From laid-back beachcombing to sea otter spotting to quirky roadside carrots—North Vancouver Island packs a surprising punch. Whether you’re strolling comfy boardwalks or settling in for a kayak adventure, there’s something here for every traveler. Let’s dive in!
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Why the list of things to do in North Vancouver Island feels endless
Vancouver Island dwarfs many places. It’s 460 km (285 mi) long. That’s about half the size of Ireland or five and a half times the size of Prince Edward Island. Tourism Vancouver Island defines the North Island as begining just north of Campbell River. It’s the gateway for a whole realm of adventure. And beyond lies Port Hardy, Telegraph Cove, and more. Let’s jump into what makes this region a must-visit!
1. Port Hardy & Storey’s Beach
Stretch your legs after the Inside Passage ferry
After 16 hours cruising the Inside Passage, take time to get your land legs back. Start the day with a short stroll at Storey’s Beach—endless sand visible at low tide. It’s flat, calm, and perfect for picnics, treasure hunting, or launching on a beach walk. Amenities include picnic shelters, washrooms, and easy parking just a few minutes off the highway.
We didn’t have time, but you might want to check out the Fort Rupert Trail. It starts near Storey’s Beach and follows a traditional route the Kwakiutl First Nations took overland to Bear Cove. This 3.7 km (2.3 mi) long trail includes a board walk.
Town vibes
Port Hardy buzzes with life in the summer – from fishing charters and airline tours to eco- and cultural adventures. Market Street offers shops featuring First Nations artwork, artisan crafts, and cozy cafés—don’t miss a latte at Café Guido or a browse through the Book Nook.
Local lore
Can’t miss the giant Carrot Statue, a humorous nod to a 1970s campaign to complete Highway 19 to the island’s tip. It flags the promise—and deliverance—of road access to North Island folks. Pop into the Port Hardy Visitor Information Centre, grab a map and plot your next stops, like planning a backpacking trip on Cape Scott Trail for 2026!
If you have time, explore the tide pools in Hardy Bay. Don’t be fooled by this rocky shore, a low tide in Hardy Bay invites discovery of marine treasures. It’s dog-friendly and located right in town (only a short 30 second walk from the Port Hardy Visitor Centre).
2. Telegraph Cove & the Historic Boardwalk
A living story on the water
Telegraph Cove is steeped in early 1900s history. The original telegraph station was built in 1911. Government telegraph operators would “pound the brass” to send morse code signals. It was key during the 1918–19 flu pandemic that swept through the nearby Alert Bay area.
Boardwalk charm
History comes to life as you walk past original building like an Air Force mess hall turned community dance venue, the Japanese-owned Ogawa and Nakamura houses (once home to pioneering fish-salting operations), the Sharpe millwright shop, Vinderskov family home, and even buck-board-style Burton House.
As the boards thump beneath your feet, it’s almost possible to visualize the hustle and bustle of Broughton Straits Trading Company Limited – founded by Marmaduke (“Duke”) Wastell and Charlie Nakamura – in this tiny cove so many years ago.
Interested in BC’s fishing heritage?
Check out our post on the North Pacific Cannery National Historic Site
and the role Japanese workers played there.
Marine magic
Telegraph Cove is your stepping-stone into Johnstone Strait—over 190 km (118 mi) long, just 1 km (0.6 mi) wide in parts, and packed with tidal drama every six hours! It’s a prime spot for whale watching and kayaking: past adventures in Broughton Archipelago Park confirms its beauty.
Whale Interpretive Centre (temporarily closed)
The renowned museum suffered a fire in December 2024 and remains closed, though reconstruction is underway. Still worth mentioning as part of your itinerary—and something to revisit once reopened.
Getting to – and staying – Telegraph Cove
Telegraph Cove lies about 15 km (9 mi) off Highway 19 on Beaver Cove Road—roughly 1 hour south of Port Hardy. While day use parking for RVs is limited, the marina also runs an RV park for those who want to spend more time savouring the sights.
3. More fun things to do around the next corner: Zeballos and Nuchatlitz Provincial Park
From Telegraph Cove, skip south towards the Zeballos turnoff. A few years ago, a group of friends joined us in hiring a boat to haul us and our kayaks out to the head of windy Esperanza Inlet and the gateway to Nuchatlitz Provincial Park.
This is not a day trip – but it is a worthwhile detour if you have all the gear, food and enough time. We spent a few nights camping on Rosa Island (sunrise breakfast on the east beach, sunset dinners on the west side) and exploring the inlets and islands of the park. Magical doesn’t begin to describe floating silently in kelp beds near sea otters.
The park protects vital habitat for British Columbia’s recovering sea otter population. It also protects archaeological sites inhabited for thousands of years by First Nations people. In fact, the park is named after the old village of Nuchatlitz.
Recently, the B.C. government ceded control of a large portion of this park to the Nuchatlaht people. It was a precedent-setting court ruling on Indigenous land claim. You can read more about the change to Nuchatlitz Provincial Park. It’s uncertain how this will affect public access in the future.
If kayak adventures and wildlife sightings in between Esperanza and Nuchalitz Inlets are on your Northern Van Isle bucket list, you may want to visit soon. Life is all about change. Don’t wait for tomorrow when you can go today.
Don’t miss the round-up post outlining the entire BC road trip!
Is North Vancouver Island Worth a Visit?
Absolutely—yes! With coastal treasures, floating walkways, First Nations culture, river estuaries, whale-watching paddles, hidden carrots, provincial parks, and wilderness lakes—it offers something for every traveler.
📌 Next up: Park it! Find Mid-Island Magic in Elk Falls Provincial Park and Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park
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