I came to Alert Bay to visit my dad who was working at the hospital here. The island itself is beautiful and the people are very friendly. The U'mista cultural centre was amazing and a must visit if you are in Alert Bay. The Native history here is amazing and the art is beautiful. Thank you for all of the knowledge that I was able to absorb about the culture and history of all the people whom have inhabited this beautiful island.

One of the finest small museums I have ever been to. The recapturing of culture is important and this museum is doing a great job. Well organized with a great selection of cultural items and historical notes. The Potlach room is amazing. It is a great reminder that there were people on this continent since the beginning of time. Bravo.

Possibly the best presented collection of heritage and cultural belongings I have come across. The Potlatch exhibit, in particular, is incredibly well put together.

Absolutely amazing place! There is so much heritage and so much art! The gift shop is very good too. You can get gifts with Northwest art and the prices are very fair! This place is a must to learn about indigenous traditions, ceremonies, and ways of life!

The centre has a large exhibit with original Potlatch ceremonial items. I was hoping for a bit more about their day to day lives on the islands but maybe they’ll expand in the future. We took about an hour throughout the center but could have spent longer if we had the time to learn more from the speaker that they had there for the day. I would recommend stopping by the visitor center on Alert Bay first because she can guide you on best timing to go according to your plans. All in all it was 100% worth the entrance fee and would recommend it if you are coming to the island.

One of the top Indigenous cultural centres I’ve ever been. Up there with the Haida in Sandspit. Amazing First Nation pieces presented in a stunning space. Moving. Sad. Beautiful. Educational. It’s all there. Highly recommend visiting it.

The U'mista Cultural Center was an unexpected treasure on such a remote island. It shares the story of revitalizing culture, which was lost for some time through European contact. You'll feel welcome and engaged as you experience what few people have had the opportunity to be part of.

Had the pleasure to go out with Seasmoke four times in the last week and they were absolutely amazing! I have gone out on whale watching tours many times, but none come close to my experience with Seasmoke. They are very knowledgeable about wildlife and the area. They clearly prioritize the safety of the wildlife with the utmost respect, which was so great to see. I absolutely loved how they would completely stop the boat so we could listen to the Northern Resident orcas while watching them! Highly recommend this company to anyone who wants an amazing time on the water to see whales and learn from the incredible crew. *Photos taken with a telephoto lens on a mirrorless camera.

If I could give 10 stars out of 5, I absolutely would! My adventure with Seasmoke last week was nothing short of extraordinary. From start to finish, the experience was flawless. Nate and Martin were our guides, and they brought so much personality, humor (if you enjoy a good, cheesy joke!), and an incredible wealth of knowledge to the tour. They truly made the trip memorable. Not only did we have the privilege of seeing Resident Orcas, Bigg's (Transient) Orcas, humpback whales, Minke whales, Dall’s porpoises, bald eagles, rhino auklets, and sea otters, but we were also given deep insights into the behaviors, habits, and conservation efforts surrounding these majestic creatures. It’s so clear that Seasmoke isn't just about whale watching—they are genuinely passionate about the welfare and protection of marine life. Even though Nate and Martin encounter these animals regularly, their awe and respect for them were palpable, making the experience even more special. Safety was also a top priority. Nate and Martin took the time to ensure that everyone onboard was well-prepared and comfortable throughout the tour, which made the experience all the more enjoyable. I can't wait for my next Seasmoke adventure! If you’re searching for an exceptional whale watching tour with a team that combines expertise, enthusiasm, and a deep love for the ocean, Seasmoke is the way to go. I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone looking for a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience!

This company was top notch to work with. We had a group of us in the area for a long weekend and went out for multiple days and sometimes twice in one day. Every single tour we went on was perfect and Nate and Jeannine were very cautious, respectful and aware of the whales in the area and the best way to view them while allowing them space. I cannot recommend them enough if you’re looking for a tour. We had quite the lucky few days that we have been told were absolutely epic for sightings and even had different conditions for all of the trips making for some beautiful photos and video.

I haven't had the best luck with whale watching tours in the past. But today was an exception! We saw humpback whales, Dall's porpoises, a sea lion, northern resident orcas, sea otters, bald eagles, and a bunch of other sea birds. Most of the time it was just our small boat alone with the whales, listening to them breathe and watching them fish. Incredible! Definitely recommend this company. Nate and Martin were very knowledgeable.

Nate and Jeannine blew us away this weekend with the experience they provided our group. From answering questions for our booking to showing us the most spectacular scenery and wildlife - we couldn't have asked for more. As a whale watching naturalist myself, I have high expectations for a companies ethics and Seasmoke delivers fully on this. They have time limits for how long they will remain on scene, carefully adhere to distance regulations and make sure to always prioritize the wildlife during their encounter. During our three days of tours we saw Northern resident orcas, lunge feeding humpback whales, harbour porpoise, dalls porpoise, pacific white sided dolphins and even a minke whale (of which there are only 7 individuals recorded in their area). We also saw some beautifully posed Steller sea lions on their haul outs, seals, eagles and deer feeding on seaweed on a rocky islet. The tour picked us up from Alder Bay Resort at the end of the dock (we were staying in Telegraph Cove - it's only a 10 minute drive back down the road) and they provided a safety speech before we departed. Everyone was given a floater suit to keep cozy during the trip and they had binoculars and whale ID guides on board too. Our group will definitely be booking again next year during our annual trip!

