How To Get To Bamfield

Wondering how to get to Bamfield? We want you to have the best possible experience with us at Hacas Inn, Bamfield’s only motel, and that includes getting here with easy travelling to and from Bamfield. Below is a list of services to help you find the best route and mode of transport, whether you’re journeying by road, boat, shuttle or air.

Travelling By Road

Bamfield is on the Pacific Rim of Vancouver Island. If travelling by road, we’ll help you find your way from destination points of Victoria, Port Alberni, and Youbou / Lake Cowichan, below.

How to Get To Bamfield From Victoria

Travel north on Highway 1 to Duncan (84km) and continue north along Highway 1 for another 5km until you arrive at the junction of Highway 1 and Highway 18. You can choose to continue on Highway 1, towards Nanaimo, and then on to Port Alberni OR you can turn left onto Highway 18 and travel west heading for Youbou.

Port Alberni to Bamfield

Upon entering Port Alberni, take a left at the fork in the road by the tourist information centre and follow signs “to City Centre” and “Bamfield.” This is the Port Alberni Highway, where you will continue to follow the signs to Bamfield through Port Alberni. You will eventually be led to the Franklin River Road; the start of approximately 83km of gravel logging roads that lead to Bamfield. Anticipate a 1 ½ hour drive on regularly graded gravel roads – watch for logging trucks!

Youbou / Lake Cowichan to Bamfield

Turn left onto Highway 18 and stay the course until Youbou (approximately 45km). From here, follow the gravel logging roads to Bamfield: Nitinat Road to South Road (8km); left onto Flora Main for 13km; Central Main for 17km; Right onto Klanawa Main, Left at Between the Lakes and turn Left onto Bamfield Main Line and follow the signs to Bamfield. The roads are dusty but in good condition and the drive is beautiful, but please watch for logging trucks and it is advised that you pull over onto the side of the road when you see one coming. This drive takes approximately 2 ½ hours.

Please note: even though the Youbou route is shorter, you will spend more time on gravel roads.

How To Get To Bamfield By Boat

M.V. Frances Barkley

Providing passenger and freight service to communities along Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound, the M.V. Frances Barkley sails out of Port Alberni at 8 am, down Alberni Inlet to Barkley Sound and Bamfield; or the Broken Group Islands and Ucluelet, and returning to Port Alberni in the late afternoon.

The trip to Bamfield takes 4 ½ hours, arriving at 12:30 pm. The boat departs again at 1:30 pm, arriving back in Port Alberni at 5:30 pm.

For information call 250.723.8313 or toll-free at 1.800.663.7192.

How To Get To Bamfield By Air

Pacific Seaplanes

Flying to Bamfield via Port Alberni, or the Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Pacific Seaplanes offers regular flights, though please check schedules and availability.

Flight times depend on flight sizes. Trip length ranges from 15 – 45 minutes. Call toll free: 855-933-5922.

How To Get To Bamfield By Shuttle

West Coast Trail Express

Offering daily services to Bamfield and Pachena Bay from Victoria, the West Coast Trail Express makes stops between Port Renfrew and the Juan de Fuca trailhead. For more info, call toll free: 1.888.999.2288.