Port Hardy is a district municipality on the northeast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. It was named after the captain of H.M.S. Victory, Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy. Tourism is a vital part of Port Hardy's economy. Every day in summer, the peak season in Port Hardy, ferries depart to popular tourist destinations in British Columbia. The port is the accessway to some of them, such as Cape Scott Provincial Park, the North Coast Trail, and the BC Marine Trail. The community also offers excellent wilderness activities, such as kayaking, canoeing, caving, scuba diving, whale watching, surfing, fishing, and camping; all in all, get ready for having the time of your life in Port Hardy. One of the facts about Port Hardy is that the city of Numata in Japan is Port Hardy's twin city. Every year, there is a celebration in Rotary Park to salute the city's natural resource-based economy called "filomi." These syllables, fi, lo, and mi, stand for "fishing, logging, and mining." This celebration is fun, including festivities in the Rotary Park and activities for children, fundraising concessions, entertainment, beer gardens, bake sales, craft sales, and fireworks.
Average Weather in Port Hardy
Port Hardy has an oceanic climate, and that is because of its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. Summer in Port Hardy is very cool, and winter is mild. The temperature is mostly between 1°C (33.8°F) and 18°C (64.4°F).
The Best Time to Visit Port Hardy
The best time to visit Port Hardy is from June to September when you can enjoy the warm weather activities.
How to Get to Port Hardy?
Port Hardy Airport Transfers
You can fly to Port Hardy Airport. It is placed about 10 km (6.2 miles) southeast of Port Hardy's downtown.
Seaplane to Port Hardy
Port Hardy has seaplane charters and air cabs. It has direct flights from Vancouver. Round trip service is possible three times daily. Port Hardy is a base for seaplane charters servicing remote communities of BC's coastline.
Ferry to Port Hardy
Take a ferry from Horseshoe Bay in Vancouver to Departure Bay. From there, take a bus or taxi or rent a car to Port Hardy. You can also take a bus from Nanaimo or Victoria.
Top 10 Attractions in Port Hardy
Port Hardy Visitor Centre
Scarlett Point Lighthouse
Tex Lyon Trail
Copper Maker Gallery
Carrot Park
Gods Pocket Marine Provincial Park
Port Hardy Museum & Archives
Beaver Harbour Park (Storey's Beach)
Quatse Salmon Stewardship Centre
Natural History Museums
Discovering Beauty and Entertainment in Port Hardy
Port Hardy's natural environment is beautiful and pristine, with lush green parks such as Gods Pocket Marine Provincial Park and Beaver Harbour Park. Both are perfect spots for a family trip and having a picnic. Port Hardy also has excellent trails for hiking, such as Tex Lyon Trail. Nature viewing in Port Hardy is simply a blast, and that is because of the area's rich wildlife. The district of Port Hardy provides lots of entertainment. You can go shopping in the city's sizable covered mall or its delightful downtown and have a meal at one of its many great restaurants. Port Hardy also has an indoor swimming pool and an ice skating rink. There are opportunities for many outdoor water-based activities that would be fun for locals and tourists, such as sport fishing, salmon fishing, scuba diving, caving, and paddling.
Gardens, Parks, and Natural Green Attractions in Port Hardy
Beaver Lake Recreation Site
Bear Cove Park
Carrot Park
Beaver Harbour Park
Gods Pocket Marine Provincial Park
Beaches, Lakes, Rivers, and Water-based Activities in Port Hardy
Quatse Salmon Stewardship Centre (a natural history museum)
Port Hardy Museum (a natural history museum)
West Coast Community Craft Shop
Copper Maker Gallery
Festivals and Events in Port Hardy
FiLoMi Days celebration
Seafood Festivals
Nightlife and Entertainment in Port Hardy
Quarterdeck Pub
The Sporty Bar & Grill
Old Saltery Pub
Taziker'sPub
The Sporty Bar & Grill
Nax'id'Pub
Free Attractions in Port Hardy
Swimming and sunbathing in lakes, rivers, or beaches
Hiking all around the Tex Lyon Trail and watching birds
Nature viewing and wildlife viewing
Going to the historical landmarks in Carrot Park and Storey's Beach
Kayaking and canoeing
Services in Port Hardy
Public Transportation in Port Hardy
Port Hardy Public transportation includes buses, taxis, seaplanes, and airplanes. Using buses is for destinations inside the island, and airplanes and seaplanes are for the ones outside. You also can take the taxi services for transportation.
Where to Stay in Port Hardy
Accommodations in Port Hardy are mainly concentrated around Hardy Bay road and Market street.
Hotels: Kwa'lilas Hotel Providence Place Quarterdeck Inn Resort & Marina
Self-Catered Accommodation: First Choice Bed & Breakfast
Bonita B&B Oceanview Bed and Breakfast
Telco House Bed and Breakfast
Orange Tabby B&B
Serengeti Bed & Breakfast
Chocolate & Serenity B&B Scotia Bay B&B
Hostels: North Shore Inn
North Coast Trail Backpackers Hostel Glen Lyon Inn
Great Bear Lodge Airport Inn
Guesthouses: Backwoods Cottage
North Coast Cottages Port Hardy RV Resort & Log Cabins Bear Cove Cottages SportsFishing and Wellness Retreats
Ecoscape Cabins
Shopping in Port Hardy
Most of the shopping locales are downtown, such as Thunderbird Mall, West Coast Community Craft Shop, Red Apple department store, Your Dollar Store With More and Fields Port Hardy (department store). However, there are great shops in other parts of town, such as North Island Cannabis gift shop, Copper Maker Gallery, and W A Thrift Shop.
Food and Beverage Services in Port Hardy
Restaurant and Café in Port Hardy
Glen Lyon Restaurant and Pub
Quarterdeck Restaurant & Pub
Seto's Wok & Grill
Mo's Restaurant
Subway
Mikonos Café
U Café
Market Street Cafe
Wineries, Breweries, Distilleries, Pubs, and Bars in Port Hardy
Quarterdeck Beer & Wine Store
BC Liquor Stores
Health and Wellness in Port Hardy
Sport and Wellness Centers, Spas, and Recreational Therapy in Port Hardy
Funtastic Gymnastics & Trmpln
Raincoast Martial Arts
Shotokan Karate-do ISKF
Evolve Fitness
Wellness center Fung Loy Kok Taoist Tai Chi® - Port Hardy
Shear Insanity Hair Studio & Day Spa
Northern Bliss Day Spa
Recreational Therapy
What you Can Expect to Do Near Port Hardy
Port Hardy Whale Watching
Telegraph Cove Whale Watching
Camping in Cluxewe Resort
Camping in Broughton Strait Campsite
Camping in Wildwoods Campsite
Camping in Quatse River Campground
Camping in Port Hardy RV Resort and Log Cabins
Port McNeill Kayaking and Canoeing
Port Hardy Kayaking and Canoeing
Quatsino Sound Kayaking
Wreck of the SS Themis Diving
Browning Pass Diving
Camping in Cape Scott Provincial Park Campground
What you Can Expect to See Near Port Hardy
Coal Harbour
Telegraph Cove
Port Alice
Port McNeill
Port Hardy
Minigill Cave
Cape Scott Provincial Park
Nimpkish River
Share Your Experience With Visitors Of Vancouver Island