GETTING TO Bauza cove
Located on the northern end of Vancouver Island, Bauza Cove is the starting location for the Johnstone Strait Expedition.
Click here to see Google Maps link for Bauza Cove.
Due to the remote location of Bauza Cove, it is not accessible by public transportation however there are some alternative options. On this page, you can find information about flights, rental cars, taxi’s, and carpooling.
Please contact us if you are not able to find a way to reach Bauza Cove and we may be able to help you get there!
WHAT3wORDS
Bauza Cove is a remote launch point that we know can be hard to find! What3words is a website that has given every 3 metre square on the world map a unique combination of three words. You can use these words to direct yourself exactly where to meet us through the use of the free app, and your favourite navigation software.
For Bauza Cove, the What3Words is ///loops.cuties.opener
Travel Details to Bauza Cove
+ FROM VANCOUVER
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. 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.
Once arriving in 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). From Island Hwy/BC-19, turn onto Beaver Cove Road. You will see a Spirit of the West sign at the turn off for Alder Bay. Do not follow this sign. Instead, continue to Bauza Cove. Before you arrive at Telegraph Cove, turn right onto the gravel road above the hotel and follow the signs to “At the Water’s Edge”. Take the second left turn through the open gate. While Google Maps doesn’t show the last road, it’s there!
This is a shared launch point. When you arrive, find somewhere to park at the top of the hill and your guides will show you where you can park for the duration of the tour.
Click here to see Google Maps link for Bauza Cove.
CARPOOLING
For guests looking to carpool with others on their tour, we provide a carpooling sign-up platform that can be used by guests to arrange shared rides amongst themselves. Upon registering for your tour you will gain access to the carpooling platform.
*Carpool availability depends on other guests signing up to be drivers. Therefore, carpool options may not be available for your tour dates. Please keep this in mind when making travel plans.
BY AIR
To get as close as possible to Bauza Cove, fly from Vancouver to Port Hardy (YZT) on a scenic one hour flight with Pacific Coastal Airlines. From Port Hardy, you can rent a car from the below recommendations to get you the remaining 45 minutes to Bauza Cove.
*Please note that Pacific Coastal Airlines flies from the South Terminal at Vancouver Airport (YVR).
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.
public Transit
For public transit options from Vancouver, please click the “read more” button below. To follow this option, you must leave the day before your tour begins.
Read MoreFrom the airport, take the Canada Line skytrain from YVR towards Waterfront Station. Exit the train at Vancouver City Center Station (approx. 22 minutes).
Go to the bus stop on West Georgia St at Granville St (in front of the Hudson’s Bay store) to catch Translink Bus #257 Express to Horseshoe Bay. Travel time approx. 40 minutes. Exit the bus at the Horseshoe Bay terminus.
Plan to arrive in Horseshoe Bay at least 20-30 minutes before your ferry is scheduled to depart. You can buy your walk-on ferry ticket for the Nanaimo (Vancouver Island) boat when you arrive or you can book ahead online here. Please note that even when booking ahead, you must arrive 20-30 minutes prior to the ferry’s departure. Sailing time approx 1hr 35 min
Once you dock in Nanaimo, go to IslandLink Bus Services (located directly outside the terminal entrance in the bus lane) to travel to Port McNeill (closest to Alder Bay) or Port Hardy. Tickets must be purchased by midnight on the day before travel online
From Port Hardy or Port McNeill, you can take a 1 hour (Port Hardy) or 45 (Port McNeill) minute taxi ride to Bauza Cove with Waivin Flags Taxi. It is suggested that this is coordinated in advance.
+ FROM VANCOUVER ISLAND
BY CAR
The amount of time it will take you to meet us in Bauza Cove will depend on where you are coming from on Vancouver Island. Most guests will take the Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N highway all the way north to the exit marked for Telegraph Cove.
From the highway, turn onto Beaver Cove Road. You will see a Spirit of the West sign at the turn off for Alder Bay. Do not follow this sign. Instead, continue to Bauza Cove. Before you arrive at Telegraph Cove, turn right onto the gravel road above the hotel and follow the signs to “At the Water’s Edge”. Take the second left turn through the open gate. While Google Maps doesn’t show the last road, it’s there!
