Things to do in Port Alberni

Top Things to Do in Port Alberni

Things to Do in Port Alberni

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Top Attractions in Port Alberni

These rankings are informed by traveller reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.
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Other Top Attractions around Port Alberni

*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

What travellers are saying

  • Mitchelvds
    Rotterdam, The Netherlands19 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful place for a walk
    Both sides are worth doing
    The boardwalk side is great with small kids and strollers. My kids love the walk there.
    The other side is beautiful too but more forest floor so harder to do with a stroller definitely a carry the baby situation .

    But definitely a walk worth doing
    Written 1 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Rebecca S
    Cambridge, UK190 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I’m not sure why this pace doesn’t turn up in more guides as it’s beautiful. Park up off route 4 on either side of the road on the designated parking area and take a walk through the Cathedral Trail’, a path that meanders through one of the remaining original Douglas Fir forests in BC. The oldest tree is 800 years old and 76m high, many of the others around 300 years old.

    It’s a relatively short loop - be sure to keep on the path and not step over any of the rails as they are preserving this forest as best they can whilst still offering us the opportunity to view it.
    Written 19 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • PJWIBBLE
    Horsham, United Kingdom121 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Visited in September 2022, what an amazing place. Watched the salmon jumping. It was an awesome sight. Managed to see a Bear as well. This is a well kept secret place that was not crowded even though it was a glorious weather day.
    Written 21 September 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • WestfaliaJournal
    Whistler, Canada165 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    After a long, hot day of floating on the Stamp River... ice-cold beer & fresh pizza are a must. We were not disappointed.

    Ordered a growler to share, but the 'Eh Game' pizza was the star of the evening. Hot & delicious, thought we wouldn't be able to finish... but it was SO GOOD it was all gone before we knew it (all pizza tends to taste good on the first piece... but a great pizza taste good to the last).

    Our 'goto' place whenever we drive through 'The Port' on the way to Tofino.
    Written 13 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Donald K
    Edmonton, Canada1 212 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We drove in from what might have been a back road. There were some workers blocking a road that looked like it might go to an office or something. Reading the reviews some people said it was not worth the money. I feel bad that I did not pay anything to anyone. It is an old mill that closed commercially in 1965. It reminded me of some old machines I had experience as a kid.
    Written 15 December 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • FellowTraveller1979
    British Columbia25 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The place is wonderful. The beach is clean and the water clear and warm, but you must wear a suitable footwear as the pebbles and rocks make it harder on the feet.

    HOWEVER, irresponsible owners are having their dogs off leash and some even bring them into the water, despite useless signs advising to the contrary. It appears there are no enforcements of any kind regarding pets.
    These irresponsible people ruins an otherwise pleasant visit.
    Written 15 September 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Tanya D
    Whistler, Canada54 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great place for visitors to get a feel for what's happening in Port Alberni, watch people, boats and birds (including bald eagles)! Locals are super-friendly. Very little litter, clean public loos (sadly vandals are everywhere - toilet in disabled access stall completely off its base!). Free parking for 2-3 hours, but its limited - we're early-birds so we didn't struggle, not sure where you'd park if the quay lot was full. Lots of eateries around, also market stalls were setting up (it was a Friday morning ... we were there until about 9.30am so most places weren't open yet.
    Written 20 August 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • cymry
    Montreal202 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Awe-inspiring petroglyphs only about a 5-10 minute walk off the highway. There are 9 in total and are visible from a floating dock/platform at the end of an easy trail. We stopped off on our way back to the ferry from Tofino and it was a great way to stretch our legs and see something truly ancient.
    Written 1 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • ianwychan
    Vancouver, Canada58 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A simple hike - mostly downhill from the trail head - to a cool interesting spot, with natural and man-made features. The trail is gravelly and is steep in some spots so proper footwear is recommended.

    Once you get the destination, you can explore from across the water and up close, noting the interesting rock formations that the “hole” is made out of.

    On the side of the trail, you can also see the remains of the old water piping metal straps still partly buried in the ground

    Only complaint with this hike is that the trail head doesn’t have a lot of safe parking as the only spots are part of a pull-out area on the side of the highway.
    Written 17 September 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • kingfisher7311
    Langley, Canada33 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    It is worth stopping in every few months to see what is new in the studio/gallery. There are so many beautiful pieces carved onsite and Gordon is such a welcoming individual and Master carver. He is always willing to talk about wood, his work and he never hesitates to explain his method. Often he will take the time to demonstrate how different gouges work in different directions to make the necessary smooth cuts.

    As well he supports other artists who are still finding their own voice in this field. A very supportive individual who has earned the support of his community
    Written 1 October 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • miss_m_travel
    Vancouver Island, Canada99 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This hidden gem (attached to the library) held the attention of my 5 year old for hours. The museum has a bit of everything - culture, technology, furniture, machinery, textiles and family heritage. The working Morris code machine (available for visitor use) and the extended collection - stored away in pull-able drawers were the favourites for my child. Although, perhaps not the initial intent the drawer systems, are very interactive for young people. There was also a colouring station. Would recommend a visit.

    **despite the conflicting information online, the museum is open in 2022.
    Written 24 April 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • J W
    Port Alberni21 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A mountain with endless possibilities! Many variations of routes lead to the summit of the region's most prominent mountain massif. Regarded as Cokely and Arrowsmith separately, once a thriving ski destination in decades past, the area offers endless hiking trails and scenery and alpine beauty as seen nowhere else. It's accessibility as a day hike for many make this a convenient attraction, when compared to many in the island's northeast interior Strathcona Park region, where many destinations are multi day excursions. Whether hiking the famous Judge's route... or up the Saddle route, which leads to a cirque and offers choice of continuing on to Arrowsmith summits, or breaking off left to Cokely ridge, you will be rewarded with beautiful sub alpine to alpine transitions and good trail structure with adequate flagging, and beautiful views of surrounding mountains. .in a clear day you can see all the way to the sunshine coast, and all the way through the coastal mountains towards ukee and the Pacific Ocean. Port alberni city and Parksville can also be clearly seen from the summit. At 1860 meters elevation at the main summit, it is the highest peak in the central island range. But the trail conditions make it quite accessible for most with an average fitness level. Be sure to check online info about certain trails that are only possible during winter months and plan your trip according to safety and bring adequate supply of water and any other wears typical for any alpine destination. Weather and temperature can change quickly at elevation. So while a very good and accessible alpine destination, utilize caution and respect nature at all times. It is also advisable to check on Island Timberlands website to see if any gate closures are in effect on your days of travel. While the mountain is in a biosphere..the roads leading to it off the highway do go through what is now private logging property, and is subject to gate closures at times. This is not a spot to miss if you are looking for beautiful hiking and a great accessible alpine experience!
    Written 3 May 2017
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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