Alternative Routes

Getting to Vancouver Island by air

Nanaimo Airport is the closest airport to Port Alberni with the most commuting options.
Comox Airport has less commuting options to Port Alberni. Please check out this link for ground transport options. If flying into the Comox Airport, it is probably best to rent a car.
Victoria Airport is farthest away from Port Alberni. If flying into the Victoria Airport, it is probably best to rent a car, or take The West Coast Trail Express (information below).

Getting to Vancouver Island by ferry

Washington, USA to Victoria
- Washington State ferry service from Anacortes to Sidney (Victoria). Crossing time is 3 hours.
- Black Ball Transport (M/V Coho) ferry service from Port Angeles to Victoria.
Vancouver to Victoria
- BC Ferries service from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay. Crossing time is 1 hour and 35 minutes.
Vancouver to Nanaimo
- BC Ferries service from Horseshoe Bay (West Vancouver) to Departure Bay. Crossing time is 1 hour and 35 minutes.
- BC Ferries service from Tsawwassen to Duke Point. Crossing time is 1 hour and 35 minutes.

Getting to Port Alberni by shuttle

Nanaimo to Port Alberni
- The Island Chauffeur for custom charters up to 12 people
- The Nanaimo Airporter Offers “door-to-door” minivan service from Nanaimo airport or ferry terminals to Port Alberni. They charge ~150$ for the first passenger, and then a smaller amount for each additional passenger. Their July schedules will be available June 1.

Getting to Port Alberni by bus

Victoria/Nanaimo to Port Alberni
- Island Link Bus has regular daily routes. The bus from Nanaimo conveniently leaves from the Departure Bay Ferry Terminal.
- The Vancouver Island Connector offers services between Nanaimo or Victoria and Port Alberni. Their summer schedule will become available in March.
Nanaimo to Port Alberni:
- Tofino Express At the time of writing it offers 1 daily scheduled trip to Port Alberni departing from the Departure Bay ferry terminal.

Getting to Bamfield by bus

Victoria/Nanaimo/Port Alberni to Bamfield
- West Coast Trail Express runs a daily service from mid-May to the end of September. The bus from Nanaimo to Bamfield leaves at 9:00am. The bus from Victoria to Bamfield leaves at 6:45am.

Getting to Bamfield by ferry

Port Alberni to Bamfield
- The M/V Lady Rose provides routine passenger ferry and freight service to Bamfield three times a week: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Getting to Bamfield by car

You can drive to Bamfield via two privately owned logging roads. It is important to note that there is no cell service or road lighting on these routes. Please check the road conditions prior to travel. In addition, there is free parking at BMSC for all participants.

Port Alberni to Bamfield: 84 km chip sealed road
Lake Cowichan to Bamfield: 120 km gravel road

Getting to Bamfield by air

Vancouver/Nanaimo/Port Alberni to Bamfield
- Pacific Coastal Airlines and Pacific Seaplanes Inc for scheduled float plane services.
- Harbour Air, Seair, and Tofino Air can provide charter float plane services.

Contact the operators directly for information about schedules and fares.