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Access to Alert Bay is by one of the new BC Ferries from Port McNeill. The ferry is a very smooth 40 min ride. The people we encountered were very friendly and helpful. Do not miss the U'Mista Cultural Centre which was very interesting and one highlight of our visit. We also saw the world's tallest totem pole which is 173 feet tall, and enjoyed many wonderful views around the island, which is not very large.

Magical. To feel Alert Bay/Yalis, one needs to spend time in the U'Mista Cultural Centre and wandering around and talking to local First Nations people, all of whom we found very open and friendly and willing/interested to talk about and share their culture.

This is a magical village - perhaps half First Nations, half European non-indigenous - working together. More carved totem poles and other carvings around the village than I have seen anywhere in the Pacific Northwest (including Haida Gwaii). We spent five nights/six days there, seemed just right to visit the world-renowned U'mista Cultural Centre, wander the village and spend some time bush-walking through the forests on the "back-side" of the island. We spent one day on a very worthwhile and satisfying bear and other wildlife tour boat, lead by First Nations guides, ending up with an impromptu guided tour of U'mista, an unforgettable experience with people who know and have been affected. We felt it a privilege and it was deeply moving to visit the cultural centre, a special place for the repatriation of sacred First Nations artifacts. We walked, easily, everywhere, no need for a car, in fact, I believe a car would be a bother and a hindrance. The Seine Boat Inn was a tremendous place to stay - ask for one of the two fully self-contained suites perched over the water with their own decks to the sunset.

Alert Bay is a small island that is rich in First Nations culture and history. The U’mista Culture Centre is a must see, a board walk along the waterfront takes you through town and past the burial ground with several old totem Poles. I was there mid week and a lot of eating places were closed so bring your own snacks, maybe more is open on the weekend.

For the two days we were there, we saw just about everything we wanted to but would have enjoyed spending more time at each place. Local people were very friendly and we probably learned more about the history and life in Alert Bay just from talking to people.

The area is beautiful and full of history. The people are unfathomably friendly. We spent an evening drinking with locals. The cultural centre was the most fascinating place. This felt like real Canada.