LOCATION

Port Alberni is called the heart of Vancouver Island. Its central location makes it easy to get around and explore the forest or the water, whether for work and for play. Most people get here by taking a ferry from the lower mainland and driving along Pacific Rim Highway #4. The scenery on the drive is unparalleled: The winding shoreline of Cameron Lake, ancient rainforest at Cathedral Grove and the peaks of Mount Cokely and Mount Arrowsmith.

Map of Vancouver Island with Port Alberni and the driving distances to/from neighbouring communities.

Travel to Port Alberni

BC Ferries operates all the ferry terminals to and from Vancouver Island. The two terminals closest to Vancouver are located in Greater Vancouver. One is in Horseshoe Bay, a small community in West Vancouver, and the other is in Tsawwassen, a small community in Delta, south of Vancouver.

Vancouver to Nanaimo
West Vancouver departure
A 1 hour and 40 minute sailing departing from West Vancouver's Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal and arriving at Nanaimo's Departure Bay ferry terminal.

Vancouver to Nanaimo
Richmond departure

A 2-hour sailing departing from Vancouver's Tsawwassen ferry terminal and arriving at Nanaimo's Departure Bay ferry terminal.

Vancouver to Victoria
Richmond departure

A 1 hour and 35 minute sailing departing from Vancouver's Tsawwassen ferry terminal and arriving at Victoria's Swartz Bay ferry terminal.

Port Alberni is on an island and you will have to take a ferry or a flight to get to Vancouver Island first.

Once here, take the Island Highway #1 to the Pacific Rim Highway #4 heading west. Highway #4 is the only highway to Port Alberni - you won't get lost!

Highway #4 is a beautiful scenic drive passing along Cameron Lake and through the old growth rainforest of Cathedral Grove (McMillan Provincial Park).

The drive is 1 hour and 10 minutes from Nanaimo's Departure Bay ferry terminal or 2 hours and 43 minutes from Victoria's Swartz Bay ferry terminal.

See Drive BC's Road Conditions Map

Going by bus? The Vancouver Island Connector makes regular trips by motor coach to Port Alberni from the Victoria and Nanaimo ferry terminals.

Connecting flights are available from Air Canada or WestJet commercial airlines arriving at Victoria (YYJ airport), Nanaimo (YCD) or Comox (YQQ).

Private aircraft can land in Port Alberni at the Alberni Valley Regional Airport.

Map illustration supplied by Cloud City Apparel, Port Alberni. Map design by Community Futures.