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Winter Harbour, BC Vancouver Island
Winter Harbour is a small waterfront
community on the north-west tip of Vancouver Island snuggled up
against the ocean shores of Forward Inlet next door to Quatsino
Narrows. A short scenic drive along paved and gravel logging roads
from Port Hardy, BC.
Winter Harbour derived its name from when merchant
sailing ships in the 1700's used the protected cove for moorage
from storms. To this day, the seaside community is an active destination
for the "comings and goings" of fishing vessels and sailboats.
The waterfront village is fronted by a boardwalk
trail. An easy walking path with many opportunities for bird
watching. The boardwalk shoreline trail of Winter
Harbour is a popular gathering place for Blue Herons, Bald
Eagles, Oyster Catchers and many other seabirds. Nearby, another
short, easy walking trail of Winter Harbour is the Botel
Park Trail. This park trail explores the shorelines and
old growth forests offering up views of Hunt Islet and Matthews
Island.
The kayak and fishing guides of Winter
Harbour and from the other nearby communities are eager
to show you the local marine attractions of the area. The village,
although a small community, attracts people from around the world
interested in relaxation getaways, sailing, boating, hiking
and wildlife viewing. Another big draw
to the area is the internationally famous wilderness backpacking
adventure of the Cape
Scott Trail and the newly developed North
Coast Trail.
The Winter Harbour community provides
some of the common amenities requested by travelers like a small
selection of accommodations and campgrounds, a general store, boat
supplies and a liquor store.
How to Get to Winter Harbour, Vancouver
Island, B.C., Canada:
Travel Hwy 19 (Inland Route)
or Hwy 19A (Oceanside Route) north from Victoria, Nanaimo or Comox
Valley. Once you have reached Campbell
River you begin your backwood wilderness drive following
Hwy 19 ( North Island Hwy) to Port Hardy. A 238 km (147 mi) drive
along paved highways through thick rugged forests, over rumbling
rivers, zigzagging through valleys. A 2.5 hour experience with a
good chance for a Black Bear and Bald Eagle sightings. First community
encountered is Port
McNeill. From there continue 50 km (31 mi) further
north to Port Hardy BC.
Just south of Port Hardy, on the left hand side, is the turn off
to Winter Harbour.
The drive to Holberg and Winter Harbour from Port
Hardy, BC is along a gravel logging road exploring forested mountains,
crossing over rumbling rivers and passing by serene fresh water
lakes like Georgie Lake and Nahwitti Lake. The drive to Holberg
and Winter Harbour also passes by a unique shoe tree where worn
down shoes are retired after hiking the Cape Scott trail.
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Winter
Harbour 
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