Location: Port McNeill
Top Things to do in Port McNeill
- 1. Sea Wolf Adventures
- 2. Mackay Whale Watching
- 3. Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures - Orca Waters Kayak Day Trips
- 4. BC Ferries
- 5. ROW Sea Kayak Adventures - Day Tours
- 6. No Bananas Fishing Charters
- 7. North Island Tours
- 8. World 's largest Burl
- 9. JZ's Fishing Charters & Tours
- 10. Port McNeil Harbor
Top Restaurants in Port McNeill
The 10 Best Things to Do in Port McNeill, Canada
Port McNeill is a town in the North Island region of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada with a population of 2,623 (2006). Located on Vancouver Island's north-east shore on Queen Charlotte Strait, it was originally a base camp for loggers. Port McNeill became a settlement in 1936. The town was named after Captain William Henry McNeill of the Hudson's Bay Company.
Restaurants in Port McNeill
1. Sea Wolf Adventures
Overall Ratings
5 based on 132 reviews
Sea Wolf Adventures offers First Nations cultural tours as well as connecting travellers to destinations in the Broughton Archipelago and surrounding areas for sightseeing, sea taxi services, freight and charters. Safe. True. Educational. Your guides are well trained in tradition and will give you a deeper experience into First Nations culture and heritage of the Kwakwaka'wakw Nation.
Reviewed By Mirjam D - Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
We had to get up at 5 to be there in time. It was a long day of 11 hours! We had a guide Harry that knew everything there is to know about whales, sealions, humpback whales, the hystory of the island and the land. He spoke in a clear voice, found a solution for every challenge and really made it possible in a very relaxed way to take pictures or record movies, or just to look at all thing floating and flying by. He made the day feel like being in heaven. After looking at bears, mother and cubs and adult young males, he asked us if we wanted to see more bears or orka's. For fun we said orka's and so we got these too. Although it was a little bumpy on our way back, he managed to keep it a smooth ride, taking the waves the right way or a little d tour. That is a tour I advise everybody that wants to experience nature and being around wildlife, the only right way. Respect, love and leaving nothing but footsteps. Thank you very much. Looking forward to the next time.
2. Mackay Whale Watching
Overall Ratings
5 based on 165 reviews
Reviewed By slyfoxx24 - Duncan
With forest fires raging in the rest of the province, we decided to stay on-Island and spend our two weeks camping holiday re-visiting northern parts. After researching the myriad of whale-watching companies, we were drawn to Mackay's (not just for the cool-looking, purpose-built boat!). Disappointingly,...MoreThanks for the great review!
3. Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures - Orca Waters Kayak Day Trips
Overall Ratings
5 based on 97 reviews
Tour areas include Johnstone Strait and Nuchatlitz Inlet on Vancouver Island, Gwaii Haanas National Park on Haida Gwaii, and the Great Bear Rainforest on BC's central coast. No experience is necessary for most tours and family friendly departures available.
Reviewed By sailingsvorion - Port McNeill, Canada
Beautiful base camp in a natural wooded setting, luxurious camping accommodations, incredible view, excellent food, and a fantastic guide. Will recommend this to anyone looking for a kayak trip to explore Vancouver Island North! We were also fortunate to see Humpbacks, Orca, Porpoises, Eagles and Sea Lions who insisted on following us with their curious personalities! So much fun!!! Thank you again Andrew!
4. BC Ferries
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 47 reviews
Reviewed By RP-Netherlands - Leidschendam, The Netherlands
We took the ferry from Port McNeill to Alter Bay. the ferry was perfect: modern, comfortable and the scenery was fab. I saw some orca's in the distance and there was a pod of harbor porpoises following the ferry for a while. An enjoyable tip. We sailed on a Monday and it turned out that the no 1 attraction we wanted to see, the U'mista museum, was closed. They are open 7 days a week from July 1st to labor day, and closed on Sundays and Mondays the rest of the year. we also read somewhere that there is bike rental on the island, but when we got there, that business was gone. So we walked almost a full circle of the island. The tribal burial grounds and totem poles are well worth seeing ans so is the library/museum. Apart from that, there isn't a lot to see and do. So if you go, check and make sure the U'mista cultural center is open. It's the no 1 attraction.
5. ROW Sea Kayak Adventures - Day Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 22 reviews
Day kayaking tours through some of British Columbia’s most stunning Wilderness in search of orcas, humpbacks, and other incredible wildlife.
