Alert Bay Visitor Information & FAQ
A note on who we are.
This is the visitor-information page of Alert Bay Tourism — an independently operated group of short-term and long-term rentals on Cormorant Island. We are not the official Alert Bay Visitor Centre, the Village of Alert Bay municipal office, or the 'Na̱mg̱is First Nation. Their official contact information is below. We built this page because we kept getting the same questions from guests, and we wanted to point you to the right people for the right questions.
G̱ilakas'la (welcome). Whether you're heading over for a day trip or moving here for the season, this page is the directory we wish existed when we were trying to plan our own first visits. Phone numbers, websites, hours, and the trustworthy outside resources we send our own guests to.
Official Alert Bay contacts
| Organization | Phone | Email / Website |
|---|---|---|
| Alert Bay Visitor Centre (official) 118 Fir Street |
250-974-5024 | [email protected] · alertbay.ca |
| Village of Alert Bay (municipal office) 15 Maple Road |
250-974-5213 | alertbay.ca |
| U'mista Cultural Centre #1 Front Street |
250-974-5403 | umista.ca |
| 'Na̱mg̱is First Nation (Band Office) | 250-974-5556 | namgis.bc.ca |
| BC Ferries (Port McNeill ↔ Alert Bay) | 250-956-4533 | BC Ferries route ALR-MCN |
The official Alert Bay Visitor Centre runs summer hours of 9:00 am – 5:00 pm daily (closed for lunch 1–2 pm) and is the right place for paper maps, current trail conditions, BC-wide brochures, and event-day questions. They're located at 118 Fir Street next to the Alert Bay Library-Museum, a 5-minute walk from the BC Ferries terminal.
Other tourism resources we recommend
The official Visitor Centre and the Village of Alert Bay are your primary sources for municipal information. Beyond that, here are the third-party tourism resources we recommend to our own guests:
- Vancouver Island North Tourism (VINT) — the regional Destination Marketing Organization. Strong overview of Cormorant Island, getting here, and other North Island communities.
- My Vancouver Island North — extensive directory of every business, organization, and service on Cormorant Island and the North Island region. The most comprehensive single list we've found.
- Indigenous Tourism BC — Indigenous-owned and operated tourism experiences in BC, with multiple Alert Bay listings.
- Destination Indigenous — the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada's national directory.
- HelloBC (Destination BC) — the provincial tourism authority's Alert Bay overview.
- Tripadvisor — Things to do in Alert Bay — guest reviews and photos of attractions.
- BC Bird Trail — Sointula & Alert Bay — the formally designated birding trail covering the Ecological Park and surrounding sites.
- Ṯsasała Cultural Group — Saturday performances at the 'Na̱mg̱is Big House (July 4 – August 29, 2026); buy tickets in advance.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Alert Bay?
By a 45-minute BC Ferries sailing from Port McNeill on northern Vancouver Island. The route is ALR-MCN. One ticket (about $11.60 adult / $26.80 regular vehicle) covers your round trip. Foot passengers, bikes, vehicles, and trailers all welcome. Read our complete Alert Bay Ferry Guide.
Where do I find an Alert Bay map?
The official Alert Bay Visitor Centre at 118 Fir Street has free paper maps. Online, the best interactive map is on the Village of Alert Bay website. For a trail map of the Ecological Park and Big Tree Trail, ask at the Visitor Centre or U'mista.
What are the top things to do in Alert Bay?
U'mista Cultural Centre, the world's tallest totem pole at the 'Na̱mg̱is Big House, the 'Na̱mg̱is Original Burial Grounds (view from the road only), the Alert Bay Ecological Park ("Gator Gardens"), the 1.8 km waterfront boardwalk, and whale watching with Seasmoke. Read our complete Things to Do guide.
Where can I stay in Alert Bay?
Vacation rentals (including our six suites), traditional hotels (Nimpkish, Orca Inn), inns, oceanfront cottages, and a campground. Read our complete Where to Stay guide.
