Historic Alert Bay/Y’alis is our training base. Alert Bay is located on Cormorant Island off the East coast of Northern Vancouver Island. In the heart of the territory of the Kwak’wala speaking people, this little island is home to about 1000 people at the edge of the Great Bear Rainforest.

Several kilometers of trails meander around the island through secondary and old-growth forest, with a boardwalk through a cranberry bog, and hiking paths skirting long gravel beaches. Indigenous culture is woven into everyday life here; the U’mista Cultural Centre is a world-class museum and well-worth a visit to learn about the history and present day culture of the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw People.

This area is known for world-class wildlife viewing, with orcas, sea otters, sea lions, dolphins, and porpoises year-round residents. In the early Spring, humpback whales start to arrive in large numbers and stay to feed for the summer before departing for winter feeding grounds in the Fall. We enjoy excellent birding throughout the year, including many species of seabirds.

Numerous small island groups, larger channels, diverse shorelines, ever-changing weather, and abundant wildlife provide us a dynamic training ground. Very little marine traffic means we’ll often have the water all to ourselves.

Getting Here

If you are flying to Vancouver Island, the closest airport is in Port Hardy (YZT), about a 45 min drive from Port McNeill, where you will take a short ferry to Alert Bay. The closest international airport is in Comox (YQQ), which is a 2.5 drive from Port McNeill. We offer pick-up from either Port Hardy or Comox/Campbell River (included in your course fee). If you have questions about travel details, we’re happy to help.