Ferry Port Alberni — Bamfield
We highly recommend these 2 ferries:
- M.V. Lady Rose
- Frances Barklay
One or the other of these classic ships trips Port Alberni - Bamfield on:
- Tuesdays
- Thursdays
- Saturdays
The Barklay was built in 1958; the Lady Rose in the 1930s! The 4 - 5 hour ride down the Alberni Inlet is marvellous with frequent black bear sightings en route.
If you want to ride one of these great ships you need to plan your hike around their schedule. Extra trips are sometimes added during the high season. Check the Lady Rose web site to confirm.
Schedule (arrive an hour early for boarding):
- 8:00 am depart Port Alberni
- 12:30 pm arrive Bamfield
- 1:30 pm depart Bamfield
- 5:30 pm arrive Port Alberni
Call the Lady Rose
- (800) 663-7192, April - September toll free
- (250) 723-8313, office
Ferry Ucluelet — Bamfield
NEW In 2006 we were informed of the new transport option to Bamfield via Rustic Ucluelet. This is perfect for those wanting to connect to fantastic Long Beach and Tofino.
This ferry is the cheapest of the boats, as well!
Barkley Sound Marine Transport - Seaway Express
Water Taxi Bamfield — Port Renfrew
For those who need transport from one trailhead to the other (usually to get back to your vehicle), we highly recommend Trailhead Charters Boat Service, the Juan de Fuca Express Water Taxi which runs between the 2 Trailheads. The skipper is Brian Gisborne, an expert on sea life and the West Coast Trail. His boat is the M.V. Michele Diana.
The cost per person is C$85 (in 2004) as compared with about C$50 to make the same trip by van. We think it is worth the extra money to make the trip by sea.
This trip could take about 3.5 hours. Count on 5 hours to allow for bad weather, and extra time spent whale-spotting! Wear all your warm clothes.
On arrival in Bamfield call Trailhead Charters Boat Service to confirm that the boat is on schedule.
You’ll hear rumours of hikers vomiting off the side of boat. It can be a rough ride when sea conditions are unsettled. And since the exhaust is vented up into the atmosphere (not into the sea where it would disturb marine life), the trip is noisy. Brian provides complimentary earplugs.
There’s every chance you’ll see sea lions, whales, sea birds, and the like. Unless it’s foggy. And it’s often foggy.
This trip is a great adventure. Brian grew-up in this area, knows it like the back of his hand, and is an enthusiastic wealth of information. Be sure to offer Brian a tip if you enjoy the ride. We want him to continue the water taxi service.
It costs around C$85 / person, but won’t trip unless Brian has enough customers to make it financially feasible. In fact, even if you book the water taxi, you still need a back-up plan — the boat won't float if there aren't enough passengers or if the weather is too rough. Fortunately, usually you can simply catch the bus (usually a van) Bamfield — Port Renfrew instead if Brian's boat doesn't go.
Payment must be made by VISA credit card when you telephone to reserve your spots on the boat. (You can get a full refund if you cancel more than 48 hours before your scheduled departure.)
- Depart Bamfield, East Government Dock around 1 pm (arrive early to be safe)
- Depart Port Renfrew, Government Dock, around 6:15 am. Do not be late. Confirm those departure times.
Water Taxi Nitinat Narrows — Nitinat Village
Your trip across the Nitinat Narrows is free — included in your Trail Use Permit. But if you want to book travel from Nitinat Narrows out to Nitinat Village (e.g. in case of injury or illness, or to shorten the WCT hike) contact the boat skipper directly:
- Call Carl Edgar Jr. at (250) 745-3509
Carl is one of the great characters on the West Coast. He and his family have run the Narrows crossing for many years.
You pay the cost for the trip out.
Note that you are normally no longer allowed to enter the WCT from Nitinat Village.
Gordon River Water Taxi (Port Renfrew trailhead)
- Butch Jack (250) 647-5517
There's normally no need to make this phone call as the Gordon River crossing is free — included in your Trail Use Permit. Approximate ferry crossing times:
- 9:00 am
- 11:00 am
- 3:00 pm
- 6:00 pm
If you are coming off the Trail into Port Renfrew, plan to arrive at Gordon River by 5 pm. (That last day is a tough, slow section and many take longer than expected.) On arrival at Gordon River, raise a flag to notify the boatman to come & pick you up.
Train
Few hikers use trains as they are expensive and don't run frequently. But if you like to travel by train check:
On Vancouver Island there is a tourist sightseeing train running Victoria - Qualicum Beach:
