Located in Vancouver Island's Alberni Valley, this coastal community is a gateway to Pacific Rim National Park, with active fishing and logging industries and a deep-water port.
Port Alberni sits at the head of Vancouver Island's longest inlet, with mountains and old-growth forests rising on all sides. In this city of 18,000, you can watch black bears catch salmon at Victoria Quay, ride a steam train to an operating 1920s sawmill, or hike to Della Falls - Canada's highest waterfall. Take a boat down the 40-kilometer Alberni Inlet to reach the Pacific Ocean, or explore ancient First Nations petroglyphs at Sproat Lake.
Getting to Port Alberni
Highway 4 connects Port Alberni to the east coast of Vancouver Island, running 163 kilometers through mountain passes and forest. The Port Alberni Airport handles small aircraft, while the deep-water port receives cargo ships and fishing vessels. Many travelers use Port Alberni as a stop on their way to Pacific Rim National Park, Tofino, or Ucluelet.
Fishing and Water Activities
You can fish for all five Pacific salmon species in Port Alberni's waters. The best spots include the Stamp River's pools and the Somass River's deeper sections from June through October. Winter steelhead runs happen from January to March. The calm waters of the Alberni Inlet extend 40 kilometers to Barkley Sound, creating excellent conditions for kayaking and boat tours.
Mountains and Hiking Trails
You can climb Mount Arrowsmith's trails to reach alpine meadows and panoramic views of the valley. The Log Train Trail runs 25 kilometers through second-growth forest on an old railway bed. The Alberni Valley contains more than 100 marked trails, ranging from short walks to challenging hikes leading to Della Falls, which drops 440 meters.
McLean Mill National Historic Site
This 1920s sawmill still cuts lumber using original steam-powered equipment. You can drive there or take a steam train from downtown Port Alberni. Staff wearing 1920s clothing demonstrate traditional sawmill operations and explain local forestry history.
Wildlife Viewing
Black bears gather at the Somass River estuary from August to October, catching salmon from the river. Watch them from the safe distance of the Victoria Quay viewing platform. At Stamp Falls Provincial Park, you can see thousands of salmon using the fish ladders during spawning season.
First Nations Culture
The Tseshaht and Hupacasath peoples have lived in this valley for thousands of years. You'll see their art at Victoria Quay's Welcome Figures and in the ancient rock carvings at Sproat Lake. Visit the Alberni Valley Museum to learn about local indigenous communities through artifacts and stories.
Sproat Lake Provincial Park
This park sits 15 kilometers west of Port Alberni, with beaches and campgrounds along its shore. The 25-kilometer lake draws water skiers and wake boarders in summer months when water temperatures rise. Look for the K'ak'awin petroglyphs carved into rocks near the water's edge, showing evidence of centuries-old First Nations presence.
