Surrounded by the beauty of the Alberni Valley, the active fishing and forestry community of Port Alberni sits at the tip of a long, meandering saltwater channel that cuts deeply into Vancouver Island, making Port Alberni seem closer to the east coast of the island than the west. However, Port Alberni is distinctly West Coast Vancouver Island in ambiance. With its reputation as the Salmon Capital of the World, Port Alberni offers some of the best fishing you’ll ever experience, as well as hiking, whale watching, windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, and golfing.
Near the community of Port Alberni, Sproat Lake Provincial Park is a summertime hub for freshwater fun, such as swimming, fishing, and water skiing, while Stamp River Provincial Park offers hiking along a rushing river that fills with spawning salmon every fall. Swim in the
Somas River in Paper Mill Dam Park, or relax in the shade by a babbling brook in Rogers Creek Park.
In town, the Harbor Quay and Market Place is a great place to go for dining, shopping, and gallery browsing — you can’t miss it — it’s under the big Clock Tower. For a good look at Port Alberni, climb to the top of the tower with your camera.
If you want to take a stroll through town, pick up a map of historical walking tours from the Alberni Valley Museum. Another good walk in town is the Kitsukis Walkway, a three-kilometer pathway that passes a playground with a summer water park for kids. Other Port Alberni highlights include the McLean Mill National Historic Site, the Port Alberni Railway Station and Steam Train, the Rollins Art Centre, the Alberni Valley Museum, and the Maritime Discovery Centre.
Port Alberni is a great base for exploring the region. Accommodation includes campgrounds, motels, hotels, resorts, lodges, and bed and breakfasts. Accommodation is often packaged with activities, such as eco-tours, backcountry hiking, fishing, and sightseeing tours of the region. |
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