North of Campbell River the Island empties out. This is the trip for whales, empty beaches and Cape Scott country — long drives between small towns, so plan fuel and groceries rather than improvising.
6 nights across 2 stops, about 240 km of driving.
The route
Campbell River
Strathcona and the Discovery Passage.
- Things to do in Campbell River: salmon, sea and Strathcona
- Strathcona Provincial Park: hikes, lakes and where to base yourself
Places to stay in Campbell River
Finding stays in Campbell River…
Drive from Campbell River: About 235 km, roughly 3 hr 10 min
North Island
Telegraph Cove, Port McNeill and Port Hardy.
Places to stay in North Island
Finding stays in North Island…
Day by day
Days 1–2 — Campbell River and Strathcona
The Discovery Passage seawalk, Elk Falls and the suspension bridge, and a day up into Strathcona Provincial Park — the oldest park in BC and the Island's alpine core.
Days 3–4 — Telegraph Cove and Port McNeill
The boardwalk village at Telegraph Cove is the base for orca and humpback trips in Johnstone Strait. Ferries from Port McNeill reach Alert Bay and Sointula.
Days 5–6 — Port Hardy and Cape Scott
The North Island's largest town, and the trailheads out to San Josef Bay and Cape Scott — wide, empty Pacific beaches at the end of a gravel road.
Good to know
- Distances are long and services thin out north of Campbell River — fill up when you can.
- Gravel logging roads run to many trailheads; drive with headlights on and yield to trucks.
Make it yours
Open this itinerary in the planner to change the nights, swap towns or add stops.
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New to the Island? Start with our visiting Vancouver Island guide.