Malcolm Island is a Place of Harmony

Malcolm Island is a place where orcas rub up against the smooth pebbled beach, and humans go to create lasting memories.

Situated off the northeast shore of Vancouver Island, Malcolm Island is a hidden gem. While relatively small (24 km long and 3 km wide at its narrowest point) and with a population of less than 700 people, it offers much to its visitors. You will find breathtaking scenery, great outdoor experiences, ample wildlife viewing opportunities, and fascinating history.

The History

The historic village of Sointula is the hub and seaport of Malcolm Island.

This charming seaside town was founded in the early 1900s by Finnish immigrants who envisioned building the perfect community. The name Sointula, in fact, means a place of harmony.

At its height, the community saw approximately 2,000 settlers whose only wish was to build a better life away from the drudgery of work in the coal mines on nearby Vancouver Island.

While the utopian vision died off within a decade, after visiting Malcolm Island it's easy to see that these visionaries chose the perfect location for their piece of paradise.

Finnish culture still exists today. In fact, the language is still found in much of the signage within the community, and can also be heard while wandering around the picturesque village.

Sointula

The Co-Op Store in Sointula's downtown area was founded in 1909 and is BC’s longest-running cooperative general store. The same downtown area also has a resource centre, gas station, post office, bakery, and the Oceanfront Hotel.

If you stop at the bakery (which is an absolute must!), make sure to try the delicious Finnish Pulla bread.

Venturing around Malcolm Island you will find colourfully painted houses with tidy fenced-in gardens, an interactive museum, a working forge, a cemetery giving you a further glimpse into the rich history of the area, a hardware store, and, of course, the harbour.

While at the harbour, don’t miss the historic anchor, and make sure to take a moment to read the “Lost at Sea” memorial.

Kaleva Road, which runs alongside the beach, is a popular spot to watch for cruise ships. This is where southbound ships pass through the narrow waters of Broughton Strait and make a narrow turn between Dickensen Point and Haddington Island. It's truly a sight to see!

While travelling along Kaleva Road look out across the water and enjoy the beautiful views of Vancouver Island and Cormorant Island (Alert Bay).

In the summer months, it may also be possible to glimpse a few of the many marine mammals that frequent the area.

Other Areas of Interest

Sointula Museum

Located in an old school and shared with the public library, the Sointula Museum holds a vast collection of very interesting items. You will find hundreds of photos, books, fishing and logging tools, and antiques of everyday household goods initially used by the first immigrants to the Island.

The museum is staffed by local volunteers who have spent countless hours over many years researching and displaying the detailed history and many artifacts left by the people who gave Sointula its name.

For a small community, the museum is quite large, comprising three large classroom-sized rooms. Many items in the museum can be touched, which is quite unique. Of special importance is the area that houses the island's archives, including personal stories from families who once lived there.

Hours of Operation

During the busy summer, the museum is open from noon to 4:00 pm seven days a week.

If you wish to visit at any other time of year and find the museum closed, please phone the number on the posters outside the entrance, and someone will gladly help you.

Admission is by donation, with a suggestion of $5 per person.

Bere Point Regional Park

Located 6 km from Sointula on the island's north shore lies the only public campground on Malcolm Island. Situated on a beautiful beach, this park offers 29 campsites, each nestled in the trees and just off the beach.

There are picnic facilities for day use, outhouses, firewood, and a boat launch. However, please note that there is no potable running water, sewer, or electrical service available here.

Bere Point is also the start and entrance to Beautiful Bay Trail (see “hikes” below for details) and the closest access point to the orca rubbing beach.

Due to its prime beachside location, Bere Point is a very popular campsite during the summer. Reservations are highly recommended, especially if you wish to stay on a long weekend.  

What to do while visiting Malcolm Island

Wildlife Viewing

Wildlife is plentiful on Malcolm Island. From the shore, you have a good chance of spotting porpoises, seals, otters, Orcas, Humpback Whales, bald eagles, and many species of seabirds. On land, you may see deer and mink.

