Port Hardy, BC

Located on the northwest tip of Vancouver Island, Port Hardy is "where the highway ends, and adventure begins." Head out on the open waters for bountiful salmon and halibut fishing, or watch killer whale pods and schools of dolphins and porpoises jump over the cresting waves. Hike through the old growth cedar forests and watch animals in their natural habitat. Trek into Cape Scott Provincial Park, which sits on the northern point of the Island, and hike through rainforests of red and yellow cedar, fir, hemlock, and pine. Explore the 23 km (14 mi.) of beach the park offers. Watch seals and sea lions frolic offshore, but keep your eyes on the beach as well, you might find old Native trade beads or a glass float that has been swept in on the waves across the Pacific Ocean from a Japanese fishing net.

Visit the Copper Maker Gallery where members of the Hunt family create Kwakwaka'wakw art. Tour through the studios and look at the amazing handcrafted masks, totem poles, bowls, and so much more. For carvings of a different sort, search out the unique chainsaw carvings that are displayed throughout the town. A few can be found at Carrot Park, the Public Library, and the RCMP Detachment.

Port Hardy is at the end of Highway 19, 502 km (312 mi.) north of Victoria. Commercial airlines fly into the Port Hardy Airport. The city can be reached via commercial bus lines from communities throughout Vancouver Island. BC Ferries run from Port Hardy to Bella Coola, Prince Rupert, and the Queen Charlotte Islands. Population: 5,281 Elevation: 22 m (72 ft.) Average July Temperature: 14ºC (57ºF) Average January Temperature: 3ºC (37ºF) Annual Rainfall: 180 cm (71 in.) Annual Snowfall: 63 cm (25 in.)

5 Day Weather Forecast for Port Hardy

Date	Weather	High	Low
July 31, 2010	Light Rain	17	12
August 01, 2010	Partly Cloudy	16	12
August 02, 2010	Partly Cloudy	17	12
August 03, 2010	Showers	19	13
August 04, 2010	Mostly Sunny	18	12