Hotels in Port McNeill and Alert Bay

If you can't get into the recommended Telegraph Cove-area resorts and don't want to continue on to Port Hardy or Campbell River, try Port McNeill's 62-unit Haida-Way Motor Inn, 1817 Campbell Way (tel. 800/956-3373 or 250/956-3373; www.pmhotels.com), which rents rooms for C$105 in high season and offers on-premises restaurants and pubs. Just across the road is the new Black Bear Resort, 1812 Campbell Way (tel. 866/956-4900 or 250/956-4900; www.blackbearresort.net), which has rooms starting at C$140 double, which includes complimentary continental breakfast.

Oceanview Camping & Trailer Park, Alder Road, Alert Bay (tel. 250/974-5213; fax 250/974-5470), has a great view of the Johnstone Strait and nature trails that fan out from the 23 sites. Rates are C$14 to C$18. Full hookups, flush toilets, hot showers, a free boat launch, and boat tours make this a great deal. The 'Namgis Nation runs the Gwakawe Campground, Alert Bay (tel. 250/974-5274), where C$13 gets you a beachfront site and access to showers, laundry, water, and firewood.