Port Alberni is a city and port on Vancouver Island in the province of British Columbia, Canada. It is a deep port city within the Alberni Valley at the head of the Alberni Inlet, which is Vancouver Island's longest inlet. The city has two official city centres and has a unique layout due to its "twin city" status. The former city of Alberni is called "North Port" and is centred at Highway 4 and Gertrude Street. Port Alberni has numerous creeks and ravines that cut across the townsite today.
Port Alberni was named after Captain Don Pedro de Alberni, a Spanish officer commanding Fort San Miguel at Nootka Sound from 1790 to 1792. Port Alberni and the West Coast of Vancouver Island grounds are parts of the traditional territory of the Hupacasath and Tseshaht First Nations of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth.
The main source of employment in Port Alberni is the forest industry. Ecotourism is also a vital part of the city's economy. Port Alberni is heaven for anglers, especially in the past few years that Sockeye salmon returns have been the largest in history. Actually, Port Alberni is known as the salmon capital of the world.
Port Alberni's climate is Mediterranean with dry, warm summer. During the winter months, the weather is cool and moist because the air flows from the Pacific Ocean. The average minimum and maximum temperature for Port Alberni is -1° (30.2°F) in January and 25°C (77°F) in August.
The best time to visit Port Alberni is from the end of May to the end of September. It is when warm-weather activities are available.