Port McNeill is a tiny town situated in the northeastern part of Vancouver Island in Canadian British Colombia. It fascinates with virgin nature and breathtaking view of mountains. It is there, where among thick forests and by the seaside, far from crowds of tourists, you will see bears, pumas, deer, wild birds, seals, and shoal of wild salmons.
Port McNeill is a calm, counting just about 2600 people, town, in which life is focused around the manufacture of wood and fishes. Originally there was a settlement of timbermen in that spot, that was transformed into a town in 1936. Nowadays, the city is an important communication point on the island, offering access by ferries to tribal villages of indigenous people of Canada associated with First Nations community. In the Alert Bay live descendants of tribe Kwakwaka'wakw, whereas in Sointula members of ‘Namgis. Port McNeill is called also the gate to Broughton Archipelago Marine Provincial Park, which is the biggest National Park in British Columbia that lies on undeveloped islands at the mouth of Knight Inlet.
In summer, neighborhood encourages trips, fishing and doing water sports, such as diving, canoeing, and swimming. Local companies offer expeditions to observe nature, for instance, whales and wild birds. If you want to get to know the culture of the region, it is worth to go to the Port Hardy, where is situated an Indian reservation, as well as to a gallery Just Art, where you can find examples of the art of local craftsmen like masks and totems. Lovers of history surely won’t be bored in the Museum of Heritage of Port McNeil, where there is an exhibition telling a story about the foundation of the city and immigrants from Europe, that settled there at the end of the 19th century.
What to eat in Port McNeill? Staying on the western shore of Canada you can’t try typical for that region fish dishes. In the menu, without much struggle, you will find dishes from wild salmon, black cod, halibut or haddock, as well as fresh seafood, for instance, shrimps or mussels. Where to eat? In the town itself, you can find a few eateries, among them we recommend having good opinions Northern Lights and McNeill’s Restaurant.