Reviewed By jchapo - Lincoln, Nebraska
The trip was my wife's idea. My idea of a vacation is NYC, LA, DC, etc. Camping - ick.
Well, getting to the point, this adventure was phenomenal!!! The whale spotting was amazing, the accommodations were excellent, the food delightful and the guides were among the most professional and personal I have ever dealt with. I have traveled to Africa, SA, Europe, India and central America and our three gentlemen guides were among the best. I recommend this trip for anyone who wants to enjoy not only whales, but an adventure, discovery and truly getting away from civilization. It was a healing experience.
6. No Bananas Fishing Charters
Overall Ratings
5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By deewar25 - Victoria, Canada
Went out for one of several annual boys trips booked with No Bananas. The guy lives eats, sleeps, and breathes fishing and puts on an incredible show out there. Port Renfrew has big fishing grounds and it takes incredible knowledge to know where to be at the right time - he always seems to be at that place even in times when other fisherman come back empty. His boat is perfect for the big waters, plenty of height, plenty of space, well equipped with full walk around ability, and you can be out there in 10 foot seas and still feel totally safe.
Our trip this time around started out at the beach and it was almost immediate action one after another with barely 5-10min between hits. This continues out on the banks running plugs with even larger non-stop salmon to mid 20's and while the halibut wasn't as easy this time around, rarely is that a battle.
The other thing I appreciate is that Trevor doesn't keep everything secret, he will gladly educate and show you what he is doing, leader lengths, bait rigging, rolls, he is patient and a great instructor. What blows you away is the ease with what he does out there. The wind can be howling, the rain pouring, it could be cold and miserable and his fingers are like prunes, but he is still out there baiting lures like a pro and putting in 100% dealing with whatever bit of chaos gets thrown his way while still getting you into fish.
If you are fishing the big waters of Renfrew, you have to go out on a boat that is sea worthy, with a charter that knows exactly what he is doing. There are some great charters out there, but Banana's would be my #1 choice. Just remember....no bananas!
7. North Island Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 17 reviews
We offer zodiac adventure tours, leaving Port McNeill twice daily in the summer months to explore the place where waters meet, currents blend and animals thrive. You can expect to see Humpback Whales, Orcas, Dolphins, Sea Lions, Seals, Bald Eagles, Minke Whales, Porpoise, and many other types of wildlife. You never know what a day will hold. Join us in exploring the best of B.C.!
Reviewed By Karen S
I've been on a couple of trips with Captain Dave and it's been amazing every time! It's a great mix of sightseeing, local history and of course wildlife viewing. We've been lucky enough to spot killer whales, humpbacks, bears, seals, sea lions, eagles and we...MoreThanks Jeannine! You know so much about the natural world - having you join us is great for everyone aboard, hope you come again soon!
8. World 's largest Burl
Overall Ratings
4 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By ChrisMatador - Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Go see Merle's son Earl who's a regular at Gus Pub in town , cause he's the best burl expert in the world.
If not, there's also a small info point with the burl's history, but not comparable to Earl's knowledge and experience with the burl. Even if you're not into trees or burls, Earl will make an amazing experience out of this. The 2 hour-tour flew by so fast and i felt like spending even more time at the burl. I will definitely return to the burl next time i'm in town.
9. JZ's Fishing Charters & Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Fishing: Salmon, Halibut, Prawning, Also Crabbing & Whale Watching Family oriented
Reviewed By GRK5335 - Nanaimo, Canada
I know catching fish requires some luck; I have fished enough to understand sometimes the fish win.
Eight hours and nothing, the captain didn't even bite when I asked about cod, snapper, or other bottom reef fish.
I hope you like cigarette smoke because you will be guaranteed to get your fill. Did not even ask if we minded. (4 non-smokers to 1)
The boat is old and tired as well. To add insult to injury we left our fishing licenses on the boat. Maybe he can mail them back to us.
It was a nice boat ride on the Coast of British Columbia.
10. Port McNeil Harbor
Overall Ratings
4 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By OLDGIT71 - Horsham, United Kingdom
After seemingly hundreds of miles of pine forest after Campbell River and small but historic places you come to Port McNeill which is comparatively large with most of the facilities you could want. I recommend the TI:- at various places to research the route from Woss we would take to Gold River on the return journey which would mean a substantial element of about 70 miles over unpaved roads, we eventually found the girl at the tourist information in Port McNeill provided the essential information while the Canadian Royal Mounted Police and the locals (even at Woss) didn’t have the first clue. A nice café by the waterside in sight of the ferry so you don't miss it!
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