This is a shared launch point. When you arrive, find somewhere to park at the top of the hill and your guides will show you where you can park for the duration of the tour.
Click here to see Google Maps link for Bauza Cove.
CARPOOLING
For guests looking to carpool with others on their tour, we provide a carpooling sign-up platform that can be used by guests to arrange shared rides amongst themselves. Upon registering for your tour you will gain access to the carpooling platform.
*Carpool availability depends on other guests signing up to be drivers. Therefore, carpool options may not be available for your tour dates. Please keep this in mind when making travel plans.
BY AIR
There are very few direct flights from other airports on Vancouver Island to Port Hardy (YZT) but you can fly with Pacific Coastal Airlines to Port Hardy (YZT) from many different Vancouver Island based Airports with a stop over in Vancouver (YVR). From Port Hardy which is the closest airport to Bauza Cove, you can rent a car to drive the remaining 45 minutes to Bauza Cove.
public Transit
For public transit options on Vancouver Island, click the “read more” button below.
Read MoreIslandLink Bus Service provides public transportation across Vancouver Island including service to Port McNeill (closest to Alder Bay) or Port Hardy. We recommend checking their website to find what route works best for you. Please note that all tickets must be purchased by midnight on the day before travel online
From Port Hardy or Port McNeill, you can take a 1 hour (Port Hardy) or 45 (Port McNeill) minute taxi ride to Bauza Cove with Waivin Flags Taxi. It is suggested that this is coordinated in advance.
+ FROM SEATTLE
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. If you are travelling by car, please note that the ferries can get quite congested during the summer months, so we strongly advise all guests to make a ferry reservation.
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 arriving in 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). From Island Hwy/BC-19, turn onto Beaver Cove Road. You will see a Spirit of the West sign at the turn off for Alder Bay. Do not follow this sign. Instead, continue to Bauza Cove. Before you arrive at Telegraph Cove, turn right onto the gravel road above the hotel and follow the signs to “At the Water’s Edge”. Take the second left turn through the open gate. While Google Maps doesn’t show the last road, it’s there!
This is a shared launch point. When you arrive, find somewhere to park at the top of the hill and your guides will show you where you can park for the duration of the tour.
Click here to see Google Maps link for Bauza Cove.
CARPOOLING
For guests looking to carpool with others on their tour, we provide a carpooling sign-up platform that can be used by guests to arrange shared rides amongst themselves. Upon registering for your tour you will gain access to the carpooling platform.
*Carpool availability depends on other guests signing up to be drivers. Therefore, carpool options may not be available for your tour dates. Please keep this in mind when making travel plans.
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 Bauza Cove. From Port Hardy, you can rent to complete your journey to Bauza Cove.
*Please note that Pacific Coastal Airlines flies from the South Terminal at Vancouver Airport (YVR)
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.
Public transit
For public transit options from Seattle, click the “read more” button bellow.
Read MoreFrom King Street Station, you can take the Amtrak Cascades train to Pacific Central Station (4hrs) or the Flix Bus from “6th Ave S & S Lane St” to Pacific Central Station (4.5hrs).
From Pacific Central Station, walk 3 minutes to the Main Street-Science World Skytrain Station. Ride the Expo Line towards Waterfront station for 2 stops (3 mins) to Granville Station.
Go to the Westbound West Georgia St at Seymour St bus stop to catch Translink Bus #257 Express to Horseshoe Bay. Travel time approx. 40 minutes. Exit the bus at the Horseshoe Bay terminus.
Plan to arrive in Horseshoe Bay at least 20-30 minutes before your ferry is scheduled to depart. You can buy your walk-on ferry ticket for the Nanaimo (Vancouver Island) boat when you arrive or you can book ahead online here. Please note that even when booking ahead, you must arrive 20-30 minutes prior to the ferry’s departure. Sailing time approx. 1hr 35 min
Once you dock in Nanaimo, go to IslandLink Bus Services (located directly outside the terminal entrance in the bus lane) to travel to Port McNeill (closest to Alder Bay) or Port Hardy. Tickets must be purchased by midnight on the day before travel online
From Port Hardy or Port McNeill, you can take a 1 hour (Port Hardy) or 45 (Port McNeill) minute taxi ride to Bauza Cove with Waivin Flags Taxi. It is suggested that this is coordinated in advance.
