Getting Here

Getting to and from our Base Camp on Spring Island - the Kyuquot Field Station - on the remote northwest coast of Vancouver Island can be a fantastic scenic experience in itself! Your journey with us can begin and end near Gold River, 91 kilometers (57 miles) west of Campbell River on Vancouver Island (paved road all the way). Alternatively, you can drive about 2 h north of Campbell River on paved Highway 19, then follow 77 km (allow 2 h) of gravel logging roads (via Zeballos) to Fair Harbour. Otherwise, if time is of the essence, charter float plane flights can be arranged directly to Kyuquot with Kenmore Air (from Seattle), Harbour Air (from Vancouver, Victoria, and Nanaimo), Vancouver Island Air (from Campbell River), Atleo River Air Service (from Tofino), or Air Nootka (from Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Comox, Campbell River, Tofino, or Gold River!).

Specific to West Coast Expeditions once you're on northern Vancouver Island

Departing from the beach at our Base Camp

For our 4 or 5-day Spring Island Explorer packages: For time efficiency if driving from Campbell River, we recommend choosing the upgrade for return travel with Air Nootka float planes from Gold River - let us know and we will make these arrangements as part of your package!

Otherwise, if linking your vacation with a killer whale or grizzly bear viewing tour from northern Vancouver Island, or if you have more travel time at either end of your holiday, consider driving to Fair Harbour (approximately 3.5 to 4 hours driving time from Campbell River; 2 hours of which are on gravel roads).  We'll have a water taxi ready to meet you for the approximately 40 minute boat ride to the WCE Base Camp on Spring Island.  You will get off the boat in shin deep water at the beach in front of our Base Camp.

Departing by Voyager Water Taxi

For our 7-day Spring Island Explorer packages: This package begins with overnight hotel accommodation at the Gold River Chalet before embarking early the next morning aboard the "MV Uchuck III" for your scenic coastal cruise to Kyuqout. Once you arrive in the evening, we'll have a water taxi ready for the short trip to Spring Island (10 minutes). You will get off the boat in shin deep water at the beach in front of our Base Camp.

Return travel to Gold River is by Air Nootka float plane.

For our 9-day Destination Brooks Expedition: This package begins with overnight hotel accommodation at the Gold River Chalet before embarking early the next morning aboard the "MV Uchuck III" for your scenic coastal cruise to Kyuqout. Once you arrive in the evening, we'll have a water taxi ready for the short trip to Spring Island (10 minutes). You will get off the boat in shin deep water at the beach in front of our Base Camp.

Travelling aboard the "MV Uchuck III" scenic cruise

Return travel to Gold River departs early on the last morning, beginning with the short water taxi ride to Kyuquot, then the return scenic cruise aboard the "MV Uchuck III".

More general travel information for getting to northern Vancouver Island

Arriving by Air

Accessing Vancouver Island by air allows for several access points. Consider spending additional time on Vancouver Island before or after the tour to experience some of what it has to offer.

Campbell River
Campbell River Airport is the closest access to Gold River (approximately 75-minute drive) . Campbell River airport is serviced by Central Mountain Air, Pacific Coastal Airlines and Kenmore Air. 

Comox Valley -- Courtenay, Comox, and Cumberland
Comox Valley International Airport is also quite close to Gold River (approximately 2-hour drive), and is serviced by Air Canada, Central Mountain Air, Pacific Coastal Airlines, and WestJet.

Victoria
Arriving in Victoria is a great way to make the most of visiting British Columbia and connecting with other holiday adventures. From Victoria, you can travel by bus, train, or car to the Comox Valley.  From there, it's a 2-hour drive to Gold River, or 4.5-hour drive to Fair Harbour to begin your adventure with West Coast Expeditions.

Vancouver
Arriving in Vancouver is a great way to make the most of visiting British Columbia and connecting with other holiday adventures. From Vancouver, you can fly to Campbell River or the Comox Valley, and then drive to Gold River or Fair Harbour to begin your adventure with West Coast Expeditions.

Arriving by Ferry

Accessing Vancouver Island by car from Vancouver or other sections of mainland BC requires traveling on BC Ferries which can take you to Victoria, Nanaimo, or the Comox Valley (if also the visiting Sunshine Coast and Powell River during your BC coastal holiday).