Bamfield is a small marine community located along the southern part of the west coast of Vancouver Island, between Sooke and Tofino. This small fishing community sits along a protected inlet on the south shores of Barkely Sound in the heart of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. The Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre is located on the northwest tip of Bamfield. The centre is run by the University of Victoria, University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary and is a hub for marine researchers and other scientists. For more information about the community of Bamfeild, please click here.
Depending upon your starting location, travel to Bamfield can take some time. Those traveling from the mainland will need to board a ferry at Horseshoe Bay and travel to Namaimo, a city located on the east coast of Vancouver Island. A school bus will be awaiting your arrival in Nanaimo's Departure Bay Terminal. The group will then travel together, heading west to Port Alberni where we will stop for a short lunch break. The bus will then continue traveling southwest to Bamfield.
Much of the drive from Port Alberni to Bamfield will be on 83 km of gravel road. While this road is maintained, there is no guarantee that it will be a completely 'smooth ride.' Travel time from Port Alberni to Bamfield may take up to 3 hours. Total travel time from Nanaimo to Bamfield may take anywhere between 2.5 to 4.5 hours, depending on the road conditions. Please come prepared with extra food, water and any nausea medications should you need it.
Form more information about travel to Bamfield please click here
or contact your program coordinators, Lynn or Sofeya.