Hawkesbury Island: Remote Wilderness in British Columbia’s North Coast

Why Visit Hawkesbury Island

Hawkesbury Island sits in the sheltered waters of the Douglas Channel system on British Columbia’s North Coast. Its steep, forested slopes rise directly from the sea, offering a compact slice of the Great Bear Rainforest without the crowds found farther south. Visitors come for quiet anchorages, clear waters, and the chance to experience coastal wilderness that remains largely untouched.

Things to See and Do

Kayakers launch from small beaches on the eastern shore and paddle along protected inlets where sea lions haul out on rocky points. Hiking trails, many little more than deer paths, climb through stands of old-growth cedar and hemlock toward viewpoints overlooking the channel. Anglers target halibut and salmon in the deeper passes, while birders watch for marbled murrelets and bald eagles nesting along the shoreline. In late summer, black bears forage on intertidal flats at low tide, offering reliable viewing from a respectful distance.

Marine Life

Humpback whales frequently surface in the wider channel, and harbor porpoises ride the tidal rips near the island’s northern tip. Divers and snorkelers explore kelp forests that shelter rockfish and octopus in the clearer summer months.

How to Get There

Access is by boat only. Most travelers depart from Kitimat or the small community of Hartley Bay, hiring local water-taxi operators or joining multi-day kayak tours. Floatplane charters from Terrace or Prince Rupert provide quicker but more expensive options. No public ferry or road reaches the island, so independent visitors must arrange return transport in advance.

Best Time to Visit

July through early September brings the mildest weather and longest daylight for paddling and hiking. June and September offer fewer insects and good wildlife activity but cooler temperatures and a higher chance of rain. Winter visits are possible only for experienced boaters equipped for heavy weather and short days.

Nearby Attractions

Just north, the waters around Gil Island and Campania Island offer similar scenery and additional anchorages. Southward, the fjords leading to Kitimat provide industrial contrast and a resupply point. Hartley Bay itself is a welcoming Gitga’at community with a small store and fuel dock useful before heading out.