Heading north on Highway 19, the communities become fewer and farther apart, and just when it feels like you’re reaching the island’s end, you’ll come across the charming settlements of Telegraph Cove, Port McNeill, and Port Hardy. Telegraph Cove is an excellent base for exploring First Nations heritage at nearby Alert Bay and for whale watching in the Johnstone Strait. Port Hardy, a little farther along, is where the Inside Passage ferry departs or arrives, and it also has a small airport connecting this remote area to larger towns and cities.

Across the water, the forested mainland offers an ideal habitat for grizzly bears, making this a great spot for bear watching, much like Campbell River. Great Bear Lodge is located among the waterways and provides an incredible experience for those wanting to spend more time observing wildlife in its natural habitat.