| Ever since the Cabrillo Spanish Voyage of 1542 (The earliest Documented voyage) people from all over the world have chosen Northern Vancouver Island as their destination of choice. Port Hardy, the largest community in the North Island region, was named for Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy who, as Captain of the H.M.S. Victory, held the dying Lord Nelson in his arms at the end of the Battle of Trafalgar. | Cabrillo Spanish Voyage of 1542
Drake English Voyage of 1577-1580 Unamuno Spanish Voyage of 1587 Cermeño Spanish Voyage of 1595 Vizcaíno Spanish Voyage of 1602 Spanish Voyage of 1705 Bering Russian Voyage of 1741-1742 Russian Voyage of 1758-1760 Glottoff 1st Russian Voyage of 1758-1762 Glottoff 2nd Russian Voyage of 1762-1766 |
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Archaeological studies carried out in 1978 by the B.C. Provincial Heritage Conservation Branch indicate the site was first occupied some 8,000 years ago. Samples of tools provide evidence that the area's early residents made good use of the land and resources in this region. White settlers first came to the Port Hardy area at the turn of the century when Alec and Sarah Lyon operated a store and post office on the east side of Hardy Bay in 1904, not far from the existing settlement of Fort Rupert on the shores of nearby Beaver Harbour. |
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Fort Rupert is just north-west of the Port Hardy Airport off Beaver Harbour Road. Aboriginal culture has flourished on Northern Vancouver Island for thousands of years.Other visible aspects of Fort Rupert's cultural fabric include a historical graveyard, the old chimney which marks the site of a former Hudson's Bay Company fort and an impressive Big House. Petroglyphs, one of which dates back to 1864, are not easy to find, but they do exist on sandstone formations in the upper tidal are in front of the old fort site. |
| Trade Beads which were the only "money" of
the early days paid for native help, furs, and anything else required by
the explorers who plied the coast. Before glass beads were introduced
animal teeth were common ornaments, as were shells. Dentalium shells, traded
from warmer waters off Washington and Oregon, were especially desired.
Amber beads were traded by tribes from Alaska.
These beautiful beads can still be found on some beaches. A large cache was found on a local beach in 1999. Local artisans still make wonderful jewellery from these and sell them through local stores. |
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All roads on the North Island, quite literally, lead to Port Hardy. Whether traveling south on BC Ferries from Prince Rupert, or north from Vancouver by air, Port Hardy is the place where many North Island adventures begin. Built along the shores of Hardy Bay, this scenic coastal community offers everything from relaxing walks along the town's seawall, to quiet river and seaside camping opportunities to a host of unique cultural attractions. |
| Port Hardy is the terminus for the Inside Coast Passage Ferry to Prince Rupert and the new Discovery Coast Passage Ferry to Bella Coola. For the visiting Ferry Passengers Port Hardy offers a full range of recreational facilities, hotels, campgrounds, and Bed & Breakfast accommodations. The town also boasts many convenient service outlets including Post Office, shopping malls, numerous stores, gas stations and sani-dumps for RV travelers. Our Chainsaw Bears show the way to the BC Ferries Terminal. |  |
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A landscape painting by the late David Courtenay dominates the north wall of the town's library and Library on Market Street and a Killer Whale mural painted by the members of the North Island Arts & Crafts Association is plainly visible on Market Street. While visiting the library's gardens, take time to browse through the adjacent museum and learn about the Aboriginal Native culture and turn of the century Danish settlements. |
| Visitors can stroll or jog along the seawall to see the town's bustling harbour where fish boats, sail boats, and float planes seem to be always on the move. Watch for seals in the harbour., eagles in the trees, and herons on the beach. There is always bird and sea life close by. Follow the seawall to Carrot Park and view the War Memorial, next come to Tsulquate Park, with a playground for children of all ages to climb on. The next park along this scenic seawall is the Kinsmen Park and Pavilion, a great place to have a picnic, take photographs, or have a family barbecue. |  |
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For the divers and boaters among us the North Island is home to several pods of Killer Whales and schools of dolphins and porpoises. Sighting Killer Whales from the surface in Johnstone and Queen Charlotte Straits is a common occurrence but an underwater encounter is extremely rare. The Pacific white-sided dolphins, on the other hand, are often attracted to boats that ply these waters and may circle inquisitively as you snorkel among them. |
| The waters off northern Vancouver Island are known for their dense profusion of invertebrate life. Walls are burdened with colonies of pink soft coral, large clumps of sponges, giant barnacles, and several varieties of anemones. The basket star is a common sight as it displays its fibrous web of arms to capture small prey from the nutrient-rich waters. Most of the species of rockfish common to the coast can be found here as well as lingcod, wolfeels, warbonnets, and sculpins. | 
Gooseneck Barnacles Candy Shrimp  |
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An quiet evening walk along Market Street, window shopping your way to Fishermens' Wharf, visitors are introduced to the fisherman's world. Iin summer and fall the docks are alive with seiners, gillnetters, trollers, sailboats, sports fishing boats, and often a yacht or two that you can gaze at during your walk along the floats. Sport fishing, scuba diving, caving, kayaking, hiking, camping, wildlife photography, and recreational boating are among the many activities offered visitors. |
| Aside from the services and people of the
area the one thing that seems to amaze most visitors is the green........
The green forests, the green plants, the green grass.... everything seems to be growing and life is abundant. Very few places on earth can offer such a wonderous gift to its visitors. |
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