Road Trip from Comox Valley to Quadra Island, Port Hardy and Kyuquot

A visit to what was once the village site of the K’omoks First Nation will now be where you are warmly welcomed into the formline-decorated I-Hos Gallery and Totem Design House. Indigenous artwork tells their stories—that of wolf, moon, thunderbird, salmon, and other symbols—made with exceptional craftsmanship in silver jewellery, carving, masks, cowhide drums, and other mediums. Give yourself ample time to roam and marvel at the intersection of traditional practice and contemporary artistic expression.

As you continue north, swap the Inland Highway 19 for the slower pace of the Old Island Highway as it winds from Comox to Campbell River through farmland and along the oceanfront. Enjoy sweeping coastal views across the traditional waters of the Homalco, K’omoks, We Wai Kai, We Wai Kum, Kwiakah, and Klahoose First Nations.

Campbell River is a fantastic launch point for those curious to explore the southern edges of the otherworldly Great Bear Rainforest.

Navigate the waters of the Discovery Islands and Bute Inlet with ancestral knowledge and the millennia-old hosting traditions of the Homalco and Klahoose First Nations with Homalco Wildlife and Cultural Tours. Here, waterfalls cascade from towering coastal cliffs, marine mammals are spotted by guides who lead with deep respect, and stories of culture tied to the landscape are generously shared to inspire an intimate connection with these lands and waters.

A day of salty air and adventure for most of us sparks a series of yawns. Continuing the day’s theme, our proprietors can’t help but inspire people to be outside as much as possible—even when asleep.

Pack your tastiest snacks for a 2-hour scenic drive to Port McNeill. Stop for a refreshing swim at the unique rock formations of Little Huson Caves or enjoy a beach pause at Woss Lake en route. Port McNeill is also the gateway to Alert Bay on Cormorant Island, a 45-minute ferry away from Port McNeill.

Alert Bay is home to the renowned U’mista Cultural Centre. A twenty-minute walk along the waterfront from the ferry terminal, through the village of Yalis of the ‘Namgis people, will place you at its eye-catching white building. Here you’ll find a collection of regalia, ceremonial objects, and the particularly distinguished Potlach Collection. Bear witness to stories that foster an understanding of this complicated history vital to conscious travel through Indigenous BC. If you’re visiting in the summer, there is also an incredible chance to see masks in motion. The T’sasala Cultural Group share traditional dances with visitors at the ceremonial Big House.

The Culture Shock Gallery immerses visitors in cultural education and artistic expression through its interpretive gallery space. Find unique Indigenous artworks that blend traditional and contemporary West Coast and ‘Namgis creative practices. Watch a series of independent Indigenous films from local filmmakers and connect with the community with a delicious coffee on the deck.

From Port McNeill, travel on to the northernmost tip of Vancouver Island and the town of Port Hardy—home of the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations. Here, a host of tucked-away Indigenous experiences celebrates nature as muse and creates wonderment in visitors.

Wildlife tours with Coastal Rainforest Safaris head into the Great Bear Rainforest and offer a particularly unique Puffins and Seabird tour into an internationally recognized Important Bird Area for birdwatching enthusiasts. Learn how everything is connected in our ecosystems and the way that has fostered a millennia-long reciprocal relationship that guides Indigenous stewardship practices and in turn Indigenous tourism.