Search hotels in Alert Bay

A quiet, laid back atmosphere. Not much to do with limited options for eating or getting a coffee especially Sundays and Mondays. Enjoyed visit but a couple of days was enough. Food at Nimpkish Hotel was good and people were very friendly

Visiting Alert Bay and the Umista Cultural Centre is a must-do for any BC resident. the history and story of the Kwawakuwak (spelt better) is important and the community and island are beautiful. Don't forget Culture Shock on the dock - a great shoppe with local artisan's work and amazing folks who run it. the giftshoppe at Umista is also wonderful... had great food @ pemba's kitchen and also the Bayside Inn Cafe for breakfast... go hiking, go explore - it's amazing

Access to Alert Bay is by one of the new BC Ferries from Port McNeill. The ferry is a very smooth 40 min ride. The people we encountered were very friendly and helpful. Do not miss the U'Mista Cultural Centre which was very interesting and one highlight of our visit. We also saw the world's tallest totem pole which is 173 feet tall, and enjoyed many wonderful views around the island, which is not very large.

Magical. To feel Alert Bay/Yalis, one needs to spend time in the U'Mista Cultural Centre and wandering around and talking to local First Nations people, all of whom we found very open and friendly and willing/interested to talk about and share their culture.

This is a magical village - perhaps half First Nations, half European non-indigenous - working together. More carved totem poles and other carvings around the village than I have seen anywhere in the Pacific Northwest (including Haida Gwaii). We spent five nights/six days there, seemed just right to visit the world-renowned U'mista Cultural Centre, wander the village and spend some time bush-walking through the forests on the "back-side" of the island. We spent one day on a very worthwhile and satisfying bear and other wildlife tour boat, lead by First Nations guides, ending up with an impromptu guided tour of U'mista, an unforgettable experience with people who know and have been affected. We felt it a privilege and it was deeply moving to visit the cultural centre, a special place for the repatriation of sacred First Nations artifacts. We walked, easily, everywhere, no need for a car, in fact, I believe a car would be a bother and a hindrance. The Seine Boat Inn was a tremendous place to stay - ask for one of the two fully self-contained suites perched over the water with their own decks to the sunset.

Alert Bay is a small island that is rich in First Nations culture and history. The U’mista Culture Centre is a must see, a board walk along the waterfront takes you through town and past the burial ground with several old totem Poles. I was there mid week and a lot of eating places were closed so bring your own snacks, maybe more is open on the weekend.