The Discovery Islands Archipelago
The spectacular Discovery Islands Archipelago is located between the Southern border of the Great Bear Rainforest and Northern Boarder of the Salish Sea, nestled between Campbell River on North-Central Vancouver Island and the mainland of BC Canada. Quadra Island is on the Unceded Lands and Territories of the Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ First Nations and is centrally located in one of the most unique and thriving ecosystems on the planet. There are a vast array of mirco-habitats that are unique to this area, such as the Tidal Rapids. Bald Eagles and Steller sea lions have unique foraging behaviours with Pacific salmon & hake in these tidal rapids and we transit through them often on adventures.
getting here
If you stay in Campbell River we can pick you up on that side at Discovery Harbour Marina. On Quadra Island we depart from Quathiaski Cove on the West side of the island where the Campbell River ferry berths. If you are traveling to Campbell River, or Quadra Island they are both assessable in a number of ways. You can get here by plane or helicopter from Vancouver BC to Campbell River BC, or you can fly from Seattle to Campbell River. If you drive and take the ferry here, there are a number of choices on which route to take and this really depends on your itinerary of things to do and see while you’re on the big Island.
Ferries From Vancouver
BC Ferries Services operates a number of ferry services from Vancouver to Vancouver Island. For more information on scheduling please visit their website.
Horseshoe Bay Terminal
Take a ferry from Horseshoe Bay Terminal in West Vancouver to Departure Bay in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island then drive 1.5 hours North to Campbell River.
Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal
Take a ferry from Tsawwassen Terminal in Vancouver to Duke Pont Terminal in Nanaimo then drive 1hr 45 min North to Campbell River.
Vancouver to Victoria
Take a ferry from either Tsawwassen Terminal or Horseshoe Bay Terminal in Vancouver to Victoria (Swartz Bay) and drive 3 hours North to Campbell River.
Note: For a quicker drive to Campbell River on any route, you can take Hwy 19, for the scenic route you take Hwy 19A (Island Hwy).
From Port Angeles, WA
Coming from Washington State?
Travellers can take the Black Ball Ferry Line from Port Angeles to Victoria then drive 3 hours North to Campbell River. Visit their website for sailing times.
Note: Once in Victoria, for a quicker drive to Campbell River you can take Hwy 19, for the scenic route you take Hwy 19A (Island Hwy).