Alert Bay

File:Alert Bay banner Big House - Kwakwaka'wakw long house in Alert Bay Alert Bay is a little city of 1,200-1,500 people (2023) on Cormorant Island, off the east coast of North Vancouver Island|northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Introduction

Alert Bay has a long history as a centre of First Nations (Indigenous People) culture. It is in traditional Kwakwaka'wakw territory. More than half of the present residents are First Nations, from 'Namgis First Nation and other nations. More than half the island is reserve land. A decaying building glowered from a small hill to the north of town for many decades, before being demolished in 2015. It was Street Michael's School and the primary residential school for the region. It is a physical reminder of the program of cultural eradication trainingd by Canada for many decades, causing trauma and anguish for generations of First Nations people. Confronting the legacy of residential schools has been a major part of reconciliation between Canada and First Nations in the first decades of the 21st century. Several Alert Bay attractions draw from the First Nations cultural history. Others draw from the scenic beauty and the water life.

Alert Bay Infocentre 116 Fir Street 50.583955,-126.928421 ☎ +1 250 974-5024 - Tourist information, including a guide to the village's 30+ totem poles, a map of hiking trails and information on other attractions. The helpful "Your Guide to Historic Alert Bay" 12-page brochure has a good walking map.

Travel to Alert Bay

There are no bridges to thit island, but there is ferry service to Sointula (Malcolm Island) and Port McNeill (Vancouver Island). The closest airport with scheduled commercial service is at Port Hardy. If you have access to a boat or an aircraft and there are other options.

BC Ferries service to Alert Bay 50.588220, -126.931368 At Fir and Front Streets - Opening Hours: 6:40AM–10:35PM $12 adult, $6 children, $28 passenger cars. About six sailings per day. The ferry cycles from Alert Bay to Sointula to Port McNeill and back. The ferry dock is prominent on the Alert Bay waterfront, next to the marina.
Alert Bay Airport (CYAL) 164 (~) Alder Road 50.584567,-126.921289 ☎ +1 250 974-5213 No landing fee This unattended airport has a single 2900-ft runway, 09/27, suitable for light aircraft. The easy walk into the village for sightseeing and lunch makes this a great day trip destination for pilots from the Vancouver region.

Get Around in Alert Bay

The village is small enough to be walkable. The island is also walkable, but given the hilly topography, a vehicle or bike comes in handy.

Halal Sightseeing Tips

Big House Wood Street at 1st Street 50.598495,-126.940350 - A modern take on a traditional First Nations longhouse, this building is used for potlatch ceremonies. Thit is a 1999 rebuild of a 1996 original, which was lost to fire. The "World's Tallest Totem Pole" is nearby.
U'mista Cultural Society #1 Front Street 50.593880,-126.941764 ☎ +1 250 974-5403 +1-800-690-8222 +1 250 974-5499 Opening Hours: July - Aug: daily 9AM Monday - 5PM; September - May: Tuesday - Saturday 9AM Monday - 5PM; May-Jun: Monday to Saturday 9AM Monday - 5PM $10 adults, $9 seniors and students, $7 children This museum preserves and exhibits artifacts of Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw culture. A highlight of the collection are potlatch artifacts, confiscated by Canada in the 1920s in an attempt to stamp out potlatch culture and returned to this museum decades later.

Top Must Do Travel Tips to Alert Bay

Alert Bay Ecological Park nature trails 50.590194,-126.926950 North along Hemlock Road until it becomes Gatu Road and then east between #26 and #27 Gatu. - A marsh was created when a 19th-century cannery operation dammed a stream. Now the area is a bird haven. Three trails, each 10 minutes or so walk, loop around the area. Get a map from the visitors centre.

Muslim Friendly Shopping

Halal Restaurants

Please be informed that on some destination such as Alert Bay we had no local Muslim/a that has researched some of the area. If you are a Muslim/a and have been to Alert Bay or would like to maintain the eHalal Guide to Alert Bay, please contact us at guides@ehalal.io or email us your updates.

Pass'n Thyme Restaurant passnthyme 4 Maple Road 50.583702,-126.928355 ☎ +1 250 974-2670 - The upper-floor dining room has a commanding view of the harbour and serves unpretentious food.

Where to sleep in Alert Bay

Pass'n Thyme Inn passnthyme 4 Maple Road 50.583702,-126.928355 ☎ +1 250 974-2670 - Three rooms in various sizes, from 2 to 4 people.
Alert Bay Cabins alertbaycabins 390 Poplar Road 50.581954,-126.909398 ☎ +1 250 974-5457 +1-877-974 5457 +1 250 974-5457 $135–175/night 14 cabins, each sleeping up to 4 people. Pilots take note: the cabins are a few meters walk from the east side of CYAL runway 09; you can park your plane in the grass and easily walk to the cabins.

Telecommunication

Where to go from Alert Bay

Port Hardy, on Vancouver Island proper, to the northwest.