Getting Here
BY MOTOR VEHICLE
While there are no roads to Quatsino Hamlet itself, a paved road does bring the visitor to within a 15 to 20 minute boat ride from Coal Harbor, which is about a 20 minute drive from Port Hardy, BC, the largest community on Northern Vancouver Island. There is a water taxi service, Quatsino Sound Marine Transportation. Call ahead for reservations at 250 949-6358. Overnight parking is available at the Coal Harbor dock area.
There are also regularly scheduled water taxi "mail runs" on Mondays and Thursdays around 11:30am featuring significantly discounted fairs. The water taxi will drop the visitor off at the Quatsino community dock or any private dock requested. Quatsino Sound Marine Transportation also provides this service but you must call ahead to confirm their schedule at the phone number above. Always call as far in advance as you can to insure the taxi is available. The Quatsino gravel road is approximately 6 km in length so almost any destination is within walking distance.
To reach Coal Harbor from all points south (Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Seattle, etc) take the main Island Highway from Nanaimo (approximately a 4 to 4.5 hour drive) or Victoria (approximately a 6 to 7 hour drive) following signs for Port Hardy.
If you have time, the older coastal Island Highway (Highway19A) is a beautiful drive that winds along the east coast of the Island between Nanaimo and Campbell River. Just before reaching Port Hardy you will see a direction sign to turn left for Coal Harbor.
If you continue into Port Hardy there is gas, a shopping center, hotels, and other amenities available about 3 km from that turn-off. There are no amenities in Coal Harbor. A 20 minute ride takes you to the Coal Harbor dock. Once a major whaling town, Coal Harbor is an interesting village in it's own right. The water taxi service (also called DH Timber) is located next to the main dock.
BY AIR
The nearby town of Port Hardy has daily air transporation from Vancouver, British Columbia via Pacifc Coastal Airlines.
The drive from the Port Hardy airport to Coal Harbor is approximately 30 minutes.
BY WATER
If you have your own boat, there is a convenient boat launch facility located next to the government dock in Coal Harbor. The trip to Quatsino from there is approximately 15 to 20 minutes via a traditional pleasure craft.
BY Mail Boat
Monday & Thursday a “Mail Boat Run” to deliver mail to local Quatsino residents leaves Coal Harbour around 12:30pm and leaves the Quatsino Wharf around 1:15pm.
Cost is $21.00 adult, children under 10 free.
Call for rates and reservations at 250 949-6359.