SAIL THE INSIDE PASSAGE TO ADVENTURE
Northern BC
Sail & Drive Trip
Your itinerary for the ultimate summer adventure in BC.
Travel up the coast of Vancouver Island, exploring charming oceanside communities like Parksville, before spending some time in Port Hardy. From there, set off with BC Ferries on an Inside Passage sailing to Prince Rupert. Experience the scenery and wildlife of BC’s North, visting destinations like Terrace and Nisga'a Territory before returning to Metro Vancouver.
Use this suggested itinerary as a guide to planning your unforgettable journey through beautiful BC. Trip can be completed in reverse.
Follow this suggested route
BEGINNING YOUR TRIP
Campbell River
If you are starting your journey in Metro Vancouver, enjoy a scenic sailing to Vancouver Island with BC Ferries. When you arrive on Vancouver Island, spend some time in Nanaimo to find the a world-famous Nanaimo Bar treat, or in Parksville to walk long stretches of sandy beaches, before stopping in Campbell River. Spend one restful night, or stay longer and join a wildlife tour, or fishing charter.
Ferry route options:
Vancouver (Tsawwassen) to Nanaimo (Duke Point) or
Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) to Nanaimo (Departure Bay)
Campbell River activities:
HIGHLIGHT
Port Hardy
After leaving Campbell River, drive through Northern Vancouver Island, taking time to visit quaint towns like Sayward, Telegraph Cove, and Port McNeill along the way, before arriving in Port Hardy – located on the tip of the Island. Enjoy an afternoon in Port Hardy, and dine at local restaurants & pubs before boarding the sailing to Inside Passage. Or, if you want spend an extra day and take the drive to San Josef Bay to see sea stacks and pristine beaches after a short hike through lush forests.
Credit: Indigenous Tourism BC/Kimberley Kufaas
HIGHLIGHT
Inside Passage sailing to Prince Rupert
Set sail on an adventure from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert with BC Ferries. Enjoy this 16.5 hour scenic sailing, soaking in the coastal views, looking for iconic lighthouses, and watching for whale spouts as you travel along. During the trip, watch a movie in Raven Lounge, enjoy a local beer from the Canoe Cafe, or upgrade to a comfortable recliner seat in the premium Aurora Lounge.
Ferry route:
Port Hardy (Bear Cove) to Prince Rupert (Prince Rupert)
HIGHLIGHT
Prince Rupert
Stroll through the streets of Cow Bay in Prince Rupert to marvel at the colorful buildings and stop at boutique shops and art galleries. During your stay in Prince Rupert, check out attractions like the Museum of Northern British Columbia, and the North Pacific Cannery National Historic Site of Canada. Don't forget to spend time soaking in the beauty of nature. Join a guided fishing trip, bike local trails, or hike through pristine wilderness.
Prince Rupert Special Offers:
Credit: Marty Clemens
Credit: Destination BC/Mike Seehagel
Credit: Destination BC/6ix Sigma Productions
Credit: Destination BC/Andrew Strain
Credit: Destination BC/Mike Seehagel
HIGHLIGHT
Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary
Join Prince Rupert Adventure Tours on a journey into Khutzeymateen, the first undisturbed estuary of it's size, to see spectacular views, and awe-inspiring wildlife. Watch grizzly bears as they feed along the shoreline from mid-May until the end of July. Or, from end of July to mid-September, join a whale-watching tour to see the gentle giants of the Pacific Northwest.
Prince Rupert Adventure tours:
Credit: Captain Doug Davis, Prince Rupert Adventure Tours
Credit: Destination BC / Andrew Strain
Credit: Prince Rupert Adventure Tours
Credit: Marty Clemens
HIGHLIGHT
Terrace
Nestled in the Skeena Valley, Terrace offers a variety of experiences for nature lovers and thrill-seekers alike. Find exciting adventures like hiking to Exstew Falls, world-class mountain biking, or paddling in the calm waters of Lakelse Lake. Head into the Kitselas Canyon – home of the Gitselasu – along the banks of the Skeena River, where remains of longhouses and totem poles from the 1800s continue to exist.
Credit: Destination BC/Grant Harder
Credit: Mattias Fredriksson
Credit: Mattias Fredriksson
Credit: Andrew Strain
HIGHLIGHT
Nisga'a Territory
Spend some time in the home of the Nisga'a Nation, one of BC's most unique and culturally rich destinations, offering a blend of breathtaking volcanic landscapes and deep Indigenous heritage. Visit Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park where visitors can walk among hardened lava flows. For those looking to unwind, the Aiyansh Hot Springs are a hidden gem. To fully immerse yourself in the area, take the Nisg̱a’a Lands Auto Tour – an 18-stop self-guided drive.
Credit: Abby Cooper
Credit: Andrew Strain
Credit: Andrew Strain
Credit: Destination BC/Grant Harder
ENDING YOUR TRIP
Sail the Inside Passage in reverse or drive back to Metro Vancouver
When you are ready to wrap-up your trip, head back to Prince Rupert and sail through the Inside Passage to Port Hardy, or drive through the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast back to Metro Vancouver, making a few stops along the way in spots like Prince George or Williams Lake.
Credit: Destination BC