Had a great experience with Jeannine at Seasmoke. Saw a pod of orcas within the first 20 minutes and another later on, along with otters, sea lions, porpoises, dolphins and humpbacks. We booked this one because we wanted an on the water feel without booking a Zodiac and it did not disappoint. This area seems to be foggy/colder in the mornings so I’d recommend booking an afternoon tour.

Went for a morning whale watching tour (July 28 2025) was nothing short of spectacular was able to see humpbacks, resident orcas, dall porpoises (likely my new favorite sea mammal), otters, sea lions. Staff were very friendly, super knowledgeable and very respectful of the animals. Allowing us to have an amazing experience while making sure not to disturb them or their habitat.

Beautiful shop, very friendly staff and my husband and I both agreed, we had the best iced caramel macchiatos we have ever had. Not too sweet, amazing coffee. One of our kids had a smoothie and loved it too. Definitely a must stop.

Excellent Indigenous owned business in Alert Bay. Cafe on site. Many art, wearables & other First Nations items are in the store. Reasonably priced. Friendly service.

Great cappuccino, great service and super sweet gift shop ~ seating area overlooks the marina.

Nice cozy boutique and cafe experience.

best espresso ever!!!! i have high standards. i'm frequently served undrinkable dopios but not here!!!! my partner had a cappuccino. she has high standards as well and she loved her cappuccino!!!! and super sweet staff!!!! and beautiful things in the gallery!!!!

Great little place with lots of unique art pieces, seating area and coffee shop all in one. It would be great if the coffee shop sold some snacks as there was not a lot open while we were waiting for the 330 ferry! The coffee and mocha were hot and tasty

This gallery is near the ferry landing. They have some beautiful jewelry. They also do nice lattes.

Multiple trails you can do in the woods, or that allow beach access! Saw eagles and a humpback! Trails well maintained and not many people!

This walk far exceeded my expectations. The boardwalk through the ancient cedar tree graveyard was out of this world!

A little confusing to find, don't follow your Google maps, just follow signs. Interesting place to see

This is a beautiful bog. It's littered with long-dead nurse trees covered in thick moss, salal and other bushes that make for a really interesting landscape. Old man's beard hangs from the last few leaves of senescent, skeletal trees throughout and all along the forest/bog interface. The system of easy trails leading to the boardwalk take you around the island for a nice shaded hike.

Wonderful trails across the island that take you through a rainforest and across wetlands. It feels much more remote than the short hike that is required to get there. Is you're looking for some nature and tranquility you should make a visit.

Locals often call it gator gardens as it resembles a croc swamp. Lovely boardwalk, very serene.

One of the few places anywhere that is both easily accessible from a main tourist area and unbelievably quiet and peaceful. Well worth an hour to just kick back and enjoy the quiet and natural beauty.

Such a special place to walk by along the ocean wall- be respectful and do not enter! View from the street!

You can't walk through the area, so you can only view the totems from a distance. This made it hard if not impossible to see the details of the majority of the totems, thus my 3 star rating...

Amazing trip for a family event. Great place for a weekend trip. A week woulda been better.

Alert Bay is my birth place. Please remember, folks, the Namgis burial grounds are to be respected and not trampled upon. You have no business trespassing on the burial grounds. Show some respect!

The food was awesome. .but service was alittle slow..only one server for the whole restraint. .they could have used another to handle the register.

The most beautiful totems I have ever seen!

Dramatic, beautiful totems, some historic, some new.

Nice people, eager to answer questions and help. Alert Bay Library and Museum is very small without a great deal of content. Worth a stop in if they are open, but be warned they have limited hours of operation. Several indigenous peoples artifacts on display.

You must start your visit to Alert Bay with a stop here! Noreen was so wonderful and inspired us to explore every inch of this beautiful island! There are wonderful materials available explaining all the fabulous features and historical landmarks around town. Our trip was too short this time around, but we will be back! Thanks again!

Very informative. We were supplied with all the maps and info we needed to take a self guided tour of Alert Bay cultural sites, restaurants, shops, and accommodations.

Be sure to stop here first when you visit Alert Bay. We weren't able to go inside because of covid, but the host there stands at the door and gives all visitors a super helpful package of info booklets that explain the history of Alert Bay, the ecological park, the U'mista Cultural Centre, and all the totem poles spread across the island. These booklets also had helpful maps that marked points of interest. The host also did a five minute "elevator speech" about the history of the island that really helped us get our bearings. It was a great way to start our visit to Alert Bay.

Very knowledgable and friendly staff with tonnes of helpful and informative info about the island.

Stopped in once we got off the ferry and got a good overview of the activities and attractions. Wish we had more time, but there will definitely be a next time.

Norien is a formidable ambassador with endless information about the Bay. 💕