Where can I eat in Alert Bay?
Candid Chefs at the Alert Bay Lodge, Nimpkish Restaurant, Orca Restaurant, Alert Bay Pizza (formerly Bayside Grill), Pass'n Thyme, Cook Shack, and Shop Rite Deli. Hours are seasonal — call ahead. See our Alert Bay restaurants guide.
When are the Saturday cultural dance performances?
The Ṯsasała Cultural Group performs at the 'Na̱mg̱is Big House on Saturdays in summer. 2026 dates: July 4 – August 29, 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm (note: August 1 is cancelled). Admission $30 adult / $15 child. Buy in advance at tsasalaculturalgroup.ca — performances regularly sell out.
Can I visit the 'Na̱mg̱is Original Burial Grounds?
Please view the memorial poles from the public road only. The grounds themselves are sacred and not open to visitors. Photography from the sidewalk perimeter is welcome.
Do I need a car on Cormorant Island?
No. The village centre, U'mista, the Big House, the totem pole, and most accommodations are within a 12-minute walk of the BC Ferries terminal. A vehicle helps if you want to reach the inland trails or the campground without a longer walk.
Is Alert Bay open to visitors year-round?
Yes. The ferry runs daily year-round. Many businesses scale to seasonal hours, with peak operation June through mid-September. Even in winter the U'mista Cultural Centre is open Mon–Fri 9–5.
What annual events happen in Alert Bay?
June Sports (Father's Day weekend), Seafest / Musicfest / Artfest / Salmon Run (4th weekend in July), Alert Bay 360 Paddle Race (BC Day weekend in August), and ongoing Ṯsasała performances throughout July and August. The Village of Alert Bay event calendar is on alertbay.ca.
Are there ATMs, a pharmacy, and a grocery store?
Yes. Three ATMs (one inside the bank, one outside Alert Bay Drugs, one outside Bayside). Alert Bay Drugs at 90 Fir Street is the local pharmacy (250-974-5712). Shop Rite Grocery Store & Deli at 99 Fir Street (250-974-2777) is the main grocery and also houses the deli.
Is there a hospital or medical clinic?
Yes. Cormorant Island Health Centre at 49 School Road (250-974-5585), Dr. John Fitzgerald at 74 Fir Street (250-974-3106), and the 'Na̱mg̱is Health Clinic at 49 Atli Street (250-974-5520). 'Na̱mg̱is Dental Clinic: 250-974-5205. For emergencies, dial 911.
Where can I see whales?
Johnstone Strait, just off the south side of Cormorant Island, is one of the world's best places to see Northern Resident orcas (June–October), humpbacks, dolphins, and sea lions. The longest-running operator out of Alert Bay is Seasmoke Whale Watching (250-974-5225), running daily June 14 – end of September 2026.
Is there cell coverage and Wi-Fi on the island?
Cell coverage in the village is good (Telus, Rogers, Bell). It thins out at the Ecological Park, the inland trails, and on the back roads. The Alert Bay Public Library and most accommodations (including all of our suites) provide free Wi-Fi.
Plan your visit with our guides
The Alert Bay Tourism blog is where we go deeper than this page allows:
- Things to Do in 'Ya̱lis (Alert Bay) — 10 attractions, itineraries, cultural protocols
- Alert Bay Ferry Guide — schedules, fares, walk-on tips
- U'mista Cultural Centre — In-Depth Guide
- Where to Stay in Alert Bay
- Where to Eat in Alert Bay
- Extended Stays — Save 56% on 30+ Night Bookings
Ready to plan your stay?
We host travellers year-round in our six fully furnished suites and the Cliff Haven cottage — all walking distance from U'mista, the waterfront boardwalk, and the BC Ferries terminal. Book direct and skip the OTA fees.
View Our Vacation Rentals → Contact Joe & Jenna →
G̱ilakas'la for visiting our home.