A port is a maritime facility that may comprise one or more harbours where ships may dock. A port is usually placed on a sea coast or estuary. It has access to the sea via river or canal. The importance of ports and harbours is because of their roles in transportation.
Several ports and harbours exist in the Vancouver Island waterway region.
The waterway region includes the Strait of Georgia, Discovery Passage, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Johnstone Strait, Queen Charlotte Sound, and the Haro Strait.
Nanaimo Harbour, Campbell River Harbour, Comox Harbour, Port of Cowichan Bay, Ladysmith Harbour, and Port Hardy are famous Vancouver Island ports and harbours. Nanaimo, the second-largest city on Vancouver Island, is a historical port city known as "The Harbour City" among the islanders. The Port of Nanaimo has local seaplane operators.
There are various fishing ports on Vancouver Island. Among them is Port Alberni, which is known as the salmon capital of the world.
Port Hardy and Port McNeill are the most popular ports on Vancouver Island; both are worthy destinations for day-tripping foot passengers.
Each one has its own specific beauty; Port McNeill is a great launching point best-known for sports fishing enthusiasts who want to test their skills in the maze of waterways between Vancouver Island and the mainland.
Another one, Port Hardy, which is built along the shores of a natural deep-water harbour, offers breathtaking splendour when the snow-capped peaks of the BC Coastal Mountain Range loom; it is also a gateway that overlooks Queen Charlotte Strait and across to the mainland.
The waters around Vancouver Island are rich and filled with trophy-sized salmon and halibut and snapper, cod, and more. The gentle currents and rich biodiversity make the island and water around it ideal for all types of saltwater fishing. There are plenty of bodies of water to choose from, and Vancouver Island ports and harbours are among them, offering excellent opportunities for fishing.