Port Alberni, BC

Know the town

About Port Alberni

Port Alberni is a working city at the head of the long Alberni Inlet, roughly halfway between the east coast of the Island and the open Pacific. Built on forestry, fishing and shipping, it is the service centre for the Alberni Valley and the gateway to the Pacific Rim, and it sits in the traditional territories of the Tseshaht and Hupačasath First Nations.

Harbour Quay

Down on the waterfront, Harbour Quay is the city’s gathering place, with shops, cafés, a clock tower and views up the inlet. From here, a coastal freighter run by Lady Rose Marine Services takes people and supplies to Bamfield and the Broken Group Islands, a trip that doubles as one of the most scenic boat rides on the coast.

Forestry heritage

The McLean Mill National Historic Site preserves a steam-powered sawmill from the early twentieth century, and the Alberni Valley Museum tells the wider story of the valley’s industries and peoples. Forestry is still part of daily life here, alongside a growing tourism and recreation scene.

Lakes, rivers and big trees

Sproat Lake, just west of the city, is a favourite for swimming, boating and camping, and its provincial park protects ancient petroglyphs on the shore. The Somass and Stamp rivers draw anglers to their salmon runs, with Stamp River Provincial Park a good place to watch fish climb the falls in autumn. East of town, the towering Douglas firs of Cathedral Grove line Highway 4.

Getting here

Highway 4 runs from Parksville to Port Alberni in about forty-five minutes, then continues west over the mountains to Ucluelet and Tofino. Check road conditions in winter.

Scroll on for the Alberni Valley businesses we list, then see upcoming events from the valley to the coast.

For council, permits, garbage and recycling, parks bookings and other local services, visit City of Port Alberni.