Almost every coastal community offers
opportunities for whale-watching tours, fishing and sightseeing
charters as well as beach walks. Visitors will see bald eagles,
blue herons, bears, seals and otters. Early risers will catch
marvelous sunrises over the misty morning water as well as a good
chance at halibut and salmon.
Kayaking and canoeing up the innumerable
inlets and straits of this area is also extremely popular and
there is world-class scuba diving (the Pacific Northwest was rated
second only to the Red Sea by Jacques Cousteau). Many lakes in
the area offer excellent freshwater fishing as well as swimming
and camping.
A number of outstanding artists,
weavers and wood carvers live in the North Island and their work
is displayed in galleries in Port McNeill, Telegraph Cove, Alert
Bay and Port Hardy. Another not-to-be-missed gallery is located
in the Native community of Fort Rupert where Native arts and crafts
may be viewed and purchased.
