When you see the turnoff signs for Port McNeill, you'll know you've reached the second largest North Island community, a town of over 3,000 sited on Johnstone Strait.
Port McNeill is not only a delightful town to explore but is also the terminal for the Tri-Island ferry route. From here you can catch a B.C. ferry to Alert Bay on Cormorant Island and Sointula on Malcolm Island, two very distinct communities equally rich in North Island history. You'll want to spend time at both these destinations so be sure to pick up a ferry schedule. If you miss a ferry, the worst that can happen is that you overnight at a pleasant motel, hotel or B&B.

Port McNeill has long enjoyed the reputation as the ‘hub' of logging activities in the North Island and at the entrance to Weyerhauser's Port McNeill Division can be seen the world's largest burl. It weighs 22 tons and measures 45 feet around. Smaller burls are used to make attractive table tops and clocks.

The harbour is always busy with private and commercial fishing boats coming and going. Activities can be observed from seaside restaurants or by walking along the shore-hugging strip park from which you have a good chance of spotting eagles on shore or in the top of a tree. Boating visitors will find all the services needed, including boat repairs, fuel and launch sites. Visitors can arrive by road, water or even by air, as there is a paved 2,500-foot airstrip with an attractive hotel nearby. The town has a variety of services: grocery stores, restaurants, banks, souvenir and craft shops as well as hotels and B&BS. The town also boasts a new museum and a growing community arboretum. Just outside of town there is a variety of campsites and resorts.