GETTING TO TELEGRAPH COVE
Located on the northern end of Vancouver Island, Telegraph Cove is the starting location for our three basecamp tours, the Whales and Wilderness Glamping, the Johnstone Strait Ultimate, and Orca Family Tours. Also for the Johnstone Strait Expedition and the Orca Lite Expedition.
Telegraph Cove is a community of about 20 inhabitants, located approximately 210 kilometres northwest of Campbell River. It is a former fishing, sawmill and cannery village that has become a launch point for eco-tourism. Unfortunately, there is no public transit to Telegraph Cove at this time but you can find all information to flights, taxis, and rental cars just below the map on this page.
If you are looking for accommodation in Telegraph Cove please click here.
Travel Details to Telegraph Cove
+ FROM VANCOUVER
TRAVEL TIME BY CAR/FERRY: 6.5 HOURS
TRAVEL TIME BY AIR: 2 HOURS
BY AIR
To get as close as possible to Telegraph Cove, fly from Vancouver to Port Hardy (YZT), a scenic one hour flight with Pacific Coastal Airlines. From Port Hardy, you can rent a car or take a 45-minute taxi ride (approx. CA$100) to Telegraph Cove.
Alternatively, if you have time for exploring, you can also fly into Victoria (YYJ), Nanaimo (YCD), Comox (YQQ), or Campbell River (YBL) and drive from there. Car rentals are available in all of these airports.
*Please note that Pacific Coast Airlines flies from the South Terminal at Vancouver Airport (YVR).
TAXI
For destinations in and around Port Hardy including Telegraph Cove, Port McNeill, and area. We recommend contacting the taxi in advance to reserve your transfer.
BY CAR
Drive from your location to the ferry terminal to cross over to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island (If you are travelling from south of Vancouver take the Tsawwassen– Duke Point/Nanaimo route which is closest to Vancouver airport and US border. If you are coming through Vancouver take the Horseshoe Bay–Departure Bay/Nanaimo route, See BC Ferries for rates and schedules). The ferry crossing takes approximately 2 hours.
Once you get to Nanaimo take highway 19 North. It will be marked for Parksville, Campbell River & Port Hardy. Follow highway 19 all the way north to the exit to Telegraph Cove (approximately 4 hours drive). Follow this road for 16km into Telegraph Cove. Stay on asphalt. If you find yourself on gravel or dirt, you have taken a wrong turn.
If you are travelling by car, please note that the ferries can get quite congested during the summer months, so we advise you to get an early start or make a reservation.
CAR RENTALS
Both companies offer convenient pickup desks inside the Port Hardy airport and at a variety of other locations on Vancouver Island.
+ FROM VICTORIA
TRAVEL TIME BY CAR/FERRY: 6 HOURS
TRAVEL TIME BY AIR: 3 HOURS (with a stop in Vancouver)
BY AIR
Pacific Coastal Airlines offers flights from Victoria (YYJ) to Port Hardy (YZT) with a stopover in Vancouver. Approximate 3 hours. From Port Hardy which is the closest airport to Telegraph Cove, you can rent a car or take a 45-minute taxi ride (apx. $100) to Telegraph Cove.
BY CAR
If you are travelling by car, please note that the ferries can get quite congested during the summer months, so we advise you to get an early start or make a reservation.
+ FROM SEATTLE
TRAVEL TIME BY CAR/FERRY: 9 HOURS
TRAVEL TIME BY AIR: 3 + HOURS
BY AIR
You can fly Seattle to Vancouver with many major airlines and from there take a flight with Pacific Coastal Airlines to Port Hardy which is the closest airport to Telegraph Cove. From Port Hardy, you can rent a car or take a 45-minute taxi ride (apx. $100) to Telegraph Cove. *Please note that Pacific Coast Airlines flies from the South Terminal at Vancouver Airport (YVR)
If you are looking for the ultimate in convenience, charter your own floatplane and arrive in style directly to our remote camps (please contact us in advance) or the surrounding communities.
San Juan Airlines offers floatplane flights from Seattle and surrounding areas and flies to a variety of destinations on Vancouver Island.
Kenmore Air offers floatplane flights from Seattle to several locations on Vancouver Island.
Northwest Seaplanes offers floatplane flights from Renton, Washington near Seattle to several locations on Vancouver Island.
BY CAR
If you are driving from Seattle, allow the full day to get to our area. If you are travelling from south of Vancouver take the Tsawwassen–Nanaimo route (closest to Vancouver airport). If you are coming through Vancouver take the Horseshoe Bay–Nanaimo route. The ferry crossing takes approximately 2 hrs. See BC Ferries for rates and schedules.
Travellers from the USA can also take ferries from Anacortes, Port Angeles, and the Seattle area to Victoria on the south end of the island.
Once you get to Nanaimo take highway 19 North. It will be marked for Parksville, Campbell River & Port Hardy. Follow highway 19 all the way north to the exit to Telegraph Cove apx. 4 hrs drive. Follow this road for 16km into Telegraph Cove. Stay on asphalt. If you find yourself on gravel or dirt, you have taken a wrong turn.
*If you are travelling by car, please note that the ferries can get quite congested during the summer months, so we advise you to get an early start or make a reservation.
BY BUS
Buses will help you connect to either flights or rental cars, but there are currently no options to get all the way to Telegraph Cove by bus.
Bolt Bus offers quick and efficient service between downtown Seattle and downtown Vancouver (main bus terminal only). Free Wi-Fi onboard.
Quick Shuttle Service offers transportation between various locations in Seattle and Bellingham and various points in Vancouver, including airports and city centres.
Bellingham Airporter Service offers service between Seattle Airport and Anacortes Ferry (to Victoria).
