Comox Airport
Flights into nearby Comox, British Columbia (located about 30 km north of the Buckley Bay) make getting to Hornby Island easy. The flight from Vancouver to Comox is approximately 25 minutes, and you can also fly direct from Calgary to Comox. For more information, schedules and fares, visit Pacific Coastal (1-800-663-2872), or West Jet (1-800-538-5696).
Traveling by Train
Take the scenic train route from Victoria along Vancouver Island to get to Buckley Bay! The train stops a short walk away from the ferry landing, making the train an accessible way to travel to Hornby Island. Check train schedules with Via Rail (1-888-842-7245). The train travels between Victoria and Courtenay which will allow you to get to Buckley Bay from any city or town along that line.
Bus Service to Hornby Island
Islandlink Bus Service currently provides 3 shuttle services daily between Campbell River/Comox/Courtenay and Departure Bay, and include a pick-up stop at the Denman Island ferry in Buckley Bay. If you're headed to the Vancouver International Airport, you can also find transportation from Horseshoe Bay on the mainland to the Airport. Check the Islandlink website for complete details, or call 1-877-954-3556.
Greyhound offers direct transportation to the Buckley Bay ferry landing. There are 2 daily buses that go straight from the Departure Bay ferry terminal in Nanaimo to Buckley Bay. Check the Greyhound schedules for complete information or call 1-800-661-TRIP.
Local Transportation
There is also a local bus route that will take you to/from Buckley Bay to/from Courtenay, B.C. This is a convenient service that allows you to make a day trip to Courtenay/Comox while enjoying the benefits of local transportation. Adult fare is only $1.25. Check local bus schedules.
Hornby Island Attractions
Hornby Island is best known for its gorgeous beaches, lush forests, and steep hiles. Hornby is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. As you travel Hornby Island watch for deer, blue herons, eagles, and opossums, which have made Hornby Island their northernmost home in North America.
Provincial Parks
Tribune Bay Provincial Park is one of the best places to swim in the Gulf Islands. The bay is covered with limestone and the shallow water allows the sun to heat the limestone making it a great place to swim. The water goes way out when the tide is low, making it a great place for young children. If you travel around the southern most point of Tribune Bay you will find "Little" Tribune Bay, where locals and visitors bath in the nude. Tribune Bay also has exotic looking rocks that have been erroded over the years making them quite spectacular. There is no camping at Tribune Bay.
Helliwell Provincial Park sits at the northern entrance to Tribune Bay, and on a headland (St. John Point) forested with a wonderful stand of old-growth Douglas fir. Springtime brings a dazzling wildflower display. In the late summer the hillside is covered with huckleberries and dark blue salal berries. Spectacular view of of Georgia Strait and the Coast Mountains are available from the high bluffs as well as occassional sightings of Orcas (Killer whales). There are good trails in Helliwell Park which follow a 3-mile (5-km) loop trail through Helliwell Bluffs that rise above the beach and through the fields and stands of magnificent old-growth Douglas fir.
Boyle Point Provincial Park follows a forested trail that can be accessed at the south end of East Road on Denman Island. Tthis 1-mile (1.6 km across) hike will give you a good workout. Your reward will be spectacular views of Hornby Island. Cliffs drob sharply below the lookout at trail's end. One significant difference between the waters of the north and south ends of Denman is the presence of sea urchins around Boyle Point.
Whaling Station Bay's warm sunny shore is a great place for families as it is shallow and protected for swimming. Whaling Station Bay is on the northeast side of Hornby Island and operated as a whaling port in the late 1800's.
Hornby Trails - If you are an adventurous and hearty biker, try climbing the 1000 feet of elevation on the road up from the Hornby Island Ferry terminal. Your reward will then be Bench Trail which follows the cliff tops and provides spectacular views. No Horse Trai is a half-pike style trail that follows an old river bed. Other trails cover the island and are worth exploring.
Hornby Island has long been know for its world-class scuba diving. Divers have been coming to Horby Island for years to dive with the rare and mysterious six-gill sharks off Flora Island. These magnificent creatures can exceed 4.5 m (15') in length, and are routinely sighted from May through September. You can also scuba dive other locations such as Lambert Channel, at Maude Reef, Heron Rocks and Norris Rocks and see the diversity of underwater life and some interesting caves.
Hornby Island is home to one of the largest and most consisten herring spawns in British Columbia. So much food draws bald eagles, sea lions and seals, and sometimes Orcas to feed on the sea lions. They know when this event occurs and all come for the banquet. You can observe this spawn by diving, on glass bottom boats, or in a kayak. The spawn is close to shore and is a spectacle worthy of a visit. It takes place in March.
Every summer for 10 days in the early part of August, locals host the annual Hornby Festival which features world-class entertainers and features Canadian artists and internationally acclaimed artists performing instrumentals, vocals, dancing & theatre. Check locally for times and dates.
The Commercial Hub of Hornby Island is the incredible hand crafted Hornby Community Hall and the Co-op Store both of which are just a few minutes walk from Tribune Bay.
Christmas Craft Faire
The Hornby Christmas Stroll in early December is a very special Country Christmas Faire—25+ years old. Hornby Island is renowned for its high quality professional crafts. Over 70 booths in 2 Community Centres, just one block from the ferry landing. Runs 10:00am to 4:00pm. Check locally for dates.
Hornby Island Dining
- The Thatch and The Wheelhouse Restaurant
Situated at the ferry landing.
Phone 250-335-0136
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The Cardboard House Bakery
Multiple options here. Pizza, Cafe, Smoothie Bar, and Bakery.
Phone 250-335-0733
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VORIZO
Situated at the Ringside Market. Serving food and drink
Phone 250-335-1010
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Jan's Cafe
Situated at the Ringside Market. Serving food and drink. Licensed.
Phone 250-335-1487
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Seabreeze Lodge
Licensed dining.
Phone 250-335-2321
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Fish and Chips
At the Ringside Market
Businesses
Hornby Island Outdoor Sports
5875 Central Road
Hornby Island, BC
V0R 1Z0
1 877 977 BIKE (2453)
250 335 0448
Hornby Island Diving
Rob Zielinski & Amanda Heath
Owners/Operators
Ford Cove, Hornby Island
British Columbia, Canada V0R 1Z0
Tel & Fax (250) 335-2807
Email info@hornbyislanddiving.com
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