eternal Fountain and the Vanishing River.
- Camping
Several campsites and larger RV facilities are close to Port McNeill. Broughton Strait Camp Ground is located right downtown, while larger ocean front parks are a short ride away on 3 sides.
Alder Bay Resort, Telegraph Cove Resort, and Broughton Strait Resort are all fully serviced for tenters, campers and RV's. The campsites include showers, a store, and laundry facilities. Marble River, Clint Beeke, and Nimpkish are a few of the recreational sites provided for use by the forest industry.
- Hiking
Hiking, beachcombing, and storm-watching will fill your days while you're here. There are trails and beaches weaving through every inch of the North Island. You may not see another soul as you wander along the shores and under the windswept canopies of the forests.
- Skiing
If you're a powder buff, Port McNeill also boasts the second highest ski face on the Island. Mount Cain has a vertical drop of 450 metres, and claims to have some of the best powder runs in all of the province.
If you're a powder buff, we also boast the second highest ski face on the Island. Mount Cain has a vertical drop of 450 metres, and claims to have some of the best powder runs in all of the province.
On sunny days, because of our warm year round climate, the custom is to ski and snowboard in short sleeves! Along with a commissary and ski rental shop, the facilities offer two t-bar lifts and 18 runs including groomed runs for novices and treed runs for more advanced skiers.
You will also find groomed cross country ski trails at the base of Mount Cain, and alpine hiking is popular in the summer months when blueberries grow wild in abundance. Watch out for picnicking bears!
During ski season a shuttle bus from Port McNeill takes skiers back and forth from the community.
- Diving
Divers visiting the North Island will soon discover why the Pacific Northwest is rated as one of the best diving locations in the world. Temperate waters along with some of the strongest tidal influences have provided this area with its unique marine life.
There are a couple of superb shore dives on the North Island, but to experience the full beauty of inner space northern style, one must get out with a charter boat and an experienced dive master.
- Whale Watching
Everyone loves whales, and whales love this area, especially killer whales, the great orcas, who travel in pods of up to twenty or more, easily identified by their large black dorsal fins and unique white markings near their mouths and on their bellies.
Seeing them in their natural environment, watching them breach the surface, suspended in a mid-air dance, or sharing passage with the towering fins of the gentle whales is one of the most exciting pleasures on earth.
Commercial whale watching has become part of the economic base here on the North Island and protecting these wondrous mammals - and their main food, salmon - has become of utmost importance to residents.
- Explore the North Island
Charter a boat - or a plane - and explore a wilderness area consisting of a maze of several small islands, numerous islets and adjacent foreshore.
Evidence of early native settlement of these islands can be found in the petroglyphs carved onto a rock wall on Berry Island, close to an area known traditionally as the Chief's Bathtub. Local legend recounts how the First Nations people heated the basin with hot rocks and used the 'bathtub' for ceremonial purposes.
Incredible day trips are also available to great spots in Port McNeill, Port Hardy and Quatsino narrows. These three distinct areas each have their own special flavour to add to your vacation. From tame wolf eels at Hunt Rock to the limitless underwater colours of the walls at Browning Pass, to the Gorgonian corals at Berry Islet, to lazy drifts along Plumper wall or Northeast Pearse, each site has its own intrigue and splendor that will keep you anticipating the excitement of the next dive.
Events
- Orcafest
Orcafest is an annual event in the town of Port McNeill on Northern Vancouver Island. Every August, the locals come together to celebrate by hosting a parade, arts and crafts stalls, and childrens activities.
Contact Information
Port McNeill and District Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 129 - 351 Shelley Crescent
Port McNeill, BC
V0N 2R0
Tel: 250-956-3131
Fax: 250-956-3132
E-mail: pmccc@island.net
Website: www.portmcneill.net
Town of Port McNeill
1775 Grenville Place
PO Box 728
Port McNeill, B.C. V0N 2R0
Telephone: 250 956-3111
Fax: 250 956-4300
Website: www.town.portmcneill.bc.ca
|
|
