Alert Bay, BC

Know the town

About Alert Bay

Alert Bay is a village on Cormorant Island, a short ferry ride from Port McNeill. It is the home of the ’Na̱mg̱is First Nation and one of the most important centres of Kwakwaka’wakw culture, where carving, ceremony and language remain vibrant parts of daily life in the North Island.

U’mista Cultural Centre

The U’mista Cultural Centre holds a remarkable collection of potlatch regalia and masks that were confiscated during the years when the potlatch was banned in Canada, and later returned to the community. Its exhibits tell that story and celebrate the living culture of the Kwakwaka’wakw peoples. It is the best place to begin a visit.

Totem poles and the Big House

Alert Bay is home to one of the tallest totem poles in the world, which stands beside the community’s Big House, where ceremonies are held. Along the waterfront, the ’Na̱mg̱is burial grounds are marked by memorial poles; these are a sacred site, so visitors are asked to view them respectfully from the road rather than entering.

Around the island

The village stretches along the waterfront, with a boardwalk, shops, galleries and cafés. The Alert Bay Ecological Park, sometimes called Gator Gardens, is a quiet wetland with boardwalks among tall dead cedars and wildlife. Whale watching and fishing tours also run from the area.

Getting here

BC Ferries sails from Port McNeill to Alert Bay several times a day, a crossing of about forty minutes; the same route also serves Sointula on Malcolm Island. The village is easy to explore on foot.

Cormorant Island’s galleries, guides and services are listed next, and community events appear on the North Island calendar.

For council, permits, garbage and recycling, parks bookings and other local services, visit Village of Alert Bay.