Port Hardy, a district municipality in British Columbia, Canada, is a hidden gem nestled on the north-east end of Vancouver Island. With a population of 3,902 as of the 2021 census, this quaint town serves as the gateway to Cape Scott Provincial Park, the North Coast Trail, and the BC Marine Trail.
The town of Port Hardy was named after Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, the captain of HMS Victory who served at the Battle of Trafalgar. The town's rich history is intertwined with its natural beauty, making it a unique destination for history buffs and nature lovers alike.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Port Hardy had a population of 3,902 living in 1,791 of its 1,984 total private dwellings. This represented a change of -5.6% from its 2016 population of 4,132. With a land area of 38.55 km2 (14.88 sq mi), it had a population density of 101.2/km2 (262.2/sq mi) in 2021.
Every year, Port Hardy holds a celebration in Rotary Park to acknowledge its natural resource-based economy. The three syllables, fi, lo, and mi, stand for "fishing, logging, and mining". The celebration includes festivities such as activities for children, fundraising concessions, entertainment, beer gardens, bake sales, craft sales, and fireworks. A dance for each age group and a parade are also held on Filomi Days weekend- typically the third weekend in July.
Port Hardy's economy relies greatly on tourism. Ferries to Prince Rupert, another popular tourist destination in British Columbia, depart every other day during peak season. The summer tourist traffic is immense, and hotels and restaurants usually find themselves fully booked.
Port Hardy is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. Deer, black bears, bald eagles, squirrels, seals, salmon, and many other species of birds and mammals are often spotted along the Quatse Loop Nature Trail or at Storey's Beach. Humpback whales can occasionally be seen surfacing in the bay. Port Hardy has many wildlife charters, fishing charters, and camping spots during the tourist season.
Port Hardy has an oceanic climate due to its proximity to the Pacific moderating influence. Summers are very cool for the latitude, whereas winters are very mild. Although there is a strong drying trend in summer, its summer rainfall is still higher than those of the southerly Mediterranean climates. Winter rainfall is very high and in general, Port Hardy is far wetter than Canada's interior.
Port Hardy is located at the northern end of British Columbia Highway 19, which runs south towards Nanaimo. It is served by the Bear Cove ferry terminal, which sees ferry sailings to Prince Rupert and summer-only service to Bella Coola. Port Hardy Airport has flights to Vancouver on Pacific Coastal Airlines. There are two taxi companies and a public transport bus.
Port Hardy's twin city is Numata, Hokkaido, Japan. The two cities have been sister cities since September 1994, further enriching the cultural diversity and international relations of Port Hardy.