Cycle

Leave your car at the ferry terminal in Port McNeill and tour Malcolm Island by bicycle. Bikes can be borrowed free of charge at the Sointula Resource Centre (found on 1st Street, right across from the ferry terminal).

Many cyclists enjoy the ride along Kaleva Road, which follows the island’s southern shoreline and winds its way past weathered cottages and rural farms.

Hike

Beautiful Bay Trail

This well-maintained trail begins at Bere Point Regional Park and is approximately 10 km round trip. The terrain is fairly flat, and there are plenty of beautiful views when you emerge from the thick forest and salal hedges.

Near the start of the trail, you will find a viewing platform perched above a pebbled beach. This is where the Orca come to rub their backs along the shoreline.

We weren't lucky enough to witness this phenomenon while there, but we enjoyed the beautiful view nonetheless.

Eagles, dolphins and humpback whales also frequent the area.

Mateoja Heritage Trail

This 6 km trail begins on Third Street. There is a variety of terrain, including handmade steps, extensive boardwalks, and perfectly positioned logs built up with asphalt shingles nailed together to create pathways. You will meander through marshland, forest, and a century-old forest fire site while passing by the grounds of an early 1900s homestead.

Follow the cute handmade signs that direct you to “Little Lake,” “Big Lake,” and “Melvin's Bog,” among other stops.

While at Little Lake, sit on the lakeside deck and enjoy the peace and beauty of your surroundings. This area is a fantastic spot for bird-watching.  In the summer, Big Lake becomes a local hot spot for swimming.  While you are there, make sure to look for the remains of an old water well, along with a few other interesting sights.

Kaleva Road Walkway

This 3 km interpretive nature walk takes you along the seaside to Mitchell Bay Road. Along the way, you will find viewing platforms and benches, as well as picnic tables, where you can sit and enjoy the stunning views.

If you have some extra time on the return trip, take the route through the centre of the island past Big Lake. Continue to Pulteney Point on the island's far end and take a 10-minute walk to the manned lighthouse.

The trailhead for Kaleva Road Walkway starts at Dickenson Point.

Fish

Malcolm Island is situated right on the main migratory route of the Pacific Salmon. That, along with calm waters, makes for some of the best salmon sport fishing in the world.

• From late May through to August, you will find migratory Chinooks
• Sockeye, from June to August
• Pinks, in July and August
• Coho, in mid-July
• Chum, from late August through to October
• Northern Coho, in September
• Winter Chinook can be found all the way until the end of December

Halibut fishing is also popular in the area and is done from April to September.

Kayak

The calm, tranquil waters surrounding Malcolm Island make it a fabulous place to kayak. It is also close to the beautiful Broughton Archipelago Provincial Park, a wilderness marine area consisting of dozens of undeveloped and largely undiscovered small islands and islets.

Where to Stay

If the Island’s unique charm gets to you and you wish to stay longer, there are a few options for you.

• The Oceanfront Hotel is ideally located in Sointula and offers private decks with stunning views.
• There are also a number of bed and breakfasts, cottages, and guesthouses scattered throughout Sointula and Mitchell Bay.
• Sointula has a private campground called Harmony Shores for those who wish to camp. As mentioned above, there are campsites at Bere Point.

Getting There

Malcolm Island is linked by a 25-minute ferry ride from the Port McNeill harbour.

Starting in Campbell River you will take the scenic drive up the North Island Highway towards Port McNeill. The drive should take approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. Unless you plan on stopping along the way!

The Ferry

The Ferry service runs between Port McNeill, Sointula, and Alert Bay seven days a week.

It's a bit of a convoluted schedule, so make sure you check the BC Ferries' website for updates before you go.

Something of importance to note:

If you wish to check out Alert Bay while in the area (which I highly recommend), you won't need to buy another passage. Just tell one of the attendants that you wish to make the Alert Bay loop, and they will give you a special pass.

Map of Malcolm Island

I will leave you with a map of Malcolm Island, courtesy of the Sointula Resource Centre Society.

Have you been to this beautiful remote island? Tell me about your experience in the comment section below.

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