Port Hardy, BC

Near the Quarterdeck Marina

Costs (I spent):

$40 Greyhound into town.

$29 for a hostel/night

$20 food/day

I came into Port hardy by Greyhound from Courtenay. Ride was awesome, pass some really cool lakes, mountains, and forests. There is slight chance of seeing deer, bears, or other wildlife from the bus. The bus stops in Campbell River for about 30 min and passengers can get off and walk around town for a bit, there is enough time to get a coffee or something to eat. There is another stop at a tiny general store about midway between Campbell River and Port Hardy, snacks and washrooms are available. Port Hardy is accessible by Greyhound from just about anywhere on Vancouver Island ($35-60; 9 hours or less).

I arrived in PH in the evening, chatted with the hostel staff and then found a grocery store to prepare for my backcountry hiking/camping trip to Cape Scott Provincial Park (see other post). I watched a movie with some Germans in the hostel, checked my e-mail. Next morning I met my ride to the park. I returned a couple days later to PH, had a much needed meal and a beer at the sports bar after a couple days in the woods. From PH I took a spectacularly scenic ferry up the coast through tiny channels to Prince Rupert (BC Ferries; http://www.bcferries.com/ ; about 16 hours; $180). 

Hostels: $25 and up, there are two hostels in Port Hardy. Prices are almost exactly the same between hostels. You pay a couple more dollars to have a room with fewer beds. Both are not generally busy outside of July and August.

Camping: There are a couple campsites just outside of town. Only practical if you have a car.

General Info: Port Hardy is a small town but has everything a backpacker could desire, 2 great hostels, grocery store, bank, pubs, tourist info centre... Camping or backpacking supplies might be limited here. This beautiful town serves as a great base for those visiting the Cape Scott Provincial Park and/or those travelling up the coast by ferry. Hang out by the beach and watch the eagles, old logging roads on the edges of town serve as good hiking trails for day hikes.